^(*)^ Advice Needed ^(*)^

[power_8383]

Hi guys, I am a hardcore nature, wildlife lover but not a professional wildlife photographer.

Taking wildlife photos is my hobby.

This time I've decided to buy a good digital camera.
My budget is 20000 Rs at the most.

I need a good Digicam in this budget, so plz advice me which camera will be most suitable for my hobby photography.


I like the following 4 cameras but you can suggest any different camera also. :-

1) Sony DSC H7
2) Sony DSC H50
3) Olympus SP570UZ
4) Nikon D40

[m-jeri]

In professional series..sony sucks..this is a fact....i shopped for my digicam..in chennai...hyd....mumbai...all shop owners say that..and chk some photography blos u know that......so please remove options 1&2.....

coming to others....i would anyday bet money on Nikon.......its great..the RAW settings are amazing.....and so are the customization....

I personally use Fuji.....now....its cost me 29k......

p.s. I am Fuji user....but abt sony....i asssure u..its for point and shoot....

[power_8383]

Thnx for ur reply bro.
I'll surely take a note of that.

By the way u've any other Cams in mind for this budget ?

[m-jeri]

hehhehe..sorry for being a fan of fuji....

check out fuji and canon range......

1.FUJIFILM FINEPIX S8100 FD 10 MP ...this is great...

Number of effective pixels *1
10.0 million pixels
CCD sensor
1/2.3-inch CCD
Storage media Internal memory (Approx. 58MB)
xD-Picture Card™ (16MB - 2GB)
SD memory card
SDHC memory card *2
File format Still image

JPEG (Exif Ver 2.2) *3
Movie

AVI (Motion JPEG) with sound
Audio

WAVE format, Monaural sound

(Design rule for Camera File system compliant / DPOF-compatible)
Number of recorded pixels
Still image: 3,648x2,736 / 3,648x2,432 (3:2 format) / 2,592x1,944 / 2,048x1,536 / 1,600x1,200 / 640x480 pixels
Lens
Fujinon 18x Optical zoom lens, F2.8(Wide) - F4.5(Telephoto)
Lens focal length
f=4.7mm - 84.2mm, Equivalent to 27 - 486mm on a 35mm camera
Aperture
F2.8 - F8.0(Wide) / F4.5 - F8.0(Telephoto), max 10 steps in 1/3 EV increment
Digital zoom
Approx. 5.7x
Focus distance Normal
Wide angle: Approx. 70cm / 2.3ft. to infinity
Telephoto: Approx. 1.5m / 4.9ft. to infinity
Macro
Wide angle: Approx. 10cm / 0.3ft. to 80cm / 2.6ft.
Telephoto: Approx. 1.2m / 3.9ft. to 3.2m / 10.5ft.
Super Macro
Approx. 1cm / 0.4in. to 10cm / 0.3ft.
Sensitivity
Auto / Auto (1600) / Auto (800) / Auto (400) / Equivalent to ISO 64 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 6400 (Standard Output Sensitivity)

* ISO3200 / 6400: 5M pixels or lower (Number of recorded pixels)
Exposure control
TTL 256-zone metering
Exposure modes
Programmed AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
Shooting modes Mode dial

Auto, PS (Picture Stabilization), Natural Light, Natural Light & with Flash, ZOOM Bracketing, SP, P, A, S, M, Movie
SP

Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower, Text, Auction
Image Stabilizer
CCD-shift type
Shutter speed
1/4 sec. to 1/2000 sec. (AUTO mode)

4 sec. to 1/2000 sec. (All other modes)
Continuous shooting Top-3 (max 1.1 frames/sec.)
Long-period (max 0.5 frames/sec.)
Top-33, Hgh spped (max 6.8 frames/sec., 5M pixels or lower)
Top-33, Ultra High speed (max 13.5 frames/sec., 3M pixels or lower)
Auto Bracketing
±1/3EV,±2/3EV,±1EV
Focus Auto focus (Area, Multi, Center) / Continuous AF / Manual focus
AF assist illuminator available
White balance
Automatic scene recognition, Preset (Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light), Custom
Self-timer
Approx. 10sec. / 2sec. delay
Flash
Auto flash
Effective range: (ISO AUTO(800))
Wide angle: Aapprox. 0.5m - 8.8m / 1.6ft - 28.9ft
Telephoto angle: Approx. 0.5m - 5.6m / 1.6ft - 18.4ft
Macro: Approx. 0.3m - 3m / 1.0ft - 9.8ft
Flash modes:
Red-eye removal OFF : Auto, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro
Red-eye removal ON : Red-eye Reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction & Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Red-eye Reduction & Slow Synchro
Electronic Viewfinder
0.24-inch, Approx. 230,000 dots color LCD monitor, Approx. 97% coverage, 60fps
LCD monitor
2.5-inch, Approx. 230,000 dots, Amorphos silicon TFT color LCD monitor(WV type), Approx. 97% coverage, 60fps
Movie recording 640x480 pixels, 30 frames/sec.
320x240 pixels, 30 frames/sec.

With monaural sound, With Electronic Image Stabilization

* Zoom function cannot be used during movie recording.
Photography functions
Zoom Bracketing, Instant Zoom, Face Detection (with red-eye removal), High speed shooting, Best framing, Post shot assist windows, Frame No.memory, Histograms
Playback functions
Face Detection, Slide show, Scrap book view slide show, Trimming, Multi-frame playback (with Micro Thumbnail), High-speed playback, Sorting by date, Image rotate, Voice Memo, Histograms (Highlight warning)
Video output
NTSC / PAL selectable
Digital input/output
USB
Power supply *4
4 x AA type alkaline batteries (included) / 4 x AA type Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (optional) or AC power adapter AC-5VX (optional)
Dimensions
111.3(W)x78.2(H)x79.3(D) mm / 4.4(W)x3.1(H)x3.1(D) in. (excluding accessories and attachments)
Weight
Approx. 405g/14.3oz. (excluding accessories, batteries and memory card)

Sorry for the copy paste..but the cam costs here abt 18k.... so u may want to blow extra for useful stuff like...carry bag...mem card..tripod, get one if u serious abt nature photo..u know that....extra battery..chargers....

SONY CYBERSHOT DSC H10 or H9..if u want to chk out sony..but dont

this could be classifeid as entry-level-semi-pro camera....its my classification..hheheh

[power_8383]

Thanks yaar, this one is looking good.

[adithya_s]

bought canon s5is last week..
its really amazing.. check it out

[m-jeri]

+1.........hey @power...

check that to...its looks good..but expensive i guess...

aditya...cost....

he needs under 20k..

[adithya_s]

^^ its 20k only with 2gb card..

[m-jeri]

then power..one more in basket.....

chk the service in ur parts..for me in tvm..canon is a no no..service in kochi or so..anyways they took 1 week min....

fuji..they have here..i guess..they gave back in 3 days....


hehehhe..i am fuji all way......

but here both good...hold them both in ur hands..ergo mui impotanto...check the natural and iso settings...

then decide..please stay away from sony..they just dont have the cut....just go to some reputed digi-studios in ur place and ask around...

[power_8383]

What you say about Pansonic fz18 guys ?

I heard it is for just Rs16,000.

And I've also seen the sample pictures taken with it and they were amazing.

[m-jeri]

hmm...panasonic....sorry dude...i been in photography for last 4years..never i had took a panasonic in my hands....even none of my frnds have one....

i dunno much abt panasonic brand....so ur own ur own...try to keep it between fuji and canon..that canon is a bloody good model also....

if money is the pblm then go for fuji..i assure you....

[power_8383]

Can u show me some photographs taken with it bro ? (Sorry, I'm giving u lots of headache. [] )

[m-jeri]

well pal...

as i told u i dont use both cams..so how can i......i am using another one..its 29..outaa ur budget....anyways how the hell can i upload the photos taken by them in full res..not to mention..RAW..hheheheh...

wher u from..tell me that first??any metro...i am sure ther are dealers just go ther...its not always abt the pic frn......its abt lots of things...mailny weight and how it feels in ur hand..the customization..

[power_8383]

I'm not from a metropolitan city but a big District (Nanded) of Maharashtra which is still lagging behind of others when it comes to IT field.

Thnx for ur reply bro.

[m-jeri]

hmm...but in mh....near to mumbai or pune....chk some places out..or order it..online....

[power_8383]

I'll buy it from Mumbai, or will order from my place if possible.

[Micheal]

i dont think this is the proper section for this

Dont u think we r violating some forum rules???

[power_8383]

How brother ?

[power_8383]

@ Madjeri

R u sure that I can get FUJIFILM FINEPIX S8100FD for Rs. 18,000 ?

[m-jeri]

@michael....

read forum rules....

@power...dude prices do vary from place to plcae...go and check out the cams...price and features and which one u likes..

any brands..ok..then we will discuss..so tht u get a sure shot...

p.s.check for fuji and canon first....hehehhe

[power_8383]

U r a hardcore fan of Fuji man

[m-jeri]

i am.....

and i do favour canon for their exquisite EOS and rebel range....and casio's super slim exilim or exislim range....i do use one for casul photography...fits right in my pocket...

[power_8383]

Hey bro, now I'm confused between Panasonic FZ18 & Olympus 570

[prasad_den]

Originally Posted by power_8383

[b]Hey bro, now I'm confused between Panasonic FZ18 & Olympus 570

Specs wise Olympus 570 is very good in that it offers real wide zoom, has a larger LCD, more MP, etc.. but the few things which are in favour of FZ18 are the battery type and the memory card type.
Battery in FZ18 is Li ion which I feel is much better than the 4 AA batteries in 570. You need to carry an extra set of 4 AAs and a charger always, and flash recycle times are poorer in AAs.
xD memory cards are way too costly compared to SD cards that the FZ18 uses. SD cards are dirt cheap.. you get a 2GB one for less than 400 bucks..
These 2 factors are very important to me. And quality of pics is equally good in both. So I'll recommend a FZ18 if you do not need the extra MP and wide zoom.

[power_8383]

R u sure that I'll not regret after buying FZ18 ?
As I'm from middle class family, I cant even dream of buying a digital camera for atleast 4-5 years after buying this.

Is there a lot of difference in zooming between 20X and 18X ?

What are the pros and cons of both cameras ?

[prasad_den]

Originally Posted by power_8383

R u sure that I'll not regret after buying FZ18 ?
As I'm from middle class family, I cant even dream of buying a digital camera for atleast 4-5 years after buying this.

Is there a lot of difference in zooming between 20X and 18X ?

What are the pros and cons of both cameras ?

Pros and cons I've mentioned already that I know.. Check some professional review sites like dpreview.com or steves-digicams.com to find out more info. And the extra 2x zoom hardly makes any difference.. really..!! If you want, you can always add a macro lens and a tele lens to your kit by spending around 1000 bucks each.. And don't worry, most of us here including me are from middle class families and our suggestions come out of goodwill, so that you get the best product.. (Of course, there are some fanboys in this forum, but that doesn't apply to photography.. )

Now go check the review sites.. then go to the shop and try and get a demo for each and then decide..
And believe me, 4 AA batteries are too much.. if you can live with lugging around 4 AAs and a bulky charger, then ignore this aspect. And for memory cards, I just checked out and found that a SDHC 2GB card with bill costs around 690 rs, while a xD 1GB card is around 1100 bucks..

My bet is still with the FZ18.. Get it.. you won't regret it..!

Also search for "olympus 570 or panasonic FZ18" in google.

Here are some pros and cons I got now:

Olympus SP-570
Pros:
• 10MP
• 20x zoom (26mm – 520mm)
• Wide Angle
• Hot shoe for attaching external flash
• 13.5 frames per sec continuous shooting
• RAW file format
• Sensor = 1 / 2.33” slighlty larger but accomodates more pixels

Cons:
• New technology so not much info on the net about how it performs
• XD memory only
• Slightly heavier than the Panasonic (445g vs 407g)
• Slightly more expensive than the Panasonic
• 4 AA battery
• Video res = 640 x 480 30fps (which still isn’t bad at all!)


Panasonic DMC-FZ18
Pros:
• 8MP is still great
• 18x zoom (28mm – 504mm)
• Wide Angle
• Some really great reviews on this camera available online with many people loving it
• Li-on battery
• SD+SDHC ready
• Awesome video mode (16:9 Aspect Ratio: 848 x 480 pixels 30 fps)

Cons:
• Sensor = 1 / 2.5” but with lesser pixels - so might be a pro after all..
• Not as wide as the Olympus
• Not as big zoom as the Olympus
• No hot shoe

[power_8383]

I've checked all the sites, forums for reviews & analysis etc before crating this thread.

u r right I've also noticed the difference between price of those memory cards.

I've asked the same question at many different forums and 7 out of 10 are suggesting me to purchase FZ18.

I hope 2x optical zoom wont make a big difference


Thnx again for your precious reply brother.

[prasad_den]

Originally Posted by power_8383

I've checked all the sites, forums for reviews & analysis etc before crating this thread.

u r right I've also noticed the difference between price of those memory cards.

I've asked the same question at many different forums and 7 out of 10 are suggesting me to purchase FZ18.

I hope 2x optical zoom wont make a big difference


Thnx again for your precious reply brother.

Make that 8 out of 11 Get an FZ18.. the extra 2 x zoom doesn't make much dfference, and as I mentioned earlier, you can always add more lenses.. I will definitely go for FZ18 if given a choice..

BTW, I have a FZ8 that I purchased recently, and I can assure you that it is an excellent cam. I couldn't go for a FZ18 due to budget constraints

[power_8383]

By the way

battery Li-Ion Or 4 x AA
Which will u prefer ?

How many shots can I get with fully charged 4*AA ?

[prasad_den]

Originally Posted by power_8383

By the way

battery Li-Ion Or 4 x AA
Which will u prefer ?

How many shots can I get with fully charged 4*AA ?

Of course Li ion..that weighed heavily in my decision to get a FZ8 rather than Canon Sx100 or the Fuji S8000fd. I'm not sure how many photos you'll get from 4AAs but my previous Canon A75 used to give me around 150 pics with 2700 mAH NiMH cells. With the Li ion I'm getting around 350 pics with a single charge on my FZ8, and that includes frequent reviewing and zooming.
Generally Li ion is better because you get more pics, and most importantly the flash recycle time is very less here. On the down side, it costs more.
AA batteries are available anywhere, but don't expect more than 10 pics from an ordinary AA, and probably not more than 30 to 40 from a Duracell. If you want to settle for the Olympus then get yourself 2 sets of AA batteries from the Sanyo Eneloop series. they last more..!