Looking for a Semi-Pro DigiCam...


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Gunbucker

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Sep 14, 2005
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To those of you who have shunned the bulky DSLR for all-in-one digicams with full manual control, I'm looking for one for my Dad, and need your expert opinion.

There's a few models like the Panasonic FZ-18, Sony H10, Olympus 570UZ etc... any recommendations?

He's into landscape, animal, street/candid photography. I would imagine something with good color/contrast, good noise control, f/2.8 - f/11 aperture capability, 10" to 1/1000 shutter speed control would be great.

Appreciate all suggestions! :D
 

of the 3 cams you listed, FZ18 and H10 max F-stop only ends at F8, not so sure about oly.
for noise control you would have to look for the fuji 6500fd, which is very hard to find 1st hand already and is about the size of a d40 and lighter than a d40.
 

Well, the H10 is more like a cnsumer cam with a strong zoom. Best to look at the H50 instead. :)
 

If you want good noise control, I really recommend you to get a DSLR. Other than that, a prosumer is good.

There are a few DSLRs which are really small and pretty light you know? :)
 

Thanks guys.

I do agree noise control of prosumer cams can't match the larger sensors of DSLRs. So I'm referring to the best of the lot (among prosumer digicams).

The budget constraint is 600~700 tops.

Aperture f/8 is endurable I suppose.

The models I listed above are just examples. Feel free to set me straight if I'm missing out on more suitable models. If I can narrow down to around three recommendations, I can go down to the stores and test them out.

Appreciate all the advice! :thumbsup:
 

If you want good noise control, I really recommend you to get a DSLR. Other than that, a prosumer is good.

There are a few DSLRs which are really small and pretty light you know? :)

I guess you're referring to the Olympus E-410? Personally, I'd gone for it, but my dad's not a huge fan of changing lenses.
 

I guess you're referring to the Olympus E-410? Personally, I'd gone for it, but my dad's not a huge fan of changing lenses.

I see. Haha. I was thinking more of the E-420 which will be released soon. :)

How far of a zoom do you need?
 

Go for the Fujifilm S100FS. This cam is the replacement of the S9600 and the S6500FD. Here is the review that has just been released today:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0804/08042801fujifilms100fsreview.asp

I used to be the owner of an S6500FD until I sold it off last week. Last I heard, the S100FS was selling for $8xx at M S Color.
 

Go for the Fujifilm S100FS. This cam is the replacement of the S9600 and the S6500FD. Here is the review that has just been released today:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0804/08042801fujifilms100fsreview.asp

I used to be the owner of an S6500FD until I sold it off last week. Last I heard, the S100FS was selling for $8xx at M S Color.

It's just too bad that it apparently has a great sensor, but really bad CA issues.
 

Go for the Fujifilm S100FS. This cam is the replacement of the S9600 and the S6500FD. Here is the review that has just been released today:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0804/08042801fujifilms100fsreview.asp

I used to be the owner of an S6500FD until I sold it off last week. Last I heard, the S100FS was selling for $8xx at M S Color.

I saw the specs and liked it too. But two downsides, the bulk that's definitely in the DSLR league, and the price tag.
 

I'm more particular on the wide end, hopefully 24mm equivalent. On the tele side, a 135mm equivalent will suffice.

24mm before crop or no?

if 24mm after crop factor (i.e. 24mm in 35mm film terms), then you aren't going to find any prosumer that can do that. even dslr with kit lens 18mm widest will give you 27mm.

assume that you are talking about 36mm thereabouts then (24mm before 1.5x crop factor).. then you are quite spoilt for choice, it all depends on whether you think there is a need for high iso being used (anything beyond 100iso is considered "high iso" in a prosumer, sadly)..

the last time round panny's high iso processing was horrible, became water color painting.. sony used to be good - in fact one of the best in this department, but has deproved a little (sorry rashkae) at least for the h7/9 generation, not so sure about newest offerings.

maybe you could consider fujifilm 6500fd *if* you can find it, that has a great sensor with no purple fringing problems, but is not easy to find nowadays. price should be within range, and zoom is manual zoom too, very fun.

if not, then i guess canon s5is would be a reasonable all-rounder now.
 

in fact one of the best in this department, but has deproved a little (sorry rashkae) at least for the h7/9 generation, not so sure about newest offerings.

LOL

No need to be sorry, I'm also not happy with the image quality on the H7 and H9 (Which is why i don't recommend them). But from user reviews so far, the H50 has big improvements. We'll see. :)
 

LOL

No need to be sorry, I'm also not happy with the image quality on the H7 and H9 (Which is why i don't recommend them). But from user reviews so far, the H50 has big improvements. We'll see. :)

I'm quite keen on the H50. Any idea when it's going to be available?
 

24mm before crop or no?

if 24mm after crop factor (i.e. 24mm in 35mm film terms), then you aren't going to find any prosumer that can do that. even dslr with kit lens 18mm widest will give you 27mm.

assume that you are talking about 36mm thereabouts then (24mm before 1.5x crop factor).. then you are quite spoilt for choice, it all depends on whether you think there is a need for high iso being used (anything beyond 100iso is considered "high iso" in a prosumer, sadly)..

the last time round panny's high iso processing was horrible, became water color painting.. sony used to be good - in fact one of the best in this department, but has deproved a little (sorry rashkae) at least for the h7/9 generation, not so sure about newest offerings.

maybe you could consider fujifilm 6500fd *if* you can find it, that has a great sensor with no purple fringing problems, but is not easy to find nowadays. price should be within range, and zoom is manual zoom too, very fun.

if not, then i guess canon s5is would be a reasonable all-rounder now.

Wow, I guess around 35mm on the wide end will have to do. Not exactly sweeping wide, but should suffice for street candids, and somewhat landscape-ish views. Is there an option for wide angle converters?
 

Wow, I guess around 35mm on the wide end will have to do. Not exactly sweeping wide, but should suffice for street candids, and somewhat landscape-ish views. Is there an option for wide angle converters?
yes, you probably can get raynox or something, but i had headaches regarding stepping up and stepping down etc for the wide angle converter - it isn't useable for every filter thread size.

alternatively, certain brands offer wider views than others, fujifilm 100fs , 6500fd happens to be 28mm widest, and i think the panny offerings, some of them are 28mm widest as well. as with any superzoom lens, you are going to get distortion though.

well, on the bright side, your dad might get extra exercise from stepping backwards more. :bsmilie: i know i did a lot of that when using sony h2.
 

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