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General discussion

is 5 megapixel worth the money?

Sep 10, 2004 2:25PM PDT

hello,

I am thinking of finally getting into the 21st century and buying a digital still camera. I do some pro video here and there but for that the still pic resolution I can use is 720 x 540 dpi, so i assume a 3.1 mp camera will deliver that. needs to be tripod mountable. not much need for 8x10 glossies, so do I really need a 5+ megapixel camera? and any recommendation for a camera with a good lens, ease of use, etc.-- something that i can get the same effects of depth of field, etc., as my canon eos-- for the price? thanks - fj

Discussion is locked

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Re: is 5 megapixel worth the money?
Sep 11, 2004 12:53AM PDT

One problem:

"something that i can get the same effects of depth of field, etc., as my canon eos--for the same price".

Digital cameras have a larger depth of field than your canon eos.

See this link:

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Optical/Depth_of_Field_01.htm

To get similar depth of field you would need a DSLR camera. Those start at $1,000.

Regarding 5 megapixels: For what you describe, 3 megapixels will suffice.

Need more information before recommending a camera:

Regarding "ease of use": Are you suggesting a point-and-shoot camera or something with manual override controls?

Regarding price: What price range?

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well lessee . . .
Sep 11, 2004 10:38AM PDT

well pardon my ignorance here and thanks for the insights,

I spose if I have occasion to make "artsy" pics with lots of out of focus backgrounds I can go back and use my film camera . . . bigger depth of field in digital is mostly an advantage . . .

I guess the biggest question is the megapixel size issue, if I can make a decent 4x6 or even 3x5 print with a 3.x MP camera that would be great (not that I would even do much of that-- everything I do is in digital realm, either webpages or video, and you think 3 MP is big enough for that?

I'm seeing 3 MP camera in the $100- 175 range, seems like the the 5 MP are more like 500, which is quite a leap in price so I am wondering what advantage I would gain from the bigger price. pix from 5 MP cameras I have seen had to be re-sized down significantly for video. but I would hate to buy the small one just to learn that I need a bigger one (for some other reason) right away. perhaps there is no reason.

I'm working with a friend's 3 MP camera today and the convenience (for posting things on ebay) is overwhelming.

any particular brand you would recommend/ warn against?

--fj

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Buy one on eBay. Get one made by someone in the
Sep 11, 2004 12:01PM PDT

photography business like Nikon or Canon.

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Re: well lessee . . .
Sep 11, 2004 1:33PM PDT

A 3 meg camera will produce a very good 8x10 print.
For what you have described, a 3 meg camera is all you need.

The camera industry is in a megapixel war and most people do not need high megapixel cameras.

The price range of $100 to $175 limits the number of selections:

$119 - Kodak CX7300 - 3meg, no optical zoom
$134 - Olympus D395 - 3meg, no optical zoom
$158 - Fujifilm A330 - 3meg, 3X zoom
$175 - Pentax Optio 30 - 3meg, 3X zoom

All of the above are point-and-shoot cameras.
The camera of choice would be the Fujifilm A330.

The lowest priced 5meg cameras:
$252 - Fujifilm E510 - 5meg, 3X zoom
$264 - Kodak CX7530 - 5meg, 3X zoom

The Fujifilm E510 is a step above a point-and-shoot camera (it has many manual override controls).
The Kodak CX7530 is point-and-shoot but has numerous scene modes which give you a good bit of control.

The camera of choice between these two is a toss-up.

Note: all prices are based of prices from newegg.com.

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thanks . . . and one more
Sep 12, 2004 12:33PM PDT

well thanks, I think a 3 MP with some manual override ability is what I'm looking for. I have a canon SLR EOS rebel, otherwise no knowledge of cameras. any recommendations? price can be a variable, not a limiting factor, I want to invest in something versatile for long term use. this is great info - fj

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There is a digital version of the Rebel, but, as I recall,
Sep 12, 2004 1:28PM PDT

it has at least six megapixels and costs considerably more than a 3meg camera. Frankly, I think your goals are contradictory. A camera which

'I want to invest in something versatile for long term use'

meets that goal is probably not a 3meg camera. Those are already obsolete.

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Re: thanks . . . and one more
Sep 13, 2004 12:08AM PDT

The 3meg camera that offers the most for the money is the Canon A75. It is an upgrade from Canon's best selling A70.

It sells for $225 and has all the manual override controls. Plus it takes great photos.

Canon has recently released a 4meg version of this camera called the A85. It sells for $296.

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Re: thanks . . . and one more
Sep 14, 2004 8:59AM PDT

that sounds like just the thing. thanks - fj

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Re: is 5 megapixel worth the money?
Sep 13, 2004 3:35AM PDT

I enjoy digital photography and will give you an amateur?s opinion. When you are interested in a particular model, go to the following sites and see if it is reviewed:

www.steves-digicams.com
www.dpreview.com

The latter site tends toward more high-end cameras.

I have a 3.2 MP Nikon and my wife has a 2.1 MP Fuji. With the Fuji set on Fine quality, it is difficult to tell the difference in resolution in the same photo taken with each camera. Both cameras make excellent 8x10 in prints on my Epson Stylus Photo printer.

I would pick a camera with 3X optical zoom, optical viewfinder (in addition to the LCD display), and AA batteries for power. Digital zoom really doesn?t mean much, the LCD viewer is difficult to see in bright sunlight, and AA rechargeable batteries are inexpensive.

If you want an inexpensive pocket camera look at the Minolta Dimage X20 (no optical viewfinder however).

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Digital zoom should be ignored completely.
Sep 13, 2004 7:54AM PDT

It can be done, if desired, later in a photo editing program.