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General discussion

Olympus C-7000 Problems vs. Fujifilm F10

Jun 6, 2005 11:48PM PDT

I recently purchased the Olympus C-7000, and I am disappointed because out of the ten photos I have taken, all but four are blurry. Am I doing something wrong? Or has anyone else had this problem? Maybe I just do not know the camera well enough, so when I point and shoot, I just expect it to be clear. But this blurriness happens repeatedly and I never had this problem with my old Olympus C-560. Any help with this?

I am thinking about taking this camera back and replacing it with either the Fujifilm F10 or Canon G6. I am interested primarily in excellent image quality, although some manual controls would be nice - but not necessary. Any advice about these models?

Discussion is locked

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Olympus C-7000
Jun 7, 2005 2:03AM PDT

Blurry photos are usually cause by camera movement while taking the picture.

The way to determine is to set the camera on a sturdy surface (or a tripod), and take some photos. If it still takes blurry photos then you likely have a camera problem.

If you determine that the problem is not the camera, then it is time to adjust yourself.

When taking a photo, do not jab the shutter button down as this will move the camera. Just like shooting a gun, squeeze the trigger.

When taking a photo, hold the position for two seconds.
...Press down the shutter button, and do not move the camera or yourself for two seconds. A little practice and you will do this every time.

The best method is to use the viewfinder. When using the viewfinder you have the camera rested against your face (Head). You head is steadier than two outstreatched arms.

The Olympus C7000 has a 5X zoom and the further out you zoom, the need for a steady hand increases.

I can take sharp photos with a 10X zoom camera (without image stabilization) by using the viewfinder and leaning my shoulder against a building, tree, post or other sturdy support. I can not get sharp 10X photos while using the LCD.

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If you do decide to change cameras, I would reconsider the F10. While it has its good points, it has few manual adjustments and has no viewfinder.

The Canon G6 is an excellent camera.
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Thanks
Jun 7, 2005 2:53AM PDT

I'll take your advice and if I decide to change, I'll go for the Canon G6.

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Other choices?
Jun 7, 2005 7:04AM PDT

I stopped by a camera shop today to take a closer look at the G6 and to see how it handles. I know that it is a great camera but there are a few things I do not like about it: flip out LCD, and that awful lens cap that either falls off or hangs by the side of the camera while you try to take a shot.

Can you suggest any other possibilities? I am primarily interested in a small, compact camera - no larger than the G6 that provides excellent photo quality: sharpness, clarity, and detail are all important to me. A viewfinder, of course, would be good and perhaps IS, and a few manual controls, but all of this is less important than image quality, ease of use, and battery life. Thanks again.

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Others
Jun 7, 2005 8:49AM PDT

I just finished reading the review on the Nikon 5900 and since you can live without the automatic controls, you might check it out.

It does have quite a few controls that will be helpful.

Plus it takes some sharp detailed photos.

And the price it right - about $260

The review is here:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/nikon5900.html

Be sure to check out the sample photos in the review.

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Cnet Reviews
Jun 8, 2005 2:42AM PDT

Thanks. I have been doing more research on the Nikon 5900 and also the 7900 because of the higher resolution. I've compared the Fujifilm F10, Nikon 7900, Sony Cybershot W7 and Canon SD500 and would like to know which of these offers the best image quality? Cnet/User rates each like this:

1. Fujifilm: 7.2/8.9

2. Nikon 7900: User only 8.0 - no Cnet review

3. Sony W7: 7.2/9.2

4. Canon SD500: 7.2/8.7

Thanks. I am going nuts with this and I am probably driving you there too!

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Best Image Quality
Jun 8, 2005 4:36AM PDT

These 7 megapixel cameras all seem to be stamped out of the same piece of material when you compare image quality. Many of them are probably using the exact same sensor.

They all produce excellent quality photos.

You will have to make your decision on other things.

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Other factors
Jun 8, 2005 11:37PM PDT

OK. The other factors would be good battery life, ease of use, speed, lots of shooting modes and a good, strong lens. I would just go w/ the Canon SD500 but I have read several complaints from users about the lens breaking due to fragility, and then Canon making them pay $165 to repair it. Is this an issue with the SD500 or perhaps just a fluke?
Otherwise, either the Nikon 5900 or 7900 will be it. Would you spend an extra $100 for the 7900 in terms of image quality, sharpness, and the other factors listed above? Thanks. We are moving to a conclusion here.

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Other Factors
Jun 9, 2005 12:05AM PDT

Even when you look very close at photos taken of the same subject with the Nikon 5900 and 7900 I can see no difference in quality or detail.

But is the 7900 worth $100 more?
The answer is maybe.

If you are planning to crop out sections of a photo and expand that crop, the extra megapixels will come in handy.

If you are going to make DVD slideshows with software that uses the "Ken Burns" effect (pan and zoom), the extra megapixels will be worth the $100.

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SD500 lens problem
Jun 9, 2005 2:57AM PDT

OK, thanks. What about the issue of the fragile lens on the Canon SD500 and reports about it fracturing for no apparent reason? Do you know if there is anything substantive about these reports? The SD500 takes great photos and I would seriously consider purchasing it, but unless these are just a few isolated incidents caused by a defective lens, I would not want to dish over another $165 to Canon to repair a problem with a fragile lens.
By the way, you are to be commended and thanked for your patient, thorough and prompt replies to all inquiries and questions. I, for one, really appreciate that about you.

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SD500
Jun 9, 2005 9:13AM PDT

I visited a popular Canon Forum that has a search feature.
I searched six ways from Sunday, but could not find anything about a problem with the lens on the SD500.

I did find complaints about the Canon S410 and one of them mentioned a repair extimate of $165. Perhaps your source of information is talking about the S410 camera.

Do you have a link to the complaints you heard about?

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LCD Problems with Canon SD500
Jun 9, 2005 9:41AM PDT

Check out this link about the LCD in Canon SD500:
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6138

There is yet another problem with the SD500 involving a whining sound during movie mode. See this link:

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6844&page=1&pp=10

Frankly, this was enough to deter me from the SD500, especially when you read about how users had to return up to THREE of these cameras to get one without a loud whiny sound!
Please don't forget to check out my question about the Fujifilm F10 earlier on. I added it to your response about reconsidering that model. Thanks.

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Canon SD500 - Fujifilm F10
Jun 9, 2005 12:54PM PDT

After reading the links you provided, I now understand when you said the SD500 has a fragile lens, you did not mean the lens of the camera.
You were talking about the LCD.

I have seen other reports of LCD breakage. Apparently Canon is still claiming that this is due to the user mishandling the camera. I don't know how this can be resolved unless Canon changes their stance.

The noise in the video files problems have been around for a while. Apparently it only happens on some cameras. But Canon has admitted that there is a problem and has replaced some cameras with this problem.

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The Fujifilm F10 is getting good reports from reviewers. They all report getting excellent photos. And the sensor that Fujifilm is using is very low noise, permitting higher ISO settings. They have been working on that sensor design for several years now. Looks like they have gotten it right this time.

Looks like a good alternative to the SD500.


At least two reviews are available:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_f10-review/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf10zoom/page10.asp

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Fujifilm Finepix F10
Jun 9, 2005 8:42AM PDT

I wanted to also ask you about the F10. I know that it does not have a viewfinder and I am disappointed by that, but it has a large 2.5 in. LCD which could compensate for that deficiency, no? I don't care much about the manual controls, only outstanding image quality, speed and battery life. Every review I read for the F10 gives it a stellar recommendation, even Jeff's at dcresource.com and cnet user reviews are all excellent. I love the Nikon 7900 too, but I am worried about the low light problem some have reported with it. Anyway, I would appreciate your comments about the F10 - especially as a second pocket camera, if I decide to keep my Olympus C-7000.