Shopping around for new digital camera

[iGuy]

I am thinking about replacing my trusty Olympus 2040z.  It has served my very well therefore I am most likely going to stick with Olympus.

I just received an e-mail from MacZone advertising a new Olympus model that looks like it would fit the bill.  It is the Olympus Stylus 750.  7mp with 5x optical zoom.

My old 2040z has the standard 3x optical zoom which isn't enough in my opinion.  The 5x may just do it for me.  Although, a person can never have too much zoom.  LOL.

I am going to begin some research on this model and check out some others.  Give me your opinions.

Ryan

[sandbox]

Hey iGuy, I use Olympus cameras as well and this model comes with some interesting features. I think a 5x zoom might be a bit short, but for the size of the camera it's hard to get much zoomier. Though I like a 10x+ I don't like carrying them around.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_review...lus750_pg2.html

What I haven't liked about my Olys is that they're slow, your not going to take a lot of pictures fast, so get them right the first time.

[Frances144]

Well, I am a Canon fan all the way.

I have a Canon Powershot (a few models) and my latest one is S2iS, which I adore and is fantastic in every way.  Supber lens, and amazing zoom.  I have used it every day and even made it pay for itself by selling some of the photos and film.

I think there is a newer version out S3iS and I would definitely go and check that out but if there is an old S2iS, get that.

Happy days.
Francesx

[Highmac]

I've got the Panasonic FZ20 and am delighted with it - 5MP, 12x optical zoom. It was superseded by the FZ30 and then by the FZ50, the current model. Up to 10Mp now, still 12x optical zoom and (I think) three times digital zoom - I never use it.

By the way, for anyone looking at buying a new camera DP Review is a great site for reviews and info

... and, from sheer curiosity, I found they seem to keep all their old reviews - it still has the one for my first digital camera the Minolta Dimage EX1500, bought in San Francisco in the summer of 2001. Only reason I'm not still using it is that the exposure control stopped working

[sandbox]

Nice shooter frances, and yes there is a 3 http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022111canons3is.asp
and it would also be hard to get in your pocket.

The battle of the small but functional rages on.
the Stylus 740 doesn't have the motion sensor and is faster, if that's a priority. Same camera though.

ops, didn't see you there Highmac, yah, I use both steves and dpreview when looking at all the shinny cameras.

That new Panasonic looks nice.

I use my camera out of my pocket like a big cellphone. This one that iGuy is looking at is really unique in what they were able to do with size and still get a real 5x zoom and 7.1 MP. I like Sony's for example, for their small footprint but they offer little in zoom technology. Many camera makers produce a small MP small zoom that also sacrifice photo quality, Olympus does it without the quality loss, at least for me. Of course it's a different world when you don't want a pocket camera, the digital SLR's are improving leaps and bounds.

[iGuy]

Thanks for the advice.  This will give me something to consider when shopping.  

I am not necessarily set on a pocket camera although they are convenient.

I like the 12x zoom on the Sony DSC-H5.  It has optical image stabilization and a 3.0 LCD.  Those kind of specs would make me by something other than an Olympus.  Athough, it is priced at $479.  Little more than I was wanting to spend.

Ryan

[sandbox]

IGUY, this is a good review.
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/...iew/index.shtml

[Frances144]

Apparently, (and this comes from a friend who did not buy a Canon and regrets it now!), the Canon cameras have the best optical image stabilisers.

My S2iS is fantastic and I have the permanent shakes (see my website for examples of its abilities without a tripod - www.pencille.co.uk). I am so bad that I cannot hold a cup and saucer and people look at me as though I am drunk (I wish!).

Pocket size - probably I would look at a small Canon.  My old Powershot A40 was superb and still is.  Lives in the car for emergencies.

Just found the new PowerShot A710 IS on Canon's website - I would definitely vote for that.

Good luck!

Fx

[sandbox]

here's a good review for a canon frances, which I would probably consider this time around. It only has a 4x zoom but doesn't compromise much else.
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/po...t_sd800-review/

and I was waiting for this new panasonic http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasoniclx2/ but the reviews are lest than glaring.

[Paddy]

Like Frances, I'm a Canon fan. If you're looking for a good zoom and good all-round specs and generally high user satisfaction at a reasonable cost, take a look at the Canon A710is. 6X zoom, and has manual controls that the Olympus doesn't have - as well as an optical viewfinder that is lacking in the Olympus. Slightly larger, but still pretty small. Also has image stabilization like the Olympus. Very similar pricing, though far more happy users weighing in at dpreview. It's both a capable point-and-shoot for snapshots, and a camera that allows you to experiment a bit more. The Olympus is geared more to straight snapshots. The 800SD is also geared more to snapshots, in that there is not much in the way of manual controls.

I debated long and hard over the 710is vs. the Canon A640, as I wanted a capable point-and-shoot as a backup to my Canon Digital Rebel when we go to Europe later this year. Using a DSLR most of the time means I'm not happy without manual controls for at least some if not the majority of the time. The A640 is 10 megapixels, 4X optical zoom, has a rotating LCD (very handy for some shots!) all the manual controls, the option of adding 2X extenders and filters (already got the filters, since I could get some that worked with some of my Canon SLR lenses too!). It also takes standard NiMH AA batteries, which for me is a big plus, since if your batteries die, chances are you can replace them with alkalines pretty easily, unless you're far from civilization! Also uses SD memory cards, which are a somewhat more common format than the xD cards the Olympus uses. More common=cheaper and more choice.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/...iew/index.shtml
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/po...iew/index.shtml
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/po...ot_a710-review/

Much depends on what you want to do with the camera. But I'd carefully consider the user reviews, the editorial reviews putting the cameras through their paces, and finally, going to your nearest dealer and seeing what you like when faced with the real McCoy.

And if you should decide to stray into DSLR territory, you might be interested in the new $599 Nikon D40.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/d40-review/

[Jack W]

I have a Canon S2IS and really like it. Takes fantastic movies and excellent stills.

My only complaint is its lack of low light capability. Sometimes it just won't work in low light. But it could be that I'm not using the settings right.

I really like te AA batteries for power. I use Powerex NiMH 2500 batteries. Last a long time while shooting. Altho they have limited shelf life in storage - probably less than three weeks.

- Jack

[iGuy]

QUOTE

IGUY, this is a good review.

sandbox, thanks for supplying the review link for the 750. I read over it and it didn't read like a good review to me.  The writer was not impressed.

I did not realize, until paddy menitioned it, that the Olympus 750 does not have an optical view finder.  That is pretty much all I use on my 2040z.

I will give Cannon a look.  The Olympus models I have been looking at are falling a little short.  

Ryan