DIGITAL CAMERAS - What's on the shelf for $600 ? -- Asourdough4 finds Four!
Nov 06 '01 (Updated Nov 16 '01)
The Bottom Line These Digital Cameras represent the very latest consumer oriented technology. Any one might satisfy but only ONE, NIKON-885, is likely to meet the needs of most adventurous photographers.
Pros: The NEW CoolPix-885 is the Best in the $600 price range Digital Camera Group
Cons: Very few - all of those noticed affect the other three entries.
AN OVERVIEW OF 4 DIGITAL CAMERAS FOR $600
Note: Not one of the 4 models discussed herein had been added to the Epinions Database as of this date. Thus, this review is published in the next best category - that of an Essay on Choosing a Digital Camera.
Yesterday, Saturday November 4, 2001, I visited the Best Buy store in Reno, NV to see what is what in the fascinating field of Digital Photography. Since Epinions has not updated its product database to include any of these new models, I am pleased to introduce all four of them in this abbreviated format. Be sure to see the Complete Descriptions in the relevant Internet Websites.
It is not easy for a typical shopper to cope with the overwhelming selection I found on display in this very busy store. Best Buy has its act together; nearly every one of the digital cameras on display was connected to a power supply and was in good working order. Like a kid in a candy store, I rummaged through the some 30 offerings and enjoyed fighting with other customers to get a "Hands On" impression of the very latest of these Very High Tech devices.
Bruised and worn out, I stood back and tried to figure out how to make sense of this bonanza. The major brands such as Kodak, Sony, Canon, Olympus, Nikon, were represented with multiple entries. Prices ranged from $189 to $1,200. How does one decide? How does one manage to select The Best and most Suitable product?
A rational shopper must rely upon many factors, including: Brand, Price, Type, Dimensions, Use, Style, Weight, Accessories, Performance, and reports from various sources such as Trade Publications, Experts, Reviews, and Word of Mouth. Or, there is always the least objective of all factors for buyers (and the most desireable to sellers), Impulse.
I assume that the rational layman/everyman probably would be most sensitive to price. Among the brands were various price ranges; from economy to luxury. Because I wanted to include something Howard_Creech would consider, I used $579 to $600, the most I could possibly afford to pay and the lowest price for which one could obtain a Nikon product. I looked (or hoped) for minimum features: Optical Zoom, an LCD Image Display Screen, Optical Viewfinder, Storage Media in the box.
That reduced the selection to FOUR. Entries from Nikon, Olympus, and Sony made the cut.
Digital Camera Models, Resolution (in MP (Megapixels), Optical Zoom, Type and size of removable memory media (CF=CompactFlash, SM=SmartMedia, MS=Memory Stick, FD=3.5" Floppy Disk):
Nikon Coolpix 885 - 3.21MP, 3x,16MB CF
Olympus C700UZ - 2.11MP, 10x, 8MB SM
Sony DSCP5 - 3.34MP, 3x, 8MB MS
Sony MVCFD92 - 1.6FD, 8x, 8-64MB MS
Each of the 4 was researched on the respective Internet Sites. I downloaded the Features and Specifications using the links noted below. The NikonUsa site would not load, which obliged me to use the Canadian site.
I followed the lead of the retailer, mentioning the features deemed by them as most relevant. Each site visited had ample specifications; precluding the need to open the package before purchase (nor are the full specs needed here); therefore, potential buyers are URGED to utilize these Internet resources. Above all, shop around.
COMMENTS and COMPARISONS
NOTE: Reviewer has owned and operated digital cameras for two years. One, HP C200, failed after 1 year. Its successor(s), HP 215/315 are not recommended because they were cheapened knockoffs of the HP 200. My useless one was replaced by Office Depot. In order to get the same features that were in the HP 200, I had to upgrade and spend an extra $100 ($400 total) to HP 618. That one also has been superceded but some retailers still show stock. HP 618 is no longer recommended because it is not in the price range being studied and uses those darned AA Batteries.
These experiences made possible very rapid evaluations right on the "Best Buy" display counter. I urge everyone to perform a "hands on", powered up, detailed trial before buying.
Power Systems are most crucial to the user in terms of cost and availability. Those Digital Cameras that utilize the ubiquitous AA Batteries are NOT recommended. Rechargeable or not, the only good thing about the AA Battery is its universal availability. Ideally, any digital camera should come with a battery and an AC charger, especially if the camera uses a proprietary battery. Manufacturers plague buyers with warnings about using just any charger - doing this could void the warranty but will definitely save you a lot of $. Don't try to skimp with the AC Power Adapter - you WILL VOID THE CAMERA WARRANTY in many cases.
Image resolution may vary according to need. E-Mail and Website uses need the least, enlarged Photograph copies the most. All 4 can satisfy this range of needs.
Smallest: Nikon CP885
Largest (and heaviest): Sony FD-92
Most Interesting (or troublesome) Features:
Nikon: Auto + 12 Scene Modes: Portrait, Party/Indoor, Night Portrait, Beach/Snow, Landscape, Sunset, Night Landscape, Museum, Fireworks, Close-Up, Copy, and Back Light. "Museum" allows indoor exposures without flash.
(CON CP885 comes with a one-use Lithium Battery that has plenty of useful life but will eventually fail. It is wise to obtain a rechargeable battery and charger. See Howard Creech's strategy on this issue, URL is below.)
Olympus: QuickTime exposures Black and White Mode, Blackboard Mode. Olympus uses Smartmedia Cards and AA Size Batteries
Sony DSC-P5: Optical Viewfinder, Internal Resize Function. "Info Lithium" Battery, can be charged within the camera.
Sony MVC-FD92: Oldest Design. Multi Media accepted, either 3.5" Floppy or Memory Sticks can be used - Images can be directed to either. Largest and heaviest of the group, LCD Viewfinder is a nuisance..
RANKINGS
1. Nikon COOLPIX 885 (Hands down, by a mile)
2. Olympus C-700 Ultra Zoom
3. Sony MVC-FD92
4. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P5
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Useful Links:
http://www.nikonca.com/
http://www.olympususa.com/
http://www.sony.com/
For an in depth field evaluation of the Nikon CP885, see a Professional's take on this Digital Camera, cut and paste:
http://www.epinions.com/content_46290931332
For detailed data on the HP618 Digital Camera, cut and paste to:
http://www.epinions.com/content_1315774740
Amount Paid (US$): $579 to $600
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Epinions.com ID:
ASourdough4
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Member: Maurice McDonell
Location: Above Beautiful Napa Valley
Reviews written: 200
Trusted by: 193 members
About Me:
July-2009 Gone to the Wide World of Wireless. Still reading and rating. Mostly elsewhere.
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