Prosumer Digital Cameras

kasar · 23rd February 2004, 10:27 PM

I need to buy a new "prosumer" digital camera soon, to upgrade from my current Sony DSC-P51 2MP camera.
I've had a look at some DSLRS (1D, EOS300D) and apart from the large cost, I feel they would be too much hassle for me. I essentially want a smallish camera (Canon G5 size is OK) which has a resolution of 5MP+ and the ability to change things like aperture, f-stop etc.
Basically, I'll be using it as a general camera, but I'll also need to take photos of small devices lit by halogen studio lights. Examples of the types of photos I'll need to be taking are available here:

Picture1
Picture 2

These photos were taken by a Canon 10D, so I don't expect them to be as good, but reasonably similar.
The price needs to be around A$1000, or the equivalent as I'll be travelling to Germany soon, where they cameras will hopefully be cheaper. At the moment, I've got a few cameras in mind - Canon G5, Nikon 5400, Olympus C5060, Sony DSC-V1. Out of these, I've been told the G5 and C5060 are good. The G5 has been recommended by many users, but the review at dpreview.com says it's not too good due to noise issues.
So, considering the types of photos I'll be taking, which one would you suggest would be most suitable?
Thanks in advance

Bern · 24th February 2004, 4:56 AM

Have you read any reviews yet?
If not here are a few links to get you started.

http://www.dpreview.com/

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

http://www.imaging-resource.com/

Widowmaker · 24th February 2004, 10:15 AM

for $1000 you cant really get a Prosumer digital camera, maybe you could pick up a second hand beatin up canon 300D but for new you could look at the D70, 300D. or second hand market but they are all over $1000

kasar · 25th February 2004, 10:08 AM

Yes, I have been reading the reviews, but since I'm not a photographer, I'm unable to fully understand what would be the best camera. I'm still a n00b in these kinda of things. I one I'm leaning towards is the Olympus C-5060, but the Nikon Coolpix 5400 looks nice too.

Windowmaker, I'm not after a SLR camera. I find them too big and bulky, and cannot afford to spend even more money on lenses. I also find SLR's limitations (such as no viewfinder photos) annoying.

Widowmaker · 25th February 2004, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kasar

Windowmaker, I'm not after a SLR camera. I find them too big and bulky, and cannot afford to spend even more money on lenses. I also find SLR's limitations (such as no viewfinder photos) annoying.

Slr's dont have limitation's, other then there size. they more then make up for that in utility.

A viewfinder is to "aim" the camera you dont take photos via the viewfinder.

Alyra · 25th February 2004, 2:32 PM

Kasar,
We have a Sony DSC F717 - the equiv now is the F828 which of course has improvements over the F717 but essentially is the same model revamped/improved.

Anyway, it's a good camera. We've been using it for horse photography (we sell photos we take at horse shows to the horse owners) and it's done well. It's not an SLR, but is close. It can be used in Auto, or you can gradually stumble your way through all the settings that are just like an SLR's settings almost.

Anyway, thoroughly reccomend you look at it

kasar · 28th February 2004, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Widowmaker
Slr's dont have limitation's, other then there size. they more then make up for that in utility.

A viewfinder is to "aim" the camera you dont take photos via the viewfinder.

Well, I find it much more convenient taking photos via the viewfinder. I've had a chance to play with the 10D for a while, and I feel it's too much camera for my needs. I won't be able to afford to get extra lenses etc for the camera and most of the extra "special" features will likely go to waste.

Widowmaker · 28th February 2004, 9:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kasar
Well, I find it much more convenient taking photos via the viewfinder. I've had a chance to play with the 10D for a while, and I feel it's too much camera for my needs. I won't be able to afford to get extra lenses etc for the camera and most of the extra "special" features will likely go to waste.

what do you mean you like taking photos via the viewfinder ? that is the only way you can take photos! well unless you just take photo's in random directions.

If you dont need control over your images and you just want to take snaps, then you are correct and there is no point in buying a 10D or similar

rahl · 28th February 2004, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Widowmaker
what do you mean you like taking photos via the viewfinder ?

I think kasar means the LCD.

Widowmaker · 28th February 2004, 1:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rahl
I think kasar means the LCD.

arhhh which is completely different from a viewfinder.

kasar · 28th February 2004, 4:30 PM

Yeah, sorry, I meant to say LCD.

As for controls, I feel that most prosumer cameras have enough for my needs.

23rd February 2004, 10:27 PM	#1
kasar Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Pyrmont, Sydney Posts: 3,526	Prosumer Digital Cameras I need to buy a new "prosumer" digital camera soon, to upgrade from my current Sony DSC-P51 2MP camera. I've had a look at some DSLRS (1D, EOS300D) and apart from the large cost, I feel they would be too much hassle for me. I essentially want a smallish camera (Canon G5 size is OK) which has a resolution of 5MP+ and the ability to change things like aperture, f-stop etc. Basically, I'll be using it as a general camera, but I'll also need to take photos of small devices lit by halogen studio lights. Examples of the types of photos I'll need to be taking are available here: Picture1 Picture 2 These photos were taken by a Canon 10D, so I don't expect them to be as good, but reasonably similar. The price needs to be around A$1000, or the equivalent as I'll be travelling to Germany soon, where they cameras will hopefully be cheaper. At the moment, I've got a few cameras in mind - Canon G5, Nikon 5400, Olympus C5060, Sony DSC-V1. Out of these, I've been told the G5 and C5060 are good. The G5 has been recommended by many users, but the review at dpreview.com says it's not too good due to noise issues. So, considering the types of photos I'll be taking, which one would you suggest would be most suitable? Thanks in advance __________________ "Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines" - Enzo Ferrari Last edited by kasar; 23rd February 2004 at 10:29 PM.

24th February 2004, 4:56 AM	#2
Bern Off the rails Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Brighton, QLD Posts: 5,000	Have you read any reviews yet? If not here are a few links to get you started. http://www.dpreview.com/ http://www.steves-digicams.com/ http://www.imaging-resource.com/ __________________ \| Free Beer \| p-two.net \| OCAU Forum Rules \| \| news \| stff \| stfw \| wiki \| \|

25th February 2004, 10:08 AM	#4
kasar Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Pyrmont, Sydney Posts: 3,526	Yes, I have been reading the reviews, but since I'm not a photographer, I'm unable to fully understand what would be the best camera. I'm still a n00b in these kinda of things. I one I'm leaning towards is the Olympus C-5060, but the Nikon Coolpix 5400 looks nice too. Windowmaker, I'm not after a SLR camera. I find them too big and bulky, and cannot afford to spend even more money on lenses. I also find SLR's limitations (such as no viewfinder photos) annoying. __________________ "Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines" - Enzo Ferrari

28th February 2004, 4:30 PM	#11
kasar Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Pyrmont, Sydney Posts: 3,526	Yeah, sorry, I meant to say LCD. As for controls, I feel that most prosumer cameras have enough for my needs. __________________ "Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines" - Enzo Ferrari

24th February 2004, 10:15 AM	#3
Widowmaker Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 2,219	for $1000 you cant really get a Prosumer digital camera, maybe you could pick up a second hand beatin up canon 300D but for new you could look at the D70, 300D. or second hand market but they are all over $1000

25th February 2004, 2:32 PM	#6
Alyra Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Adelaide Hills Posts: 216	Kasar, We have a Sony DSC F717 - the equiv now is the F828 which of course has improvements over the F717 but essentially is the same model revamped/improved. Anyway, it's a good camera. We've been using it for horse photography (we sell photos we take at horse shows to the horse owners) and it's done well. It's not an SLR, but is close. It can be used in Auto, or you can gradually stumble your way through all the settings that are just like an SLR's settings almost. Anyway, thoroughly reccomend you look at it