new member

[jtenrag]

hi this is my first visit here,hoping to pick some brains about fujifilm s602 camera :confused:

[Rhys]

hi this is my first visit here,hoping to pick some brains about fujifilm s602 camera :confused:

What's the problem/what do you want to know about it?

I picked one up and played with it before buying a Canon S1 instead.

[D70FAN]

hi this is my first visit here,hoping to pick some brains about fujifilm s602 camera :confused:

The brains to be picked are on the Fuji boards. The S602, alas, is not a dSLR. Sorta looks like one tough.

[JohnBrowning]

George, you say "Once you go dSLR you'll never go back." -- Why? (Or, are you just saying that dSLR is better than SLR?)

Why is a digital SLR better than an SLR looking type digital camera? Or is it?

Thanks.

[D70FAN]

George, you say "Once you go dSLR you'll never go back." -- Why? (Or, are you just saying that dSLR is better than SLR?)

Why is a digital SLR better than an SLR looking type digital camera? Or is it?

Thanks.

Once you use a dSLR with it's superior speed, versatility, and photo quality, it makes it very difficult to go back to either digital all-in-ones, or a film SLR.

Digital all-in-ones that are "dSLR-like", typically take good photos (in some cases as good as dSLR's at lower ISO) but you are looking through the lens via an electronic imager (EVF) which cannot match the clarity and speed of a good old fashioned mirror.

The imager on dSLR's are larger in area and pixel size, typically called APS-C. This allows more light and better imaging sensitivity without adding noise at Higher ISO (relative film speed). In the case of very high end dSLR's the imager is full-frame, meaning it is the same size as 35mm film (Canon 1Ds @ $7500 and the Kodak Pro14n,c and SLRn ~$5000) and offer even better performance.

All-in-one imagers are typically 2/3" or smaller, squeezing in smaller photo sensors, which cannot gather as much light. This means that the gain (amplification) must be increased to give an acceptable dynamic range (light to dark range), which increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), equaling more noise and less detail in the picture. Similar to grain in film terms.

Typically, all-in-one cameras will start showing substantial noise at and above ISO200 where a dSLR will not have those negative noise characteristics until at least ISO800 and the newer cameras ISO1600+.

And finally, the advantage of being able to change lenses, to meet a specific needs. Every lens (even really expensive ones) have an ideal operating range which varies greatly, especially with zoom lenses. Fixed lenses have very finite characteristics and can be designed for specific tasks (like portrait or landscape) as well as being able to let in more light. This versatility, and quality also weigh heavily in the favor of dSLR's.

The only downsides are camera size (not really) and occasional dust on the sensor. Both are very minor compared to the advantages. Videos may be included here, as dSLR's don't offer video mode. Most photographers own a good DV camera for that purpose.

Honestly though, for the occasional photographer an all-in-one super or ultra zoom, or point-n-shoot (with a few manual controls) would probably work out ok.

But when those cameras start getting up to the size and price of dSLR's it should be an easy decision. I would pit any 6MP consumer dSLR against any of the current crop of 8MP all-in-ones for picture quality, speed, ease of use, and flexability/versatility.

Hence the signature...

[JohnBrowning]

George, you are a gentleman and a scholar -- thanks so much for your thoughtful response. I hope you're writing for a magazine, or somehow getting paid for your knowledge.

Since you can get a dSLR for about a $1000 now, I assume you wouldn't recommend any digital "all-in-one's" that sell for a $1,000 or higher. Are any "all-in-one super or ultra zoom" cameras any good that sell in the $500 or $600 range?

By the way, I'm mostly taking pictures of family and kids, and can't stand (i) the shutter lag on my older Sony Cybershot, and (ii) the inability of the damn thing to focus in low light. I have a pentax SLR with a couple of lenses, so I am considering the *ist D. But, I love being able to view the subject through the LCD (usually gets a better smile out of an 18 month old), which you can't do with a dSLR, and am sure I could get by with an "all-in-one".

Anyway, I didn't intend this reply to be this long, thanks again for your input.

John.

[D70FAN]

George, you are a gentleman and a scholar -- thanks so much for your thoughtful response. I hope you're writing for a magazine, or somehow getting paid for your knowledge.

Since you can get a dSLR for about a $1000 now, I assume you wouldn't recommend any digital "all-in-one's" that sell for a $1,000 or higher. Are any "all-in-one super or ultra zoom" cameras any good that sell in the $500 or $600 range?

By the way, I'm mostly taking pictures of family and kids, and can't stand (i) the shutter lag on my older Sony Cybershot, and (ii) the inability of the damn thing to focus in low light. I have a pentax SLR with a couple of lenses, so I am considering the *ist D. But, I love being able to view the subject through the LCD (usually gets a better smile out of an 18 month old), which you can't do with a dSLR, and am sure I could get by with an "all-in-one".

Anyway, I didn't intend this reply to be this long, thanks again for your input.

John.

Hi John, The only advantage to the 8MP all-in-ones is that they can do video clips. Other than that (in my opinion) they have no value over dSLR. As for ultra zooms under $500...

You might want to wait for the introduction of the new Panasonic FZ series. The lower end FZ3 is a nice compact 3.2 MegaPixel camera with a 12X Image Stabilized zoom (!) that holds f2.8 all the way to 420mm! The FZ15 and FZ20 are "larger" cameras with the same excellent zoom but with 4 and 5 MegaPixel sensors.

If you are going to go for a compact big-zoom with a nice AF Illuminator for under $400 the FZ3 is the way to go. If you feel you need a larger sensor for making 13 x 19 prints then you may want to opt for the bulkier (no more so than a dSLR) FZ15 or FZ20 at $499 and $599 (ok it's $600) respectively.

There are a couple of other Image Stabilized Ultra-Zoom cameras on the market (in the <$500 catagory) that you might want to try as well. The Canon S1 IS (getting a little long in the tooth), and the New 4 MegaPixel Z3 from Konica Minolta (not to be confused with the FZ3) It has a 12X, Image Stabilized, zoom and a nice form factor as well, although it lacks AF Illumination and the lens is slower at full telephoto f2.8-4.5.

Because of the lack of AF assist, I hesitate to recommend the Z3 over the Panasonics in the same price range.

As always try before you buy. What I like may have nothing to do with your preferences. Since I already have a dSLR I like the smaller form factor of the FZ3. And man, that Image Stabilized, fast, mega-zoom is fun. I have toyed around with the current FZ10 and it's a blast.