 BetterPhoto Member |
Recommendation on Digital with Optical Zoom I am an amateur photographer who wants to purchase a digital camera for the first time. I have been reluctant to give up my SLR, particularly because I love composing shot with my 28-200 telephoto lens. I travel a lot, particularly to undeveloped counties and take a lot of photos. I also give academic presentations and a digital would have many advantages for this. I would like a digital with a large optical zoom (at least 6X and higher if feasible) and also macro capability. I know the digital zooms aren't worth much, but I don't understand the difference in the optical zooms that are built into some digital cameras versus the optical zooms that I would use with the new SLR digital cameras. Does one have a great advantage over the other? I am hesitant to spend the money for one of the SLR digitals. I have looked at the Olympus Camedia C-700 and like its 10X capability, but there may be better models for my needs. Any advice? Thanks.
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Judith A. Clark |
Sandra, I know it's a lot of money, but my suggestion would be go with the Nikon D100 or Canon D60. In my opionion the advantage is overwhelming. You get high MGP and interchangeable lens. My D100 works much the same way as my film SLR did, so not much time getting used to it was needed. I just think you will be much happier and more comfortable if you spend more, and you won't feel the need to upgrade in the real near future. Both of these cameras run around $2000.00, but mine was well worth the money.
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doug Nelson |
You could buy a film scanner and keep shooting with the SLR you are comfortable with. Just pick the best shots and scan them when you get home. If you really want a digital camera, Judith is right. If your present SLR is a Canon EOS, or a Nikon, you can use the same lenses, although they'll all give you more magnification (about 1.4 worth). Your uses of photography are professional in that you use your images in your work. You need the higher level of engineering you're likely to get with a Canon or Nikon digital SLR. Out there in the sticks is no place for the camera to shut down because the air is a little humid. With digital, budget a few hundred for the high-capacity storage cards you'll need. Also, budget some time to get over the camera-to-computer and imaging program learning curves.
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Piper Lehman |
Just wanted to agree with Judith and Doug. If you love what your 35mm SLR gives you, anything less than a digital SLR will be going backwards as far as the quality of the camera itself and the creative aspects it offers you in your photography. That said, going digital means learning a new type of photography altogether--no matter which digicam you choose. I just bought a D100, and though I haven't had it but a day, it is miles ahead of any point-&-shoot digicam. I've owned and made good use out of 3 compact digitals in the past--two Olympus's and one Fuji compact. Yes, there are ways to shoot creatively with these cameras, but you have to "trick" most of them in order to get what you need as far as DOF and creative shutter speed shots. You also won't be able to shoot more than 1 frame every 1-4 seconds with any of the smaller digitals (not even with the C700). Interestingly enough, my Oly D460zoom has a faster write speed than my Oly C3000 had (I sold that one last month), so it's a good idea to test a few of your favorite cameras before you buy. The only reason I still have the D460 is that I can't sell it for even half what I paid for it 4 years ago. (It was a $450 camera when new!) This should tell you something about the compacts retaining their value. They just don't--not unless you sell it within a year and that model isn't discontinued. If the digital SLRs are just too much for your budget right now, think hard about waiting and saving for one instead of buying a lesser camera for less money. I'm pretty sure you will be glad you waited. Now, will somebody teach me how to use my D100, please! :)
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Judith A. Clark |
Hey Piper I adapted pretty quick to the D100 and love it so far, I have only shot portraits and a wedding, there's too much of this nasty snow to do anything outside. I did shot my 6 year old's basketball game the other day. Every thing I have expected so far has turned out better. If you have any specific questions I'll try to help you out. The manual is pretty helpful. I think once you have had some time to play, you'll find it quite easy to adapt.
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Scott W. Pierson |
Sandra, I would have to say that you need to consider your budget and how much weight you want to carry. I have an Olympus C2100 which was replaced by the C700 you looked at. I agree that the 10x optical zoom is what brought me to that camera. At Christmas time I wanted to move up from 2.1Mp to something near 5Mp. The C730 is a 3Mp at near $700. I went with a Nikon Coolpix 5700 for $1200 at 5.7Mp and 8x optical Zoom. It was almost $2000 by the time I added a Wide Angle and Telephoto lens. I have to say that if I had it to do over I would either have stuck with the Olympus or moved up to the digital SLRs. The Olympus is more user friendly than my new Nikon, but the Nikon is better resolution for big pictures and is better at reducing noise in low light. I am waiting for the new 12Mp SLRs to come down in price then will move up again. For your needs, you can't go too far wrong at $700 versus paying $2000 for more than you need. Also, with traveling, the weight is less as well as the potential loss. You can always move up again in a year.
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Judith A. Clark |
I can't see ever needing a 12mp unless they also come out with a printer to print wall covering. Nikon D100 at 6mp and 2000 is as light as my old canon 35mm, the prints enlarge to 11x14 beautifuly, and you won't have to update a year from now. I just think that Scott would have been better off with the slr digital also. You may need to buy a varity of lenses but they will at least be able to transfer to other Nikon camera's if you happen to want a newer model latter. I understand the Canon D60 is comparible if you perfer one brand over the other.
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Damian P. Gadal |
Thought I'd throw my two-cents in.... Right now I'm shooting with an Olympus C700-UZ and have been getting good results, but it's not a SLR. Also, Olympus doesn't make the C700 any longer... The new model is the C720 which has a bit more megapixels and more zoom.... You can look at my gallery to see what type of images you'll get from these cameras. My plan is to upgrade to a Nikon D100 as soon as I can afford it (goes for around $1,500 - $2,000 vs. $500 for the Olympus). Good luck with your digital endeavors.... DPG
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George E. Givens Jr |
Dear Sandra, I shoot professionally and for personal use I have a Minolta Maxxum 9 film slr, old Seagull tlr (medium format), and now I have an Olympus C5050Zoom it is 5MP and the lens is a very fast f1.8 7 to 21mm w/3x digital zoom (35-105mm slr equiv). I really love this camera. Although this is certainly no slr it is a pro-level camera. It offers most of the features of the much higher priced canon, nikon and Olympus slr's and according to all reviews and my own, it is the best digital camera made by Olympus to date. The real difference between a so called prosumer camera like the c5050 and the DSLR is that you can't change the lens (although you can purchase add-on lenses) and the most of them have rangefinder type (optical) viewers. Although some of them have EVF (electronic view finders) which simulates the scene as if you had a mirror like a slr. Go to these sites to check out unbiased reviews on the c5050 and others. In my work for a major studio I have used the kodak DCS760 (previously top of the line until the dcs14n) and I have to tell this little c5050 does one heck of a job and for a little more than 1/10 the price of the Kodak 14n and DCS760. The reason I opted for the Olympus C5050, besides it's rave reviews, is that I am not yet supporting myself through my own photography and the hefty price of the DSLR's was a bit out of my reach. When I read and tried out the C5050 I decided to go with it so I could ease into digital photography and not be left behind the curve. It was a sound decision. However, if you are set on a DSLR Canon has just announce their new D10. I believe it is that is the successor to the D60. It is my understanding that the D10 will only be about $1500 once it finally hits the streets and the hoopla settles down. Check out the review at Please be careful about taking advice. There are a lot people that I call camera snobs, wannabe photographers, that buy only Canon, or only Nikon. They do this not because they have formed an affinity for the brand through extensive use, but because they think "serious professionals" only shoot with Canon or Nikon. The ultimate test of any camera is does it fit your needs and skill level, how it feels in your hand, and does it fit your budget. At this point, all well made cameras pretty much do the same thing and in the hands of a skilled photographer, the camera is just a tool like a saw is to a carpenter. True, there are power saws but all they really do is make the job of cutting less labor intensive, they don't make the cut!!!
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Piper Lehman |
George, you're so right about taking advice with a grain of salt. I hope people understand that when I give advice, I'm only speaking from my own experience. I have often suggested people who are interested in Nikon products go to KenRockwell.com for reviews. I should probably add that Ken is more often than not pretty full of s**t, pardon my French. But, I also take it for granted that anyone reading his articles and reviews can read between the lines and see this for themselves. There are many good Nikon user review sites on the www, and I'm sure Canon has their share, as well. Nonetheless, your point about every photographer finding the camera that's right for them is right on. I've used gear from every major camera maker out there. It's not about who makes the best gear; it's about how the gear you use works for you and the type of shooting you plan to do. WHen it comes down to it, there is really no way to know for sure about any piece of equipment until you've tried it yourself. Most seasoned photographers aren't using the same gear they started out with, even if that gear is made by the same manufacturer. Photography demands upgrading and spending money. No two ways about it. You will spend money no matter what your end goals are.
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George E. Givens Jr |
Thanks Piper. You are a true scholar. P.S. BTW, PLEASE DON'T BUY A CAMERA BECAUSE IT HAS A LARGE DIGITAL ZOOM. Digital zoom is not something you want to use, especially if you plan on making prints any bigger than 4x6 or 5x7. As a matter the a fact, the larger the digital zoom the less I would use it. Based on what you do I really feel that if you can afford it you would be better off with the DSLR. I sounds like you will need longer glass so the DSLR is really the ticket. I personally don't see using a DSLR for wildlife or nature photography so I would only need a digital for doing portrait work. For portraits people rarely if ever get anything bigger than 16x20. With modern technology the way it is, interpolating a well capture image is really not a problem. Keep in mind that the bigger the picture the less likely people are going to stand close to view it. It's just having a big screen t.v. You certainly wouldn't buy a t.v. that is 60" if had to set any closer than 6 ft. I wouldn't buy one if had set closer than 10 ft. Well I'm rambling now so I'll stop. I hope we have all been helpful. Please write back and let us know what your decision you made.
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