For those of us who can't spend $800-$1,000 for the best consumer digicams out there, what's the best way to go for about $600 or under? I've read good reviews of Kodak 240, Epson 750, Toshiba PDR-M3...but have no clue which is really best for someone interested in good image quality (would like to be able to print decent 8X10's), but not as concerned about lots of manual flexibility. I've also read good things about upcoming Coolpix 700, but understand that it doesn't have optical zoom. How serious a drawback is this?

Thanks for any ideas...

-- Glenn Kammen (babinder@mindspring.com), June 02, 1999

Answers

I have had an Epson 750z for a couple of month. I like it very much. The image quality and ease of use is very good. I do find the optical zoom to be very useful. Some of the plusses of the 750 are: 3X optical zoom, good LCD viewer for both preview and review. Fast update rate on LCD viewer for action shots. Solar assisted backlighting for the viewfinder during outdoor shots is helpful. (This is only camera I know of that has this) Color, sharpness, and exposure are good. doesn't eat batteries and comes with NiMH batteries and charger. uses compact flash which for time being is available in larger sizes than smart media. the software that comes with the camera is a good match for the camera and provide the necessary image editing that may be needed. Weaknesses: Limited flash range 8-10ft (still working on slave flash arrangement). LCD viewer is dark in low light situations (optical view still available and when you press the shutter release half way down under low light situations, to lock the focus and exposure, the camera reduces the shutter speed and frame update rate to achieve auto-focus. At the same time the LCD viewer brightens to to help you insure proper composure.)

I am using the Epson Photo 750 printer to print my photos. It does a fine job also.

I have looked at the PDR-M3 in the store. It looks like it could be a good camera as well.

-- Bob G. (rgreg88721@hotmail.com), June 02, 1999.

If you want both quality and zoom, optical zoom is a must have feature. When you use "digital zoom", quality goes down the tubes for printing.

-- benoit (foo@bar.com), June 02, 1999.

My brother has a Minolta Ex 1500 and it produces fantastic pictures. I think this camera is a great deal for the ~$550 you can get it (according to shopper.com). It has also the highest resolution (1500x1004) in this price range. I find it is not as talked about as in the digicams sites as it should. It is easy to use, comfortable to hold and has pretty fast picutre writing. Its only drawback is a not so good low light perfor

-- guy shaviv (gshaviv@email.com), June 02, 1999.

Well based on all the reading and research, the CoolPix 700 seems to be the camera for me based on my criterias as a beginner.

1) Compact 2) Uses Compact Flash 3) Uses AA 4) High Detail 5) Speed

It is essentially the same image engine as the highly touted Cool Pix 950 with the major difference of no Zoom. AS the CP 950 cost about 900 dollars, the CP 700 can be bought for 469 dollars at places like www.computers4sure.com. Be warned, it just got released in the US in late April so there are few reviews out for it but advance word is that its a great value for the price and portability. (It has about 60 minutes more battery life than the 950 but doesn't have all the cool features of its bigger brother which most people don't use anyway.

-- Frank Yu (fly@columbus.com), June 03, 1999.

I'm currently leaning towards either the Epson 750 or the Minolta 1500 (but there are others in the range). But, I don't have the cash in hand and the longer I wait, the better the prices will get, so... As with 35mm photography, there will be costs beyond the camera to really be able to shoot alot. Batteries, charger, memory, transfer devices, etc. Because there is not the flexibility of lens options compared to 35 mm SLRs, I wouldn't want to be without the optical zoom. You may find the available zoom ranges on the DCs are frustratingly limited still, or, you might find for your purposes, the single focal length OK. Unless you are not going to do enlargements or only show on monitors, the digital zoom is more an advertising ploy than a photographically useful feature. Most photoprograms can replicate the effect in the computer. Borrow, rent, even buy if you want, a cheap 35mm point & shoot, one with and one without zoom, or just leave the zoom at about 35/40mm focal length. Check what you get in flexibility, framing, positioning compared to subject. Think about what you want to shoot. It's personal based on what you need. If you have a video camera, you can also try to use without zooming to get a feel for the limitations.

-- Craig Gillette (cgillette@thegrid.net), June 05, 1999.