Is this a good camera?

[DVCsince02]

Kodak 5x Zoom 14.0 Megapixel Digital Camera w/ Smart Capture

It's on QVC today with 5 easy pays. I have a Kodak now, but it's older (only 3.1).

We just want a basic point and shoot with good action and night pictures.

Any advice is very appreciated!

 

[ukcatfan]

We would need a model number to tell you anything. If you are wanting good night shots, you either need a tripod or a DSLR (sometimes both). For action night shots you are going to have to go with a DSLR. A p&s just cannot handle the task.

 

[bob100]

We would need a model number to tell you anything. If you are wanting good night shots, you either need a tripod or a DSLR (sometimes both). For action night shots you are going to have to go with a DSLR. A p&s just cannot handle the task.

there are lots of 5x compact cameras by Canon, Panasonic, Nikon, etc. be sure to check those out (and the reviews) before buying a QVC special.
... and you can get a decent or acceptable action shot at night without buying a dSLR ,- however it helps to have at least 12x zoom

example

 

[ukcatfan]

there are lots of 5x compact cameras by Canon, Panasonic, Nikon, etc. be sure to check those out (and the reviews) before buying a QVC special.
... and you can get a decent or acceptable action shot at night without buying a dSLR ,- however it helps to have at least 12x zoom

example

It depends on what level of noise/detail you find acceptable. I have yet to see a p&s that has truly acceptable ISO 400 let alone anything higher. Anytime you see one with the noise down, it is because they cranked up the noise reduction and that kills the detail. Don't get me wrong, the p&s has its place and I own two of them. They are just not made to do well in tricky lighting and likely never will. What advantage would the companies have in offering a p&s that does as well as their DSLRs, but costs less than half the price?

Since you are offering your shots as examples, would you care to provide a 100% crop that will show the noise and detail levels? Anything will look alright at less than 300 pixels across.

 

[DVCsince02]

Thank you all for your opinions. I really appreciate it. We decided not to buy that camera.

Can anyone recommend a point and shoot of decent quality? I really prefer Kodak since I am familiar with the software, etc.

Thanks again!

 

[bob100]

What advantage would the companies have in offering a p&s that does as well as their DSLRs, but costs less than half the price? Since you are offering your shots as examples, would you care to provide a 100% crop that will show the noise and detail levels? Anything will look alright at less than 300 pixels across.

My point is the dSLR and long lens obviously takes better night time sports pics but if you don't want to spend $000's then check out the super-zoom type P&S cameras. For less than $300 they can take night action sports pics (within limits). The examples on the Flickr page offers different sizes and if the level of detail isn't good enough for you then get the big Canon lens and monopod - those pics were from the stands without a tripod!

 

[Groucho]

Also, 14 megapixels in a point-n-shoot is a lot! As in, way too much!

A quick glance at Kodak's site indicates that it's probably the Z1485... 14 mp, and goes up to ISO 6400. (!) Somehow, I'm guess that ISO 6400 is pretty useless. Same for 3200, 1600, 800, 400, and probably 200.

The good news is that it was a 1/1.72" sensor, larger than the usual 1/2.5" PnS sensor... but still much smaller than you'd want to get good results out of a 14 mp CCD sensor.

 

[My2Girls66]

For super zooms- A friend of mine has the Kodak Z712- it has 10 or 12x zoom- 7mp- it does a decent job. Another friend has the Canon Sx100IS- which is now the SX110- she took it on safari in Africa, it also did a nice job- 10x zoom- 8mp. The Nikon P80 looks like its getting some good reviews- 18x zoom- 10mp. For only around $130 there is the Canon A590- another decent little camera- 4x zoom-8mp.

 

[MHolleman]

Also, 14 megapixels in a point-n-shoot is a lot! As in, way too much!

A quick glance at Kodak's site indicates that it's probably the Z1485... 14 mp, and goes up to ISO 6400. (!) Somehow, I'm guess that ISO 6400 is pretty useless. Same for 3200, 1600, 800, 400, and probably 200.

The good news is that it was a 1/1.72" sensor, larger than the usual 1/2.5" PnS sensor... but still much smaller than you'd want to get good results out of a 14 mp CCD sensor.

I just wanted to say that you are so right on with this. I have a pns and while it takes fantastic daytime and macro pics, the low light pics are where it suffers. I can live with the results, but others should know what the camera offers before they buy it. I found a chart that talks about the settings incase anyone is intersted.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/SonyH9/page6.asp

Hope this helps someone.

Melissa

 

[fishynancy]

YOu can go to the cnet.com to have a look at the review of it.

 

[disneyfanUSA]

For only around $130 there is the Canon A590- another decent little camera- 4x zoom-8mp.

Do you know if this camera takes good night pictures?