Help with choosing camera

WepX

WepX

WepX

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Joined
5 Jan 2005
Posts
149
Location
Sunny Jersey
Hi,
i'm looking into buying a hi zoom camera and the 2 that I have seen are these...

Canon Powershot S2 IS (altho the S3 is out soon..maybe wait?)
Panasonic DMC-FZ7

If anyone can come up with alternatives or have experience with the 2 listed it would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,
Ray
 
Hi WepX,

Don't know whether you're looking for something new specifically so ignore the following if it's not what you want!

My suggestion is the Sony DSC-F717. Below is a review including tech specs, pics and a summary of its performance:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/f717.html

It has an array of pro features while being one of the most accomplished point and clickers on the market at it's time of release. It's somewhat a legend in semi pro circles and was priced at £700-800 at the time of release.

Features like the carl zeiss lens, manual zoom and focus ring, night shooting capability (takes pics in total darkness) are all great. I bought one off ebay with a carry case, extra battery, several filters and a massive sony branded wide angle lense (rrp for this lense alone at the time was £150 :eek: ) all in for £300.

I believe the cameras, along with a few extras, are going for under £200 on certain popular auction sites these days.

I know you're looking at 12x zoom but with the relevent multiplying zoom lense the sony will go to 10x. The benefits for first time uses are that the 5x optical zoom lense does not protrude from the body. Other prosumer cameras i have used have optics that move out from the body - this is not ideal as if it were turned on within a carry case the gearing of the lense could get damaged.

Also, it's standard auto settings produce great results. From that point on you can choose to use the point and click aspects of the digicam or play with it's settings to improve it's performance further!

I've learnt a great deal from mine and it's a testament to its quality and performance that i've not seen any need to replace it in nearly 2 years of ownership!

Here are some wildlife photos i've taken with the f717:


http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/85/8/5/O/85857174O415893178.jpg

http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/85/8/5/O/85857310O083480441.jpg

http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/85/8/5/O/85857958O188679593.jpg

http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/85/8/5/O/85858082O780551862.jpg

http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/85/8/6/O/85863024O915871785.jpg

http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/85/8/6/O/85863206O683206858.jpg

http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/85/8/6/O/85864067O605918127.jpg


and a couple of macro's:


http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/85/8/5/O/85858663O798195620.jpg

http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/85/8/5/O/85858829O476345262.jpg

http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/85/8/5/O/85859166O972361704.jpg


Each of the flowers were taken with the lense very nearly touching the petals! :eek: Each flower was slightly smaller than a 5p piece.

Hope that helps?!
 
gt_junkie said:
I know you're looking at 12x zoom but with the relevent multiplying zoom lense the sony will go to 10x.
Click to expand...

Nice camera, BUT, it is an old model compared to the FZ7 and S2 models. I also have to say I personally dislike digital zoomzzz. :)

I think a pure optical zoom is the best way to go.

Also, Sony Memory sticks. Yuk. :p ;)
 
Thanks for the reply gt junkie,
Some great pics you took there.I will have a read on that as well.I will be taking my time in deciding as I want to be absolutely sure I decide wisely :)

Ray
 
MacX said:
Nice camera, BUT, it is an old model compared to the FZ7 and S2 models. I also have to say I personally dislike digital zoomzzz. :)

I think a pure optical zoom is the best way to go.

Also, Sony Memory sticks. Yuk. :p ;)
Click to expand...

I too really dislike digital zoom, thats why I am after an hi optical zoom :)
 
Also take a look at the Sony DSC-H1 (although the superceding H2 and H5 models are due soon).

Its very similarly specced to the S2, but somewhat cheaper (can be had for around £240). Check out the review and user opinions on the forum at dpreview.com.

I was in a similar position to you at christmas, and ended up going for the H1 over the S2 after reading a lot of opinions. I found several people ho had tested the H1 and S2 side-by-side, and all of them ended up with the H1.
 
Thanks for the info King4aDay :)

okay...I can get the DSC-H1 delivered for £216!
Good enough reason to go for this one?

Ray
 
WepX said:
Thanks for the info King4aDay :)

okay...I can get the DSC-H1 delivered for £216!
Good enough reason to go for this one?

Ray
Click to expand...

Thats a damn good price. If I didnt already have one I'd be ordering! lol
 
thanks for the reminder.
What sort of stick should I be looking for?
will a 1gb memory stick Pro be enough or would a 512mb High Speed memory stick Pro be better (I know they do 1gb but i want to keep the cost down)

Thanks,
Ray
 
WepX said:
thanks for the reminder.
What sort of stick should I be looking for?
will a 1gb memory stick Pro be enough or would a 512mb High Speed memory stick Pro be better (I know they do 1gb but i want to keep the cost down)

Thanks,
Ray
Click to expand...

As far as I'm aware the high speed sticks make little difference when used with the H1. Try and get a Memory Stick Pro Duo (with adaptor) as they're replacing the old style larger sticks (which the H1 also takes), and will be more useful if you get any other Sony products in the future.
 
Last edited:
MacX said:
Nice camera, BUT, it is an old model compared to the FZ7 and S2 models. I also have to say I personally dislike digital zoomzzz. :)

I think a pure optical zoom is the best way to go.

Also, Sony Memory sticks. Yuk. :p ;)
Click to expand...

No problem - you're right it is an older model! But i don't understand the zoom comment. The 717's an optical zoom system and the additional 2x multiplier's yet another optical addition. There is a digital zoom facility but i've always kept it turned off! :o

The memory sticks aren't the best though! :p

Nice choice on the DSC-H1 WepX. Good camera!
 
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