Cameras

[Xionith]

Once again I seek the forums help. I am now searching for a small digital multi-function camera. So far I have found a few that seem to promising, doing exactly what I wanted. The only problem is my price range is quite limited. The Panasonic SVAV50 for example, costs around 300 (U.S.). Thats a little too much for me. So I looked at lower models in the SVAV series, such as the SVAV30, 25, 20 etc. They all cost somewhere in the 200's. I might deal with that price if it is the only thing there is, but evidently it isn't. With further searching, I discovered the Mustek DV4000. It seemed to have the same features, size, functions etc. Notice how I said it seemed to havr the same features. It did not, it had the Digital Camcorder, Digital Still Camera, MP3 player & Audio Recorder that the SVAV's had. (It also had some more features as well) The only difference the features were not the same in quality. The DV4000 does not have a flash, and the LCD is 1.5" not 2. (and it's also a brand I have never heard of, a no-name brand if you will) On the plus side, it has 4x digital zoom whereas the SVAV50 has 3 and it comes with a 32mb memory card not a 8mb, although I will probably buy a much larger one. Then about equal, both camera's are about the same size, pocket size. So now I am seeking your advice; which camera should I get? I would like a price range in the 100's but if need be it may be in the lower 200's. I want the camera to be small and compact (the cameras mentioned above are good examples), it should have an MP3 player, a movie capability, a still capability, an audio recording capability and all that is mentioned above.

 

So what camera shall I get? You decide.

 

lol

[vandorssen]

It has always been my opinion that discrete components handle their intended job much better and are typically more reliable than their highly integrated counterparts. So I would fight the urge to buy the camera that is also supposed to act as a PDA, terrestrial based RF communications system, MP3 player, VCR, dental assistant, et al. If you are looking for a digital camera, buy a digital camera.

 

I personally like Fujitsu. Their optics are reasonably good on their lower-shelf equipment and they do not use proprietary memory cards. Panasonic is also a good brand, but if you are looking at them, I’d also look at HP and Toshiba, as they are all made by the same company, and often times I find the equivalent HP model selling for less (sometimes the same or more though). Ultimately, it will be the optics that make one stand out over another… Unless you get in to the top bracket stuff, the visual sensors for just about all brands are made by two or three different companies, making the electronics less important. Also, make sure you can use the darn thing. The Fujitsu I had did take very good pictures, but when I connected it directly to my PC using their supplied cable, the PC would lock up (although my Mac would not…).

 

Also, make sure you can get the highest-pixel count you can, for the price. Generally (if the optics are up to spec) the higher pixel count, the clearer the picture will be.

[m_gobes]

my brother bought an olympus d-camera and had absolutely no problems w/it also if you want to have a zoom you don't really want digital zoom because when you zoom in you make the picture more blurry. Optical zoom actually uses the lenses to zoom so it "takes you closer" to the picture that you are taking.

 

I hope this was a help

M_gobes

[Xionith]

Yeah, I know about the Digital Zoom v. Optical Zoom thing. I don't really want a very good, or say proffesional camera. I just want something that can snap pics quickly and allow me to save them, or take a small clip etc. I just want to be able to look back at the picture/movies and remember them (or show them to my friends etc.) I don't need super high quality. That's why I am resorting to these cameras. I have checked out the pictures/movies they take and they fit my needs. So if that helps with the advice given....lol. :D