Ablack wrote:.
4) dSLR kit.+I'ts dSLR, and thoughtfully selected kit lens may do all I want.- Heavy..
Not all of them are heavy, actually. The smallest and lightest ones are the E-400 and E-410. Heavier than a compact, for sure. But heavy they are not...
I'd get a camera that:.
1. Is discrete. I especially like a live preview camera with an LCD that can be viewed from above. None of your choices have this important feature!.
2. Has one lens that will cover a wide range, including macro. The S6000 comes closest in this regard..
The S6000 and a small EL dSLR w/ kit lens are almost identical in weight. The S6000 is 700 grams. The D40 w/ 18-55 is 732 grams. The Oly 410 might be lighter?.
Ablack wrote:.
What I'm shooting most is probably best described as not-quite-streetphotography. I just walk around without much of a plan until I findsomething shootworthy. That "something" maybe anything fromarchitecture to macro to people, so I'd like something versatile, yet(preferably) compact. I don't care about tele end of a zoom much, 150or so mm could be more than enough..
What I considered:1) My current camera. (Samsung A40). Well, it works 90% of the time,but I'd wish it have manual modes,viewfinder, and better lens (lessCA mostly). Also, there is one "feature" in it that simply annoys me.If I said "cancel flash" that means "cancel flash", not "cancel untilyou change modes"..
2) Canon A540 (and other A series),+ Fits well in my budget.+ Uses supplies interchangeable with Samsung (AA cells and SD cards)+ Has everything from the wishlist (except maybe flash problem fix.)- I don't know how really useful manual modes would turn out on acompact.- Smehow feels less of an "upgrade". 3) Fuji S6500fd+ Has everything from the wishlist (except maybe flash problem fix.)+ Wide angle (often useful in a city)+ High ISO, which is very useful in almost any situation.- xD cards- Rather heavy.- Fits in budget, but only barely..
4) dSLR kit.+I'ts dSLR, and thoughtfully selected kit lens may do all I want.- Heavy.- Not sure I'm up to it just yet.- It's really beyound my budget in the near future..
Charlie DavisNikon 5700 & Sony R1HomePage: http://www.1derful.infoBridge Blog: http://www.here-ugo.com/BridgeBlog/..
Well, frankly I erred here a bit. I handled that Olympus you mentioned, with 40-140 kit lens. It _felt_ twice as heavier as Fuji did, though it obviously isn't. Now, when I think about it, it's probably just that Fuji simply fits better into my hand..
But in fact the main reason I do not consider SLR seriously is that while I could (with an effort) find money for a 18-55 kit, I still want some medium tele too, and any medium tele that I can realistically afford is inferior to good bridge cam lens, like that of Fuji 6500....
Thanks for the tip on a flip LCD. I doubt I would find one in a price/feature range I'm looking at, but it certainly might be handy...
If you do consider going with a DSLR, the Pentax K100D would be what I would recommend to you considering your price constraints. K100D has a $50 rebate to the end of the month. Purchase a 55-200mm lens on the same order and get a $150 rebate. The combination can be had for $550 if your purchasing the K100D w/ 18-55m kit. Cheaper if you just buy the K100D body (which I would do if I were you). K100D body is $419 at buydig and after rebate $369.
If not look for a nice normal tele-zoom lense to serve all your purposes. I bet you could find one pretty cheap actually and be under $450..
From K100D DPreview:Weight (no batt/lens) = 565 g (1.2 lb)weight (no lens) = 660 g (1.5 lb) (reduced approx. 20 g using CR-V3 batteries).
The Fuji is 1.3lbs with no batteries. Not that much of a difference..
I know exactly what you mean about the Olympus, I felt the same way. If you had more money I'd recommend the D40 since it is, I believe, the second lightest DSLR on the market..
But no I don't think you NEED a DSLR. But with anything it would be nice to have...
Have you considered used equipment for DSLR? That might help your budget problem. But overall you're right in that to meet all the different needs you would most likely need a few lenses which could drive up costs. The only argument I can think of for DSLR on that price point is that you do get better quality. When you think of how much you can pay it's the way it should be. So if you ever took a shot with a P&S and wished for better quality then DSLR might be worth "investing" in for the future..
But for versatility and easy to carry around it's hard to beat a P&S. I think you can find one with a flip screen pretty easily these days. It does really help for candid shots. If it also has a good 10x zoom you can really get candid..
Good luck..
Misc equip : Canon 610, Canon 400D, Canon 10D (about to sell), EF 50mm f/1.8 II, EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, EF 24mm f/2.8 (not so sure about)..
Pretzelb wrote:.
Have you considered used equipment for DSLR?.
Yes, but there are just too few sellers here, in small country. And while there is a bargain or two each month regarding bodies (I think, haven't been watching it long.), those are really people who don't recognize how much value used 6 MP SLR really has, or someones you don't want to buy from. Unfortunately those aren't exactly lens-buying types, so I still might get better camera overall for less money with advanced P&S...
Ablack wrote:.
Well, frankly I erred here a bit. I handled that Olympus youmentioned, with 40-140 kit lens. It _felt_ twice as heavier as Fujidid, though it obviously isn't..
I have not investigated the Ply with that lens. The weight data is available if you want to do the research....
Now, when I think about it, it'sprobably just that Fuji simply fits better into my hand..
Ergonomics is VERY important! A heavy camera that fits your body is better than a light camera that doesn't..
But in fact the main reason I do not consider SLR seriously is thatwhile I could (with an effort) find money for a 18-55 kit, I stillwant some medium tele too, and any medium tele that I canrealistically afford is inferior to good bridge cam lens, like thatof Fuji 6500....
The Fuji S6500 is not a "bridge". It is a "prosumer". My R1 is a "bridge"....
You NEED a "bridge", but nobody wants you to have a chance. It's either a "prosumer" with a tiny sensor or an EL dSLR..
Thanks for the tip on a flip LCD. I doubt I would find one in aprice/feature range I'm looking at, but it certainly might be handy..
There are several recent cameras with tilt-flip LCDs. Too bad Phil doesn't allow us to search for this important feature. Hint...hint....
Charlie DavisNikon 5700 & Sony R1HomePage: http://www.1derful.infoBridge Blog: http://www.here-ugo.com/BridgeBlog/..
Looks like almost exsactly what I need on spec sheet, at least.CA is lowest of all cameras in my shortlist.Flip LCDRight in the middle of the budget..
But it is 300+g, so while grip may not be as critical as with heavier cameras it still may feel "wrong" in my hand. (tried A550 which is simiilar ergonomically, it felt a bit "cramped" to me. Samsung feels much better. ).
(There's something interestig going on with camera prices here, almost as if some sort of fixed import due is in effect. Cheap cameras are much more expensive than US pricing would suggest, (2x) while EL SLRs cost almost the same +/- less than $100 )..
60% off, no less and quite reputable local retailer (this is clearance sale, only 4 or so units left, so I have to think fast)...+ Excellent handling, HUGE LCD, the best EVF I've seen. (though non-adjustable)+ Stabilization+ Quite likable colors, if samples here are any indication.- MemorySticks- Neither lens, nor sensor are as good as Fuji..
- Would be quite a hole in my budget, even on sale, but not much more than Fuji would be..
P.S. Handled also A630 in the same store... Better than I thought, but SLR-like cams, or at lest less "pocketlike" ones seem to be much easier to use for me. (Although A530/540 is very light and has quite sizeable 4-way, so it's rather easy too.)..