Mobile phones vs digital cameras

[Az]

digital zoom is bull****.

phone cams are good in cases you need to remember something, but writing it down is impossible ( can't describe it with words )

[MarkG]

Originally posted by Bereta_Eder
From which store did you buy it? (ean diladi einai alysida kai yparxei tetoio katastima kai stin athina )

got it form germanos

it's actually 3.2mp, not 5

http://www.multirama.gr/Multirama/product.aspx?a_id=111&cc_id=DigitalPhotoCompact&cp_id=51028

[Bereta_Eder]

Right thanks.

I also see storage: xD card....

What I mean is besides megapixels and the zoom is there anything else I should be careful about? What about maximum picture resolution. Pixels?

It seems there's no analog cameras anymore! Not in the big stores sites (plaisio, korasidis, germanos, multirama) anyway. And the prices are quite alright. I guess up to 200 or so I may pay.

Timewatch you mentioned "SLR", what is this?

Also if you had to say what are the 3 top brands of digital cameras what would you choose?

Thanks again

[MarkG]

maximum picture resolution

that depends on megapixels. the more the better. keep in mind that even a 2mp camera gives you a 1632x1224 resolution which translates to a classic photo size of 14x10cm printed at 300dpi

[Timexwatch]

SLR = Single Lens Reflex camera

The light shines directly into the camera and into the little window where you look into. That lets you shoot exactly what you see. It lets you better tune the shot better. You can meter the light and shoot darker, fiddle with the depth of field and focus better, etc.. Both pros and amateurs use these to shoot.

Think this:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0310/sigma/sd10.jpg

[Bereta_Eder]

Thank you for the further explanations

So I take it that anything above 2 megapixels is already better than a normal analog picture...

[Pekka]

there are mobile phones with optical zooms, and I'm not sure if the new N-series from Nokia should have ones also. Supposed to be OK. Of course it's gaining fast, but I wonder if it never truly replaces a real digital camera.. don't think so.. there's just no feeling to it with the mobiles. But if not available already (should be), there are optical zooms. If you are seriously taking pics though, get a real camera.

[laurentius]

n-series will have up to 20xdigital zoom....no optical. at least not in 1st gen n-series phones

[Bereta_Eder]

Any preference between the two? I think most can be understood even though some is in Greek.

I think the difference (besides 20 euros but that's no big deal) is that Olympus has AA batteries while the Mikon has nikel cadmium. Nikon has a lense 34-102mm the Olympus has a "-" where lense is. Olympus has a XD card Nikon a SD card. Anyone knows what's the difference and if it's something to care about?

Muchas gracias

[CerberusIV]

Not sure there is really much difference between the 2 cameras you are asking about, but there are a few more issues to consider.

I bought a Fuji Finepix S5500 a couple of months ago from Amazon for €275 plus VAT. I'm very pleased with it. 10x optical zoom and the choice between point and shoot and being able to play with the settings. They do a cheaper model, the S3500, which may be in your price range.

Unfortunately it doesn't stop with the camera. Digital cameras use batteries quickly, especially with optical zoom. So you probably want 2 sets of good (1400 mAh or better) rechargeable batteries and a battery charger. Also the memory capacity is critical. If I understand correctly the two cameras you are looking at have around 14.5 Mb memory. That will hold as few as 12 pictures at 4mp quality. If you want more than that you will need to buy a bigger capacity memory card. A 512Mb XD card cost me around €50 when I bought the camera (I also got a free carry case for it as a special offer).

Don't plan on using the digital zoom. Basically it gives a zoom effect but by reducing the picture definition. So you get more zoom but maybe only a 3mp definition picture - if that matters to you.

[Bereta_Eder]

Cerberus thanks a lot for your pointers
I already have a battery charger. I hope it'll do the trick.

Ok, but I can buy a larger memory card then? I wonder if those 14,5 MB are "embedded" or not.

Anyway only 12 pictures at 4mp sounds patheic In what resolution do you guys usually take your pictures at? I think this can be chosen in the camera?

[CerberusIV]

If it specifies a particular type of memory card (there are several types and they are not interchangeable) then you should be able to put a larger capacity card in.

I do all my photos at 4mp.

This is a picture of the US Coastguard barque "Eagle" take using optical zoom off Waterford at the start of the Tall Ships Race 2005 to give you some idea of 4mp picture quality.

[Urban Ranger]

To take good photos you want at least one of these decent Lumix cameras. Don't forget, a digital camera is essentially the same as a traditional one, except the film is replaced by CCD. So the lens is still the most important element for a digital camera.

As Markos said even 2 mega pixels gives you nicely sized photos, so that's only a secondary concern. Depending on your use, more important factors are things like shutter speed, different modes (T, B, etc.) available, availability of external flashes, metering modes, etc.

[Bereta_Eder]

Cerberus, thanks for the example and the info. But as MarkG said even a 2 mp picture is of the same quality as a "normal" analog one printed in paper?


Urban ranger, you're getting too complicated for me
I think those Panasonic cameras look too professional for the casual tourist? From the two camera examples I gave do you think they'll do the trick for the casual tourist going around taking pictures?

[MarkG]

you can check the following reviews

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/nikon4600.html

http://www.cameras.co.uk/details/olympus-c-480.cfm

http://www.cameras.co.uk/details/nikon-coolpix-4600.cfm

btw, are you going to travel soon? i got the olympus at much better price on the germanos of the athens airport