nikon 5700 vs olympus c-2100

i want to decide between two cameras but i am having a hard time. i am looking for the following qualities in the camera (listed priority-wise):

1. image quality (not concerned about pixel count)
2. zoom (bigger is better for me)
3. macro capability
4. low light ability
5. cost (i have a budget of around $1200)

given these, what camera would you recommend to me?

plus, if you have had both these cameras, please compare the image quality.

I may not be the best to answer-but I note that no one has-so here goes.

I am only using digital for a bout 4 months and have had the c2100, c700, D-40, Sony 707, tested the 7i and on order for the 5700.

Everyone told me 'it depends' and that was correct, but frustrating because every camera has pros and cons. So..

The c2100 is a classic camera and hard to come by these days. If you can get it, I don't think it would be more tha $400-600 but most won't part with it because it has 10X zoom, stabilized and a sharp picture especially for 2 mpg. It is not huge, but not pocketable. Works on Smart Media--which may not be the best and is easily damaged. Wonderful camera and if you can find one, buy it.

I am assuming Zoom is important given your selection choices. If you can find the c2100 you won't go wrong--someone will always pay you probably what you paid for it because of its limited availability.

The 5700 will likely be around for some time as it is new and will not be cheaper any time soon. I expect it is double the c2100 in price--but still in your range.

Those who already have one seem to love it. Though there is some talk about resolution, it seems to be more of a sharpening issue and certainly, 5 mp is more than 2. The 8x zoom will require you to be very steady, set the camera down, or even use a tripod. I just hold my cameras--but I know a tripod is better. I love zoom and 8x with 4x digital should be great, though most people discount the digital. With 5mp you can zoom in closer in processing and still be pretty crisp. It seems to be a compact camera, probably a bit moreso than the c2100.

So, I am the least expert, but, if you MUST choose, I would say buy the c2100 and play with it. If cost permits, add the 5700 or another companion camera later. If cost is not an issue, buy them both--I doubt you will lose on the c2100--it would probably be grabbed up in a heartbeat on E-Bay.

If you found the c2100-post it, because I am sure others are interested.

If you intend to print a lot of photos rather than e-mail, the 5 mp will likely suit you better unless your prints are, say 5 X7 or less. Some 8 X10's work, but not as well.

Again, someone better than me may respond.

Good luck. I returned my c2100 then later bought it again! Of my cameras, so far, the c2100 and 707 have been winners in my book. I even like the 7i

and it has some advantages over the 5700 with manual zoom and wider lens. At that point, you should hold both in your hands. Some like the Fuji 602, but my personal choice would be the 7i or 5700 at the 5 mp range--depending up the features you need both. The 7 and 8 zooms seemed
fairly equivalent and the 7i manual gave a bit more flexibility.

I stink at post processing. I have seen marvelous shots from 7i and 5700 from better photographers as I am a point and shooter.

I can tell you lots of us lose sleep over these choices. You are in good company. Please enjoy your choice, and after you buy, stay with the forum to learn and to share. Soon Phil may have his review up on the 5700, and you can compare, but that is nuts and bolts, there is still your personal
style, ergonomics, and how you plan to use your camera.

Best wishes!
Linda

syed said:

i want to decide between two cameras but i am having a hard time. i
am looking for the following qualities in the camera (listed
priority-wise):

1. image quality (not concerned about pixel count)
2. zoom (bigger is better for me)
3. macro capability
4. low light ability
5. cost (i have a budget of around $1200)

given these, what camera would you recommend to me?

plus, if you have had both these cameras, please compare the image
quality.

Click to expand...

lharris said:

... Works on Smart Media--which may not be the best and is
easily damaged.

Click to expand...

Those SM cards are pretty tough puppies. 'Easily damaged' seems to be another of those common myths.

--
bob
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
pictures from Thailand, Myanmar(Burma), and Nepal

lharris said:

The c2100 is a classic camera and hard to come by these days. If
you can get it, I don't think it would be more tha $400-600 but
most won't part with it because it has 10X zoom, stabilized and a
sharp picture especially for 2 mpg. It is not huge, but not
pocketable. Works on Smart Media--which may not be the best and is
easily damaged. Wonderful camera and if you can find one, buy it.

I am assuming Zoom is important given your selection choices. If
you can find the c2100 you won't go wrong--someone will always pay
you probably what you paid for it because of its limited
availability.

Click to expand...

And since the C-2100UZ is roughly $500, you could spend some of the money on tele-extenders, like the A-200 (available at http://www.bhphoto.com ), which gives you roughly 290mm-570mm equivalent zoom range (the C-2100UZ without the extender gives you 38mm-380mm zoom range, about 1/2 of the wide angle range vignettes with the A-200 on it). The UZI's macro range is not its strong suit, though you can get Macro tele-extenders and closeup lenses to help.

lharris said:

The 5700 will likely be around for some time as it is new and will
not be cheaper any time soon. I expect it is double the c2100 in
price--but still in your range.

Click to expand...

Has Nikon released the filter adapter tube yet for the 5700? If not, that means you can't add the UV or polarizing filters (or tele-extenders).

I think Greg Gebhardt said they had the tubes and such out--I am not sure.

You are right, I have never damaged a SM card, but I have heard of others who have. Maybe they are not as careful in handling them.

Michael Meissner said:

lharris said:

The c2100 is a classic camera and hard to come by these days. If
you can get it, I don't think it would be more tha $400-600 but
most won't part with it because it has 10X zoom, stabilized and a
sharp picture especially for 2 mpg. It is not huge, but not
pocketable. Works on Smart Media--which may not be the best and is
easily damaged. Wonderful camera and if you can find one, buy it.

I am assuming Zoom is important given your selection choices. If
you can find the c2100 you won't go wrong--someone will always pay
you probably what you paid for it because of its limited
availability.

Click to expand...

And since the C-2100UZ is roughly $500, you could spend some of the
money on tele-extenders, like the A-200 (available at
http://www.bhphoto.com ), which gives you roughly 290mm-570mm equivalent
zoom range (the C-2100UZ without the extender gives you 38mm-380mm
zoom range, about 1/2 of the wide angle range vignettes with the
A-200 on it). The UZI's macro range is not its strong suit, though
you can get Macro tele-extenders and closeup lenses to help.

Michael Meissner said:

The 5700 will likely be around for some time as it is new and will
not be cheaper any time soon. I expect it is double the c2100 in
price--but still in your range.

Click to expand...

Has Nikon released the filter adapter tube yet for the 5700? If
not, that means you can't add the UV or polarizing filters (or
tele-extenders).

Click to expand...

Aloha,

I just thought that I would throw this in. CompUSA here in Honolulu has less than 50 UZis in stock on close out for $349.88.

For those of you who want 1 or 2 this may be your last chance. CompUSA's Honolulu phone number is (808) 537-1355.

Sorry, but I don't buy and ship for others.

My friend's five year old child has recently been diagnosed by a psy as a gifted "over active child". This kid took my 64 mega CF card off the table, put it on the floor and began striking it with a hammer ! It was I who scolded and stopped him, because his father, following the psy's advice, doesn't want to give the kid emotional scars. To my surprise CF card still functioned fine. In fact the card seemed to speed up storing images ! Try that with a SM card ! The same kid put his father's digital camera in the micro-wave, luckily for only a few seconds. Guess what, the stuck pixel disappeared! Could this kid have discovered something ?

Interesting to wait around and see what kind of adult genius this kid will become.

Geo Paris/FR

BobTrips said:

lharris said:

... Works on Smart Media--which may not be the best and is
easily damaged.

Click to expand...

Those SM cards are pretty tough puppies. 'Easily damaged' seems to
be another of those common myths.

--
bob
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
pictures from Thailand, Myanmar(Burma), and Nepal

Click to expand...