looking for a digital camera

[Avatar28]

Just wondering if anyone knows of any digital cameras with good low light sensitivity and a good (at least 6-8x) optical zoom. I'm looking for an ISO of at LEAST 1600-2000. Sony has one with a 3x optical zoom and an ISO3200 but aside from the low zoom, it also uses memory stick and I would much prefer to stick with SD if at all possible since they're cheaper and more standard. Fairly small size is a plus, the camera would be used among other things to take pictures when caving. Oh yes, video capabilities would be a nice bonus. Nothing super high-res, just VGA/DVD quality would be sufficient for most purposes.

 

[Sigman]

You might want to take a look through some of these threads...

 

[Windscale]

Read as many reputable reviews before you buy. Many digital cameras have settings for ISO 1600 - 3200, but many of them cannot really take good pictures at these settings. Take a look at the Fujifilm cameras. Most of them do quite well in terms of noise at high ISOs.

 

[jpmblok]

Hi,

Canon G9 only goes up to 1600 iso. Great camera though :thumbsup: incl. RAW files.
Check review here:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082005canong9.asp

Hope this helps, Maurice

 

[Windscale]

Hi,

Canon G9 only goes up to 1600 iso. Great camera though :thumbsup: incl. RAW files.
Check review here:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082005canong9.asp

Hope this helps, Maurice

But the noise above ISO 200 is already terrible. ISO 1600 is not really usable. RAW is good, but not everyone is into Photoshop. The A640 has the same len and cheaper if only for point and shoot.

Take a look at the ISO test shot (about 2/3 way down the review):

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_g9-review/index.shtml

I think this camera is too expensive for the performance.

 

[Avatar28]

You might want to take a look through some of these threads...

Link doesn't work, just says "sorry no matches"

Anyways, the noise thing is what I've been seeing with most of the high ISO cameras. Kodak supposedly developed a new sensor that is supposed to be 3-4 times as efficient at light gathering, but apparently it won't be shipping until sometime early next year so figure at least another year for products that include it. I suppose that I could try to go with an okay quality 35mm using 800 speed film if I can find a compact that can handle manual settings. That or I could do the CPF thing and lug a largish battery pack and a honking big light around the cave with me.

 

[louie]

I have the Fujifilm F30 for most of your reasons. IMO, it is entirely usable through ISO 1600, although ISO3200 looks a bit like a watercolor. Zoom is only 3X, but it is a pocket camera. The video is pretty good, but you cannot zoom while shooting. Excellent battery life (spec is 500 shots/charge). After several Canon Powershots, which take excellent photos in normal light, I went for the Fujifilm F10, then the F30 for the low light performance.

 

[Windscale]

I have the Fujifilm F30 for most of your reasons. IMO, it is entirely usable through ISO 1600, although ISO3200 looks a bit like a watercolor. Zoom is only 3X, but it is a pocket camera. The video is pretty good, but you cannot zoom while shooting. Excellent battery life (spec is 500 shots/charge). After several Canon Powershots, which take excellent photos in normal light, I went for the Fujifilm F10, then the F30 for the low light performance.

I quite agree. Fujifilm is doing a good job regarding noise. I have the F11 and E900. I think between us we have got the best of Fuji's point and shoot. Oh, I had the E550 before I swapped it for the E990. The F40 and F50 are nowhere near as good. Having got used to the excellent noise level it would be difficult to switch to another make.

 

[Sigman]

Hopefully that link works now - checked it last night, I'll blame it on the barometric pressure!

 

[Windscale]

Hopefully that link works now - checked it last night, I'll blame it on the barometric pressure!

Not quite!

 

[Avatar28]

I'm leaning towards possibly the A900 or A920 if I can figure out what the difference is and if the latter is worth the extra $25. Both are under $200 which is good.

 

[Sigman]

I'm dyin' here! Off to troubleshoot my links...

Well I was using "digital camera" for a search term using the CPF Advance Search. When I got the results & tested the link it worked. Possibly something to do with my log on/cookies...

Ok...so this time I used used "digital camera" using Google to search just CPF. Works for me now. I'll log out/back in and see what happens.

Oh and BTW, you can do the same & I'll just quit - again, it may be something specific to my own logon.

 

[Avatar28]

Well between you guys and others I've come to the conclusion that I need to look for a Fuji with the SuperCCD. Now it's just a matter of figuring out which one. At the moment I'm looking at the A900/A920 (I'm sure the 920 has to be better, I just don't know how yet. I guess I should email them and ask) or possibly the F40fd or F31fd. I would really love to get the S6500fd but I think it's a bit out of my price range.

 

[ViReN]

You might want to take a look through some of these threads...

A simpler way to search through CPF (without using google) and links wont go "off"

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/search.php?q=digital+camera&do=process

:nana: it's a soft 'hack'