Newer Digital Cameras 4 and 5 meg
Jan 7th, 2004, 06:06 AM
#1
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Newer Digital Cameras 4 and 5 meg
There was a great thread in Sept. about the pros and cons of digital cameras, but at the time 3.2 Mega pixels were kind of the norm (or so it seemed). I'm seeing a number of ads for 4 and 5 mega pixels, at more afordable prices. Is the quality that much greater with a greater megapixel? At some point does it really matter? And does anyone have a good website or resource to help me understand the ration of pictures to memory? I'm trying to get a handle on how many memory cards I would need for a European trip and whether those cards make a digital cost prohibitive (b/c we probably will not stop to download at a cyber cafe, etc.). thank you.
Jan 7th, 2004, 06:18 AM
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Hi bitter,
Unless you are planning to make prints that are larger than 8x10, 3 mpx is more than adequate.
The quality of your lens(es) is more important than the number of mpx.
I have a Canon A60 (2 mpx) with a 3:1 optical zoom. On a recent trip to Italy, I brought 3 128 Mbyte flash cards. I took 1150 shots at the highest resolution, of which I brought home 890 on the cards.
Hope this helps.
Unless you are planning to make prints that are larger than 8x10, 3 mpx is more than adequate.
The quality of your lens(es) is more important than the number of mpx.
I have a Canon A60 (2 mpx) with a 3:1 optical zoom. On a recent trip to Italy, I brought 3 128 Mbyte flash cards. I took 1150 shots at the highest resolution, of which I brought home 890 on the cards.
Hope this helps.
Jan 7th, 2004, 07:01 AM
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Steve's Digicam website (http://www.steves-digicams.com/ is a really comprehensive and valuable resource. I think that you will find all you need to know there.
The size and number of cards you need depends of course on how many pictures you like to take. Bear in mind that with a higher level of resolution, say 4 megapixels, you can always set your camera for lesser resolution if you don't think you'll ever want to make large prints. You can also delete bad shots during the trip.
The cost of cards is rapidly decreasing, and you should be able to get a 256 meg card for well under $100.
The size and number of cards you need depends of course on how many pictures you like to take. Bear in mind that with a higher level of resolution, say 4 megapixels, you can always set your camera for lesser resolution if you don't think you'll ever want to make large prints. You can also delete bad shots during the trip.
The cost of cards is rapidly decreasing, and you should be able to get a 256 meg card for well under $100.
Jan 7th, 2004, 07:11 AM
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Recently I bought an S400 Canon digital camera and have been extremely pleased with it. I paid about $400 with free shipping through Amazon.
Later I bought a 256 card for about $70, also through Amazon.
My question is about the battery. The camera came with a recharger that operates off 110v house power. We plan to travel soon where 220v is the norm. We have a 110/220 converter, but have been told that this is not a good thing to use when recharging using the 110v recharger. I wonder if (1) this is true or false and (2) would I be better off buying some backup batteries? Please advise! And thank you.
Later I bought a 256 card for about $70, also through Amazon.
My question is about the battery. The camera came with a recharger that operates off 110v house power. We plan to travel soon where 220v is the norm. We have a 110/220 converter, but have been told that this is not a good thing to use when recharging using the 110v recharger. I wonder if (1) this is true or false and (2) would I be better off buying some backup batteries? Please advise! And thank you.
Jan 7th, 2004, 07:27 AM
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Bitter-
I got a Nokia Coolpix for Christmas and we did a lot of shopping around before buying. I found a digital camera guide on Amazon I thought was pretty comprehensive:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...5304</a>
I agree with everything posted so far. As for pictures on a card, I have 3.2 megapixels and I can get 24 pictures on a 16MB flash card, but your digital camera may take a different type of storage card. We're going to Italy in September, and I think I'm going to get 2 128MB cards and I already have 1 16MB and 2 32MB cards. Between these, I'm thinking I'll have enough room. As Laveren said, you can always delete other pictures for more room or bump your file size down to fit more pictures on.
My biggest tip is to look for optical zoom. My camera has 3x optical zoom and 3x digital zoom, and it's not quite enough. The digital zoom is like enlarging a picture on the computer, it's not actually getting closer to the subject matter. Think about stuff like that before you buy. Good luck!
I got a Nokia Coolpix for Christmas and we did a lot of shopping around before buying. I found a digital camera guide on Amazon I thought was pretty comprehensive:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...5304</a>
I agree with everything posted so far. As for pictures on a card, I have 3.2 megapixels and I can get 24 pictures on a 16MB flash card, but your digital camera may take a different type of storage card. We're going to Italy in September, and I think I'm going to get 2 128MB cards and I already have 1 16MB and 2 32MB cards. Between these, I'm thinking I'll have enough room. As Laveren said, you can always delete other pictures for more room or bump your file size down to fit more pictures on.
My biggest tip is to look for optical zoom. My camera has 3x optical zoom and 3x digital zoom, and it's not quite enough. The digital zoom is like enlarging a picture on the computer, it's not actually getting closer to the subject matter. Think about stuff like that before you buy. Good luck!
Jan 7th, 2004, 07:40 AM
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Darn- html didn't work. Just cut and paste this in:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...607001-6675304
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...607001-6675304
Jan 7th, 2004, 08:08 AM
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I used a 5 meg camera while in Italy last summer and was quite pleased. I travelled with one 512 card and two 128's.
I found a site that helped to determine the number of cards that I needed to take with me. Although the site is geared to my camera, the logic used would apply to any digital cam.
http://webpages.charter.net/bbiggers...ng_a_trip.html
I found a site that helped to determine the number of cards that I needed to take with me. Although the site is geared to my camera, the logic used would apply to any digital cam.
http://webpages.charter.net/bbiggers...ng_a_trip.html
Jan 7th, 2004, 08:22 AM
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USNR,
I also have a S400 that takes excellent pixs. My charger is 110/220, look on the rating on the back, if so, just use a convertor prong- US to 2 male round plugs (for most of Europe).I would advise on buying one more battery to take with you, swap out batteries when one runs low , and recharge the other at your Hotel. Also it might be wiser to use several 128Mb or 256 Mb cards, rather than one 512 or 1 Gig card, just in case the camera gets stolen with your only card and pixs!
I also have a S400 that takes excellent pixs. My charger is 110/220, look on the rating on the back, if so, just use a convertor prong- US to 2 male round plugs (for most of Europe).I would advise on buying one more battery to take with you, swap out batteries when one runs low , and recharge the other at your Hotel. Also it might be wiser to use several 128Mb or 256 Mb cards, rather than one 512 or 1 Gig card, just in case the camera gets stolen with your only card and pixs!
Jan 7th, 2004, 01:04 PM
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I'm not a digital camera expert, but mine takes two AA batteries. My charger is 110/220, so when I go to Europe, all I need is a plug converter, and not a transformer.
If your battery charger is only 110v, you might consider going to a camera shop and buying one that is 110/220. I'm holding mine in my hand, and it's not a complex object. I would think it would cost more to buy a transformer than buying a new 110/220 charger. Just a thought for all those 110v charger people who travel overseas.
If your battery charger is only 110v, you might consider going to a camera shop and buying one that is 110/220. I'm holding mine in my hand, and it's not a complex object. I would think it would cost more to buy a transformer than buying a new 110/220 charger. Just a thought for all those 110v charger people who travel overseas.
