5-6MP digicam confusion

Kstylz · Jul 9, 2004

I have been researching some 5MP digicams the last month or so...have a baby girl on the way...so I am using this as the "reason" to purchase a digital camera.

Here's the deal, I have checked this site, and a couple of others for reviews of my Shortlist.

Shortlist:
Canon S60
Casio P600
Kodak DX7630
HP R707
Konica G600
Nikon Coolpix 5200

....It appears that there is always some kind of problem with the camera in the reviews....red eye, blurry shots, etc...I know nothing is perfect, but which one of these shines above?

My experience with digicams is slim (have a Sony DCR PC120BT miniDV that can capture 1MP shots). I am looking for an overall good camera that will take great photos and print great photos...with the RAW format addition. I like the idea of being able to "virtually reshoot" my pics if thy turn out bad (without file degredation). Am I right in that the Canon S60 is the only one with RAW finctionality?

Also, do these cameras all have the same size sensor? I think I read that if you keep adding MP's (like 5 and 6MP) it just introduces more noise in the pictures. What's the deal there?

I'd appreciate any input on high points/low points of these cameras. Also, would love to know others thoughts on the RAW format.

Thanks.

morepix · Jul 9, 2004

Just a small answer to one question from your list: You'll find the sensor size listed in the spec summaries of these cameras on Phil's website. And yes, other things being equal, the smaller the sensor, the greater the noise. Of course, other things are never quite equal.

Kstylz said:
Also, do these cameras all have the same size sensor? I think I
read that if you keep adding MP's (like 5 and 6MP) it just
introduces more noise in the pictures ...

--
Pbase supporter: http://www.pbase.com/morepix

Kstylz · Jul 9, 2004

thx. narrowed it down to canon s60 and the casio...like the menus on the casio

morepix said:
Kstylz said:

Also, do these cameras all have the same size sensor? I think I
read that if you keep adding MP's (like 5 and 6MP) it just
introduces more noise in the pictures ...

Click to expand...

--
Pbase supporter: http://www.pbase.com/morepix

Lorraine · Jul 9, 2004

You're going to get it with any on-board flash. The only way to eliminate it is with an external flash.

Personally, I don't think a 6mp camera is at all necessary to get "great shots, and great prints". Unless of course you're talking over 11x14. I have a 2mp Oly 2100 (UZI) that makes excellent 8X10's. Mathematically, yes, you probably need that amount of MP. In real life, you probably don't. There was a thread on here about this subject a while back. I'll post it if I find it.

I say this because A) Less mp=less money= babies are expensive as heck.

)

B) You may have more camera selection if you drop it down to a 4 or under MP camera.

Good luck!

Lorraine-UZI'er

Kstylz said:
morepix said:

Kstylz said:

Also, do these cameras all have the same size sensor? I think I
read that if you keep adding MP's (like 5 and 6MP) it just
introduces more noise in the pictures ...

Click to expand...

--
Pbase supporter: http://www.pbase.com/morepix

Click to expand...

Lorraine · Jul 9, 2004

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1014&message=6329363

Lorraine said:
Personally, I don't think a 6mp camera is at all necessary to get
"great shots, and great prints". Unless of course you're talking
over 11x14. I have a 2mp Oly 2100 (UZI) that makes excellent
8X10's. Mathematically, yes, you probably need that amount of MP.
In real life, you probably don't. There was a thread on here about
this subject a while back. I'll post it if I find it.

I say this because A) Less mp=less money= babies are expensive as
heck. )

B) You may have more camera selection if you drop it down to a 4 or
under MP camera.

Good luck!

Lorraine-UZI'er

Kstylz said:

morepix said:

Kstylz said:

Also, do these cameras all have the same size sensor? I think I
read that if you keep adding MP's (like 5 and 6MP) it just
introduces more noise in the pictures ...

Click to expand...

--
Pbase supporter: http://www.pbase.com/morepix

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Kstylz · Jul 10, 2004

thx for the input and the link.

Lorraine said:
Personally, I don't think a 6mp camera is at all necessary to get
"great shots, and great prints". Unless of course you're talking
over 11x14. I have a 2mp Oly 2100 (UZI) that makes excellent
8X10's. Mathematically, yes, you probably need that amount of MP.
In real life, you probably don't. There was a thread on here about
this subject a while back. I'll post it if I find it.

I say this because A) Less mp=less money= babies are expensive as
heck. )

B) You may have more camera selection if you drop it down to a 4 or
under MP camera.

Good luck!

Lorraine-UZI'er

Kstylz said:

morepix said:

Kstylz said:

Also, do these cameras all have the same size sensor? I think I
read that if you keep adding MP's (like 5 and 6MP) it just
introduces more noise in the pictures ...

Click to expand...

--
Pbase supporter: http://www.pbase.com/morepix

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Theresa K · Jul 10, 2004

a 4 mp with a long zoom? I think that they are much more useful for shooting kids, particularly once they are doing sporting events/school programs. The long zoom (10-12X) more than makes up for the lower resolution. My short list of cameras that I would buy in a heartbeat:
Olympus C-750, C-770 or Panasonic FZ-10

All can accomodate an external flash, which as Lorraine stated, is the only way to eliminate red-eye.

--
Theresa
The Digital Junkie! Constructive criticism always welcome!

http://www.pbase.com/theresa_k
Oly C-5O6O, WC0N-.7C, TC0N-1.7C & FL-4O
+1, +2, +4, +10 diopters, RF-5O ring flash

Kstylz · Jul 12, 2004

I looked into the FZ10...looks good...though it is about as expensive as the Canon S60 & Casio P600...(those are the ones I think I have narrowed it down to..)

So now I am between the FZ10 (4MP), Canon S60 (5MP), and the Casio P600 (6MP). Which camera will shoot the best photos with minimal "retouching?"
Also, for the money, does one of these cameras shine?

Theresa K said:
a 4 mp with a long zoom? I think that they are much more useful for
shooting kids, particularly once they are doing sporting
events/school programs. The long zoom (10-12X) more than makes up
for the lower resolution. My short list of cameras that I would
buy in a heartbeat:
Olympus C-750, C-770 or Panasonic FZ-10

All can accomodate an external flash, which as Lorraine stated, is
the only way to eliminate red-eye.

--
Theresa
The Digital Junkie! Constructive criticism always welcome!
http://www.pbase.com/theresa_k
Oly C-5O6O, WC0N-.7C, TC0N-1.7C & FL-4O
+1, +2, +4, +10 diopters, RF-5O ring flash

David Hughes124436 · Jul 12, 2004

Just a point; you mentioned a baby on the way.

I'd advise you not to use flash near babies as there is a risk to it. Go for something that's OK for available light ie f2 or there abouts lens and little noise at higher ISO settings.

Regards, David

Kstylz · Jul 12, 2004

Dave thx for the tip...never really thought about the flash being an issue. What cameras do u rec. based on that criteria ($ ~~4-500)? It seems that all these digicams I look at start to stumble @ ISO's of 200.~~

David Hughes said:
Just a point; you mentioned a baby on the way.

I'd advise you not to use flash near babies as there is a risk to
it. Go for something that's OK for available light ie f2 or there
abouts lens and little noise at higher ISO settings.

Regards, David

Lawrencew · Jul 12, 2004

David Hughes said:
Just a point; you mentioned a baby on the way.

I'd advise you not to use flash near babies as there is a risk to
it. Go for something that's OK for available light ie f2 or there
abouts lens and little noise at higher ISO settings.

The FZ10 is great for such shots with the Image Stabilization, fast lens, and long telephoto.

There are some new Panasonic cameras supposed to be announced on the 20th July. So see if you can hold on till then.
--
Regards
Lawrence

Kstylz · Jul 12, 2004

do u have a link for a preview of the new panasonic cameras? thx

Lawrencew said:
David Hughes said:

Just a point; you mentioned a baby on the way.

I'd advise you not to use flash near babies as there is a risk to
it. Go for something that's OK for available light ie f2 or there
abouts lens and little noise at higher ISO settings.

Click to expand...

The FZ10 is great for such shots with the Image Stabilization, fast
lens, and long telephoto.

There are some new Panasonic cameras supposed to be announced on
the 20th July. So see if you can hold on till then.
--
Regards
Lawrence

Lawrencew · Jul 12, 2004

Kstylz said:
do u have a link for a preview of the new panasonic cameras? thx

They are not announced yet.
See http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=9425810

Good chance there will be some announcements on the FZ front though
--
Regards
Lawrence

Kstylz · Jul 12, 2004

Thx again LawrenceW. No AF assist lamp though...? Will that affect

Do u know anything about the menu on the FZ10? I am a novice photographer...is the menu something to worry about? I like that Casio P600 menu..seems like it does most of the work for you.

Lawrencew said:
Kstylz said:

do u have a link for a preview of the new panasonic cameras? thx

Click to expand...

They are not announced yet.
See
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=9425810

Good chance there will be some announcements on the FZ front though
--
Regards
Lawrence

Lawrencew · Jul 12, 2004

Kstylz said:
Thx again LawrenceW. No AF assist lamp though...? Will that affect
Do u know anything about the menu on the FZ10? I am a novice
photographer...is the menu something to worry about? I like that
Casio P600 menu..seems like it does most of the work for you.

I suggest you post some question on the panasonic forum. There's lots of good folk there who will help.

--
Regards
Lawrence

David Hughes124436 · Jul 13, 2004

Hi,

Sorry I didn't get back to you but Lawrencew seems to have answered you as I would. This time difference between our countries can be a pain at times.

FZ10 looks OK. Can't answer about the menu as I don't know it. In any case, with most cameras you set the thing up just after taking it out of the box and don't touch it again: except to format the cards.

Regards, David

Lawrencew said:
Kstylz said:

Thx again LawrenceW. No AF assist lamp though...? Will that affect
Do u know anything about the menu on the FZ10? I am a novice
photographer...is the menu something to worry about? I like that
Casio P600 menu..seems like it does most of the work for you.

Click to expand...

I suggest you post some question on the panasonic forum. There's
lots of good folk there who will help.

--
Regards
Lawrence

Lawrencew · Jul 13, 2004

Kstylz said:
Thx again LawrenceW. No AF assist lamp though...? Will that affect

The FZ10 can struggle with focusing in low light, as can any without a focus assit light.

The good thing about the FZ10 however is it is very easy to switch in and out of manual focus - it has a dedicated button that falls to hand very nicely - and the manual focusing itself is an absolute dream to use, with a physical focusing ring on the lens, and 8x magnification in the viewfinder.

Kstylz said:
Do u know anything about the menu on the FZ10? I am a novice
photographer...is the menu something to worry about? I like that
Casio P600 menu..seems like it does most of the work for you.

The menus are OK

Many of the simple adjustments you might make with many shots like exposure compensation, flash type, etc, are nicely done on the back joy pad - effectively like dedicated buttons, as you dont have to select a menu option first.

However, there are a couple of things that are in menus that should have had a dedicated button, like selecting which one of the Apeture/shutter/manual control modes to use.

And the exposure button that you need to press to manually set exposurer settings is in the wrong place (not set exposure compensation - thats ok, but to dial in your own apeture, speed, etc) - not that you will press it much

A key thing about the menus though (and this was important to me as I wear reading glasses) is that
1. you can read them very nicely in the EVF with dioptre control
2. they are very easy to read on the large 2" LCD too.

see the FZ10 reviews at DCResource, Megapixel.net and Steve's digicams. They all show the menus

Regards
Lawrence

Kstylz · Jul 13, 2004

thx for the reply...I will hold on purchase 'till after July 20, as Lawrencew suggested.. I am stuck between the Fz10, Canon S60, and the CasioP600. The one thing that I hesitate on with the FZ10 is the 4MP set up. The Casio is 6MP, for the same price as the Panasonic. Although, I did read that some users were experiencing this "lock up" with the Casio camera. thx again.

David Hughes said:
Sorry I didn't get back to you but Lawrencew seems to have answered
you as I would. This time difference between our countries can be a
pain at times.

FZ10 looks OK. Can't answer about the menu as I don't know it. In
any case, with most cameras you set the thing up just after taking
it out of the box and don't touch it again: except to format the
cards.

Regards, David

Lawrencew said:

Kstylz said:

Thx again LawrenceW. No AF assist lamp though...? Will that affect
Do u know anything about the menu on the FZ10? I am a novice
photographer...is the menu something to worry about? I like that
Casio P600 menu..seems like it does most of the work for you.

Click to expand...

I suggest you post some question on the panasonic forum. There's
lots of good folk there who will help.

--
Regards
Lawrence

Click to expand...

Kstylz · Jul 13, 2004

megapixel.net...thx...did not find that one!! Even @ 5:30AM (EST) I am getting great help!! What a resource!!

Lawrencew said:
Kstylz said:

Thx again LawrenceW. No AF assist lamp though...? Will that affect

Click to expand...

The FZ10 can struggle with focusing in low light, as can any
without a focus assit light.

The good thing about the FZ10 however is it is very easy to switch
in and out of manual focus - it has a dedicated button that falls
to hand very nicely - and the manual focusing itself is an absolute
dream to use, with a physical focusing ring on the lens, and 8x
magnification in the viewfinder.

Lawrencew said:

Do u know anything about the menu on the FZ10? I am a novice
photographer...is the menu something to worry about? I like that
Casio P600 menu..seems like it does most of the work for you.

Click to expand...

The menus are OK
Many of the simple adjustments you might make with many shots like
exposure compensation, flash type, etc, are nicely done on the back
joy pad - effectively like dedicated buttons, as you dont have to
select a menu option first.
However, there are a couple of things that are in menus that should
have had a dedicated button, like selecting which one of the
Apeture/shutter/manual control modes to use.
And the exposure button that you need to press to manually set
exposurer settings is in the wrong place (not set exposure
compensation - thats ok, but to dial in your own apeture, speed,
etc) - not that you will press it much

A key thing about the menus though (and this was important to me as
I wear reading glasses) is that
1. you can read them very nicely in the EVF with dioptre control
2. they are very easy to read on the large 2" LCD too.

see the FZ10 reviews at DCResource, Megapixel.net and Steve's
digicams. They all show the menus

Regards
Lawrence

Lawrencew · Jul 13, 2004

Kstylz said:
megapixel.net...thx...did not find that one!! Even @ 5:30AM (EST)
I am getting great help!! What a resource!!

megapixel is quite a good site. not as detailed as others in their reviews, but consistent.

--
Regards
Lawrence

5-6MP digicam confusion

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