As a newbie to the digital world, your advice would be appreciated.

[Koremitsu]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy my first digital camera, and I'm looking for some advice. I've done a little research, so hopefully the following information will help you help me.
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I've got about $1,000 to work with for everything (camera [lens included], camera case, upgraded 512 MB memory card, and whatever else I might need). Although a digital SLR looks inviting, when the lenses are added in, the price comes up a bit too high for my budget. So, I'm probably looking at the higher end of the point and click market, or the SLR-shaped or SLR-like products.
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I guess I'm looking for a camera that's good all-around ...but something I can perhaps use to learn/practice the basics of photograpy from...so having Manual settings (ISO, shutter speed, etc... )is a must. I'm kind of curious about how filters might help me take better pictures too, so something with an adapter for that would be preferable as well.
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I'll probably be using it mainly for taking still pictures (nature/birds). But I'll also be using it to take pictures of my cats(though lazy, they do move sometimes ;) ), the innevitable family photo, and perhaps some sporting events (soccer).

Question: I've heard that EVF viewfinders...(or perhaps it was digital cameras in general?)...were very poor for taking action pictures...especially of children/small animals...because of the lag time between the shutter-button press, and the actual time the picture is taken. Is this a serious problem I should be concerned with?

Because I'm looking more at fixed lens cameras due to budget, I'd like something with a moderate to large amount of optical zoom (5x-10x).

I've been looking around, and here are the ones I've seriously considered so far:

+++++Fuji FinePix S20 Pro
This was my front-runner for a while. It seems to have most of what I'm looking for...seems to give great highlights due to it's new CCD configuration type, but from what I've read, its ISO is barely usable above the lowest manual setting, and it has a small tendency to have problems with chromatic aberation and purple fringing.
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+++++Canon Powershot Pro 1
Sounds like a good camera, but there seem to have been some manufacturing problems that have surfaced. (dirt in lens, poor shutter speed -possibly fixed by new firmware version?, use of USB 1.0 rather than 2.0, and some excessive noise above the primary manual ISO setting...though not nearly as bad as the S20 Pro). Even though its manual settings are more restricted than the Fuji S20 Pro, from what I've seen in reviews, the extended settings are often restricted/not-very-usable on most digital cameras. (perhaps an untrue perception?) As far as picture quality, I would go with this one...but I'm worried about the manufacturing problems I've read about.
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+++++Nikon Coolpix 8800
Looks like it has a wide range of settings, and there have been a few good reviews, but I've just started looking around for information on it.
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+++++Any opinions on these, or perhaps some other cameras I should be considering?
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Any Help/opinions you would care to give would be appreciated.
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Thank you,
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Koremitsu
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Oh...one more thing. The pictures would be printed no larger than 8"x10" (slightly smaller than A4), or viewed on the computer. So I'm thinking 8MP would be more than adequate, and probably 5MP would be a good minimum baseline to start with.

[thebirchbunch]

I found this on a search for almost the same question I have so I am also waiting for an answer to this one. It seems the more info you aquire about digital cameras and the varying kinds the more questions you have. And like computers you don't want to spend $1000 on something that will be worth half as much down the road because it's now there's something NEW on the market. SO I think the question is what do you all use as experts on the subject? Thanks

[Michael Fanelli]

And like computers you don't want to spend $1000 on something that will be worth half as much down the road because it's now there's something NEW on the market.

Is the camera (or computer) an investment? If so, try something else that appreciates most of the time, such as precious metals or real estate.

[Stephen Lutz]

Hi,

Question: I've heard that EVF viewfinders...(or perhaps it was digital cameras in general?)...were very poor for taking action pictures...especially of children/small animals...because of the lag time between the shutter-button press, and the actual time the picture is taken. Is this a serious problem I should be concerned with?

I have a Pro 1 and didn't like it at first. The EVF froze for a second after each shot, and I couldn't get sharp focus in dark conditions. It was maddening! I put it aside, and went back to my digital Rebel and 10D, but then one day saw that there was a firmware upgrade for the Pro 1 that supposedly fixed these problems. I can report that the EVF freezes are now gone completely, and that focus in pitch black is possible. I shot last Friday in a goth night club, black clad goths in a dungeon dark club, with swirling dance lights. A terrible place to try and take pictures. However, the Pro 1 focused there, consistently locking focus even without a focus assist from my 420EX flash.

Now, the bad news. There is a slight shutter lag. Slight, but just enough to ruin shots. I have lots of pictures of people with their heads turned, when what I wanted was the split second before that moment when they were looking right at me. My opinion is that if catching the decisive moment is your thing, no P&S digital camera will deliver the goods. They all have ever so slight shutter lag.

Having said that, though, my Pro 1 can be used for action if I anticipate the lag. I find myself prefocusing and pushing the shutter ever so slightly ahead of the shot, anticipating the moment that will occur a split second after I push the shutter. This works "most of the time" but takes some getting used to.

As you can see from this example, though, it is adequate to take photos of cats!

[Koremitsu]

My opinion is that if catching the decisive moment is your thing, no P&S digital camera will deliver the goods. They all have ever so slight shutter lag.

Hrmm. This lag is probably the thing that concerns me the most, as it's difficult to predict the decisive moment.

Is this same shutter lag present on your digital Rebel and 10D?
(Is it a matter of the difference between EVF and TTL viewfinders?....or is it a problem with something else unrelated?...just so I know what to look for or avoid.)

(If the TTL models are good for capturing the decisive moment, I may find myself saving a little longer to get a low-end dslr ;) )

Thanks for your help.

Cute cat BTW.

[Stephen Lutz]

Hrmm. This lag is probably the thing that concerns me the most, as it's difficult to predict the decisive moment.

Is this same shutter lag present on your digital Rebel and 10D?
(Is it a matter of the difference between EVF and TTL viewfinders?....or is it a problem with something else unrelated?...just so I know what to look for or avoid.)

(If the TTL models are good for capturing the decisive moment, I may find myself saving a little longer to get a low-end dslr ;) )

Thanks for your help.

Cute cat BTW.

The Dslr is an entirely different animal. There is no more shutter lag in a dslr than there is in a regular slr. Essentially none. Click, you have the picture. For this reason, even the low end rebel is a far more predictable camera than a digital p&s. However, the lag is slight, not horrendous. It can be dealt with for most shots. However, if I were you, I would get one of the new 350 XT cameras with the kit lens and forego a p&s digital.

[R_C]

I found this on a search for almost the same question I have so I am also waiting for an answer to this one. It seems the more info you aquire about digital cameras and the varying kinds the more questions you have. And like computers you don't want to spend $1000 on something that will be worth half as much down the road because it's now there's something NEW on the market. SO I think the question is what do you all use as experts on the subject? Thanks

well that makes two of us, same qustion from me really, here something I wrote earlier on another forum:

I'm getting a digital camera and I'm torn between buying a good compact and getting more used to the workings of a reasonably good digital camera for a year or two (SLR Typer, multiple settings, not just a point/zoom and click), then buying a good SLR later, or just buying an SLR now and upgrading the lens as I go

I'm going on holidays to italy in a few weeks so hope to take lots of architectural and landscape photos which, if good enough, I will print in a4

I have made up a short list (I welcome recommended alternatives):

Olympus E-300 with EZ 14-45mm Zuiko Lens and another lens (cant remember mm in shop, 50-150 or something) 8MegaPix

Olympus C 8080, 8MP, 5x zoom

Canon EOS 350D Camera 18 - 55mm Lens , 8MP

Canon PowerShot Pro1, 8MP, 7.1x

Canon PowerShot G6, 7.1MP, 4x



one guy in shop said he didnt recommend the powershots above because they dont take great pictures for the price and can be poor in low light situations but not sure if he was just trying to sell me something else or what

I'm quite taken by the e-300 but as an amateur would I be able to take decent pictures quickly? if i got something like the 8080, would I be able to get an SLR in a couple of years better than the e-300 for cheaper price etc etc etc

thanks in advance

R_C