Would you buy a compact Digi-Cam without an optical zoom?

[ktixx]

Lets say you have a $200 - $300 total budget. Considering the type of cameras available in today's market, would you buy a compact Digital Camera (aka- point and shoot) without an optical zoom?

[John_Reed]

Lets say you have a $200 - $300 total budget. Considering the type of cameras available in today's market, would you buy a compact Digital Camera (aka- point and shoot) without an optical zoom?The Panasonic DMC-TZ3, for example, has 28-280mm optical zoom, and is selling for ~$300; most of the "no optical zoom" cameras I've heard about have NO optical zoom, but substitute digital zoom, which is a very poor substitute.

[KAFman]

If it will be equipped with APS-C or at least 4/3 sensor? Yes! Twice! :)

[timmciglobal]

No.

A 2x zoom 5 megapixel camera compared to a 8 megapixel which you "Crop" in your PC results in an effective 2.9 megapixel image... Going to 3x drops it under 2...

Optical zooms on lower end cameras arn't hard to come by and canon makes a few nice ones with atleast 4x.

Tim

[Turn]

I must say that with my A520, zoom was pathetic and I rarely used it

I say no I wouldn't get a camera without zoom


*pats S3 IS*

[AlexMonro]

I'd certainly consider buying something like the Ricoh GR Digital or Sigma DP1 (when it arrives). I find that I use the 28mm equiv on my Fuji S9500 more than any other FL, and it seems I hardly ever change from my 28mm prime on my Nikon FM2 film camera.

[mjsneddon]

A compact digital camera with a fast fixed focal length lens of 24 or 28 mm would be excellent for street photography!

[Visual Reality]

Absolutely not.

But you probably won't find other S3 users that say otherwise.

[Rhys]

I'd get a compact with an APSC sensor that had the equivalent of 24mm focal length and used the viewfinder rather than a live CD/EVF on the basis that shutter lag would be nill.

[Riley]

given it had a large sensor
yes
because i dont 'have' to use the zoom
and therefore it would be as if i had a large sensor compact with a prime lens

[Rhys]

If they produced an Olympus XA3 digital I'd be very happy. No AF. No EVF. Just point, click and review.