Konica Minolta A200 or some other pro sumer camera.

[taekimon]

Hi, i'm new to this forum.
I'm intending to get a camera to allow myself to pick up photography. Currently only using some low end digi cam.

I prefer a prosumer range over a starter SLR cos I need the camera to come with movie mode. Coming to this, I'd like to ask if there are any KM A200 users here as I'd like to find out if it allows unlimited movie recording with audio (limited by storage) or is it limited to say 30secs kinda time limit.

Also, i narrowed my choices to KM A200, KM A2, Nikon 8800 and Nikon 8400. Can those who have experience with these cameras share their thoughts ? Thanks

[muko]

yo... i use A200...
I think it is limited... but forgot how much...
Quite long i guess...

u can download the manual at KonicaMinolta website.. look at USA or Europe or Hongkong.
You can study the camera before you buy it...

it's nice... i still keep it though i have D5D.
The wireless remote and LCD are the best i like...

[BBTM]

Originally Posted by taekimon Hi, i'm new to this forum. I'm intending to get a camera to allow myself to pick up photography. Currently only using some low end digi cam. I prefer a prosumer range over a starter SLR cos I need the camera to come with movie mode. Coming to this, I'd like to ask if there are any KM A200 users here as I'd like to find out if it allows unlimited movie recording with audio (limited by storage) or is it limited to say 30secs kinda time limit. Also, i narrowed my choices to KM A200, KM A2, Nikon 8800 and Nikon 8400. Can those who have experience with these cameras share their thoughts ? Thanks

If you want movie, go for a true video camera. If you want photos, go for a entry level DSLR. Don't get those prosumer stuffs else in 1 to 2 mths time, I can see you selling it. Hardly you can get both together unless you willing to spend but there are also hardly any good 2 in 1 video or prosumer device for it. Think abt it.

[taekimon]

Originally Posted by BBTM If you want movie, go for a true video camera. If you want photos, go for a entry level DSLR. Don't get those prosumer stuffs else in 1 to 2 mths time, I can see you selling it. Hardly you can get both together unless you willing to spend but there are also hardly any good 2 in 1 video or prosumer device for it. Think abt it.

Yes my friend from this forum has also adviced me before on this. However, I do not want to lug around 2 devices.

There are many times when I'm taking photos and I want to take a small video clip. The movie mode comes in really handy. My current digi cam is able to do that, just that it has too many auto functions. I want to try a hand at photography (shooting fireworks or close ups of insects etc), so the auto functions on my current digi cam sorta cripples me.

For dSLR, i think i have to invest alot more, esp on the lenses, flash AND a seperate video cam.
Can BBTM able to quote some other reasons why 2 seperate devices other than the quality of the photos/videos produced by 2 seperate devices ?

Can an untrained eye really tell the diff between a good prosumer camera and a start dSLR ?

[BBTM]

Very hard to explain to you. Just that you might shorten the life of the sensor in the prosumer if you use it for both still n movie.

On top of that, movie only clips will be available (not sure current one) and you can't make into a vcd or dvd movie.

I agreed with you that DSLR need to invest on expensive lenses but you getting what you are spending. The shutter lag almost not there and you getting fast focusing speed as compare to prosumer.

Anyway, there are pro and con for either side. It is up to you to decide. If you think it is hard for you to afford both, try a second one hand. Prosumer market is going to be gone case with so many entry level camera nowadays.

[funhur]

dunno whether this argument still valid.

but last time, i find that dedicated cam (i.e. separate cam and video cam) comes packed with related functions.

for example, video cam has mic wind cut, good stereo mic, caption, fading in/out etc. While digicam offers photography related settings, like exposure control, iso settings etc

usually its a compromise of features to get 2-in-1

[jsbn]

Originally Posted by taekimon Yes my friend from this forum has also adviced me before on this. However, I do not want to lug around 2 devices. There are many times when I'm taking photos and I want to take a small video clip. The movie mode comes in really handy. My current digi cam is able to do that, just that it has too many auto functions. I want to try a hand at photography (shooting fireworks or close ups of insects etc), so the auto functions on my current digi cam sorta cripples me. For dSLR, i think i have to invest alot more, esp on the lenses, flash AND a seperate video cam. Can BBTM able to quote some other reasons why 2 seperate devices other than the quality of the photos/videos produced by 2 seperate devices ? Can an untrained eye really tell the diff between a good prosumer camera and a start dSLR ?

The untrained eye definitely can tell the diff between a movie taken with one of those 'movie mode cameras' and DVCams my friend.

If I had 4 hands and 3 eyes I would have gotten a DVCam on top of my DSLR.

But life's about making choices. And I'm not regretting getting a DSLR over a DVCam for my trips.

[muko]

A200 is the camera that take my prewed photo...
the photographer is me... with the features that my D5D cannot do..
Rotating and live preview LCD and Wireless remocon...

[BBTM]

Originally Posted by muko A200 is the camera that take my prewed photo... the photographer is me... with the features that my D5D cannot do.. Rotating and live preview LCD and Wireless remocon...

But 5D got other feature which A200 also don't have. (Me not a DSLR user but I know the specs. )

[taekimon]

Originally Posted by jsbn The untrained eye definitely can tell the diff between a movie taken with one of those 'movie mode cameras' and DVCams my friend. If I had 4 hands and 3 eyes I would have gotten a DVCam on top of my DSLR. But life's about making choices. And I'm not regretting getting a DSLR over a DVCam for my trips.

ermm .. untrained eye confirm can definitely tell the diff btwn movie taken by digi cam and one taken by DV cams lar.

What i asked was if can tell the difference btwn a starter dSLR and a prosumer digi cam leh.

Thanks to all you guys who have contributed but is there really no advantage of a prosumer ?
a dSLR is expensive, bulky and would require special care with the dry box etc leh. I dun really intend to invest so much into a camera, not at least til i grasp all the shooting skills. Besides, I anticipate myself probably using the camera for parties, tour trips, indoor sports competition and special occasions (and i mean occasional as in when there is fireworks, or some parade). I saw a thread that all these will still be considered as under-utilisation of a camera ....

[TME]

Originally Posted by taekimon ermm .. untrained eye confirm can definitely tell the diff btwn movie taken by digi cam and one taken by DV cams lar. What i asked was if can tell the difference btwn a starter dSLR and a prosumer digi cam leh. Thanks to all you guys who have contributed but is there really no advantage of a prosumer ? a dSLR is expensive, bulky and would require special care with the dry box etc leh. I dun really intend to invest so much into a camera, not at least til i grasp all the shooting skills. Besides, I anticipate myself probably using the camera for parties, tour trips, indoor sports competition and special occasions (and i mean occasional as in when there is fireworks, or some parade). I saw a thread that all these will still be considered as under-utilisation of a camera ....

The price difference between an entry level DSLR like the KM D5D kit and the A200 is rather small... the 5D while larger than the prosumer really isn't all that big... u can check out the specs or go to a shop and handle it...

If u get the D5D kit, u still have the option of auto everything. U get a decent lens, good enough for almost anything u throw at it. U get much faster focussing, more powerful built-in flash, better noise control, greater flexibility and greater upgrade potential. It's quite woth a try. U could borrow one from a friend and live with it for a few days and go shooting and see if it suits u... an entry level DSLR and a prosumer... find out which one u like... or better still come down for KMOS on 1 Dec. Venue to be decided but check out the thread's first and last posts over the next few days, venue should be confirmed soon.

[antere]

Hi there.

I've used the A200 for a while. Though now owning a D5D, but there are somethings that I miss on the A200.

- Swivel LCD for taking odd level shots.
- Longer zoom without having to change lens. Well, of cos this can be resolved on D5D if I get a walkabout lens but image quality might suffer.
- Smaller size.

I personally believe that prosumer cams still have their merits though they may cost pretty close to DSLRs.

[seeyf]

Hi, i've owned a Nikon 8800 for around a year but just sold it. Hoping to upgrade to DSLR (maybe 5D). I did find the swivel LCD quite useful but the 8800 focuses too slowly for me. Also, there is considerable noise at ISO 400 compared to a DSLR. But image quality is ok at lower ISO speeds. You might want to try the Minolta prosumers since they offer more controls than the 8800 (e.g manual zoom).

[BBTM]

Why not think of the reverse way? Get a good camcorder with high MP? Like the panasonic one which got 4MP for still.

Reason. The problem of switching from camera mode to video mode on a prosumer camera is must slower than you take a photo from a camcorder. From my Sony camcorder, I just hit the photo button and I got a photo while recording. On top of that, imagine the zoom which camcorder offered. 10X Optical.

Check out the Panasonic Camcorder (Or other brand) with high MP for still. Think they suit you more.

[Sukoo]

Originally Posted by BBTM Why not think of the reverse way? Get a good camcorder with high MP? Like the panasonic one which got 4MP for still. Reason. The problem of switching from camera mode to video mode on a prosumer camera is must slower than you take a photo from a camcorder. From my Sony camcorder, I just hit the photo button and I got a photo while recording. On top of that, imagine the zoom which camcorder offered. 10X Optical. Check out the Panasonic Camcorder (Or other brand) with high MP for still. Think they suit you more.

I think canon also have DVcam in their stable which can also take a decent good still image and small in size too..

check it out