Held with new buyer

Hey.

I'm from Australia, so we don't have as many models and those we do, are quite pricey...

Anyway, i'm after a digi cam. I want to be able to take video's WITH sound and at leats 3mega pixel capability.

I've come down basically to two camera's...

Minolta F100

and

Sony DSC-P7

I can get both for around the same price, Sony - $920, F100 - $1000

I like the Sony for its unlimited movie mode, but like the F100 for its superior lens. I've read the review on the F100 and am a little turned off by the slow zoom.

Also, the battery options is my biggest query... Can someone tell me, which one will last longer? Also, the F100 (as far as I know) only comes with a battery, that can't be recharged? Yet the Sony comes with a rechargable lithium with a charger (cable)... Can someone fill me in on which is the better battery wise? To me, the Sony wins hands down?

Thanks for your help!

Bullion said:

the battery options is my biggest query... Can someone tell
me, which one will last longer? Also, the F100 (as far as I know)
only comes with a battery, that can't be recharged? Yet the Sony
comes with a rechargable lithium with a charger (cable)... Can
someone fill me in on which is the better battery wise? To me, the
Sony wins hands down?> >

Click to expand...

The Minolta F100 takes recharageble CR-V3 or AA NiMh - they wouldn't sell any if you couldn't recharge the batteries. It may not come with a battery charger bundled - they call it "optional" - but that means you can buy a really good one that conditions the NiMh batteries giving them a much longer operating time! Cons of this model are said to include slow zoom speed and flash coverage issues, but it takes nice 4 megapixel pictures, and people have told me it is easier to use than the Sony.
Also seriously look at the Canon S45 or its predecessor.
John.

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John.
Visitors welcome to browse
http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/galleries

Johnfarrar said:

The Minolta F100 takes recharageble CR-V3 or AA NiMh - they
wouldn't sell any if you couldn't recharge the batteries. It may
not come with a battery charger bundled - they call it "optional" -
but that means you can buy a really good one that conditions the
NiMh batteries giving them a much longer operating time! Cons of
this model are said to include slow zoom speed and flash coverage
issues, but it takes nice 4 megapixel pictures, and people have
told me it is easier to use than the Sony.
Also seriously look at the Canon S45 or its predecessor.
John.

Click to expand...

I thought so, but how much is this re-charger? I've looked at all other possiblilits in this price range, and the Canon doesnt do what I want it too... Does the CR-V3 battery last very long? compared to the lithium in the Sony?

If size is not an issue.

3.3mp, awesome video/audio, with a nice CZ lens.

A great battery.

The S85 is a similar value, also.

Sonys have the best movie/sound modes, of any digicam (big surprsise), IMO.

Regards

Bullion said:

Hey.

I'm from Australia, so we don't have as many models and those we
do, are quite pricey...

Anyway, i'm after a digi cam. I want to be able to take video's
WITH sound and at leats 3mega pixel capability.

I've come down basically to two camera's...

Minolta F100

and

Sony DSC-P7

I can get both for around the same price, Sony - $920, F100 - $1000

I like the Sony for its unlimited movie mode, but like the F100 for
its superior lens. I've read the review on the F100 and am a little
turned off by the slow zoom.

Also, the battery options is my biggest query... Can someone tell
me, which one will last longer? Also, the F100 (as far as I know)
only comes with a battery, that can't be recharged? Yet the Sony
comes with a rechargable lithium with a charger (cable)... Can
someone fill me in on which is the better battery wise? To me, the
Sony wins hands down?

Thanks for your help!

Click to expand...

Bullion said:

I thought so, but how much is this re-charger? I've looked at all
other possiblilits in this price range, and the Canon doesnt do
what I want it too... Does the CR-V3 battery last very long?
compared to the lithium in the Sony?

Click to expand...

Chargers cost peanuts (£20-40UK so maybe about 2-3 x that in Au$) and you can even get in-car ones that will reacharge NiMh cells. You can even get a solar charger. Lithium batteries last a lot longer than NiMh between charges and don't need regular top-ups, however they cost a lot more too. Digital cameras eat batteries compared to film cameras and several sets of NiMh are the answer to the problem, or an accessory battery pack that clips on your belt. Don't let battery issues put you off going digital or be major in your choice of camera.
John.

Marty Scher B said:

If size is not an issue.

3.3mp, awesome video/audio, with a nice CZ lens.

A great battery.

The S85 is a similar value, also.

Sonys have the best movie/sound modes, of any digicam (big
surprsise), IMO.

Regards

Click to expand...

Sorry, we don't get that model in Australia... Or at least I can't find it! I just checked out the Canon S45, and didnt realise how good it was! And it has all I want (movies with sound aswell)! Hmmmm...

Hi Bullion,

This is a tough choice, neither are perfect and both have advantages:

Sony DSC-P7
-Better battery life but expensive spare battery.
-Includes one battery and charger.
-Better video mode.

Minolta F100
-Very inexpensive battery, regular or rechargable AA but not included.
-Very long battery life if LCD is off
-poor internal flash (week but the Sony might not be better)
-Many more Manual controls
-Sharper lens/images

I would choose the Minolta but it would mean spending more money on rechargable AA batteries and charger (I suggest at lest 4) Alsond giving up some Video quality. Keep in mind that video will take up memory space very quickly and will be better implemented in future models. March will bring new model at the PMA2003 show. Perhaps you could wait and see what it brings before making a decision. Hope this helps...

Peter Marina

PS: The Olympus C-4000 has a brighter lens, manual controls and powerfull flash. Battery life is great and the image quality is great for the price but it is larger and does not have sound.

Bullion said:

Hey.

I'm from Australia, so we don't have as many models and those we
do, are quite pricey...

Anyway, i'm after a digi cam. I want to be able to take video's
WITH sound and at leats 3mega pixel capability.

I've come down basically to two camera's...

Minolta F100

and

Sony DSC-P7

I can get both for around the same price, Sony - $920, F100 - $1000

I like the Sony for its unlimited movie mode, but like the F100 for
its superior lens. I've read the review on the F100 and am a little
turned off by the slow zoom.

Also, the battery options is my biggest query... Can someone tell
me, which one will last longer? Also, the F100 (as far as I know)
only comes with a battery, that can't be recharged? Yet the Sony
comes with a rechargable lithium with a charger (cable)... Can
someone fill me in on which is the better battery wise? To me, the
Sony wins hands down?

Thanks for your help!

Click to expand...

--
Peter Marina

Look at what the new crop of Sony cameras will bring. 1GB of memory and a higher quality and unlimited video:

http://www.dcviews.com/press/Sony_P32.htm

The article says it should be avaiable in april.

Peter Marina

Bullion said:

Hey.

I'm from Australia, so we don't have as many models and those we
do, are quite pricey...

Anyway, i'm after a digi cam. I want to be able to take video's
WITH sound and at leats 3mega pixel capability.

I've come down basically to two camera's...

Minolta F100

and

Sony DSC-P7

I can get both for around the same price, Sony - $920, F100 - $1000

I like the Sony for its unlimited movie mode, but like the F100 for
its superior lens. I've read the review on the F100 and am a little
turned off by the slow zoom.

Also, the battery options is my biggest query... Can someone tell
me, which one will last longer? Also, the F100 (as far as I know)
only comes with a battery, that can't be recharged? Yet the Sony
comes with a rechargable lithium with a charger (cable)... Can
someone fill me in on which is the better battery wise? To me, the
Sony wins hands down?

Thanks for your help!

Click to expand...

--
Peter Marina

Peter, thanks for the advice!

Problem is the camera is going to be half of a 21st present from my parents... so really has to be bought within the next week. Plus being from down here, we'd have to wait even longer for it to be on the market! So I'd estimate at least 5 months, and I can't wait that long...

My pleasure B! Hope you have a hell of a party. ;-)

Peter Marina

Bullion said:

Peter, thanks for the advice!

Problem is the camera is going to be half of a 21st present from my
parents... so really has to be bought within the next week. Plus
being from down here, we'd have to wait even longer for it to be on
the market! So I'd estimate at least 5 months, and I can't wait
that long...

Click to expand...

--
Peter Marina