cheapest digital camera with full manual settings

Hi, I'm a long time owner of quality film based SLR's but am keen to take the step and buy a digital camera.

I only need 1024x768 resolution (anything higher and i'd use one of my film cameras) - but I want full manual control over the exposure. I'd like to have the shutter speed able to be set from say 1/1000s right down to 30seconds, or at best a bulb feature.

what is the cheapest digital camera that allows something like this?

any help would be greatly appreciated.

cheers, pete
http://www.c41.com.au

Hi! I don't know every model of digital cameras, but I think that what you are looking for is a Fuji FinePix 4900, 6900 or S602(new) or a Olympus C-2040Z(or a similar camera). I think Fuji is more popular. Check all these models and see if they are what you want. Hope this helps...

Tiago Santos said:

I think that
what you are looking for is a Fuji FinePix 4900, 6900 or S602(new)
or a Olympus C-2040Z(or a similar camera).

Click to expand...

Hi Tiago, they would certainly do the trick, but the other features they have (2-3 megapixels/zooms/etc etc) make them just too expensive for my needs. As i said, just 1024x768 + full exposure control is all i need.

To give you an idea, if you were looking for a film based equivalent, something like the lomo would fit the bill:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004S9WR/qid=1013054563/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-9457315-9433621

Am I just hoping for something that doesnt exist?

There are not many 1.3MP camera with full control out there. Digital cameras with manual controls cost more to produce, thus they also add the bells and whistles.

Too get good print photos (4x6), you'll need a 2MP digital camera. A 2MP digital camera with full manual control will cost you around $400. An Olympus 3020 (3MP) with full manual control cost $379 at http://www.buydig.com

This is the cheapest 3MP camera with manual control similar to a film based camera. One of my friend is also looking to buy at low priced digital camera, so my critera is getting the most bang for the buck.

http://www.buydig.com/cgi-local/shop/web_store.cgi?cart_id=2091794481.1013061965&page=outlet_frontpage_db.html&details=yes&exact_match=on&pro_id=OMC-3020&search_request_button=yes&accy=&as=

The Fujis are also very good, 4800, 6800, 4900, and 6900.

Peter Ottery said:

Tiago Santos said:

I think that
what you are looking for is a Fuji FinePix 4900, 6900 or S602(new)
or a Olympus C-2040Z(or a similar camera).

Click to expand...

Hi Tiago, they would certainly do the trick, but the other features
they have (2-3 megapixels/zooms/etc etc) make them just too
expensive for my needs. As i said, just 1024x768 + full exposure
control is all i need.

To give you an idea, if you were looking for a film based
equivalent, something like the lomo would fit the bill:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004S9WR/qid=1013054563/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-9457315-9433621

Am I just hoping for something that doesnt exist?

Click to expand...

Peter Ottery said:

Hi, I'm a long time owner of quality film based SLR's but am keen
to take the step and buy a digital camera.

I only need 1024x768 resolution (anything higher and i'd use one of
my film cameras) - but I want full manual control over the
exposure. I'd like to have the shutter speed able to be set from
say 1/1000s right down to 30seconds, or at best a bulb feature.

what is the cheapest digital camera that allows something like this?

Click to expand...

You won't find too many 1 megapixel cameras with full manual controls. The cheapest ones you will find will have 2 megapixels. Olympus and Casio produced 2 megapixel cameras with full manual controls. If the other companies produced 2 MP cameras that were full manual, they were more expensive.

However, few retail stores carry full manual 2 MP cameras. (Few retail stores carry Casios to start out with and the 20x0 Olympus models are no longer available in stores.) However, you might be able to find some on the Internet. Ubid has been selling new Casios that have full manual controls--you could probably get a 3 MP QV-3000 for under $300 if you hit the right auction. They're also selling a 2 MP Casio, but I suspect that the 3 MP is of higher build quality.

If you live near a Frys Electronics, the Olympus E-100 rs sold or is selling for $399 (it was a weekly special). You could also take a look at the Olympus 2100, selling for $499 and CompUSA and selected Walmarts. (Both have a 10x optical zoom plus the unique, special feature of mechanical image stabilization and offer almost fully manual controls.) Some retail electronics stores are also carrying hte Olympust 3000 and 3020 for around $499. Investigate the 4 MP Olympus D-40--some online vendors are advertising it for $550, but they might be disreputable vendors.

Another issue you should factor into your cost is the price of necessary accessories--you're going to need a battery recharger (comes with 2100) and a couple sets of rechargeable batteries. The big expense will be for the digital media storage cards. Depending on the camera, you'll probably also want to get a UV lens to protect the camera's lens.

Hi,

You can use the buying guide with the feature search to help you find what you need. I checked it and soemthing with 1M does not give you the speed you want.

set the Aperture priority to yes, speed prority to yes and set the price limit to 750 then you'll see some basic cameras. then you can adjust your search.
-- Gilad

gilad said:

Hi,
You can use the buying guide with the feature search to help you
find what you need. I checked it and soemthing with 1M does not
give you the speed you want.
set the Aperture priority to yes, speed prority to yes and set the
price limit to 750 then you'll see some basic cameras. then you can
adjust your search.
-- Gilad

Click to expand...

Just one addition to Gilad's very good suggested search criteria - change the "only current" at the bottom to "don't mind". Your best bargins will be the recently discontinued cameras. That is also why you want to set the price limit to $750, not $400 - the prices in the Features Search were in effect shortly after the camera was introduced. Most have dropped a lot since then.

How about the HP912? It's a "digital slr" and is preety cheap (probably ~$300).

GeorgeH said:

There are not many 1.3MP camera with full control out there.
Digital cameras with manual controls cost more to produce, thus
they also add the bells and whistles.

Too get good print photos (4x6), you'll need a 2MP digital camera.
A 2MP digital camera with full manual control will cost you around
$400. An Olympus 3020 (3MP) with full manual control cost $379 at
http://www.buydig.com

Click to expand...

I got the feeling from the original requirements (1024x768 max size), that original poster was looking for a camera to put up pictures on the web, and that for prints he would still use a film camera. As people have pointed out, that of the current cameras, those with full manual controls tend to be those with at least 3 megapixels, and higher up in the price range.

Use the buying guide on this site..

Peter Ottery said:

Hi, I'm a long time owner of quality film based SLR's but am keen
to take the step and buy a digital camera.

I only need 1024x768 resolution (anything higher and i'd use one of
my film cameras) - but I want full manual control over the
exposure. I'd like to have the shutter speed able to be set from
say 1/1000s right down to 30seconds, or at best a bulb feature.

what is the cheapest digital camera that allows something like this?

any help would be greatly appreciated.

cheers, pete
http://www.c41.com.au

Click to expand...

thankyou very much to everyone that replied I'm off to check out that buying guide now.

to sum up - yeah, i did just want to output the results on the web - hence the low MP requirement - but i do understand the reason why there arent any that offer that sort of niche feature (& non-feature set.

again, thanks - this is 1 very valuable resource.

pete

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=453178/ut=a8bf995ef31345c0/

Buydig has the D5 for $528. This one will have all the feature that you are looking for. Plus a few extra pixels to play with.

Darrin

Peter Ottery said:

Hi, I'm a long time owner of quality film based SLR's but am keen
to take the step and buy a digital camera.

I only need 1024x768 resolution (anything higher and i'd use one of
my film cameras) - but I want full manual control over the
exposure. I'd like to have the shutter speed able to be set from
say 1/1000s right down to 30seconds, or at best a bulb feature.

what is the cheapest digital camera that allows something like this?

any help would be greatly appreciated.

cheers, pete
http://www.c41.com.au

Click to expand...

--Remember, never eat more than you can lift.

Peter Ottery said:

thankyou very much to everyone that replied I'm off to check out
that buying guide now.
....
again, thanks - this is 1 very valuable resource.

Click to expand...

Don't forget to click through from here, esp if you are buying on the web. That's how this resource gets financed.

look at the Olympus C2000Z. There isn't a 2 MP camera made today that can best it.

It may be a 2 yr old design and long since discontinued, but there is none better made presently. I think you can get one for under $300.00 at Half.com or E-bay.No need for spending more. This camera will provide the biggest mang for the buck. Image quality is outstanding! JD

Darrin Behm said:

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=453178/ut=a8bf995ef31345c0/

Buydig has the D5 for $528. This one will have all the feature that
you are looking for. Plus a few extra pixels to play with.

Darrin

Peter Ottery said:

Hi, I'm a long time owner of quality film based SLR's but am keen
to take the step and buy a digital camera.

I only need 1024x768 resolution (anything higher and i'd use one of
my film cameras) - but I want full manual control over the
exposure. I'd like to have the shutter speed able to be set from
say 1/1000s right down to 30seconds, or at best a bulb feature.

what is the cheapest digital camera that allows something like this?

any help would be greatly appreciated.

cheers, pete
http://www.c41.com.au

Click to expand...

--
Remember, never eat more than you can lift.

Click to expand...