I'm trying to recommend a camera...

[My2Girls66]

for a friend of mine who is going on a 23 day African safari in Aug. She owns an older 3x zoom Nikon p&s. I told her that I didn't think that camera would be near enough camera or zoom for that kind of trip. I know she doesn't really want to buy another camera but I sent her links to 2 cameras that aren't very expensive that I think would do her trip more justice. Kodak has a Z712 that has 12x zoom and IS for under $200 with a 2gb memory card and I also sent her a link to the Canon S5 which also has 12x zoom and IS. Does anyone have the Kodak? Is it ok? I know many of you have the Canon. Thats the one I recommended to her if she could spend the $300. I just can't see spending $1000's on a trip of a lifetime and not have a decent camera. She asked me if I had a camera she could borrow but she mentioned the 26lb weight limit she has on all baggage- sorry but my D50 plus lenses would kill a lot of the necessities. Phew!!! Then I got to thinking- I'd be in trouble if I went on that tour. After packing my camera gear I probably would only be able to pack a toothbrush and underwear!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

There have been several threads here on that Kodak being "slow" to capture shots. I remember them because my BIL has it and told me the same thing. The Canon probably will be better, especially if she has some knowledge of photography and can use it to her best advantage. (I have the S2 and S3.)

If she's interested in going the dSLR route, Olympus makes compact dSLRs very popular with wildlife photographers and travelers because they're smaller and lighter than most dSLRs, which make them easier to carry with other gear. Here's a review of the E-510 from a professional wildlife photographer. They have a brand new dSLR out this month - the Evolt E-420, billed as "the world's smallest and lightest dSLR". This may be something to consider, however, be aware the 420 does not have in-body IS like the 510 does. Photos

 

[elizke]

for a friend of mine who is going on a 23 day African safari in Aug. She owns an older 3x zoom Nikon p&s. I told her that I didn't think that camera would be near enough camera or zoom for that kind of trip. I know she doesn't really want to buy another camera but I sent her links to 2 cameras that aren't very expensive that I think would do her trip more justice. Kodak has a Z712 that has 12x zoom and IS for under $200 with a 2gb memory card and I also sent her a link to the Canon S5 which also has 12x zoom and IS. Does anyone have the Kodak? Is it ok? I know many of you have the Canon. Thats the one I recommended to her if she could spend the $300. I just can't see spending $1000's on a trip of a lifetime and not have a decent camera. She asked me if I had a camera she could borrow but she mentioned the 26lb weight limit she has on all baggage- sorry but my D50 plus lenses would kill a lot of the necessities. Phew!!! Then I got to thinking- I'd be in trouble if I went on that tour. After packing my camera gear I probably would only be able to pack a toothbrush and underwear!

I have an older model, a Kodak DX7590, and have always loved it. I've never had any trouble with speed, at least not any more so than all other point and shoots. All the controls you could ever want and I've gotten thousands of shots with it. I am partial to Kodaks' colors and ease of use (very logical layouts and menus) and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it OR the Canon. I also have a Canon.

There are also the Panasonic TZ's. Pretty decent and smallest of the zoomers. (But no optical viewfinder.)

Give her a list and let her go try them all out. You are right, she will be very happy to have a zoom!

 

[Groucho]

I would actually go along with the Olympus DSLR suggestion - preferably one with IS built-in like the E510. Not only are they small and light, but the smaller sensor means a 2x crop factor, which means that a 200mm lens which would be equivalent to 300mm on most DSLRs will be equivalent to 400mm on the Olympus. Smaller, lighter telephoto lenses will help keep the bag light and still give a lot of zoom. You can probably get by just fine with only two lenses, a close zoom and a telephoto zoom; certainly much better than you'd do with any PnS.

 

[Code]

I don't think you could possibly ever have enough zoom for a safari... I would be tearing my hair out with a 3x P&S!

Going along with the Olympus E-510 suggestion, add the Olympus 70-300mm (about $380, and 1.36 lb) and you have 600mm equivalent. It is an insane amount of zoom for the (relatively) small/light package, and a decent price. However if weight/size are the ultimate concern, then the 40-150 telephoto kit lens gets you to 300mm equiv at only half a pound and a tiny package.

But then this all assumes that she wants to spend for a DSLR.. definitely exceeds $300

 

[My2Girls66]

She definitely won't go the dslr route. She won't spend the money and she really can't add any weight. I saw a Canon with 10x zoom in BJ's yesterday. SX100IS for $229. Anyone have that one?
They have a 26lb limit on all stuff they carry & check. I don't know how you can travel for 23 days with only 26lbs of stuff.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Well, believe it or not, the Oly E-420 dSLR (@ 13.4 oz) weighs less than the Canon S5 IS (@ 15.9 oz)! A zoom lens would add a little more weight, but they're actually pretty light also (and it would be so worth it - I'd defintely sacrifice something else for a zoom lens on a trip like that ).

Cost is another issue altogether, but not one that can't be absolutely overcome - there were reports that Best Buy had their E-510s w/2 lens kits on clearance for under $400 in anticipation of the next model. Some can also be found on Craigslist.

Regardless, I hope your friend has a wonderful trip, whatever camera she decides to use!

 

[Code]

Just avoid the ultra-super-mega-ridiculo-zoom models (18x +). There are serious optical quality compromises to be made for such a long zoom range, even if you're just making 4x6 prints.