Opinions?

or recommendations on something else in a similar price range.
Key points for me is megapixel and shutter time.



Olympus SP-350 Digital Camera $320

8-megapixel: The Olympus SP-350 digital camera delivers pictures with 8-megapixel resolution. You can create brilliant 4" x 6" prints or enlarge images to 11" x 14".

2.5" LCD: It's easy to frame your shot, review images and access the menu using the large 2.5" LCD screen.

Zoom: See all the details—the 3x optical zoom lets you get up close before you take your shot, and the additional 5x digital zoom lets you enlarge the details before or after shooting.

TruePic TURBO™ Image Processor: Accelerates the camera's start-up time and decreases the shutter release lag time so you can capture images more rapidly. The TruePic TURBO™ Image Processor also gives you quicker image playback for instant gratification.

Red-eye fix: The camera's built-in red-eye fix feature removes the red-eye in your photos with just the push of a button.

Shooting modes: Use any of the 30 preset shooting modes, including 24 scene modes, to capture incredible shots in any light. There's no need to adjust the camera manually—just choose a mode and start shooting.

Movie mode: When a snapshot just isn't enough, you can record video clips (with audio) directly to your memory card. Use the Movement Compensation feature during recording to get a steady movie every time.

Add optional accessories: A threaded lens barrel and hot shoe allow for the addition of a conversion lens or an external flash (sold separately).

Image editing: Edit pictures right in the camera, including removing red eye.

PictBridge-enabled: Simply hook up this camera to any PictBridge-enabled printer to print pictures without a computer. A one-touch EASYPRINT button allows for easy printing.

Memory: This digital camera comes with 25MB of internal memory, which stores around 8 pictures at the highest resolution. Get the most out of your camera by adding a 1GB xD-Picture Card™. How much memory do you need? Click here to find out.

 

What is "shutter time"?

 

In the same price range I'd rather have a 5mp Canon SD450 than an 8mp Olympus.

B & H for $309.95

 

The addition of manual Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes gives users versatility and control for optimal performance in any situation. Users can express their creative vision - adjusting the f-stop for detailed portraits with softened backgrounds, or slowing the exposure speed to create the blurred effect of motion.

The fast startup of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so you are always ready to take great pictures.

Automatic Pixel Mapping (APM) available via menu setting identifies failed pixels that accumulate over time and compensates for them automatically, Noise reduction is set automatically at shutter speeds of 0.5 second or longer.

Shutter Type Not Specified

Shutter Speed 15 - 1/2000 seconds, Bulb

Start-Up Time 1.0 second

Shutter Lag 0.01 seconds

Time Between Shots 1.0 second

Burst Capability High speed: 2.4 fps up to 2 frames
Normal speed: 1.5 fps up to 10 frames

 

since I'm not all up to par with all the dig cameras, can you explain why?

 

Ah, so you're looking for a low lag time between when you press the shutter button and when it actually takes the shot. There are many cameras to choose from that are fast, I'm sure I can recommend one for you.

So the next question I have is why 8 mp? Unless you're printing very large shots, then I wouldn't worry too much about how many megapixels it has. Remember, you have to quadruple the pixels to double the resolution. In other words, a 12mp camera has twice the resolution of a 3mp camera. Anything over 5 mp will be more than adequate for printing an 8"x10" @ 240 ppi.

There are many other attributes to a camera that affect the overall image quality. More importantly, there are bigger creative decisions to be made: Do you like wide shots or telephoto? Do you like macro (close up) stuff? Do you shoot sports? Do you like to shoot indoors or in low-light conditions?

These sorts of questions are far more helpful for suggesting a good camera for you than asking us to find other cameras similar to the Olympus.

 

Cool stuff...thanks...

I would like to print photos out 4x6, 8x10 and some even larger...
I would like to have the option to be able to shot events that has fast movements...
Not sure about the wide shots and telephoto....
I like macro shots...but wouldnt be my main thing
Some indoors but I think it will mainly be outdoors

Thanks again

 

Ok that's definitely better.

So keeping the budget around $350, there are quite a few models to choose from. Based on the size of the Olympus, I assume that you don't need a camera that will fit in your pocket.

Here are few other models to consider:
Canon A620 (review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona620/page14.asp )
Nikon Coolpix 7900 (review: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_...nikon7900.html )
Sony Cybershot W7 (review: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/w7.html )

Having played with all of them, I would say the Canon A620 is the best of the bunch, but all are quite good. My biggest gripe with the Oly and Sony is their choice of memory formats. Oly uses XD and Sony uses Memory Stick. SD or CF is much more readily available and more affordable.

All of those cams will do a good job for what you're trying to do. If you're looking to spend more money, there are few models above them that might do a better job of low-light shooting or have a wider field of view, but there's nothing wrong with these machines in the $350 range.

Just for reference, here's a comparison of megapixels vs. photo size:

 

I should also add that there is a big photography trade show going on right now, and many of the models I've recommended are being replaced by new ones. If you can wait a month or two, it would be a good idea. I'll look up the replacements for you in a minute...

 

Canon A620 will be replaced by the A700: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022108canona700.asp

Nikon 7900 looks like it will be replaced by the P4, but I'm not 100% on that: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022102nikonp3.asp

The Sony W7 doesn't look like it's going to be replaced soon, but the W30 and W50 have been added to the W series: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06...sonydscw30.asp

 

Shutter-time/lag-time = "cycle" time

Dan - Just took a quick look at the photos only of the new models you listed. Personally, after having used it, I think I'd prefer my flip-screen LCD to the larger, fixed one. Have really enjoyed that feature.

 

Very strange that the flip screen was removed from the A700.

 

Ain't that the truth!!! Now you go tell 'em, Dom!!!

 

thanks Dan!

 

Basically I have a Canon point and shoot and a Canon XT, so I'm a little partial to Canon and a Compact Flash card. As Dan said the Olympus uses a xD-Picture Card (16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512MB or 1GB). If you ever upgrade to from a point and shoot Canon to a DSLR you can have the same memory. It's just little things like that and you really can't go wrong getting a Canon or Nikon.

 

canon is looking like the way to go now

 

This is not true anymore. Unfortunately new cameras are migrating towards SD, and DSLRS use compactflash. So memory compatibility between the two is no longer a valid point.

You may, however, be able to use SD in a phone or pda. xD is fairly useless across the board, though.

Why don't you go to a store, play with them a bit and see which you like?
I'd probably get the A620 for the swivel screen. Swivel screens are fun.

 

Aside from learning the facts and info --- it is a lot of fun and a good idea to see and try different models in person. See which one you like best based on your needs and thoughts.

 

There's only so much you can learn from online reviews.