Database search- NO optical zoom?

[WD-40]

Hello!

I love your site, and use your search all the time. I've found one search option that should be a simple addition, that I think would be very helpful.

Under "optical zoom", there are choices ranging from 2x to over 10x... however, there is no way to find optical zooms UNDER 2x- notably "NO optical zoom".

These cameras have definite advantages- sometimes manufacturers can really optimize the lens if there isn't a zoom. In the case where the lens is fixed, the camera is both MUCH more durable, as well as being significantly faster to start up. It's definitely something I look for, and I'm sure there are others who would like to be able to search for these as well.


Would it be possible to add this database query to your menus?

Thanks!
- David

[coldrain]

There are only 2 digital compact cameras with a fixed focal length lens, the canon ixus i (SD20)(not the zoom version), and the Ricoh GR digital.

[WD-40]

There are only 2 digital compact cameras with a fixed focal length lens, the canon ixus i (SD20)(not the zoom version), and the Ricoh GR digital.

Actually, there's a *LOT* more than that. (See? Here's a reason the search would be useful! :cool: )

HP Photosmart E327
HP Photosmart 435
HP Photosmart M22
Kodak EasyShare C300
Kodak EasyShare C310
Fuji FinePix 1300
Fuji FinePix A101
Fuji FinePix A201
Olympus Brio D-100
Olympus Brio D-230
Olympus D-370
Samsung Digimax 201
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P41

... plus huge numbers of others. ;)

- David

[WD-40]

12-day bump... Any possibility, Jeff? :)

From the query standpoint, it shouldn't be that difficult... and the data is already in the database for all of the cameras....

- David

[Jeff Keller]

12-day bump... Any possibility, Jeff? :)

From the query standpoint, it shouldn't be that difficult... and the data is already in the database for all of the cameras....

- David

I could probably do this at some point...

[WD-40]

I see that there's another new camera (the HP Photosmart E427) on the front page of announcements that doesn't have an optical zoom. I still think this would be a useful search option....;)

- David

[WD-40]

Please??

You're going to need it for the Sigma DP1...

[WD-40]

I could probably do this at some point...

Was a year enough time? :confused: I still think this would be a useful feature....

- David

[ktixx]

Actually, there's a *LOT* more than that. (See? Here's a reason the search would be useful! :cool: )

HP Photosmart E327
HP Photosmart 435
HP Photosmart M22
Kodak EasyShare C300
Kodak EasyShare C310
Fuji FinePix 1300
Fuji FinePix A101
Fuji FinePix A201
Olympus Brio D-100
Olympus Brio D-230
Olympus D-370
Samsung Digimax 201
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P41

... plus huge numbers of others. ;)

- David


I would bet that the majority of people who will take the time to research digital camera's on this forum are willing to spend enough money to purchase a camera with an optical zoom. I really think that camera's without optical zooms are the very lowest tier you can possible get (with a few exceptions) and the current users are either children who's parents got them a "starter camera" and/or people who purchased them years ago and have yet to upgrade. It has nothing to do with the manufacturer building a better quality lens and forgoing the zoom, it has to do with the fact that the manufacturer is trying to do everything it can to make the camera as cheap as possible (again - with a few exceptions). In addition, the majority of people who come here to find a camera will be convinced by almost all of the readers that an optical zoom is a necessity with any point and shoot and the purchaser will regret their decision to go without one. Hence why the addition of an under 2x is pointless...

[Rhys]

The sole advantage of digital cameras without zoom lenses is that the parallax error is more predictable if you use the viefinder rather than the LCD. Personally I don't often use the viewfinder since the parallax error is unpredictable using zoom compacts.

[ktixx]

The sole advantage of digital cameras without zoom lenses is that the parallax error is more predictable if you use the viefinder rather than the LCD. Personally I don't often use the viewfinder since the parallax error is unpredictable using zoom compacts.

Honestly though...what percentage of the people buying fixed lens point and shoot cameras are buying because of the reduced parallax error vs. price? I would say ~ 0.1% vs. 99.9%

[WD-40]

I would bet that the majority of people who will take the time to research digital camera's on this forum are willing to spend enough money to purchase a camera with an optical zoom.

*snip*

Hence why the addition of an under 2x is pointless...

ktixx- I see from your tagline that you're a Canon DSLR user. How about some Canon lens facts for you? Canon makes no less than 35 non-zoom SLR lenses. (9 Wide-angle, 8 Standard, 6 Telephoto, 7 Super-Telephoto, 5 Macro). That's not including the tilt/shift lenses. See for yourself at http://www.usa.canon.com/app/pdf/lens/Lens_Extender_chart_new.pdf. Many of these lenses are NOT CHEAP, and certainly not "starter camera" quality.

Now, obviously there are reasons why Canon (and others) make high-quality prime lenses for DSLRs. They can minimze distortions, minimize chromatic aberration, improve resolution, improve light transmission, etc. It is these same reasons why some companies are making compact non-SLR cameras with prime lenses. These cameras are not cheap, and they are not toys.


On the other side, the cheap-cheap-cheap non-zooms also have their benefits, and people DO search for them because of it. I have an Epson which I use for time-lapse work. The fully-internal lens with no zoom means that the camera can power up, take a picture, and power down to its low power state without any parts other than the shutter moving. It's incredibly quiet (which was important in my case, since I was observing wildlife), and it gets great battery life.



I hope I've made my point. While *most* people do gain a lot of benefit from having a zoom, it is not always the best for the application.

- David

[ktixx]

*snip*



ktixx- I see from your tagline that you're a Canon DSLR user. How about some Canon lens facts for you? Canon makes no less than 35 non-zoom SLR lenses. (9 Wide-angle, 8 Standard, 6 Telephoto, 7 Super-Telephoto, 5 Macro). That's not including the tilt/shift lenses. See for yourself at http://www.usa.canon.com/app/pdf/lens/Lens_Extender_chart_new.pdf. Many of these lenses are NOT CHEAP, and certainly not "starter camera" quality.

Now, obviously there are reasons why Canon (and others) make high-quality prime lenses for DSLRs. They can minimze distortions, minimize chromatic aberration, improve resolution, improve light transmission, etc. It is these same reasons why some companies are making compact non-SLR cameras with prime lenses. These cameras are not cheap, and they are not toys.


On the other side, the cheap-cheap-cheap non-zooms also have their benefits, and people DO search for them because of it. I have an Epson which I use for time-lapse work. The fully-internal lens with no zoom means that the camera can power up, take a picture, and power down to its low power state without any parts other than the shutter moving. It's incredibly quiet (which was important in my case, since I was observing wildlife), and it gets great battery life.



I hope I've made my point. While *most* people do gain a lot of benefit from having a zoom, it is not always the best for the application.

- David

When did we start talking about SLR's? Does this forum even have a search for SLR lenses?

[WD-40]

When did we start talking about SLR's? Does this forum even have a search for SLR lenses?

You missed this part:
It is these same reasons why some companies are making compact non-SLR cameras with prime lenses.

I wasn't saying that there was an SLR lens search- I was using the SLR prime-lens market presence to emphasize the fact that prime lenses are desirable among serious photographers. You made the statement:

I really think that camera's without optical zooms are the very lowest tier you can possible get (with a few exceptions) and the current users are either children who's parents got them a "starter camera" and/or people who purchased them years ago and have yet to upgrade.

... which I don't believe is correct, hence my response.

- David

[ktixx]

Might as well let the readers settle this - http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31372

[WD-40]

Might as well let the readers settle this - http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31372

Please explain to me what the users are "settling"?

My request was for the addition of one more option in the camera database search. It's an extremely simple query option to change, to allow viewers one more option to filter results.

A thread with a poll (like yours) is going to come out heavy on the "with zoom" side. We all know that, especially since you gave it a price criteria that excludes the DP1 and the GRD. But what does that prove? If I posted a poll that said "Would you buy a blue camera?", the results would be the same- most people want the standard black or silver, not blue. But Panasonic released the TZ3 in blue- and people are snapping that color up.

Or how about a poll that asks "Would you buy a DSLR?" A bunch of people are going to vote "Yes", and a bunch of people are going to vote "No". They are different types of cameras for different applications. What have you proven?


The addition of this search option is not something that must be "settled".

- David