digital camera questions

[Daisy Duck 5]

I am thinking about buying a digital camera. There are so many cameras to choose from, the main thing I was wondering is the difference between the two types of zoom optical and digital. I see a camera and it will say 10x optical zoom but only 3x digital zoom. So which one should I be looking at. The main thing want when I get a camera is good zoom that is not too pricy. Does anyone have a certain camera they know of that I would be interested in?

 

[MICKEY88]

optical zoom is the most important, you always lose image quality
with the digital zoom....

cameras are sort of a personal thing, what works best for one person might not be what someone else needs or wants,


for a lower priced camera with a good zoom my personal favorite is the Olympus C-750 Ultra Zoom, 4.1 Megapixel, 10x Optical/4x Digital Zoom, Digital Camera..


I have used Minolta cameras for 25 years, but I might actually buy the Olympus, since Minolta doesn't have anything similar in the same price range...

 

[Dan Murphy]

http://wdwig.com/digital.htm#Speaking Digicam

Zurg's writeup here on Deb's site is good, IMO.

Pricey? Different to everyone. What price range?

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

Daisy Duck 5, thanks for asking this question. I've almost started the same thread a few times myself in the past.

I would love to find something under $300, but I don't know if a digital camera in that price range is worth owning.

We would probably use ours for taking pictures of the kids mostly. I'd also like to start selling on eBay and we'd use it for that too.

 

[Michelemouse]

manchurianbrownbear -

It's a little bit more than your $300 price but I just bought a Minolta Dimage S414 from Amazon.com for about $335 (free shipping, no tax). It is a 4mp, 4x Optical Zoom, 2.2x Digital zoom camera that also takes 60 second video clips. I cannot say enough about this camera. I absolutely love it and the pictures are fantastic...crystal clear.

Just something to think about. The list price on this camera is $499 and Best Buy sells it for $399 so the Amazon price is a pretty good savings.

Good luck in your search.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Optical zoom is very important. I've got a (2-3?) year old Canon S10 2.3 MP that I love, except that it only has 2x optical zoom. We use it only for vacation and family/friend get-togethers, and while it works great for closeups, when you want to get some people and some background in the same shot, the people end up really small in comparison. (Yes, I know - get closer. But then you lose the background). We're looking at a new camera soon, and 3x or more OZ will be a requirement. Oh, for us, the 2.3 MP does the job.

 

[Lurieh]

Just a short word of advice. The longer the zoom, the more camera "shake" you will see. This will result in a blurry picture at extreme zoom. Check to see if the camera has image stabilization or not. That feature will help in keeping the image steady while you take the picture. Of course, you're good-to-go if you have a tripod.

I personally use a Olympus 2100ez 2.1 MP camera. It has a 10x zoom and image stabilization(one of only two cameras to have that feature as far as I know). It takes great photos and I can get great photo prints out to 8x10.

 

[Pamlur]

I have an Olympus C-700 that scared me to death until I got used to it; I was used to my old Mavica FD71 workhorse. But now I absolutely LOVE my Olympus, and my son is loving my old Mavica.

 

[MICKEY88]

digital zoom is actually harder to steady than optical zoom....



I've been shooting professionally for 20years with all Minolta equipment, and was planning to buy the Minolta 7HI..but since seeing this Olympus, I think I'm going to get it instead....I've done a lot of research for a few months now and don't think you can find more camera for the price...

Olympus C-750 Ultra Zoom, 4.1 Megapixel, 10x Optical/4x Digital Zoom, Digital Camera..Broadway's Price: $489.00


Longer zoom - More pixels - Excellent picture quality. The C-750 boasts an incredible 40x total zoom (10x optical) and 4-megapixel CCD, both firsts in the Olympus Ultra Zoom Series, making it easier than ever to bring great picture opportunities and impressive picture results right to you. Combine these with advanced Olympus optics, a hot shoe for added versatility, and features like QuickTime with sound and a number of automatic and manual controls for creative freedom, and you've got one of the most complete digital packages you'll ever find. All in a compact, stylish metal body.