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eb0i
05-27-2005, 10:11 AM
I'm in the market to buy a new digital camera as my old 2.0 mp sony digital is not going to last anymore.

My price range goes up to about $800. And I really want a camera with huge optical zoom capabilities and 3.2 mp to 5.0 mp....really I only need about 3.2mp though as I don't plan on printing anything bigger than 4x6's. So I've narrowed my search down to these two "mini slr" cameras. But after reading the pros and cons I'm having a hard time deciding.

The first camera is the Canon Powershot S1 IS:
Specs (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s1-review/index.shtml)
pros:
3.2mp (all I need)
Image Stabilizer
10x Optical Zoom
Swivel LCD

Cons:
No AF illuminator so hard to focus on low lighting pictures.
takes 4 AA batteries
small 1.5 inch lcd

The second camera is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5:
Specs (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_fz5-review/index.shtml)
pros:
12x Optical Zoom
Battery and Charger included
has AF illuminator
image stabilizer
5.0mp
1.8 inch LCD

cons:
It's a panasonic and I'm not quite sure how that will pan out for me in the long run. Are they a trust worthy camera mfg?
No swivel LCD

Now I picked two point and shoots but I really don't want them because I want a higher powered optical zoom (as I find digital zoom is not very appealing to me).

Canon Powershot SD400 Digital Elph
Specs (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_sd400-review/)
Pros:
small and compact with a ton of features
rechargeable battery

Cons:
3x Optical zoom (I want more!)

Canon Powershot A95
Specs (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_a95-review/)
Pros:
swivel LCD
Can buy add on lens hoods and lenses
More manual control (or so I think) than the sd400

Cons:
No charger or rechargeable batteries included
3x optical zoom

Please help me on what you think. Especially on buying a panasonic brand camera
:dunno:

thanks!

C4S
05-27-2005, 12:02 PM
FZ20 is a very very good camera .. ( ~$750 ) I love using it!

FZ5 should be good too .. ^_^

Pan offere amazing great zoom lens! even nicer then Canon/Nikon one .. IMO .. :D

xkon
05-27-2005, 12:40 PM
I'll say Canon, because Canon rocks.

Ben, tell the guy!

Ben
05-27-2005, 01:31 PM
You should be able to get a Canon Powershot G5 for 800 bucks, and this is a great camera. awesome zoom capabilities and 7MP.

Stay Canon, you wont be disappointed. they just work.

eb0i
05-27-2005, 02:48 PM
So which one would be better in your guys opinion? The A95 or the S1 IS?

C4S
05-27-2005, 03:25 PM
:D


http://www.londondrugs.com/msib20/ProductImages/1009893_large.jpg


U can look at mine ..

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?threadid=82631


10X Nikon ED zoom .. and 8.2 M ..

and .. It is a Nikon! :D

FiveFreshFish
05-27-2005, 05:44 PM
Originally posted by eb0i
Canon Powershot SD400 Digital Elph
Specs (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_sd400-review/)
Pros:
small and compact with a ton of features
rechargeable battery

Cons:
3x Optical zoom (I want more!)

This will be my next camera. I had a chance to use a Canon IXY 55 = Japanese version of SD400. It's about 1/3 thinner than my Canon S230 and has a 2" screen.

For me, the small size trumps all other shortcomings because I take my camera everywhere.

eb0i
05-27-2005, 08:12 PM
Originally posted by Ben
You should be able to get a Canon Powershot G5 for 800 bucks, and this is a great camera. awesome zoom capabilities and 7MP.

Stay Canon, you wont be disappointed. they just work.

Did you mean the G6? Because I went to Best Buy today and bought the last one they had (demo) for a great price!
I'm excited!
:burnout:


Originally posted by C4S
:D


http://www.londondrugs.com/msib20/ProductImages/1009893_large.jpg


U can look at mine ..

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?threadid=82631


10X Nikon ED zoom .. and 8.2 M ..

and .. It is a Nikon! :D

thanks for the offer, but now i have a canon

:thumbsup:

Ben
05-28-2005, 02:31 AM
Yes, G6, sorry, fat fingers =P

eb0i
05-29-2005, 12:14 AM
Wow the G6 is incredible!

mb3k
05-29-2005, 01:30 AM
Although not all Sony products live up to their hype, I really recommend another one of their digital cameras (pictures are sharp and clear).
I know it might not be in your price range, but the DSCF828 (8MP) is an amazing machine (I've used it, and wow). I currently have the DSCS85 (4MP) and it's been great to me, clear pictures and such.