Looking to get new digital (stills) camera

[iandbeech]

While my Olympus still works fine, it`s best quality is now firmly in the dark ages!!

Just wondering what I should be considering really in terms of minimum pixels etc. Are cams up to front page mag quality yet? Many years ago I had several pics published as front pages when nothing less than medium format (in old money - Bronica SQA) was considered. I don`t really need anything like that now but what would give a comparable 10"x8" photo quality print?

[Don]

6MP would be indistinguisable from 35mm at 10x8. 8MPs are also now affordable.

I have a 6MP DSLR (Nikon D70) and the picture quality is awesome. A4 pictures are perfect.

Post up your budget and let the Canon vs Nikon debate begin!

[simpo two]

Hi Ian,
IMHO 4Mp+ is fine for A4. I would be wary of getting a compact with the likes of 8Mp as the pixels are so damn small light sensitivity is affected: this means you're more prone to camera-shake. If you like Olympus then the Mju 400/410 is very nice (latter now only £202 at Amazon).

However if you want to match medium format blow for blow then you're in Bacardi-land and will need about £25K I think!

[pug406]

My D70 is just awsome. 6 MP and A4 prints to die for. Get a D70, you know it makes sense.

[130tdi]

That's 2 votes for a D70.

I better register one for the Canon corner - go for a 20D

[TT Tim]

simpo two said:

Hi Ian, IMHO 4Mp+ is fine for A4.

I'd have to disagree there, once resized to print res (304dpi) a 4Mp image will only be A5 size. You can of course use a lower dpi but the quality WILL deteriorate, but then only the keen eyed viewer will probabally notice.

For the past 3 years I have set the largest single annual volumes in the UK to be created entirely from digital images, i.e. all shots taken digitally, each volume has in excess of 8,500 digital images, so I do pride myself on knowing a thing or two about what you can get away with when you need to.

Tim

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

To be honest all D-SLR's (if that's the level you're looking at) are great. Have a play with Nikon and Canon's. Both will give great results. Me? I'd get a 20D now (or if I was into a drunk ordering binge it'll be a 1Ds MkII when it's out).

[iandbeech]

After a quick look in Jessops today, I have already concluded there is a vast aray of choice so I`m going to give some thought as to what I really want it to do. I would like to get a better quality for pics on my website and to get decent prints - but I`m thinking of getting into photography seriously again so I don`t want something that may limit that.

Having said that (although I think it`s backwards thinking) I have a capable 35mm SLR for which the finished photos can also be put onto cd-rom at very high quality at the time of processing.

Thinking hat on

[bilko]

Hi Ian
I realise you are a proffesional Photoghrapher and me not even a tourist -yet
But i wondered if you had thought about the panasonic Lumix FZ20?
With 5 million pixels, 12x zoom, image stabiliser, and a Leica lens. All for under £400!
Obviousely no contest if you were thinking of getting serious again but for good web pics?
Anyway i thought i would mention it just in case
Cheers

[simpo two]

TT Tim said:

I'd have to disagree there, once resized to print res (304dpi) a 4Mp image will only be A5 size. Tim

So you need 4 x 4 = 16Mp...? I'm sure you're right but I'm not sure my eyes can resolve 304dpi.

[TT Tim]

simpo two said:

TT Tim said: I'd have to disagree there, once resized to print res (304dpi) a 4Mp image will only be A5 size. Tim So you need 4 x 4 = 16Mp...? I'm sure you're right but I'm not sure my eyes can resolve 304dpi.

For full res A4, yes. But you are correct, as I said, you can get away with lower res, but it's not just a case of what your eyes percieve, you must remember that any photograph needs to be screened before it can be printed, it is at this stage that limitations show.

Print a 4MP image on any half decent high street photo printer and it will produce perfectly adequate results, but this is NOT the same process as preparing an image for print.

All you need to do is look at some of the images in Sprint, most large images are enlarged way beyond their optimum settings, you can see the interpolation, I'm not criticising Sprint, I think it is an excellent Club mag.

Tim

[iandbeech]

TT Tim said:

simpo two said: TT Tim said: I'd have to disagree there, once resized to print res (304dpi) a 4Mp image will only be A5 size. Tim So you need 4 x 4 = 16Mp...? I'm sure you're right but I'm not sure my eyes can resolve 304dpi. For full res A4, yes. But you are correct, as I said, you can get away with lower res, but it's not just a case of what your eyes percieve, you must remember that any photograph needs to be screened before it can be printed, it is at this stage that limitations show. Print a 4MP image on any half decent high street photo printer and it will produce perfectly adequate results, but this is NOT the same process as preparing an image for print. All you need to do is look at some of the images in Sprint, most large images are enlarged way beyond their optimum settings, you can see the interpolation, I'm not criticising Sprint, I think it is an excellent Club mag. Tim

So the modern equivalent of medium format over 35mm.

At the moment I`m considering a "halfway house" like a Fuji S7000 at £350 or the S20 PRO at £550 which have 6MP and aperture/shutter priority etc etc but haven`t actually handled yet - we`ll see, early days but I do think (whilst I`d love one) the D70 is beyond what I need at present

[TT Tim]

The s7000 is a fantastic bit of kit, and at the moment it's available from ebuyer at £294 inc VAT:

www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=52965&_LOC=UK

Here's a review for you: www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms7000/

HTH

Tim

[iandbeech]

TT Tim said:

The s7000 is a fantastic bit of kit, and at the moment it's available from ebuyer at £294 inc VAT: www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=52965&_LOC=UK Here's a review for you: www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms7000/ HTH Tim

Thanks Tim, that`s a great review, and price on Ebuyer and I notice the S7000 is in the top 3 best sellers. I have just got back from doing the rounds of all the local shops and not one (that advertises it) has this camera in stock!!! Could this be one of my easier choices?! Do you have experience of buying through Ebuyer as I haven`t heard of them?

Ian

[Davel]

Wildings Photgraphic shop selling S7000 at just under £300.

Just about to order one myself with extra memory card.

Just don't know what memory card to get.

Having said this, I quite fancy a smaller camera that I can carry in my pocket for bike trips.

I prefer the typical camera styles personally but guess that you can get excellent results with the squarer smaller cameras today.

[TT Tim]

It's been mentioned several times on this board recently, but if you want a 'pocket' digital the Ixus 500 is fantastic, and fits in any pocket!

Tim