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Making a digital camera purchase, I am.

L

Lord Chambers

Weaksauce
Joined
Jul 4, 2003
Messages
112
What are the critieria for making a digital camera purchase? I plan to do more in-depth research myself before actually buying one, but it's always helpful to have a quick primer from some experts before diving into research.

For instance, if someone asked me the criteria for making a hard drive purchase, I'd tell them:
interface (sata, ata133, ata100, etc)
cache (don't buy anything lower than 8mb)
RPM (7600 or above)
capacity (depends on the user's needs)
manufacurer (Western Digital and Maxtor are popular, but I've never heard of or had problems with Seagate drives)
With those opinions to give some foundation so the person could make their own judgements.

I'm hoping someone can do the same for me, letting me know what the issues are surrounding digital cameras, what to look for, and what to look out for.
 
build quality
image quality
manual controls/features
zoom
size
type of memory
timing (startup, shot to shot, focusing)
battery type
battery life


Though I'm sure there are more these are the things that first come to mind.
 
I've been in the market for a DigiCam for a while now myself. I've hit a lot of the review sites for more info. Here's a list of things to look for.

Manufacturer (Canon, Olympus, Nikkon, Sony, Kodak)
Media type (CF, SD, MS)
Capacity (At most 32 MB) You'll have to get a larger card separately
Exposure Control (Auto, Program, Av & Tv, Manual)
Shutter Speeds (Max and Min time shutter is able to stay open)
Resolution (Megapixels)
White Balance (Ability to get the color white right in different lighting)
LCD size (Most are 1.5")
Power Source (AA Batterys, Proprietary Source)
Optical Zoom (3x is average) Don't look at Digital Zoom

Here's some sites to check out.
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
http://www.dcresource.com/

I've pretty much settled on getting a Canon A80. I had my eye on a Sony P10 for awhile, but the A80 sold me with the full manual Exposure Control, and the length of time it will operate on a single battery charge. The folding LCD screen was a plus too.
 
I've pretty much settled on getting a Canon A80. I had my eye on a Sony P10 for awhile, but the A80 sold me with the full manual Exposure Control, and the length of time it will operate on a single battery charge. The folding LCD screen was a plus too.
Click to expand...
After looking at the Tom's Hardware Guide 6 camera comparison, and seeing how good the A70 is, I'm leaning toward it or the A80. As I understand, the only difference is megapixle, with some slight differences in resolution size?

Where are you thinking of buying it from?
 
megapixel = resolution size




1 megapixel = 1 million pixels.

eg. 2 mega pixels gives a resolution of 1600x1200. (2 million pixels)


so on and so forth...
 
Originally posted by -expl0de-
2 mega pixels gives a resolution of 1600x1200. (2 million pixels)
Click to expand...
That makes sense, but if you go here, click Buying Guide > Side by Side on the right navigation panel, and select to see the A70 next to the A80, you'll see that they have different max resolution (and also zoom wide, zoom tele, sensor size, aperture range, in case you cared to know).

Code: 
                        A70                              A80
Max resolution       2048 x 1536                      2272 x 1704
Zoom wide (W)        35 mm                            38 mm
Zoom tele (T)        105 mm (3 x)                     114 mm (3 x)
Sensor size          1/2.7 " (5.27 x 3.96 mm)         1/1.8 " (7.18 x 5.32 mm)
Aperture range       F2.8 - F4.8 / ??                 F2.8 - F4.9 / ??

Other than the size of the memory card the camera comes with, and the fold-out ability of the A80's LCD, these are the only feature differences between the camera, assuming I didn't miss anything.

The fold out LCD and extra megapixle are almost enough for me to spend an extra hundred dollars on the A80, but I'm sure these other differences make a signifigant difference too. ;)
 
I'm planning to get an A80 from www.newegg.com. They have it listed for $362.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=7&sumit=Go&description=30-120-107

They also have a deal that if you get a 96 Mb CF Card for $28 with the A80, they'll take $40 off so you're basically saving $12 and getting the card for free. Scroll to the bottom of the above link to see the deal.

I'm planning on getting a 256 Mb CF card too. They have several brands listed for $55. This should hold over 120 pics at the highest resolution.

Newegg also has free shipping.
 
Originally posted by Lord Chambers
That makes sense, but if you go here, click Buying Guide > Side by Side on the right navigation panel, and select to see the A70 next to the A80, you'll see that they have different max resolution (and also zoom wide, zoom tele, sensor size, aperture range, in case you cared to know).

Code: 
                        A70                              A80
Max resolution       2048 x 1536                      2272 x 1704
Zoom wide (W)        35 mm                            38 mm
Zoom tele (T)        105 mm (3 x)                     114 mm (3 x)
Sensor size          1/2.7 " (5.27 x 3.96 mm)         1/1.8 " (7.18 x 5.32 mm)
Aperture range       F2.8 - F4.8 / ??                 F2.8 - F4.9 / ??

Other than the size of the memory card the camera comes with, and the fold-out ability of the A80's LCD, these are the only feature differences between the camera, assuming I didn't miss anything.

The fold out LCD and extra megapixle are almost enough for me to spend an extra hundred dollars on the A80, but I'm sure these other differences make a signifigant difference too. ;)
Click to expand...


yeah. the a70 is 3.2 megapixels and the a80 is 4. hence the difference in resolution.

2048 x 1536 = 3145728 (3.2 megapixels)

2272 x 1704 = 3871488


so if you can justify that extra money for, technically not even a megapixel and the adjustable LCD screen then go for the a80, other wise i would recommend the a70.
 
I am also in the market and was thinking about the A80. But just out of curiosity what camera is the next up in line from the A80?

Also, if/when I get a camera I will be wanting to take a lot of macro pictures. Is the A80 capable of this or should I look for something different. Any help would be appreciated since I am new to this. Thanks for your time.
 
yes an a80 can take macros. they can get as close as 5cm and still be able to focus.
 
Wow, thanks for the info. Are there any other great photography forums out there like this one? I would love to read and learn as much as I can.
 
Originally posted by Emberghost
I am also in the market and was thinking about the A80. But just out of curiosity what camera is the next up in line from the A80?

Also, if/when I get a camera I will be wanting to take a lot of macro pictures. Is the A80 capable of this or should I look for something different. Any help would be appreciated since I am new to this. Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...

a80 is the top of its line

you can get higher in the other canon lines, just make sure your actually goin up. A few models have higher megapixel ratings but all they did was put a "bigger" ccd in them and from what Ive read its caused a few issues like purple fringing.

The main reasons I chose the a80

#1 I wanted a camera to learn photography, and until I did I wanted an auto camera. It fit the bill perfectly.

#2 Compact flash, its cheap reliable and not so small it'll get in a corner of a pocket and washed or so easily lost.

#3 I wanted to take macro shots, Ive seen a ton of a70/80 macro shots around.

#4 I wanted somethign I could buy batteries for at 7-11 in a pinch, AA's are the way to go. Rechargables.

#5 Battery life, I think 350 shots off one set of nihms is pretty decent.

anyways, those are a few reasons I chose the a80 after doin a ton of reading.
 
Originally posted by -expl0de-
yeah. the a70 is 3.2 megapixels and the a80 is 4. hence the difference in resolution.

2048 x 1536 = 3145728 (3.2 megapixels)

2272 x 1704 = 3871488


so if you can justify that extra money for, technically not even a megapixel and the adjustable LCD screen then go for the a80, other wise i would recommend the a70.
Click to expand...

the a80 is listed as 4.1 i think. also the flip out lcd is real handy.
 
@ nutxo - Thank you very much. You have just boosted my confidance.

But yet again I have another question. I am looking at the canon lineup and wanted to know the main dif. between these:

The A80 and the S400
The S400 and the S50

The main thing I am looking for is clarity, and under $400. Thanks again for your help everyone.
 
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