Help reaching decision on which camera

[richard_wilkins]

I'm real close to making a decision on which digital camera to

purchase. Currently, I'm using a Canon Elan EOS IIe.

So, any advice relative to the following cameras would be greatly

appreciated!

Nikon Coolpix 5700,

Fuji Finepix S7000,

Canon Powershot G5.

Any other recommendations in this class of camera?

I've been leaning towards to Fuji but have heard mixed opinions on

the chip that's used in the camera.

Examples of the type of pictures I take are posted here on PhotoNet

if that helps...

[eric friedemann]

The Nikon Coolpix 5700 is a cool camera because you can shoot in RAW, the lens has ED glass for better sharpness at wider apertures and the lens goes from 35-280mm (equiv.).

 

The Fuji S7000 is a good camera, too, and at a more reasonable price. (I suspect that Fuji makes the 5700 for Nikon as the two cameras are so similar). The S7000 also shoots in RAW, but doesn't have ED glass in the lens (not a big deal IMHO), which is 35-210mm (equiv.).

 

The G5 is a superb camera, which benefits from Canon's experience with the G cameras that preceeded it. The G5 has a 35-140mm (equiv.) lens. The only rap on the G5 is that it is a bit boxy. However, I would discount this by thinking of the G5 as a small substitute for an SLR- not a big P&S. Canon has really packed the G5 with features.

 

I guess the main thing you want to think about is how much tele shooting you do and whether you'll need or want add-on lenses. For instance, if you have kids playing soccer, I'd get the Nikon 5700 for the longer built-in lens.

 

As an aside, if you don't need much telephoto, you might consider the Nikon 5400 [28-85mm (equiv.) lens] or the Canon S50 [35-105mm (equiv.) lens]. These cameras are a little smaller and more compact than the cameras you mention and cost a bit less. As between the S50 and the 5400, if you don't need the 28mm on the 5400, the S50 shoots in RAW; the 5400 doesn't (though, in fairness, the 5400 shoots in uncompressed TIFF, which is about as good for most people shooting P&S cameras).

[walter_strong3]

Its my understanding that the 5700 eats up battery power like crazy. Maybe somebody who has one can verify/refute that.

[eric friedemann]

I would expect the worst with all P&S digital cameras when it comes to battery useage. P&S digital cameras are nothing like 35mm P&S cameras, but are more like video cameras from a standpoint of battery useage. Unlike a DSLR, you tend to rely more on the color LCD screen, which sucks batteries.

 

A family member has a 5700 and carries a spare battery, but hasn't complained of an excessive need to change batteries. Also, we've sold a bunch of 5700s at my store and haven't heard complaints about unexpected battery use.

[majid]

Fuji deceptively quotes interpolated resolution in its camera specs. Check for weasel language like "6 million sensors yielding 12 megapixel images".

[richard_wilkins]

Fazal: Yes, I know about the weasely marketing jargon and am prepared to accept 6 megapixels as being the best I can really expect to get from the Fuji. ;)

What I'm primarily concerned about is SHARPNESS (LOL... I understand from one of your portfolio pictures that sharpness is a typical photonetter concern)

 

Eric: What's ED glass? Also, since I'm currently used to my Canon's 28-80mm lens, getting anywhere close to a 200mm lens in a digital camera would be heavenly.

 

So far I've noticed no one pointing out any big discrepancy in image quality between these cameras..... Any comments on image quality?

 

Thanks everybody for your responses so far.... very helpful!

[eric friedemann]

1. Fazal, the 12 million interpolated number is goofy and dishonest. However, in fairness to the Fuji camera, the S7000 usese a larger chip AND has 6 uninterpolated megapixels to the Nikon's 5MP on a smaller chip.

 

2. ED glass- Developed by Nikon optical designers and Nikon glass specialists, ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass used in selected telephoto and telephoto zoom lenses provides superior performance.

ED glass effectively minimizes chromatic aberration to a degree that is remarkable in telephoto lenses. Advances such as this, backed by a great amount of valuable data gathered through the long years of Nikon�s association with professional photographers, as well as through intensive R&D, ensure that Nikon continues to make lenses that meet or exceed market needs.

 

http://www.nikon-image.com/eng/LensGuide/opt_tech.html

 

3. "(S)ince I'm currently used to my Canon's 28-80mm lens, getting anywhere close to a 200mm lens in a digital camera would be heavenly."

 

Well, figure out how long a lens you NEED. The longer the lens, the higher the camera price.

 

Also, you'd do better buying as long a lens as you need on a camera. Canon and Nikon add-on lenses are of good optical quality, but are bulky and aren't cheap.

 

4. One last thought, I've been eyeing the long-awaited Sony DSC-F828 with a 28-200mm (equiv.) f/2.0-2.8 Zeiss zoom and 8 Megapixels, which should retail for about $1K:

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Sony/sony_dscf828.asp

 

I particularly like that the lens takes standard 58mm filters and comes with a cut-away lens hood. It shoots in RAW and the Sony add-on flashes aren't too high-priced. I like that the Sony drops down to ISO 100, while my D100 DSLR doesn't go below ISO 200. The Sony allows manual focus with a ring and the camera takes standard Compact Flash cards- as opposed to just taking Sony's proprietary memory sticks.

[eric friedemann]

And BTW, you can get a pretty good idea of relative image quality by A-B-ing cameras here with the "COMPAROMETER"!�:

 

http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

[craig_gillette]

The G5 is not like an slr as much as it's like a rangefinder. The other two are much more similar to an slr when it comes to handling, etc. Of the shots posted, I don't think any of them looked like they weren't do-able with any/all of these but I didn't look to data to see if maybe some of the water/coastal shots were done with a longer telephoto than might be found on the G5. The 5700 and 7000 use electronic finders for the eyepiece as well as the lcd back. I think, but you probably want to verify with current reviews, that the Fuji is going to be faster in action scenarios and also has better burst features. I believe the others have been commented on as "slow." None will be as fast as an slr/dslr in really demanding circumstances. When I was looking, the G3 was on my short list, the 5700 was out in the stratosphere price wise and while it's competenet, I think it's resting on the Nikon name - I don't think it was as good overall as the Minolta Dimage 7's and certainly was bypassed by a lot of folks who went to the Sony DSC-F707/717s. I went with the Fuji S602, at the time it was significantly less expensive thatn the top Sony, Minolta and Nikon. I've known and talked with people fanatic about their Canon and Sony cameras. The S602 is also extremely popular and I think the S5000 and S7000 kind of bracketed it when they came out, kind of evolving in two directions and not everybody is thrilled. Not to say it's bad, just maybe not everything everybody had hoped for. If I had to guess, I'd say the 5700 is nearing replacement (just a guess, maybe it's intended to go on for a while with a more competitive price?).

 

I think the G3/G5 and long-zoom cameras aim for two different types of users so they have different strengths and weaknesses. I think you really need to get your hands on the cameras and see how they feel to you, how you like the finders, the control set-ups, etc. I thought the Fuji evf was better than finders in similar cameras. If you need odd angles, the swivel finders on other cameras may be paricularly useful, etc.

 

If it's like the 602, the 7000 will perform better with using the P (programmed auto) and other modes, not the "Auto" mode and will blossom with post processing from "soft" sharpening, not using the "normal" settings. I've read that the Olympus cameras tend to "need" less post. But at this level, you need to really work with the cameras and not just go with spec charts. When I went through the purchase process, my hard boundary was a top budget number, anything else I could adjust to or fall back to film for. At the time the G3 was in range, the top Sony, Nikon and Minoltas were over the top. I went to the Fuji S602 for the finder and the zoom range. The g3 was a close second choice.

[canon_eos_rules]

Why not get a Digital Rebel?

 

For $100-$200 more, you can get a digicam that takes your current Canon EF lenses,

has much shorter shutter lag, full SLR fexibility, more features, and is easier to use,

too!

[klix]

<i>I would expect the worst with all P&S digital cameras when it comes to battery useage. </i>

<p><p>

True -- which is why, everything else being equal, I try to look for a digital p&S that uses AA batteries.

[richard_wilkins]

Little late on the Canon Digital Rebel advice... I just ordered the Fuji S7000 ($579.00 incl shipping)!

 

I really liked how the thing felt in my hands and how the controls were laid out. The menus seemed pretty logical... atleast the ones I scrolled through. Focus was quick..... I'll give a more in depth opinion after I've had a chance to use it.

 

Besides, I don't have the extra couple hundred bucks ..... 1. I just wrecked my jeep and 2. Our homeowners insurance company is demanding a Flood Elevation Certificate and 3. Need to buy presents for other folks too!!!

 

Really guys, I think I'll be happy with the Fuji... I can always return it if it's really not acceptable(21 day satisfaction guarantee).

 

Thanks for all the thoughtful and well-informed responses!

[james_gavioli1]

You won't return it... I'll bet !! S7000 is a dream. Shoot in RAW, convert with S7RAW

http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconValley-PaloAlto/9919/s7raw.html

 

and you'll have pro qualilty images.

 

And the camera!! REeks of quality, size, heft, ruggedness, egnonomics.. big grip. I love mine.