Digital cameras 101

[cjgriff]

I got my first digital camera about 2 years ago Kodak EasyShare CX6330 (3.l MP)   I've been looking to buy another camera because I would like more zoom (at present have 3x optical zoom)

I've been checking info on Olympus Camedia C-760 Ultra Zoom3.2 MP (10x optical zoom)  I have a price from a local shop (I live in Australia well out of a major city) for one.  There is also an Olympus Camedia C-765UZ 4 MP which I don't have a price for at present.

What I'd like to know is would it be worth any extra cost to get the 4 MP or would there not be much difference in the quality of any prints.  I generally don't go larger than 5x7.

Thanks.

[Deb]

Hi there Cjgriff and welcome to the Q&A Board!

If you don't intend on making large prints or doing a lot of cropping, then a 3mp camera is just fine.  For the size prints you mentioned, a 3mp camera would produce very nice prints.

Considering a camera with greater optical zoom is a plus as you will be able to zoom in considerably and also reduce the amount of cropping necessary for your final composition. 10X optical zoom is dandy!

I came across this excellent review of the Olympus Camedia C-765 (the 4mp model). If you haven't see this, you might like to read it. Here's the link: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/c765uz.html .

Here in the US, the C-765 is listing for around $395USD. The Olympus site here doesn't list a model C-760. They do list a C-740 which is a 3.2 mp 10x optical zoom Camedia. The 3.2mp C-740 model lists for $350USD.

[cjgriff]

Thanks for the information Deb.  That link sure is comprehensive !   It has more information and graphics than any other site I've seen so far.
I appreciate your help.

[Deb]

Glad it was of help. Have fun selecting your new camera!  

[Schnitty]

general FYI - i just bought the c-765 (like literally, it arrived 2 days ago).  paid like $285 USD from butterflyphoto.com (plus shipping).  so far, i love it.

ebay has them pretty cheap - i saw one on there for $410 ("buy it now") that included a usb memory reader, tripod, carrying case, and 512MB card.  unfortunately,  i didn't see it until i'd already received the one from butterfly.

[Deb]

Thanks for letting us know. Enjoy your C-765!  

[ShutterbugGail]

As a sidebar, for those considering a super long telephoto zoom, you might want to take a look at some of the available cameras with Image Stabilization (Panasonic), also called Vibration Reduction (Nikon) and Anti-Shake (Konica Minolta).

Image Stabilization is quite useful when shooting at long focal lengths (when camera shake is more likely to occur) and you can't use a tripod. Camera shake can blur images. I have a 12 X zoom with Image Stabilization and it works quite impressively.

You can find out more about the technology here:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/what-is-image-stabilization/index.htm