So i am thinking of getting another casio and i am looking at the
ex-v8. What do you think about it. Anybody with experience...if not
which other model is good?
What makes a "good camera" is very personal and less and less
related to things like, say, image quality as cameras are converging
considerably on this point.
Generally the choice is about the kind and number of specialty
features you might be interested in - long zoom, wider wide angle,
face detection, motion tracking, image stabilization etc. about which
only you can decide. Regrettably, there is not a lot of consistency
in that regard between the currently favored cameras listed below.
And everybody here is a bigot about some model or other (including
me).
The current darlings in this forum seem to be in this order
approximately
z1080 - general snapshooting purpose
v8 - 7x zoom, non protruding lens, lots of manual control, stereo
sound for video, ccd shift stabilization
z200 - widest wide angle ~ 28mm
z1200 - most megapixels (but 20fps video), which allows extensive
cropping if you do a lot of that sort of thing, ccd shift
stabilization
Sxx - Casio's relentless pursuit of slimness, sacrificing a little
function here and there in order to fit into small form factor
F1 - specialty very high frame rate video, but larger than P&S size
(e.g. z1080)
Each has its own niche. All will make a fine 8x10, or display on 19"
monitor. Some have slightly better noise performance than others.
Some have slightly better lens under high magnification. Each has
slightly different features but I have tried to indicate the main
differentiator(IMHO) in the above list. There are some "classic"
Casio models which have high favor like the z750, z850 (though fewer
specialty features) and can still be found in back corners of stores
or on eBay, but it sounds like you would like "new" stock.All have
Best Shot capability. Recent model numbers not mentioned in the list
are usually lower price point with reduced features often for
beginners, teens and newbies.
Try to handle the above mentioned in a store, taking your own SD card
with you to the store, picking the one having the fastest response
for you and easiest handling since, these days, that tends to be the
more relevant given the largely similar photographic quality..
You can compare superficial specs side by side at this link
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp
My own experience with the V8 is very positive. Among the few Casios
that I own it is the one I carry the most. I love the ability to have
full optical zoom during video and the wide range helps a lot for
framing stills. Stereo sound is mild but cute. It has ample
flexibility for tweeking exposure as well as an EASY mode for no
brain picture taking. The face recognotion works. The ccd shift
stabiliztion won't do miracles but it works.
Everybody here has a favorite and they will all tell you their
favorite is the best for you. Just be prepared for that and check
them out in a store.
