response time on digital cameras for WDW

[Kendra17]

oops--posted twice!

 

[javaj]

Kendra,
I got a 40X card when we got our 3.1 MP coz I was anticipating a delay in storing more pixels. However, it is still extra slow with our camera. So I'm hoping for a camera maybe with better internal memory or internal processing. We weren't really unhappy with the 2 MP, just found a good deal (well thought so at the time) for the 3 MP. I've never had a polaroid, I'll check some of those out this week. Thanks for the info!
Josette

 

[nuzmom]

Well, we decided on a Panasonic Lumix FZ10K. It has a 12x zoom and uses a SD card. The shutter time is great and it publishes a between shot speed of about 1.2 seconds. It seemed really fast in the store.

I had problems with the Kodak (at 2 different stores) with blurring at the high zoom. The Panasonic and a Canon had "image stabilization" that helps to prevent that. I figure if I'm paying for the high zoom, I don't want to avoid using it because I can't hold the camera steady enough for a clear picture. I liked everything else about the Kodak.

The Canon camera was nice (I think it was a Powershot SI), but I didn't like the way it switched from taking to viewing pictures. It also had a somewhat small screen, but the screen could fold into the camera (like some camcorders do) and that seemed like it would help protect it. But, the screen was Really small.

I also bought a 256 MB Panasonic card. From what I've read, the Sandisk Ultra II and the Panasonic cards have the faster writing speeds (for SD cards) at 10 mb/sec.

I liked the Panasonic's shutter speed and write speed. We wanted the high zoom and at 12x (and 4 mp) it's a camera that we had to concider. It also has a "burst" mode that we wanted.

I ordered my camera off of B & H Photo (on-line) and I'm hoping that all goes well and I receive it within a few days. I considered buying off of buydig.com, but they didn't have the Panasonic SD card that I wanted.

I'll let you know what I think about it after I get it and have a longer chance to play with it.

 

[elgerber]

nuzmom, Let me know how you like the Panasonic when you get it. I was looking at the FZ10, but now I am thinking of waiting for the FZ20, the newer model out late summer. I have been torn between those and the Olympus c-770. So many cameras, such a hard decision.

Thanks!

Erika

 

[nuzmom]

elgerber: We LOVE this camera (Panasonic FZ10k). It's amazing. I don't know what the FZ20 will be like, but I wanted to "play" with it quite a bit before our vacation and wanted it NOW. I'm not sure how much you know about the FZ10, but here's what I like...

It has a 12x zoom (plus a 3x digital for a max of 36x). I'm not into the digital zoom, but it has it. You can review pictures one by one or look at 9 at a time. You can record movies (around 30 minutes on a 256 panasonic SD card). It has this cool "flip animation" feature where you take single pictures of an object (up to 100 pics) and then play them back like a "flip book". It's sort of a fun game type thing, doubt if I really use it other than to play with. You can record pictures with 10 seconds of sound - very cool. Don't know what I'll really use that for, but it's fun to play with (just like the movies - don't know that I'll ever use it, but it's fun)

The pictures are GREAT. It has an image stabilization that is NECESSARY with the high zoom and it works well.

It takes pictures extremely fast - seems to me it might be faster than my 35 mm!!! It has a "burst mode" that takes several pictures in a row (choice between 5 fps or 2 fps, I think). That will come in handy and help me prevent the "just missed the shot" situations.

Also, highly recommend the panasonic SD cards - VERY fast write speed - 10 mb/sec. Some off brands are as low at 2 mb/sec. BIG difference.

This is a 4 mp camera with a 12x zoom and I LOVE IT!!!! (can you tell?)

Here's a tip... I ended up buying off of B&H Photo. They had the panasonic card, xtra panasonic battery (don't know if we'll need it, but I wanted the piece of mind of having extra in the bag at wDW), and the camera for a good price ($499). To get the $499 price, you have to add the camera to the "shopping cart", but you can always decide not to "check out". I was between this place and buydig.com, but B&H had everything I wanted. The camera arrived in a never opened box, in perfect shape and VERY quickly. They sent confirmation emails with tracking numbers and there's a phone number to speak to them if needed.

The only negative thing I could possibly say about this camera is the size, but what can we expect from a camera with a 12x zoom and a great lens. Honestly, it does everything that I used my 35mm (with zoom) for and I will probably never use my 35mm again. Oh, one more "negative", the lens cap is not attached by a string, so they tell you a zillion times in the manual - don't lose lens cap!!! (but it's only $7 to replace) I plan on getting a stick on lens cap string from our local camera store (also need to find a good camera bag for it).

If you have any specific questions, you can post again or PM me.

 

[DisFam95]

We got the Kodak Easy Share. The optical zoom is good, you want to go high on the optical zoom (digital's not as important). I use the Sport Mode and it seems to take the pic a little quicker and do the press 1/2 way to focus then all the way to get the shot but that does not always work if you want a quick shot.

My brother got the Digital Rebel/Canon...oh my goodness. Super fast burst mode. We were playing with it at my sons b-day party (2yrs) and I just took a series of shots and it looked like he barely moved but his eyes were in different positions in each shot. 7point focus which is great for clear images. I know it's probably not the price most of us are looking for in budgeting a Disney trip!!!!

I hate looking for the perfect digital. I still think my SLR is the best. I always get perfect shots but only 1/2 the time w/ the digital.

 

[Gillian]

Originally posted by DisFam95
My brother got the Digital Rebel/Canon...oh my goodness. Super fast burst mode. We were playing with it at my sons b-day party (2yrs) and I just took a series of shots and it looked like he barely moved but his eyes were in different positions in each shot.

My dad has a Digital Rebel as well. It takes AWESOME pictures! Even the regular mode is fast. Love it, love it! I got a fantastic price on it ((under $800 with the lens) at Dell when it first came out, but their coupons now exclude high-end digital cameras. He drags it everywhere but it's too big for me.

I have a Canon digital elph S400. It's very small and takes nice pictures. I don't have a fast memory card (gave it to my dad, LOL). It also has a multiple photo mode, which is what I use most of the time. With 2 squirmy toddlers it's the only way to get good shots. I just go through and delete the obviously bad ones as soon as I get a chance.

I often suggest Kodak to 1st time DC buyers. They are so easy to use!

 

[hulabird]

We justy bought the Kodak LS743. It is 4.0 MP and was rated very high on several professional camera websites. I had tried the Gateway DC-T50 which is 5.25 MP and got it for only $250, but it was terrible on the autofocus so I sent it back and then went looking for a new camera, searching all the opinion sites etc... I wanted something that was a nice size and that had a neck strap, and the LS743 does. It is 4" x only 2" high. It has a professional lense on it ....which is what really made me decide on it over some of the other Kodak models. I looked at the DX6490 and it is also a nice camera, but I have one like it and it is too bulky for me on vacation. I like traveling as light as possible. This camera does everything the DX6490 does, same MP specs, same type of lense, but a better size and I got it for only $277.00 so the price is right. I am starting to become a camera fanatic though so I need to stop looking at all the new models!

 

[donkeysleuth]

Hulabird- How is your Kodak for fast action shots. I'm really torn between just taking my regaular Olympus 35 mm, or buying a digital. I like the idea of being able to delete bad pics, but I'm afraid I'll get the digital & miss half the shots. Also-i get that you need a 4.0 whatever, but I'm lost re memory cards, speed etc. Any recommendations you can make??

 

[disneygang]

We had a great time at the Kingdom. The kids were amazed and mom and dad were taking pics and video. We took 486 picture and 5 1/2 hrs of video in 8 Days.

I can say the Kodak Easyshare DX6490 was a great camera for us. I am learning the digital camera game and this is great for a beginner. A bit slow at times between pictures, but that can be overcome with looking for the opportunites and readiness. The zoom is awsome. The lizzard photos were taken with no zoom and then at full digital zoom freehand.

Is there a better way to post pics here than the way I did these?

The 256 MB stick we bought would get us about 340+ pics at 4 MP. The re-chargeable battery is great as well.

 

[donkeysleuth]

Hi Disneygang-
Sounds like you had a great time & had fun with your new camera. I wasn't able to view you photos-not sure how you're able to send then through (I'm as much as a comuter expert as a camera expert!).
How did you get over 400 pics- not with just the one memory stick did you? Did you have some downloaded on a CD at WDW?
Thanks for the info!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Ok this is after the fact, but I have to chime in and say we really love our Canon s230. We had a Nikon that had all the slow start, delay picture problems and took it back.

We got the Canon a few years ago and love it. It is so small I carry it in my purse all the time. It takes great pictures and is very fast. (especailly if you pre-focus.) The flash is a little weak, but they fixed this with the next model up. You can get it for around 350 now a days.