G1 vs. kodak dc4800 ??

I am close to making a decision and would really like to hear as many opinions as possible. I am not a photographer and really don't know much about it. I want a cam that does quality pics and is easy to use. These two seem to compare. I do like the feel and the looks of the kodak.

Thanks in advance

Rob,

I have looked at both of these as well. From my experience with both cameras I can tell you what I believe to be true: The Kodak is a bit more accurate with color out of the box and is easier to use. In fact, it's idiot proof. If you will always be in "point and shoot" mode and really like simplicity, then buy the Kodak. However, the G1 is built better, has many more options, and can take a better picture, but it takes some practice. If you want to sell the camera in a couple of years to upgrade, you will get more for the G1 than the DC4800. Also, the G1 comes with a remote, a much better battery system, video with sound, and every professional manual feature available on a camera. - My question is this: For about a hundred bucks more, you can have twice the camera. You may not know how to use the features in the beginning, but wouldn't it be nice have the option to expand your photographic skills and get much nicer photos in the long run? - I bought the G1 and I'm very pleased with it. The Kodak felt cheaply made by comparison.

Lawrance

I had the 4800 and sold it to get a G1 . ... If I would have had enough money, I would have both cameras ...

what I regret is the amazing quality of night shots (up to 16 sec ) with amazing results .. the G1 gives sharp pictures (speaking about 8 sec shots - 8 sec being the maximum), technically correct, but with no soul - ... the Kodak gives nice warm pictures if the conditions are optimal - if not, the pic can be a bit noisy, or out of focus ...... it has a nice wide angle, and is light and smaller than the G1 ...

I am happy with thw G1, but sometimes would like some features from the Kodak ... any choice is a compromise ...
hope this helps more than confuses you ..

You're talking to a real (former) Kodak fan here. I had the DC265, the DC280, and finally the 4800. I loved the 265 and 280, but the 4800 made me switch to Canon. The 4800 took pictures that weren't anywhere close to what the 280 could accomplish, noisy and out of focus, color balance not nearly as good... heck, the low-light focus performance was TERRIBLE.

If you don't need 3MP, then consider finding the 280 on closeout somewhere or on Ebay. If you're looking for 3MP, then the G1 is by FAR the better buy.

Bryan

Rob said:

I am close to making a decision and would really like to hear as
many opinions as possible. I am not a photographer and really don't
know much about it. I want a cam that does quality pics and is easy
to use. These two seem to compare. I do like the feel and the looks
of the kodak.

Thanks in advance

Click to expand...

zoun said:

I had the 4800 and sold it to get a G1 . ... If I would have had
enough money, I would have both cameras ...
what I regret is the amazing quality of night shots (up to 16 sec )
with amazing results .. the G1 gives sharp pictures (speaking about
8 sec shots - 8 sec being the maximum), technically correct, but
with no soul - ... the Kodak gives nice warm pictures if the
conditions are optimal - if not, the pic can be a bit noisy, or out
of focus ...... it has a nice wide angle, and is light and smaller
than the G1 ...
I am happy with thw G1, but sometimes would like some features
from the Kodak ... any choice is a compromise ...

Click to expand...

I know. I have a bunch of pictures taken with the 4800 before I returned it and got the G1. When I do a slide show, people are just wowed by the color of the DC4800 when I go to it after the G1. Great (unrealistic though,) color. But that didn't include all the pictures thrown out for excessively dark and/or out of focus.

I tell you, the noise on the Canon is really low. When I boost up the dark images on the two, the Canon still has an acceptable image, while the 4800 has lots of noise from CCD and compression.

Al

Member said:

hope this helps more than confuses you ..

Click to expand...

Rob,

Firstly, I can't comment on the Kodak, the G1 is my first and only digicam. I also am not a photographer, but I'm really pleased I opted for the G1. After just over a week playing around with the camera, I can understand why certain people say that it is not the best point & shoot. When I first got the camera, I put it in auto mode, and as far as I was concerned it gave excellent results. However, I then started to play around with things like the white balance and the saturation (in P mode), and the camera is really starting to produce what I consider to be excellent pictures. So my novice's perspective is that even though the G1 might not be the world's best point & shoot in full auto mode, it's still an excellent choice for novices who are willing to read the instruction manual (which contains lots of useful hints that even I can understand) and spend a little time getting to know the camera - after all there are no expensive film costs when you get it wrong! For me the worst scenario would have been if I'd bought a camera, been disappointed with its shots and then found it was a limitation of the cameras ability and there was nothing I could do to improve the quality. This certainly is not the case with the G1 I'm happy to say. If you do decide to opt for the G1, then I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice.

Novice G1 sample:



As I'm writing this post, my wife is laughing because I spent so long reading posts and learning from experts in this forum. Now she thinks I'm pretending to be an expert myself (which is not the case, I'm only trying to provide a novice's perspective on the subject - I hope my comments are of some help).
Regards,
Shaun.

Rob said:

I am close to making a decision and would really like to hear as
many opinions as possible. I am not a photographer and really don't
know much about it. I want a cam that does quality pics and is easy
to use. These two seem to compare. I do like the feel and the looks
of the kodak.

Thanks in advance

Click to expand...

Hi Bryan thanks to you and everyone else who is replying to my question. I have a question for you. You said , If I don't need a 3MP.... What tells me if I need a 3MP or if I can get by with a 2MP? This is mostly going to be for family pics, vacations etc. I may find a pic or two that I will want to blow up to an 8x10 or 11x14. Would a two be good enough? I have seen Dc280 pretty cheap on Ebay. What about the DC290 ?

Thanks again.

Bryan Siverly said:

If you don't need 3MP, then consider finding the 280 on closeout
somewhere or on Ebay. If you're looking for 3MP, then the G1 is by
FAR the better buy.

Bryan

Rob said:

I am close to making a decision and would really like to hear as
many opinions as possible. I am not a photographer and really don't
know much about it. I want a cam that does quality pics and is easy
to use. These two seem to compare. I do like the feel and the looks
of the kodak.

Thanks in advance

Click to expand...

Click to expand...