I am thinking of buying...
Discussion
...a Nikon Coolpix 4200 or 5200. The only difference as I understand is the price (naturally) and the difference in megapixels, the 4200 is a 4 MP camera the 5200 is a 5.1.
It is intended as a good all round camera with auto stuff for me (me point and click - ug) and enough settings for Judas to play with (boys eh?
). Needs to be small enough to shove in the handbag, be able to take snaps at motor meets 
(action stuff), parties BTaP 
(low light), close up of kitties - awwwwww! (macro) I have 2*128 MB SD cards so the memory thing isn't an issue.
I have a few questions that I would be grateful if one of you knowledgeable chaps could answer for me though.
1. Is there any real difference between 4 and 5.1MP?
2. Is this the best camera for the above list and for the price (4200 approx £230 and 5200 approx £250)?
3. Our existing digicam Fuji FinePix S602Z is a bit of a cumbersome beast (IMHO) and cos I have to use my left eye for looking through the viewfinder (when not using the LCD screen), my nose gets in the way
(I know, daft huh!) Is this going to be an issue with the viewfinder on the Nikon or indeed every damn camera I think of getting?
Any thoughts/comments vey much appreciated!
Cheers
Ace-T
It is intended as a good all round camera with auto stuff for me (me point and click - ug) and enough settings for Judas to play with (boys eh?
). Needs to be small enough to shove in the handbag, be able to take snaps at motor meets (action stuff), parties BTaP (low light), close up of kitties - awwwwww! (macro) I have 2*128 MB SD cards so the memory thing isn't an issue. I have a few questions that I would be grateful if one of you knowledgeable chaps could answer for me though.
1. Is there any real difference between 4 and 5.1MP?
2. Is this the best camera for the above list and for the price (4200 approx £230 and 5200 approx £250)?
3. Our existing digicam Fuji FinePix S602Z is a bit of a cumbersome beast (IMHO) and cos I have to use my left eye for looking through the viewfinder (when not using the LCD screen), my nose gets in the way
(I know, daft huh!) Is this going to be an issue with the viewfinder on the Nikon or indeed every damn camera I think of getting? Any thoughts/comments vey much appreciated!
Cheers
Ace-T
trevorw said:
This may give you some pointers
www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/nikon4200.html
Thanks matey. Already read that one (and please feel free to point out if I have missed something
) but I don't believe it answers all of my questions. He also appears IMHO to mix up the 4100 and the 4200 which do have reasonably significant differences. www.dpreview.com have got an excellent review of the 5200 as well but I am still not absolutely sure
Just picky I guess 
Ace-T
Not sure how it will be with you using your left eye, but do you have a camera store near by where you could try a few cameras out?
Whether 4 or 5 MP will be enough is really down to what you want to do with the pics afterwards. If it's mainly going to be for putting on the net, then 4MP will be fine, but if you want to print A4+ size prints, then the more pixels you can get the better. Personally, if you're happy to pay the extra, I'd go for the 5200.
Also, have you considered any other cameras? Fuji and Canon would certainly be worth a look too, plus there are bound to be some new models released in the next few weeks as there is a big camera trade show at the end of September. Canon have already announced a couple of new models which might be of interest (A95, S70), plus there are sure to be more out soon.
>> Edited by ehasler on Saturday 28th August 18:42
Whether 4 or 5 MP will be enough is really down to what you want to do with the pics afterwards. If it's mainly going to be for putting on the net, then 4MP will be fine, but if you want to print A4+ size prints, then the more pixels you can get the better. Personally, if you're happy to pay the extra, I'd go for the 5200.
Also, have you considered any other cameras? Fuji and Canon would certainly be worth a look too, plus there are bound to be some new models released in the next few weeks as there is a big camera trade show at the end of September. Canon have already announced a couple of new models which might be of interest (A95, S70), plus there are sure to be more out soon.
>> Edited by ehasler on Saturday 28th August 18:42
I wonder how many people actually make A3 prints? Unless you do, I wouldn't buy a camera just because it has a zillion pixels. In general terms smaller pixels are less sensitive, meaning low light performance can suffer. 4Mp should be fine. Given that, I would select the camera on other features, looks and price.
ace-t said:
1. Is there any real difference between 4 and 5.1MP?
Not much, but for £20 I'd have the extra cropping res.
ace-t said:
2. Is this the best camera for the above list and for the price (4200 approx £230 and 5200 approx £250)?
They're more or less the same from the major companies. Friend's got a Canon in that price range and I've had a Nikon. Can't tell which took which pictures most of the time.
ace-t said:
3. Our existing digicam Fuji FinePix S602Z is a bit of a cumbersome beast (IMHO) and cos I have to use my left eye for looking through the viewfinder (when not using the LCD screen), my nose gets in the way
Hold it upside down and photoshop it!...
Cheers
Phil
First of all Ace-T, how much wonga have you got to spend? This will narrow the list down a bit.
IMHO I would say go for Canon, or maybe Canon. I have a S50 which is a 5 mega pixel and does 3 minute movies (could be handy! Arf! Arf!). This is now obsolete. It has been replaced by the S60, also 5 mega pixel at £350. Handbag size too
The S70 is a 7.1 megapixel with 28-100mm lens. The S60 was only released in May/June. The Canon G6 also has 7.1 mega pixels and has a 35-140 mm lens. It is a chunk though, so not one for popping in your handbag.
If you want a camera with interchangeable lenses then you could check out Canon EOS 300D. No idea about price or quality as I don't know anyone with one.
Nikon D70 is supposed to be excellent for under £1,000 and Nikkor lenses are fantastic.
www.dpreview.com is excellent for checking out digital cameras and has reviews and price guides (dollars) for all of the above.
Happy snapping!
IMHO I would say go for Canon, or maybe Canon. I have a S50 which is a 5 mega pixel and does 3 minute movies (could be handy! Arf! Arf!). This is now obsolete. It has been replaced by the S60, also 5 mega pixel at £350. Handbag size too
The S70 is a 7.1 megapixel with 28-100mm lens. The S60 was only released in May/June. The Canon G6 also has 7.1 mega pixels and has a 35-140 mm lens. It is a chunk though, so not one for popping in your handbag.
If you want a camera with interchangeable lenses then you could check out Canon EOS 300D. No idea about price or quality as I don't know anyone with one.
Nikon D70 is supposed to be excellent for under £1,000 and Nikkor lenses are fantastic.
www.dpreview.com is excellent for checking out digital cameras and has reviews and price guides (dollars) for all of the above.
Happy snapping!
ace-t said:
...a Nikon Coolpix 4200 or 5200. The only difference as I understand is the price (naturally) and the difference in megapixels, the 4200 is a 4 MP camera the 5200 is a 5.1.
I have 2*128 MB SD cards so the memory thing isn't an issue.
Nikon use Compact Flash cards so your SD cards will be useless.
This may help you make your decision.
zetec said:
...a Nikon Coolpix 4200 or 5200. The only difference as I understand is the price (naturally) and the difference in megapixels, the 4200 is a 4 MP camera the 5200 is a 5.1.
I have 2*128 MB SD cards so the memory thing isn't an issue.
Nikon use Compact Flash cards so your SD cards will be useless.
This may help you make your decision.
Trash the SD (s**t digital) cards and get compact flash. Far superior IMO.
ace-t said:
Needs to be small enough to shove in the handbag, ... Is this the best camera for the above list and for the price (4200 approx £230 and 5200 approx £250)?
Having read this thread it staggers me that people are suggesting he buys a Canon 300D or Nikon D70.
Read the brief, chaps.
simpo two said:
ace-t said:
Needs to be small enough to shove in the handbag, ... Is this the best camera for the above list and for the price (4200 approx £230 and 5200 approx £250)?
Having read this thread it staggers me that people are suggesting he buys a Canon 300D or Nikon D70.
Read the brief, chaps.
Doh!
I was thinking that for an extra £100, ie. for the S60, Tracy could get a better camera. I was also thinking that an SLR was better for motor sport as IMO a compact would be about as useful as a chocolate teapot for that.
>> Edited by EmmaP on Thursday 2nd September 13:23
simpo two said:
ace-t said:
Needs to be small enough to shove in the handbag, ... Is this the best camera for the above list and for the price (4200 approx £230 and 5200 approx £250)?
Having read this thread it staggers me that people are suggesting he buys a Canon 300D or Nikon D70.
Read the brief, chaps.
It also staggers me that some people think that Tracy is a he!
>> Edited by ehasler on Thursday 2nd September 17:45
Thank you to everyone who has offered their thoughts Certainly given me a lot to think about!
As this will be my first camera purchase where I do the research not Judas, I will be taking my time so I choose the right one and not get distracted by lots of shiny buttons to press (Sorry babe 
)
Must wear more girly clothes and stop talking about cars so I don't get called a 'he' again!
Cheers
Ace-T
Certainly given me a lot to think about! As this will be my first camera purchase where I do the research not Judas, I will be taking my time so I choose the right one and not get distracted by lots of shiny buttons to press
(Sorry babe ) Must wear more girly clothes and stop talking about cars so I don't get called a 'he' again!
Cheers
Ace-T
ehasler said:
It also staggers me that some people think that Tracy is a he!
Most PHers are male and evn then some male PHers have female names in their profiles - for reasons which defeat me. Not that I looked to check, for reasons above. Or something.
You're right, Emma, that a compact is likely to be fairly useless for motorsport - but he/she/it will still need to find 3x stated budget to get a DSLR.
Then again, for the price of a digital compact you could get a very good film SLR - which curiously was perfectly good for motorsport until they invented digital!
simpo two said:
It also staggers me that some people think that Tracy is a he!
Most PHers are male and evn then some male PHers have female names in their profiles - for reasons which defeat me. Not that I looked to check, for reasons above. Or something.
You're right, Emma, that a compact is likely to be fairly useless for motorsport - but he/she/it will still need to find 3x stated budget to get a DSLR.
Then again, for the price of a digital compact you could get a very good film SLR - which curiously was perfectly good for motorsport until they invented digital!
Just for the recored, Ace-T didn't state that that was her budget, but asked if it represent value for money. Film is of course perfectly good, but I would never go back to film. If Ace-T wants all my old Nikon film gear then she can buy it for a very nice price!
Re-males with 'female' names in titles: could this be a case of cross-addressing?
SLR is the way forward if you want top quality images, but then you have to buy lenses which tend to cost more than the cameras 
Given you have a limited budget I would suggest a reasonable digital compact. But don't set your targets too high in terms of the images you will get. Use it for a while, see how things progress and what the limitations are. Then in 12-18 months look to upgrade. Treat is as a gradual process to getting to top end DSLR kit.
Given you have a limited budget I would suggest a reasonable digital compact. But don't set your targets too high in terms of the images you will get. Use it for a while, see how things progress and what the limitations are. Then in 12-18 months look to upgrade. Treat is as a gradual process to getting to top end DSLR kit.
Emmap said:
Just for the recored, Ace-T didn't state that that was her budget, but asked if it represent value for money.
Blimey, two ripostes!
But she wouldn't have asked the question if that wasn't the sort of money she was planning on spending. If you have £10K to spend on a car you wouldn't ask if a Fiesta for £500 was good value now would you?
As for the sex issue, well, 2+2=5; I looked at Ace-T and thought of Mr T or Ice-T, neither awfully feminine!
Aw heck Ms T, put EmmaP and myself out of our misery; is £250 your budget or not? I bet a simpo dollar it is
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