Which camera....
 

I am looking for a camera for use from a cruise ship's balcony to
catch whales, and to take photos as we come into and go out of ports
both for a cruise to Mexico's west coast and to Alaska. As well I want
to use the camera for other things, but a larger optical zoom factor
is a must. So the following seem to be the cameras I am considering...
Which is the best choice?

Some use SD cards while others require a unique and expensive memory
stick. Each has different features. The lens quality is also an issue.
Steve's Digicam has NOT reviewed the newest cameras in the list yet,
so I cannot tell if I should even consider those cameras, except that
the 18x Optical Zoom from FujiFilm is definitely a major factor. I
will likely be buying via someone in the U.S. and have the camera
shipped to Utah as the first cruise is out of L.A. in about 6 weeks
and I can then get it from my son, who lives in Utah, at the ship,
where we will be meeting. I refuse to pay a higher price in Canada for
a camera when the Canadian dollar is actually worth more so the camera
should be cheaper in Canada!

So folks, which camera should I buy, and WHY should I choose that
particular model, or not choose a different model, from the following
list. [and Yes, I recognise that this will all be subjective.]

RsH
--------------------------------------------------
1. FujiFilm FinePix S8000fd 18x Optical Zoom 8.0 megapixel
US$284 from Broadway Photo and C$444.63 from Agile Electronics are the
lowest prices TODAY when the U.S. and Canadian dollar are basically
identical in value.

2. Canon PowerShot SX100-IS 10x Optical Zoom 8.3 megapixel
US$241 from Broadway Photo and C$373 at Mostly Digital in Ontario
Again the prices are out of line since Canon in Japan has set the
wholesale price in Canada at a higher amount than the wholesale price
in the U.S. - This camera is hitting the marketplace NOW in October,
2007 when the U.S. dollar is worth LESS than the Canadian dollar.

3. Canon PowerShot S5-IS 12x Optical Zoom 8.3 megapixel
US$299 from Broadway Photo and C$438 from Cendirect.com in Montreal.
Same basic issue on price.... but this camera has been in the market
place longer.

4. Olympus SP-550UZ 18x Optical Zoom 7.4 megapixel
US$276 from Broadway Photo and C$470 from Vistek

5. Sony CyberShot DSC-H9B 15x Optical Zoom 8.1 megapixel
US$334 from Broadway Photo and C$359 from Cendirect in Montreal.

6 FujiFilm FinePix S700 10x Optical Zoom 7.1 megapixel
US$169 from Broadway Photo and C$229 from Infonec in Toronto.

Which camera....
 

"RsH" wrote in message
...
I am looking for a camera for use from a cruise ship's balcony to
catch whales, and to take photos as we come into and go out of ports
both for a cruise to Mexico's west coast and to Alaska. As well I want
to use the camera for other things, but a larger optical zoom factor
is a must. So the following seem to be the cameras I am considering...
Which is the best choice?

It's not the best choice, but it's your choice. The cameras have mostly
matured and converged in performance and features; thus the brand issue is
more emotional and personal than technical. You have a nice list and have
done your spadework; now:

Go handle them. Go handle them. Go handle them. I can almost guarantee
that you won't like some of them in your hands.

I teach photography and hate recommending cameras because it often comes
back and bites me in the arse. Camera feel and control ergonomics are
rather personal issues.

Also, when possible, download the user manuals and see if they are readable.

Which camera....
 

Charles wrote:
"RsH" wrote in message
...
I am looking for a camera for use from a cruise ship's balcony to
catch whales, and to take photos as we come into and go out of ports
both for a cruise to Mexico's west coast and to Alaska. As well I want
to use the camera for other things, but a larger optical zoom factor
is a must. So the following seem to be the cameras I am considering...
Which is the best choice?

It's not the best choice, but it's your choice. The cameras have mostly
matured and converged in performance and features; thus the brand issue is
more emotional and personal than technical. You have a nice list and have
done your spadework; now:

Go handle them. Go handle them. Go handle them. I can almost guarantee
that you won't like some of them in your hands.

I teach photography and hate recommending cameras because it often comes
back and bites me in the arse. Camera feel and control ergonomics are
rather personal issues.

Also, when possible, download the user manuals and see if they are readable.

Really, none of the above, referring to the OP. For decent to excellent
wildlife shots you'll be better off with an entry level DSLR from Canon
or Nikon. I came back from an Alaskan cruise, and my EFF of just over
400 was not quite as long as I would have liked, even with excellent optics.

--
john mcwilliams

Which camera....
 

I've already downloaded the manuals where I could, and have handled
several of them already. the S8000fd and SX100-IS are tricky because
they are just out and thus not readily found in retail stores yet. I
will, however, track them down. Weight-wise they are all close except
for the S700, which uses 2 AA batteries and weighs less, but is the
least powerful of the lot. The Sony uses a memory stick and custom
battery, the Canon and FujiFilm cameras use 4 AA batteries, as does
the Olympus. I still have my original Nikon F with its f1.2 58mm lens,
my Minox B, and my Durst 606 enlarger packed away.... and am well
aware of the limitations of other's opinions. However Steve's Digicam
website has not yet looked at the two cameras I listed above, so I
have no good idea about the lens in the S8000fd, even if I know that
an 18x optical is stretching it and that the edges at that zoom are
very likely to be rather soft. So I know what you are driving at, yet
before I actually spend my pension money I want to know as much as I
can and get the best deal I can get too. Camera feel and ergonomics,
in this case, do not mean much as all are just about bang on the same
weight, and being left handed I hate all equally since they are all
designed for a right handed person!

FWIW

RsH
---------------------------------------------------
On Thu, 4 Oct 2007 18:56:47 -0400, "Charles"
wrote:


"RsH" wrote in message
.. .
I am looking for a camera for use from a cruise ship's balcony to
catch whales, and to take photos as we come into and go out of ports
both for a cruise to Mexico's west coast and to Alaska. As well I want
to use the camera for other things, but a larger optical zoom factor
is a must. So the following seem to be the cameras I am considering...
Which is the best choice?

It's not the best choice, but it's your choice. The cameras have mostly
matured and converged in performance and features; thus the brand issue is
more emotional and personal than technical. You have a nice list and have
done your spadework; now:

Go handle them. Go handle them. Go handle them. I can almost guarantee
that you won't like some of them in your hands.

I teach photography and hate recommending cameras because it often comes
back and bites me in the arse. Camera feel and control ergonomics are
rather personal issues.

Also, when possible, download the user manuals and see if they are readable.

Which camera....
 

RsH wrote:

I've already downloaded the manuals where I could, and have handled
several of them already. the S8000fd and SX100-IS are tricky because
they are just out and thus not readily found in retail stores yet. I
will, however, track them down. Weight-wise they are all close except
for the S700, which uses 2 AA batteries and weighs less, but is the
least powerful of the lot. The Sony uses a memory stick and custom
battery, the Canon and FujiFilm cameras use 4 AA batteries, as does
the Olympus. I still have my original Nikon F with its f1.2 58mm lens,

You could get a very nice camera selling that, they are collector's
items now.


my Minox B, and my Durst 606 enlarger packed away.... and am well
aware of the limitations of other's opinions. However Steve's Digicam
website has not yet looked at the two cameras I listed above, so I
have no good idea about the lens in the S8000fd, even if I know that
an 18x optical is stretching it and that the edges at that zoom are
very likely to be rather soft. So I know what you are driving at, yet
before I actually spend my pension money I want to know as much as I
can and get the best deal I can get too. Camera feel and ergonomics,
in this case, do not mean much as all are just about bang on the same
weight, and being left handed I hate all equally since they are all
designed for a right handed person!

FWIW

RsH
---------------------------------------------------
On Thu, 4 Oct 2007 18:56:47 -0400, "Charles"
wrote:


"RsH" wrote in message
. ..

I am looking for a camera for use from a cruise ship's balcony to
catch whales, and to take photos as we come into and go out of ports
both for a cruise to Mexico's west coast and to Alaska. As well I want
to use the camera for other things, but a larger optical zoom factor
is a must. So the following seem to be the cameras I am considering...
Which is the best choice?

It's not the best choice, but it's your choice. The cameras have mostly
matured and converged in performance and features; thus the brand issue is
more emotional and personal than technical. You have a nice list and have
done your spadework; now:

Go handle them. Go handle them. Go handle them. I can almost guarantee
that you won't like some of them in your hands.

I teach photography and hate recommending cameras because it often comes
back and bites me in the arse. Camera feel and control ergonomics are
rather personal issues.

Also, when possible, download the user manuals and see if they are readable.



--
Paul Furman Photography
http://edgehill.net
Bay Natives Nursery
http://www.baynatives.com