Serious Advice needed for new digi cam

rahulghosh

hi all,
pls help me...........

me planning for a new digi cam.
budget - 20k (with papers) and 15k (gray market)
primary research done. liked cams like -
1. sony dsc h50/b
2. nikon coolpix p80
3. panasonic lumix DMC FZ 50
4. canon powershot S5IS
5. olympus UZ SP570

I hope from this list, it is understood that which kind of cams i want. main target 15x-20x optical zoom.

pls give me some info,
1. + and - of these cams and experience if any
2. any other good cam in this range and features
3. shop info in kolkata or gray mkt shops info
4. price range for these cams

and what all u think i should know abbout it....

puchoo

Have you considered Kodak.... there is a particular model of Kodak , around 17k , which offers a very high zoom range..

I think the model is Z 612 - 12X SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIGON Optical Zoom Lens

This is incidentally one we are using right now, bought it a little over 1.5 years back...

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Bhaswaran

I buy all my gear from the gray market. I found Md. Muslim at Metro Gali (the narrow lane beside Metro cinema) very reliable. You can contact him. All the cameras referred by you are good, the Canon S5 and Nikon P80 might be available readily with good backup.

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rahulghosh

@puchoo and bhaswaran....

no no no...this small references wont work........give me some indepth gyan......pls.......

puchoo

The only camera i have had experience with in the list u provided is the Panasonic , and from what i can tell its a good camera.

Cant help you with Gray markets in Kolkata, since i dont reside there , but i would urge you to check the difference between retail outlets and the gray market, the difference could be small enough for you to buy it from a proper shop.... i would not , if i was spending 17-20k , buy it from a Gray market retailer to begin with.

Bhaswaran

Actually Rahul, I have not handling experiences of this models nor I have studied about them. I use SLRs, and would advice you to spend a little more and buy a D-SLR, but if you want that zoom range of 12-15x, you have to spend more. Otherwise, from various reviews I understand that the Canon S5IS is a superhit, in terms of zoom, image stabilization, and overall quality, but dont even think that they will match the performance of SLRs.

rahulghosh

@ bhaswaran
actually even i want to buy a D-SLR, but I am not sure how much time can I devote to photography....I am really very attracted to highend photography and technicalities....but due to time constraint I couldnt persue it......money is also the second constraint.....what is the range for a starting level DSLR???

rahulghosh

@ BHASWARAN,
but if you want that zoom range of 12-15x, you have to spend more. - --- NOT CLEAR....As per my research, the 12-15x zoom range comes in the 20-22k range......

rahulghosh

point taken sir.....i will sure do so...

Bhaswaran

Around 25-30K, you will get the entry level D-SLRs from Nikon and Canon, may be Olympus also. All are very good. But avoid interchanging lenses as ours is a dusty atmosphere. Try to buy a superzoom with it to satisfy your needs.

Bhaswaran

I wanted to say, with a D-SLR, for getting this type of zoom range, you have to buy a superzoom separately, like 18-200 or 18-135. That would cost you another 25-30K apart from the body of the camera. In that case, buy the Nikon D80 with the 18-135 (27-200) kit lens at around 40-45K. It will come in one combination, and is a great combination.

rahulghosh

thamks bhaswaran but my budget is on the lower side.....i think for now i hav to b satisfied with Ultra zooms only......SLRs should b kept in my heart as dream.....for now atleast......

hal2004

I have an Olympus 750C. It has an excellent lens and optical zoom. My camera is old, and only 4Mb, but it takes better pictures than some of the newer 8-10Mb cameras.

The only downside is the viewfinder is dim.

mousourik

what about 3ccd digicams ? all the cameras listed above are single ccd ? i think, only panasonic offers 3ccd cameras within 25k.

Bhaswaran

But those are movie cameras Sou. Even there are features of movie cameras clicking stills, I never expect them to match the quality of a still camera, and vice versa, today compact digital still cameras can shoot movies also, but never expect them to deliver the quality given by a dedicated movie camera. These features are only marketing gimmicks to sale a product. I use a dedicated movie camera for videos, although I am not very serious about it like I am in still picture, and have produced only one DVD of my trip to Darjeeling since bought it about two years ago.