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OT: recommendations for a P&S digicam under $500


gee-bug

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Looking for the best value in a point & shoot digicam under $500.

Probably something with 4 or 5 Megapixels. I've read many, many

reviews. The problem is that there are many, many digicams in this

range. I'm leaning toward the new Canon S60, which is $499.

 

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated, thanks.

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Why ask here? We're mostly a bunch of fossilized throwbacks to an earlier era. We know how to make light meter readings, even judge exposure without a meter, and don't crave zoom lenses. Heck, some of us still shoot B&W film, the REAL stuff, not the C-41 ersatz B&W that's supposed to scan well. What's a digicam?
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I got my wife an Olympus model 4040 (I think) 4mp camera about 6 months ago for $400. The camera is well made and takes excellent photos. We have made enlargements up to 8X10 that are very sharp with good color reproduction. Even has a little bit of a rangefinder feel. There are probably newer models in the same series I think up to 5mp.
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Not all of us are luddite throwbacks, Al.

<br><br>

I've been very intrigued by this camera ... Casio Exilim EX-P600 ... Pricegrabber.com shows

it to be available for just over $500, it's 6Mpixel and seems to have a wealth of features

and such. It's very compact and handy. Reports and pictures from a friend who has one are

very positive.

<br><br>

Another very interesting pair of cameras are the Panasonic DMC-FZ1 and DMC-FZ10

models. These are "ultrazooms" ... 2Mpixel and 4Mpixel respectively. Fast lenses, auto

stabilization, very good image quality. About $300 and $450 respectively.

<br><br>

The Canon A80 is another which has been highly thought of. 4Mpixel, responsive, around

$300. Good lens too, from what I've seen.

<br><br>

And then there's the really compact ... I have a Sony DSC-U60, which is the ruggedized,

waterproof version of their 2Mpixel capture hardware which is available in several models

(U30, U40, U50). It's a prime focal length 5mm lens, f/2.8, with very sharp, brilliant

results. The U60 fits handily in my pocket, can be worked completely with one hand, and

takes beautiful photos. It's fast and responsive. Camera, spare set of NiMH batteries and a

256M Memory Stick PRO (can store up to 620 full resolution exposures and gets around

180 exposures per charge depending upon how much you use the flash) would be under

$290 complete.

<br><br>

Sony DSC-U60 example photo: <br><br>

<center>

<img src="http://www.bayarea.net/~ramarren/photostuff/PAW4/large/flowers

-2793.jpg"><br>

<i>Flower Portrait, slightly cropped - Sony DSC-U60</i><br>

</center><br>

Hope that helps! <br><br>

Godfrey

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first of all, if one is going to ask advice from a online community, one would rather go to a group of people one have a relationship with, i.e. if one is a leica shooter and hang out here/know the personality, one might appreciate some toughts/ideas/feedback from that group. it that so hard to understand?

 

secondly, i've heard good things about the olympus 5060. i'm sure the s60 is great, i'm sort of a canon man myself. it really doesn't matter that much if you pick one of the top recommended ones. just buy one and don't look back.

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I can only recommend the Canon Powershot A80 because that is the only digicam I use. I will leave it up to you to read the excellent Bob Atkins review of the A80 on PN...

 

<a href="http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/a80/">A80 review</a>

 

... and my (not so excellent) results with it from the last 4 weeks...

 

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=399415">my A80 folder</a>

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I agree with Godfrey about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ10. The 12x (think 35mm- 400 mm) Leica Elmarit zoom is awesomely sharp. The lens has gyroscopic image stabilization and macro mode. I last saw it being sold for $550, not $450. If it's going for $450 somewhere, I got badly screwed! Best regards, Bill
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Ken:

 

<p>

I know you asked for under $500, but that was my goal, too. I ended up buying the Olympus 5060 for $600 for my wife. Really happy with it. I like that I can set it up to turn on at a specific focal length, with a specific flash compensation already set, and with gridlines. My wife likes it because it makes pretty pictures better than her old one. :)

 

 

<p>

--<br>

Eric<br>

<a href="http://canid.com/">http://canid.com/</a><br>

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<I>... and my (not so excellent) results with it from the last 4 weeks</I><P>

 

Trevor... Thanks for posting this folder. These shots along with Travis' post of street photos with his Canon are making it hard to avoid pulling the trigger on a purchase of one of these little cameras for just playing around with. Even if I never print, the photos from you two guys show that this is a valid way good quality web presentation.

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<i> "I agree with Godfrey about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ10. The

12x (think 35mm- 400 mm) Leica Elmarit zoom is awesomely sharp.

The lens has gyroscopic image stabilization and macro mode. I

last saw it being sold for $550, not $450. If it's going for $450

somewhere, I got badly screwed!"</i>

<br><br>

Sorry Bill. B&H has it currently at $496, and 42nd Street Photo has it for that price

including

shipping charges. Friend on another list just bought one recently and is tickled about it.

Photos

I've seen from it are excellent.

<br><br>

Godfrey

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