Advice on digital camera

Discussion in 'Science, Technology & Car Chat' started by Phantoman, Mar 30, 2010.

  1. Phantoman

    Phantoman Well-Known Member

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    It's time to replace my ancient Nikon Coolpix 5900 (5.1 Megapixels and 3x Zoom). I guess most phones nowadays have better built-in cams than my camera -blush So I am looking for a consumer digicam which can also record HD video. So no, I do not want something professional with a telelens since I am not planning to become a paparazzi. So before I do a shotgun buy I thought I would check the opinions on here.

    My eyes are fixed on the Sony DSC-HX5V, but the wifey is more interested in the Sony DSC-TX7. I have to admit that the TX7 is quite nice looking and has more brag-factor with the touchscreen and all. On the other hand, the HX5V has more voyeur-factor with the 10x zoom :) Are there any better choices out there in your opinion ?

    I am also thinking of replacing my ancient camcorder, but I'll open a new topic for that in the future if needed. At this moment I am just wondering whether it's worth even considering a camcorder if nowadays you can record HD video with a digicam.
     
  2. fearless_fx

    fearless_fx Eugooglizer

    The first choice is infinitely better in my opinion. 10X zoom and likely way more customization is a major selling point, also it has a really good wide-angle lens.

    The second one is definitely more compact, my uncle has one of the older models with the same formfactor, and i felt that its really not that comfortable to use, its just too thin, plus the zoom is terrible. Having a touchscreen on a camera is like a 2 minute wow factor, but you should really be going with the camera that takes better photos, and i'd say the first choice seems like the better option.
     
  3. Choy1314

    Choy1314 Well-Known Member

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  4. Phantoman

    Phantoman Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the advice guys. Call me p<beep>y whipped, but I'm now leaning towards the TX7. Here is a comparison of the picture quality between the TX7 and the HX5 and I do not see much difference to be honest. The video quality looks fine as well.

    Another reason I would prefer it is for portability. It would easily fit into a pocket. I guess that won't be the case for the others. But then again, the TX7 is more expensive than the other ones though. Hmmm ... decisions decisions ...

    Oh oh, the other reason I lean towards the TX7 is definitely for the wow-factor. I don't have a fancy phone or any other fancy gadget for that matter (comes with the age I guess), so from time to time I want to experience some of the cool stuff in life as well. After all, it's not everyday that my boss agrees with me buying an expensive gadget :)
     
  5. BestOffer

    BestOffer Well-Known Member

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    keep note that NOT all long zooms are good...they are good selling points to consumers but they can be slow...when you need them...i can't comment because i am not a sony fan, they are just over-priced
     
  6. MrCooperS

    MrCooperS Well-Known Member

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    If you don't need pocket portability, I would suggest picking up a DSLR. Their prices are dropping like flies right now and it's the perfect time to pick one up. The new Canon T2i just came up and it's pushing the T1i model's price so low that you can pick them up for around the mid $500s. Their able to shoot HD 720p or 1080p and image quality will outclass any of the digital camera you listed. Their not very hard to learn either so don't be intimidate by them. Now is a great time to pick up a DSLR.
     
  7. -Tisken-

    -Tisken- Well-Known Member

    yea your rite!! :)
    but the thing is... the body is cheap, but the lenses and other accessories are very expensive D:
     
  8. best dslr's are nikkon and cannon, best slr is Panasonic lumix fz28 imo. imo sony best for thoses little compact cameras you can put in your pocket
     
  9. MrCooperS

    MrCooperS Well-Known Member

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    I totally agree. The lenses are expensive. But I think a regular kit lens and the accessories that come with a DSLR kit can outclass any pocket digi cam ;)
     
  10. kontradictions

    kontradictions Well-Known Member

    /Thread.
     
  11. i got a cannon powershot A590 >.<
     
  12. BestOffer

    BestOffer Well-Known Member

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    can't beat the weigh thou, many p&s cameras are 100-200g, where as the dslr ppl will have to carry a pound or two, just not that convenient for some...plus getting a bag, + accessories, it isn't cheap
     
  13. gordonng85

    gordonng85 Well-Known Member

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    Canon S90

    /thread.
     
  14. ralphrepo

    ralphrepo Well-Known Member

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    The thing that impressed me with either sony camera is the "sweep panorama" feature. I just wish that the Canon SD940 that I have, had that too. But in terms of choice, since they're both 10MP or so, the slightly larger LCD despite it's much smaller size, makes the TX7 a compelling buy. There is little price difference ($50USD) between the two. Also, their 35MM lens equivalents at the low range are exactly the same (~25MM). The TX7 is not as capable in telephoto range (equivalent to 100MM vs 250MM of the HX5V) but one can always enlarge the image in software. IDK about anyone else, but I've never really "needed" that powerful of a telephoto, even when I used to shoot with 35MMs.
     
    #14 ralphrepo, Apr 16, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 16, 2010
  15. bbes

    bbes Incredible

    panasonic make good point and shoot cameras. so do canon. have a look at the ixus 100 that is pretty good. so is the panasonic fx series, or the tz series if u want good optical zoom. infact there are a lot of prizes out there for the tz series and the price is in the same range i think.
     
  16. bigball

    bigball Active Member

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    i like canon. easy to use and download or print to any way .
     
  17. ^ so is any other camera.
     
  18. vayha

    vayha Well-Known Member

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    If you got the cash, get a 'Leica' one. There top notch
     
  19. bbes

    bbes Incredible

    panasonic uses the leica lenses if i'm correct which is what makes them so good.
     
  20. Phantoman

    Phantoman Well-Known Member

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    Disclaimer: I'm not an art / video / photography expert. So take the following with a pinch of salt.

    Thanks guys (and ladies) for all the advices. I did go for the TX7 ... and a red/violet one to be exact. Not that I like girly colors, but it was the last one in store (showroom model) and I got 50 euro discount on it. So I couldn't resist the offer.

    I have to say that I really like the camera until now, but then again anything would have made me happy compared to my 5 year old digicam. The Twilight option for taking pictures in low light environments is nice, assuming the shot contains more or less static objects though. The Panoramic sweep is awesome! It's so easy to do even a child can do it, the cam does the patch up work quite nicely even with moving objects. The only drawback is the battery life, so I got an extra one. Even then both batteries ran out of juice just before the end of Eason Chan's concert last Saturday, but ok ... I took like 1:30 hours of HD video and 33 pics. If cheap 3rd-party batteries come out I am sure to get an one as well.