Decisions decisions....

[HappyLoner]

Hey Guys (and Paradise! - howsit!?)

Im currently also shopping around for a digital camera in the price range of the Sony F828... rather high-end, but I want to buy once and not need to buy soon again...

Currently, my heart is set on the F828, but I read reviews about bad noise levels at higher ISO levels, bad purple fringing with night-shots, etc... Are these things to REALLY worry about for mostly aquatic photography? I want to be able (of course) to use it for outdoor, wildlife, etc as well, but 90% will be indoors for aquatic shots.

What will your reccomendations be? (After the sample pics in the F828 post, Im ALMOST convinced).

Im also looking at the following models:

Panasonic Lumix FZ10 (12x Zoom, but bad low-light performing!)
Minolta dImage A1 (Excellent cam - but isnt Sony better?)
Fujifilm FinePix s7000 (???)

What do you guys think? (added a poll for voting - hehehe - hope this isnt illegal Paradise?)

[JerseyJay]

HappyLoner,

FYI,

If you are interested in DSLR, Nikon should be releasing D70 soon or later. D70 is smaller brother to D100 and price should be around $900.

Great competitor to Canon Rebel

[HappyLoner]

Hi Jay

Im not an experienced photographer by any standards... So Im not too sure about the DSLR... Those are the camera bodies without the lenses (you need to get lenses seperately), at least that is how I understand it....

I think im more in the market for a ??Prosumer?? camera?

[meriadoc]

The problem with DSLRs is simply the lenses.

In order to get the same as what you could get with say, the 828, you'd either need to get a lens that does, say, 28-200, or invest in a wide angle zoom (17-40), then a standard, say, 28-80, then say, a tele (70-200, 75-300) as you have to factor in the 1.6x crop factors they have (unless you get the $8000 Canon 1Ds full frame DSLR).

Then, if you want macro, you gotta get a macro lens, which, could set you back anywhere from $300 - $2000 depending on brand, and focal length.

Any person can use a DSLR. Course, most people probably wouldn't use the full features of a DSLR (i know many people get the digital rebel because they can say its a digital SLR yet shoot 95% of the time on auto mode with the kit lens that comes with it - and then only print to 5x7. waste of a 6mp dslr really).

All personally - its up to you in the end. Read, research, and have a play with the cameras before deciding which one is right for you. As you said, you don't want to be upgrading once you reach the limits of the camera.

-- Lisa

[Drew]

I think the DSLR is worth it in the long run..

[benny]

I think the DSLR is worth it in the long run..

I do agree with that. I've had mine since Sep 02 and it's still holding out fine. But have since upgraded quite a few compact digital cameras.

Cheers,

[sugar]

If I were you, I would not purchase an 7MP/ 8MP prosumer camera.

I think you can better
- purchase a decent 4 MP digital P&S camera for 400-500 $
- get a DSLR

my 0,02$

sugar

[Nicholo]

Agree with Sugar. I would definitely wait to see a full crop of 8mp prosumer cameras before purchasing. The new ones are slowly entering the market. Anytime a new sensor is released, it's always a good idea to give it a bit of time and see which manufacturers tweak it the best. That said, Verse takes some sweet shots with his 828...