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Old 07-09-2008, 03:30 PM   #1
HungLikeJesus
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I have a Nikon D70 digital SLR, which I really like, but it's so big I don't usually have it with me unless I plan ahead. I recently got a Canon PowerShot SD950 IS, which is small enough to carry in a pocket. It also takes video and has 12.1 megapixels. But optical zoom is only 3.7:1 and the image quality is not as good at the D70.
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Old 07-09-2008, 03:32 PM   #2
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Yeah, the size is a good point HLJ. I have a backpack for my camera and all its accoutrement (including a little Sony cybershot)... kind of a pain.
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Old 07-09-2008, 03:40 PM   #3
Radar
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I bought mine because it's very portable and for the 10x optical zoom. Digital zoom sucks. I don't want to lug around big cameras or change lenses. You can keep it in your pocket. It's pretty sweet.
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Old 07-09-2008, 03:58 PM   #4
HungLikeJesus
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I've been working on my motorcycle carburetors this week and have been using the Canon to record each piece as I take it apart. The Nikon would be better for this job because it can be focused manually, but I'm concerned about getting it greasy or damaged. The smaller cameras seem more rugged.
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Old 07-09-2008, 04:17 PM   #5
BigV
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Agreed, noise is bad.

There are cameras, that for nominally identical settings, one is noiser than the other. Some of this delta is due to the camera/sensor's sensitivity, and some of it is because there isn't a direct object conversion to digital, shared among manufacturers for the wet-film concept of ISO.

The answer, of course, is try it out for yourself.

I don't know how my camera compares to this one or that one wrt noise, but I do know how it compares to my standards for noise. And, I have found that lately I've become something of a noise snob. I don't like it. Since I have just the one camera, and I am otherwise pretty happy with it in toto, I have to take other steps to turn down the noise.

For me, that means shooting at the lowest possible "ISO" setting, and using my other options to compensate for the exposure. Finding a camera with a complete set of manual controls is necessary for this. I must say that I doubted (ever so briefly) HLJ's statement that his camera didn't have a manual focus mode (He was right, I was wrong, it does not). I would consider this kind of design choice unacceptable for my needs, and probably yours too.

While I'm on my high horse, I just want to say that 10x optical zoom is quite impressive and that "digital zoom" is no better than simply moving your head closer to the screen. Do not be mislead.
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Old 07-09-2008, 04:19 PM   #6
HungLikeJesus
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My Canon went Kaboom!
No! to Backyard Fireworks
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Old 07-09-2008, 04:20 PM   #7
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pls redo.. link fubar.
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Old 07-10-2008, 01:07 AM   #8
xoxoxoBruce
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Image stabilization.
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Old 07-10-2008, 10:14 AM   #9
Radar
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These photos were taken using the previous version of the camera that I have. This is the TZ3K.

http://www.flickr.com/cameras/panasonic/dmc-tz3

My TZ4K is the best portable point & shoot camera I've ever had. I can't speak highly enough about it.
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Old 07-10-2008, 10:38 AM   #10
footfootfoot
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I've got the A710 IS, but it has been replaced with the 720, more pixels.
here is a random shot, intentionally underexposed a half stop to preserve detail in the peaflower.
Attached Images
 
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Old 07-10-2008, 11:22 AM   #11
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For a random shot, that's pretty nice.
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Old 07-10-2008, 11:44 AM   #12
footfootfoot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glatt View Post
For a random shot, that's pretty nice.
I'm telling you it's the camera. Awesome.

(thanks)
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Old 07-10-2008, 11:35 AM   #13
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My Canon went kaboom!

my whistles went woooooo!!!
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Old 07-10-2008, 12:01 PM   #14
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It's a modest worker that credits the tool.
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Old 07-10-2008, 03:00 PM   #15
Radar
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3' is a good photographer. Here are some photos taken with my camera, but I didn't take 'em.







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Last edited by Radar; 07-10-2008 at 03:05 PM.
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