culemming
05-26-2006, 08:10 PM
I'm a long time browser of this site, but first time poster. I have just graduated from college and am looking to replace my Nikon 885, which I bought based on suggestions here at the time. My biggest desires for a replacement are more battery life, more zoom, and AA batteries.
I'm going to Europe for a year on a work/study exchange to Germany, and hope to travel a good amount while I am there too.
Budget
* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
$500-$700 including batteries and memory, but the cheaper the camera, the more exciting my travels :)
Size
* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?
I am debating between an ultrazoom with IS and a more compact 6-8x zoom. I really like the idea of the powerful zoom, but have been spoiled by the size of my current digital. Suggestions?
Features
How many megapixels will suffice for you?
not sure-- 5-6 probably will be sufficient. unless I have a really big memory card, I will tend to shoot at a reduced size anyway while I am on trips. I'll have my laptop oversees, but it will stay in my home town.
* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
at least 6x
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
8 I don't often print shots, but those I do are likely to be 8x10's
Do you care for manual controls?
I like to have them, but didn't always use them on my older cameras b/c they weren't that easy to set.
General Usage
* What will you generally use the camera for?
Travel. Some indoor, usually of people, a lot of landscapes. I like to shoot without flash-- thus image stabilization/low noise high iso are a plus.
* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
8x10 max. not often, but want the ability to.
Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
some. maybe 30-40% of the time
Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
not often
Miscellaneous
Are there particular brands you like or hate?
Have a Nikon, like it, but want AA batteries. like my dad's Canon. will consider others.
Are there particular models you already have in mind?
Canon S2, (is the S3 worth $100-150 more?), Tizzy, FZ30 (but may be too big for my tastes), Canon A700, Pany LZ5.
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
Image Stabilization a must if over 8x zoom. Other features are nice, but not "needed"
I'm going to Europe for a year on a work/study exchange to Germany, and hope to travel a good amount while I am there too.
Budget
* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
$500-$700 including batteries and memory, but the cheaper the camera, the more exciting my travels :)
Size
* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?
I am debating between an ultrazoom with IS and a more compact 6-8x zoom. I really like the idea of the powerful zoom, but have been spoiled by the size of my current digital. Suggestions?
Features
How many megapixels will suffice for you?
not sure-- 5-6 probably will be sufficient. unless I have a really big memory card, I will tend to shoot at a reduced size anyway while I am on trips. I'll have my laptop oversees, but it will stay in my home town.
* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
at least 6x
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
8 I don't often print shots, but those I do are likely to be 8x10's
Do you care for manual controls?
I like to have them, but didn't always use them on my older cameras b/c they weren't that easy to set.
General Usage
* What will you generally use the camera for?
Travel. Some indoor, usually of people, a lot of landscapes. I like to shoot without flash-- thus image stabilization/low noise high iso are a plus.
* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
8x10 max. not often, but want the ability to.
Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
some. maybe 30-40% of the time
Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
not often
Miscellaneous
Are there particular brands you like or hate?
Have a Nikon, like it, but want AA batteries. like my dad's Canon. will consider others.
Are there particular models you already have in mind?
Canon S2, (is the S3 worth $100-150 more?), Tizzy, FZ30 (but may be too big for my tastes), Canon A700, Pany LZ5.
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
Image Stabilization a must if over 8x zoom. Other features are nice, but not "needed"