Digital cameras 101

[bennyjames]

I am hoping that you can advise me.  I take alot of photos but always on the automated setting.  I would like to purchase a new digital camera with a 15X - 18 X zoom.  Unfortunately most of the reviews I have read are very detailed and mean nothing to me as all I am able to do is aim and click. My photos are mostly of scenery and people. My budget is up to $400.
The most critical requirement for me is image quality and ease of use.  I will set the focus on 'automatic' and probably never change it.  My questions are:
1) are there any of the high zoom cameras that are easier to use than the others?.
2) are the auto focus abilities of the high zoom camera the same or are some more effective than others?
3) if i go to an 18x zoom do you lose image quality when you aren't using the zoom? (say vs. a 12X zoom)
I think that the answers to these questions will help me to determine which camera to purchase.  
Thank you for your help.

[bdery]

Hi,

I'll try to answer your questions. Keep in mind that there is no "best" camera, though, and at the end of the day, it's often hard to tell cameras apart based on the pictures they produce. Also ergonomics play a large role in choosing a camera, so be sure to go to a store and try the various models.

the contenders that I can think about are (in no particular order):

Olympus SP-570 UZ and SP-560 UZ
Canon S5 ("only" 12x zoom, but compares well)
Panasonic FZ18
Sony H50

There might be others that I forget about, and the prices may vary, but I believe these represent a good sample of the superzoom population.

Note also that saying 12x, or 15x, isn't saying much. This factor only reepresents the ratio between the wide angle focal length and the tele focal length. It tells you nothing about the actual focal lengths themselves, and focal length is what will determine your field of view.

1-About ease of use, I think each is easy to use on Auto mode (set your zoom, frame, and shoot) but I think that the Panasonic is generally regarded as easier : less buttons clutter, for instance. Handling them could tell you what you think of that.

2-Again, they compare well. ost require a vertical line, contrasty enough, in the focus box in order to lock focus. However, cameras in that list with longer zooms have lenses that let less light pass through when the zoom is set at its tele position. Less light makes focusing harder, so the S2 with its shorter zoom (still long enough) has a theoretical advantage, but I strongly believe it'snot that apparent in real life..

I'll complete my answer in another post...

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi there bennyjames,

Welcome to the Q&A Board!

Digital cameras are pretty complex, including superzooms which tend to have a lot of features. But all digital cameras have fully auto modes and preprogramed scene modes to assist the point and shooter.

There are mega zoom cameras available made by companies such as Canon, Fujifilm, Kodak, Olympus Panasonic and Sony. Most should fit your budget requirements. I personally think one of the most important features you should make sure to get is Image Stabilization.  Most have manual controls if you choose to use them.

I'm most familar with those made by Canon and Panasoinic. I owned a Canon S2 and loved it. Besides excellent image quality, it offers outstanding video recording if that's something important to you. The more recent models are the S3 and S5 (the latter has a hot shoe).


I currently own ad Panasonic FZ18 and am extremely happy with it. It has an interesting mode called Intelligent Auto Mode, and I am surprised about how effective it actually works. iA mode senses if you're taking a portrait, close-up (macro) or scene and automatically changes the settings.

You can read about it in my FZ18 Blog:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/9/iA.php


Like most compact cameras, they do best in bright light. In low light, the Canon camera has the edge. However, its is slightly heavier and does not start at wide angle like the FZ18. The FZ18 is not as widely available in the store like some of the other cameras, so I ordered mine online.

This search feature can help you narrow down some of the choices:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

If you have further questions, let us know.

[bdery]

3-I'm not sure I understand your question. What I can tell you is that no lens is perfect, especially not zoom lenses and especially not superzooms Each zoom lens is optimized for a specific focal length (or "zoom position" if you prefer) and image quality degrades as you move away from that position. Usually, that optimized position is somewhere in the middle of the zoom range.

Also, be aware that each lens design is about compromise, and that is especially true about superzooms. Based on reviews made by various websites, the longer the zoom range (the larger the x number), the worse the image quality becomes. That might not be visible to your eyes, however, and many camera softwares will compensate for lens flaws (to some extend). Still, all things being equal, a shorter zoom range is more likely to offer a better image quality.

So in short, there is no easy answer. Many people use each camera on my short list, and I'm sure most people are happy with their choice. consider the camera weigth, design, ergonomics, in your choice.

Also, consider experimenting on your camera to learn a bit more about various imaging parameters. Taking control over your settings will improve tremendously the quality of your images. Climb the learning curve one step at a time, and you should be rewarded with better and better images.

[Sray]

I just purchased a Nikon Coolpix P80 with 18x optical zoom (equivalent to a 486mm lens). The P80 is brand new on the market. After I get it unpacked and take some pix, I'll let you know what I think of it. Image quality should be good with this camera or with one of its competitors (there are always compromises). Ease of use depends not only on placement of the camera's dials, etc., but also on the experience of the photographer (read the manual!). A lot also depends upon what you want to do with your photos. If you want TOP image quality, you'll have to go with a single lens reflex camera and non-zoom top-quality lenses, but that will cost plenty of cash. I bought the P80 from B&H Photo for $399.95, but saw it at Amazon for around $369. Good luck!

[ShutterbugGail]

I just purchased a Nikon Coolpix P80 with 18x optical zoom (equivalent to a 486mm lens).  

Hi Sray and welcome to the Q&A Board!

I recently learned about the Nikon P8o when I visited a local camera shop a few weeks ago. The shop owner really liked the camera.

Would love to hear more about it. Post your information here or, even better, in the "My Digital Camera" board.