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Camera Suggestions?

phillycheez

Respected Member
6/6/09
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Sooo... im probably going to buy a camera within the week... any suggestions? I would prefer it to be under $200 but if its that much better i could probably go up to $300. I really like idea of the water-proof olympus but its up in the air really. I know there are people on here that are just as into camera's as they are into watches... well probably not but i know you guys enjoy taking quality pictures with your camera's (of your watches). Anyways... suggestions? advice? Anything? maybe a direction to a thread?
 

madcatlancelot

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21/12/08
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Hi phillycheeze,

You might want to take a look at Canon Powershot/Ixus models (maybe the Powershot SD880 IS), it has always been the better shooter in that price range based on my experience. I'm currently using a Canon Powershot SD880 IS (Ixus 870IS in Asia) and this camera has nice shooting options for a compact.

Few notable features are, Optical Image Stabilizer, Macro shooting as close as 2cm (very good for close up pictures), 28mm wide angle lens, 10megapixels, and a huge 3.0 inch screen. You can find the camera review here. http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd880-is/4505-6501_7-33310695.html

Regards,
madcatlancelot
 

gumption rusty

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13/6/09
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i'm a huge fan of the Canon Powershot sd790 IS.
very good macro shots, perfect for watch photography. can get them for around $150 on ebay. a new model is out, can't remember the name - the only difference is it has 4x optical zoom as opposed to 3x on this one.

i've actually bought 3 of these cameras. the first one my mother dropped on cement at my wedding and ruined, the 2nd one i lost, just bought my third. couldn't be happier with this camera.
 

phillycheez

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6/6/09
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wow, these is a lot harder than i thought. i definitely want to be able to take quality macro shots. anybody got any examples with their canons? i have been reading about the olympus 1030 and tough 8000 but it looks like you suffer picture quality with ruggedness. madcatlancelot said he could take macros up to 2cm! thats pretty impressive, but its kinda over my budget. i say kinda because i could definitely afford that camera, but i just want to make sure its really worth it.
 

gumption rusty

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13/6/09
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my computers motherboard crashed last week so sadly I can't include any macro shots I've taken with my sd790 (crap two weeks for me - I lost my camera, laptop died, xbox broke, and I brokey leg). sob stories aside I used my powershot to do lots of object photography - food, rust, wine labels, etc. I'm of course biased because I really think highly of this camera but of all the handhelds I've owned this one does the best macros. I just won an eBay auction yesterday for a new one fir $120 - so it's definitely in your price range (1 1/2 years ago when it was released list on this bad boy $349).

other than macro it has some great features like color isolate, continuous shooting, widescreen shots, ect.

now I'm going to go apply for a job at canon.

hope this helps!
 

phillycheez

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6/6/09
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just read the reviews on that camera... its definitely a possibility! that sd790 has killer reviews. i am not a camera expert so i just thought usually, more money = better camera kind of mind set. ill look more into it. those are definitely some sad stories and it all happened in two weeks! im sure things will come around, its not like things can get any worse. lets hope didnt just jinx you...
 

gumption rusty

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thanks..it's not all bad though - today I received my new big pilot in the mail. couldn't be happier about that!
with regards to pricing it's all a matter of what's new. the newer version of that camera as I mentioned earlier, I think the sd890, is about $120 more expensive despite having the exact same features.

camera technology hasn't improved much in the past year and a half - if it was cutting edge then it still is. the newer camera with like 12 megapixels are basically overkill - I rarely shoot above 4mp.

either way, I hope you end up getting something you're happy with.
 

phillycheez

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6/6/09
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So i guess i figured out what camera to buy... its the Olympus SP-565 UZ. It's just a step up from a regular point and shoot camera, i guess considered more of a hybrid but more or less in the same category. A good camera for a beginner like me.

here are some pics...

olympusfront.jpg


olympustop.jpg


olympusback-1.jpg


It was originally going for retail price of $400 but due to newer models coming out its down to around $250. I think its a good buy considering what it can do and also you can take macro shots as close as 1cm!!

So anyways just wondering what you guys think and should i just go ahead and pull the trigger??
 

madcatlancelot

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21/12/08
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Looks sweet in that price, considering that the Olympus SP-565 UZ has DSLR-like specs.

I personally haven't tried this model, but based on the reviews it looks like it's a performer. :D

Here's some quick macro shot using my Canon SD880IS at around 2cm range.

SOSFmacroshot.jpg

SOSFmacroshot2.jpg
 

phillycheez

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6/6/09
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oh man, your getting me excited! i believe my camera will come around the same day my two watches come