Posted: 11/23/2005 8:08:33 AM EDT
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For casual to serious use, should I purchase a 5 or 6 megapixel cam with a 10 or 12 x zoom, or a digi slr with 8 megapixels and interchangeable lens? I am unhappy with the base lens that comes on the Canon and Nikon SLR's. Not much zoom range. I am going to use the camera casually and to take landscapes. Yes I "want" a serious camera, but the reality is that I wouldn't use it frequently. Is 5 or 6 megapixels really adequate? One day they'll probably have 20 megapixel cams. At what point are there diminishing returns? Tell me why I should spend the mega bucks for the 8 megapixels. M4-AK EDITED to say my last camera (a former top of the line model) has 3x zoom and 1.6 megapixels and has been pretty satisfying. Would like more zoom, and more sharpness.... 
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I've got a Sony DSC-H1. 5mp, 10x zoom. My last was an Olympus 510 2mp 3x zoom (so I'm in heaven with the Sony). I seriously considered a DSLR but passed. Right now I need a fast, easy to handle camera that is more of a snapshot type setup. The Sony has plenty of adjustment but can be dumbed down nicely to fit what I need. I've owned and used 35mm SLR's before and you'll get better results from a DSLR because of the better sensors and higher quality lenses. You'll pay $$$ for it and you'll also have to deal with carrying a body, a couple of lenses and battery packs as well. You also have to consider if you need RAW or can live with JPG. That will narrow down what you can and can't have quickly. Here are few links from threads I've posted recently with photos from my wandering. Remember these are scaled down from 2592x1944. Almost all of these are snapshot, on the fly type pics. flymeaway.net/images/moon/moon.html ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=411340 ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=410941 ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=410675 ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=410350 ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=409342 ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=408390 ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=408053 ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=406342 ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=406619 ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=405498 |
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First of all, whether 5MP would be enough is dependant on a couple things. First, how big a picture do you intend to print and second, do you want the ability to crop half a picture and still print it at 8x10? Also, all megapixels are NOT created equal. Most non-SLR digicams have small sensor that cram megapixels onto a smaller space, thus creating the potential for lots of digital noise at any ISO over 100 and also causing purple fringing and chromatic abberations. The 8MP on a Canon Rebel XT create much better image quality than the 8MP on a Canon Pro 1 for instance. Second, if you want to do landscapes, you are going to find that most of the superzoom point and shoot cameras aren't wide enough for you at the wide end. Most are the equivalent of 28-35mm focal length at the wide end, and that's just not that wide for landscapes. My advice would be: pick up a Rebel XT body only as cheap as possible, either at one of the reputable online dealers or used on the buy/sell forums at www.fredmiranda.com and then buy yourself a few good lenses. Start with the kit lens and add on a 50mm f1.8 and maybe a 70-300 IS or a 70-200 f4L. Once you put a little money into the camera and lenses you will be motivated to use it more often and it's worth the investment. |