5 problems with digicams - solutions/recommendations?

Hello,

I've recently had the occasion to take pics with two different digicams, and I've experienced similar notorious problems. As I
intend to buy one for myself, I'd be very grateful for comments and hints on the following:
1. blur - I've noticed that digicams (even w/o using zoom) are much more sensitive to movement than trads; which of the models (in
the list given below) have good picture stabilization, and which not?
2. distortion - the lenses in some models warp straight lines and planes - again, which models (perhaps there are some with aspheric
lens)?
3. lightening - in darker rooms/by night sources of light dominate; I took a pic in the Kyiv underground, and only got neon lights
on light-brown background - what solutions/models should I seek?
4. red eyes - notorious; I've heard that the remote-control test is reliable, but you don't always have one at hand -
recommendations?
5. red background - in some situations, esp. in rooms, the red diod irradiates the target longer, and then the photo comes out as if
done through a red filter - how to avoid this?

Below is a list of models from which I will most probably pick one - please add your comments concerning the above problems, if
you've had experience with these:

HP Photosmart M22
HP Photosmart R817
Kodak EasyShare C310
Kodak EasyShare Z700
Kodak EasyShare Z740
Kodak EasyShare Z7590
Nikon Coolpix 4800
Nikon Coolpix L1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2
Samsung Digimax A55W

Loads of thanks in advance!

Greets

bj

HP Photosmart M22
HP Photosmart R817
Kodak EasyShare C310
Kodak EasyShare Z700
Kodak EasyShare Z740
Kodak EasyShare Z7590
Nikon Coolpix 4800
Nikon Coolpix L1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2
Samsung Digimax A55W

I am by no means an expert, but I'd stay away from the HPs. What are the
reasons Canon is not on your list?

"Steve Mackie" wrote:
HP Photosmart M22
HP Photosmart R817

I am by no means an expert, but I'd stay away from the HPs.

Those particular models, or HP in general?

Jon

HP Photosmart M22
HP Photosmart R817

I am by no means an expert, but I'd stay away from the HPs.

Those particular models, or HP in general?

IMO, stay away from all HPs.

"Steve Mackie" wrote:
HP Photosmart M22
HP Photosmart R817

I am by no means an expert, but I'd stay away from the HPs.

Those particular models, or HP in general?

IMO, stay away from all HPs.

Okay, but what is your reason for this opinion?

Jon

HP Photosmart M22
HP Photosmart R817

I am by no means an expert, but I'd stay away from the HPs.

Those particular models, or HP in general?

IMO, stay away from all HPs.

Okay, but what is your reason for this opinion?

Opinions rarely need reasons, but mine is "you get what you pay for."

Steve

I looked at the up-to-US$200 range of B&H & J&R, with min. 4mpix & 5x optical zoom, and they have no Canon models in that range.

Thanks for the note on HP!

Best

bj


I am by no means an expert, but I'd stay away from the HPs. What are the
reasons Canon is not on your list?

bj wrote:
I looked at the up-to-US$200 range of B&H & J&R, with min. 4mpix & 5x optical zoom, and they have no Canon models in that range.

Closest I see for Canon would be the A520 with is about $170 at Costco.
It has 4mp and 4x optical. In the $225-$250 range there are few
models that meet your requirements.

On Mon, 6 Feb 2006 15:53:47 +0100, bj wrote:
Hello,

I've recently had the occasion to take pics with two different
digicams, and I've experienced similar notorious problems. As I intend
to buy one for myself, I'd be very grateful for comments and hints on
the following: 1. blur - I've noticed that digicams (even w/o using
zoom) are much more sensitive to movement than trads; which of the
models (in the list given below) have good picture stabilization, and
which not? 2. distortion - the lenses in some models warp straight
lines and planes - again, which models (perhaps there are some with
aspheric lens)? 3. lightening - in darker rooms/by night sources of
light dominate; I took a pic in the Kyiv underground, and only got
neon lights on light-brown background - what solutions/models should I
seek? 4. red eyes - notorious; I've heard that the remote-control test
is reliable, but you don't always have one at hand - recommendations?
5. red background - in some situations, esp. in rooms, the red diod
irradiates the target longer, and then the photo comes out as if done
through a red filter - how to avoid this?

Below is a list of models from which I will most probably pick one -
please add your comments concerning the above problems, if you've had
experience with these:

HP Photosmart M22
HP Photosmart R817
Kodak EasyShare C310
Kodak EasyShare Z700
Kodak EasyShare Z740
Kodak EasyShare Z7590
Nikon Coolpix 4800
Nikon Coolpix L1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2
Samsung Digimax A55W

Some thoughts on some of your issues:

The blurring problem can be mitigated by optical image stabilizers. I
think that the two Panasonics are the only ones on that list with
stabilizers, though there are plenty of models _not_ on the list that do
have stabilizers.

Red-eye is a function of the distance between the lens and the flash. To
minimize it, you want a relatively large body, preferably with a pop-up
flash. The Kodak 740 is, I believe, the largest of the bunch, so it
would probably be the best at minimizing red-eye.

I'm not sure what is going on with your last point. Red illuminators are
typically used to help the camera focus; they shouldn't be on during the
exposure itself.

-dms

"bj" wrote in :


5. red background - in some situations, esp. in rooms, the red diod
irradiates the target longer, and then the photo comes out as if done
through a red filter - how to avoid this?

Red is on a longer wavelength of light so it makes sense it turns up in
longer exposures:
http://www.ems.psu.edu/Courses/earth002/03012D.gif


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