Hi, all, I am new to the world of digicams. I would like to buy one of the above two cams, and was wondering which you thought would be better for the layman. I am really interested in: 1) A great picture, 2) fast click to shutter time, 3) convenience, 4) compactness and good "feel" of camera. I admit I do most photography on automatic settings :(

Any advice would be appreciated. Its tough when you need need it now, and neither are out yet :)

Thanks, Richard

-- Richard Green (rgreen@mediaone.net), March 24, 1999

Answers

These two cameras are also on my short list, along with the Kodak DC 265. It is difficult to decide when you can't play with the cameras. From the reviews I've read here I imagine they will all be excellent cameras. I'm leaning toward the Olympus C-2000 because I've always wanted a Mamiya 7 and the Oly looks like a digital version of that camera. This might not be the most scientific method, but when you get three closely matched cameras the best way to decide is to play with them and see which one feels best in your hands. I want a high-end rangefinder, so I'm probably going with the Olympus. your needs may vary. Both choices you listed are capable of greatness in the right hands, which is the reason you need to get them in your hands before making a decision.

-- Darron Spohn (dspohn@clicknet.com), March 24, 1999.

I also would like to try both before making a final decision. But I have to make a decision between these two products at this time, I have to say the Oly C-2000 would be my choice. If you view the specification of both cameras, C-2000 scores higher that CoolPix 950, not with a large margin, but it does score higher. Good luke to you.

-- Fred (tabarrok@ariver.com), March 25, 1999.

Well, me too! :) Looks like Olympus and Nikon have been listening to their customers! Right now, the C2000 has a (very) slight edge, but I'll reserve my judgment until I can get hands on them both.

Jsn

-- Jsn Ragnarsson (jonr@vortex.is), March 26, 1999.

I have been looking at photos in the compare'o'meter. If you look at the "muscians" taken by the 950 VS most of the other cameras the 950 wins hands down. Hint: looks at the small photo on the left, and yes I know it's hard to see, but look at the blues. The Olympus 400z is just like the others - who knows what the C200Z will look like but it might look like the 400Z. On the other hand it may look like the 950.

The 900 looked like the 400z so maybe their learning how to do it better. I hope the colors in the C2000Z turn out as well as the 950. If so that maybe my choice. I think this picture is a picture of a poster taken indoors - I wonder if it's white balance, technique, or what?

I wish all the shot parameters were supplied with each of the photos.

-- Paul Hoffman (toolnut@seanet.com), March 26, 1999.

All other things being equal, I'd go for the Olympus because of the through-the-lens viewfinder which gives nearly exact framing; this is a great feature in my current Oly 600. I haven't tried either the 2000 or 950 yet, though, so who knows if all other things _are_ equal!

-- Suzanne Shea (suzanne@praxisengineers.com), April 17, 1999.