I will change my camera, advice please...

[ikyut]

People, this is the two options.

Canon Powershot S3 IS

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705156&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat99000050010&id=1138085156631


versus Sony Cybershot DSC-H5

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7740126&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat99000050021&id=1140393352648

If somebody has one of these or has an opinion, I will aprecciate.

Thanks in advance....

Ikyut

[morea]

I have the Canon PowerShot S2 1S, and it is a decent little camera, but I want to do more with photography, and was very disappointed to find that the camera can not save "raw" files. It's a big investment to make to regret it only a year later, but I didn't realize how much I *didn't* know about photography when I got the camera.

Still it's a nice one, and it still has some really good features, and if the S3 can shoot raw I would definitely recommend it.

[ikyut]

Thanks Morea, your comment, it´s perfect.... Raw Files is an important thing...

[cmont]

Currently Im looking at the Nikon D80 which does shoot Raw,but it only takes proprietary lenses. Anyone know of another camera within this price range that might be better?

[ikyut]

Cmont, the point with the nikon D80 is: that this camera is an SRL, and the money range is far away from the other two. Obviously is a better camera....

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7976041&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat99000050015&id=1153998862633

the one you like is 3 times more expensive than the other....

But I used a D50, so I´m secure that this camera will shoot excelent photos....

[willy_flew]

Have you thought about the Kodak performance series. I have the discontinued p850. Performs very well overall. Has IS and records RAW data also. The next generation is the p880 heres a link (http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=7373&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=4798) to the kodak page. The only issue I have had is low light indoor shooting but i think it was primarily lack of a good flash. Macro mode is incredible and kodak offers a number of additional lenses.

Heres a link to my gallery (http://www.photozo.com/album/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=10064)

Happy hunting

[ikyut]

Have you thought about the Kodak performance series. I have the discontinued p850. Performs very well overall. Has IS and records RAW data also. The next generation is the p880 heres a link (http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=7373&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=4798) to the kodak page. The only issue I have had is low light indoor shooting but i think it was primarily lack of a good flash. Macro mode is incredible and kodak offers a number of additional lenses.

Heres a link to my gallery (http://www.photozo.com/album/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=10064)

Happy hunting


Willy your Camera is very, very nice..... I have one question..

This camera has a Ring to make focus???????? or is simulated like most od the advance camera...

[willy_flew]

My camera has no manual focus ring its just for look. If you click my link to the kodak site above you can rotate the camera view. Manual focus is accomplished by selecting manual focus after pushing the focus button. Focus is adjusted with the small joystick on the back of the camera. There are multiple focus selections to choose from. The camera is capable of full auto and full manual and everything in between. I opt'd for this over a DSLR because of the image stabilization not available on lower end DLSR. I have about 400 bucks invested after purchasing 2 additional batteries, a few filters, a lens hood (threaded to accept 55mm filters and kodaks accessory lens attachments) and sd card . I was lucky and caught mine marked down 75 bucks @ walmart.

[willy_flew]

I have found the autofocus is adequite for most situations. I use manual focus for night shooting like for this moon shot
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/photoventurer/moon.jpg

[ikyut]

awesome picture!!!!!!!!

[Broacher]

What about the new 'affordable dig SLR' the Nikon D40? (Affordable: $600 bucks for the basic camera kit and lens). I've been reading some pretty rave reviews about this one lately. The biggest gotcha for many might be that the AF only works for lenses that have the built-in motor. Still, for the bucks-- it's an impressive deal.

[ikyut]

I checked it, It´s a great deal. You are right!!!!!!!! but still, more expensive, than my plan..... about 500 bucks :(

Ikyut

[BJMRGTIVR6]

The Canon offers a faster top shutter speed. The sony has up to 1000 ISO whereas the Canon is tops out at 800.

I have a Nikon D70, and a Sony P&S and my brother has a D70s and a Canon P&S.
Do you have any digital camera right now or any photo cards? They use different media. Sony has its Memory Stick and the Canon has Secure Digital. If you are going to bump up to a DSLR one day the Canon may be better as DSLRs might have a Secure Digital slot in them by then (i think some do now).

I recommend Nikon and Canon over any other brands and Sony next in line and (sorry) don't recommend Kodak as it jumped ships to producing cameras when film died down. Canon and Nikon lenses are superb and Sony has the Carl Ziess lens so it is pretty good too.
go to a store and hold them feel which is better for you. Both are very close in size, apearance, specs, etc. make sure you feel the camera!

[TMeeks]

I've owned the Canon S2 and it was a very nice camera. But, it's a bit heavy. I also found the macro focusing a bit awkward to use.

On the other hand, the Panasonic Lumix FZ7S also has image stabilization, a 12X zoom, is much lighter and has what I think is better control in macro photography applications. I ended up choosing it over the S3 when selecting a camera as a gift for my daughter. It does not do RAW, as far as I know; but, does do TIFF.

You might visit the forums on DPReview.Com to see what users say about ANY camera you're considering.

[ikyut]

thanks TMeeks and BJMRGTIVR6, very interesting comments.... one point of the lumix is that it´s has a propietary battery....
I will check some reviews


ikyut

[TMeeks]

The battery life on the S2, which uses AA was extremely short. So, I'm not sure if having a proprietary battery is a minus. :)

For what it's worth, I ended up giving away the S2 to a young family on our block instead of giving it my daughter. I already had several DSLRs and was hoping the S2 would be great for macro work without the size given the 12x zoom.

I wish I could tell you more about the Panasonic; but, I don't think she's had much chance to use it. You will have a LOT of feedback on the DPReview forums. I doubt if there are any forums on the net with much more activity.

I hope you find a great camera for your needs whatever you choose, :)

[ikyut]

The battery life on the S2, which uses AA was extremely short. So, I'm not sure if having a proprietary battery is a minus. :)

For what it's worth, I ended up giving away the S2 to a young family on our block instead of giving it my daughter. I already had several DSLRs and was hoping the S2 would be great for macro work without the size given the 12x zoom.

I wish I could tell you more about the Panasonic; but, I don't think she's had much chance to use it. You will have a LOT of feedback on the DPReview forums. I doubt if there are any forums on the net with much more activity.

I hope you find a great camera for your needs whatever you choose, :)

Thanks Bro, your help, is usefull, see you... I will che the DPReview forums

Ikyut

[willy_flew]

Thanks Bro, your help, is usefull, see you... I will che the DPReview forums

Ikyut

DP review is a great place to check out your options. I think at this price level it may be more getting used to the equipment you buy they are all comparable some are better than others at different things. I was on the fence even choosing between my Kodak, A sony model, and the cannon s2. I went and played touch and feel with all 3 and found the Kodak felt better in my hand. Go hit a couple stores and hold each one. Morea shoots with an s2 (I think) she gets some great images with it.

[willy_flew]

Incidentally it really is mute point because you will be upgrading in a year.Trust me I have upgraded 3 times in 2 years and am ready to fork it over for a DSLR.

[ChavezFL]

owning the DSC h2, i would imagine the h5 from sony would stil have the same problems.... the autofocus is garbage, really lol. its horrible. it can make or break lot of the photos you take. reccomendation=anything but sony.


try upping the funds and going for an SLR.

[Broacher]

Here's a plug for the ol' Fuji-S5600. That's what's known as a 'pro-com'. Not a true SLR, but packed with power for the price. And yes, it can shoot in RAW mode. I've had this one for almost a year now and it's been a great all around camera. I once even accidentally dropped it lens down from a height of four feet right onto a bare concrete floor-- just bent the outsde ring of the lens a bit -- otherwise, it didn't phase it.

It's best quality is at ISO200 but if you want to push it, it will deliver as high as 1600. For me, when I'm looking for 'reference' shots in available, or natural light situations, it's ideal. A very affordable camera for general purpose 'art student' type work. In many ways, it's so much lighter (both physically and on the pocketbook) than a 'real' pro SLR, I find that I take it with me without any trouble, and far, far less concern of it being lost, stolen, or damaged. That kind of 'freedom' for a guy of my limited 'disposable' income, makes a big difference in the kind of sense of freedom I bring to a shooting situation. You can probably pick one up new for around $300 these days. Add another $25 for a gig flash chip, and you're off. Maybe some Nmh rechargeables too. It takes 4AAs (even that makes for easy travel photography as you can buy these anywhere).

And hey, didn't I win the November GDF photo contest with one of my shots from this cam?

[morea]

I've owned the Canon S2 and it was a very nice camera. But, it's a bit heavy. I also found the macro focusing a bit awkward to use.

I'll second that! I got better macros out of a very inexpensive point and shoot camera than I have ever managed from my Canon.

[steve-o]

I checked it, It´s a great deal. You are right!!!!!!!! but still, more expensive, than my plan..... about 500 bucks :(

Ikyut

How much would a Canon Rebel XT DSLR cost you? It's $600 at bhphotovideo.com.

You might even be able to find some old school Digital Rebels for under $500.

[ikyut]

How much would a Canon Rebel XT DSLR cost you? It's $600 at bhphotovideo.com.

You might even be able to find some old school Digital Rebels for under $500.

Good point Steve-o, but I´m in Argentina, and here a Redel, it´s about 1000 dollars..... :(

Ikyut....

[maramossetta]

hey i work for jessops in the united kingdom selling cameras.. u arent guna find anything cheap that will shoot good raw files. im studying photography aswell and the best result in raw files i have found is through nikon eventhough im a canon lady. (i hope the canon gods dont shun me) canon s2 etc are pretty good but if u want something that is close to a digital slr... u shud try the fuji 9500 or that same range. it takes AA Batteries and creates amazing images

[ikyut]

hey i work for jessops in the united kingdom selling cameras.. u arent guna find anything cheap that will shoot good raw files. im studying photography aswell and the best result in raw files i have found is through nikon eventhough im a canon lady. (i hope the canon gods dont shun me) canon s2 etc are pretty good but if u want something that is close to a digital slr... u shud try the fuji 9500 or that same range. it takes AA Batteries and creates amazing images

Thanks a lot Maramossetta, interesting comment.... Now I have very clear, the point of taking raw format shot....
I will try to find some review of the Fuji...

See ya Ikyut.

[Broacher]

That Fuji 9500 is essentially the newer version of the 5600. It's supposed to have a top ISO of 3200 (twice that of the ol' 5600), and I presume, more than the 5600's 5 megapixel image size. If money is a big issue, and you can live with that pixel size, you should be able to save a lot by looking for a new 5600.

I've used only 35 SLRs for the last decade, and I had no trouble adjusting to the Fuji's 'simulated' SLR mode viewfinder.

[Drazan]

My roommate wore out two Fuji S5100's over two years. He took +45,000 photos with them. 15,000 on the first, and 30,000+ on the second.

I also have a Fuji S5200 and it does take excelent pictures. The only thing I noticed is that the "white" has a blueish overtone to it. But that may be because I also have taken over 30,000 photos with it and am wearing it out as well.

My roommate is now looking at getting the S9300/S9500 for his next camera.

Fuji S5200 - Snowboarder wearing all black, at night (http://skunkboy.net/tsb/v/ssknuonwkbbooayrndeetrs/ssonuotwhbeoaasrtdmiinngnesota/snowboard_Jake_Faas/DSCF1420.jpg.html)

Fuji S5100 - Snowboarder on rail (http://skunkboy.net/tsb/v/ssknuonwkbbooayrndeetrs/ssonuotwhbeoaasrtdmiinngnesota/snowboard_SEM_Eric_Beltz/DSCF3685.jpg.html)

http://www.skunkboy.net if your interested in looking at the fuji pictures. Granted these are not studio shots. You can see macro shots of jewelry in http://mailleweavers.com and some casual shots from the renaissance fest at http://jadeadragon.com