Best Prosumer Camera

[Astroboy333]

Hi, I just wanted some help in choosing a good prosumer camera. I am looking at the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200, Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom, Canon Powershot Pro1, Sony Cybershot F828, Nikon Coolpix 8800 and Nikon Coolpix 8400.

I want something light and easy to use that takes great pics. I have a Sony T1 and just want some more zoom and features.

[D70FAN]

Hi, I just wanted some help in choosing a good prosumer camera. I am looking at the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200, Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom, Canon Powershot Pro1, Sony Cybershot F828, Nikon Coolpix 8800 and Nikon Coolpix 8400.

I want something light and easy to use that takes great pics. I have a Sony T1 and just want some more zoom and features.

And you ommitted the Panasonic FZ20 because?... It has (alot of) zoom, and it has features up the wazoo.

[Rhys]

Hi, I just wanted some help in choosing a good prosumer camera. I am looking at the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200, Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom, Canon Powershot Pro1, Sony Cybershot F828, Nikon Coolpix 8800 and Nikon Coolpix 8400.

I want something light and easy to use that takes great pics. I have a Sony T1 and just want some more zoom and features.

And you ignored the Canon S1 IS because....

[PlaneSpotter]

Hi, I just wanted some help in choosing a good prosumer camera. I am looking at the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200, Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom, Canon Powershot Pro1, Sony Cybershot F828, Nikon Coolpix 8800 and Nikon Coolpix 8400.

I want something light and easy to use that takes great pics. I have a Sony T1 and just want some more zoom and features.

I've been using the Powershot Pro1 since November and I really like this camera. When I purchased it, I was looking in the price range of the Coolpix 5700. My biggest concern with that camera was the performance of the auto-focus. I also did not like that the zoom control was an up/down button. At that point, I settled on trying a Minolta A1. The most attractive feature to me was that the zoom was a ring on the lens, just like a regular SLR. I was very impressed with that camera, but I had to return it because the AS (anti-shake) failed.

The Powershot Pro1 has a zoom ring, however the zoom is servo-controlled. I still like this better than the button. The only thing you have to be careful of on the Pro1 is that the 8mp sensor will produce noise (grain) on anything higher than ISO50. I am convinced Canon made a mistake using an 8mp sensor on this camera just for marketing. It's larger brother, the 300D, has a physically larger 6mp sensor and the quality is excellent at even ISO400.

Anyhow, for the money I still don't think you can beat the quality of images you will get with the Pro1. It's being significantly discounted now. I've seen it under $800 in stores and under $650 online. For that money you get one fine camera with a 200mm zoom included. Best advice is to go to a camera shop and try them out. I never would have bought the Minolta A1 if I hadn't gotten it in my hands and found out that I really like it.

cheers,
Phil

[speaklightly]

Phil-

I too liked the looks of the Canon Pro-1, but was turned off by the reviews that indicated that the camera had a lot of auto focus problems, especiall in lower light levels. What has been your experience?

Sarah Joyce