Final Decision?

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Greetings all,

Well, it's finally come down to the Olympus D-625, or the Sony Mavica 91. So, I'd like some input to help me with the final choice. Tell me, on the highest resolution on both, can you tell a noticable difference in print quality (with the naked eye) if the largest photo you print is 4x6? I seldom ever print anything 5x7, and will never print at 8x10. I would mostly use these photos in email and web pages, but if I do print, I would use an Epson 600 printer with glossy paper. If there is a noticable difference in the final 4x6 print I will go with the Olympus. If not, I will go with the Sony for the mpeg capability and convenience of floppy disk medium. I appreciate all your comments and look forward to any advice you can give.

Thanks.

P.S. silly question, perhaps, but the Sony does allow for manual exposure control so you can take photos of a starry night or other such pictures, right?

-- Mark (m_roller@hotmail.com), June 21, 1999

Answers

Hi there, this is France calling ! I havent got a camera yet but I have been browsing here and there for a while and I've finally decided on the mAVICA 88. We are a research lab and will almost never print our pictures. They will go directly either on articles in scientific journals (max 1/4 page) or on the web, or on conferecne posters (max size A4 ?) Since there's many of us in the lab, the floppy was a top priority. I almost went for the MVC 91 because I thought it was top of the range in mavicas, but it happens that the MVC 88 has a better resolution (1280 x 960) than the 91 (1024 x 780). The 88 has "only" x8 optical zoom and no image stabiliser (compared to the 91) but we dont need x14 nor staibliser here. Also I believe that the 88 has a closer macro (1 cm !) than the 91. For all these reasons I would surely recommend the MAVICA 88. Now, I have never had an Olympus in my hands, so please do take my advice for what it is, I am no prophet !!! good luck and keep me informed... Orphee CUGAT Grenoble

-- orphee CUGAT (cugat@leg.ensieg.inpg.fr), June 21, 1999.

Mark, I own the FD-91, and I really like the 14x zoom, Steadyshot, and ease of data transfer via floppy. I also bought two NP-550 series of batteries, and after a charge each will last 2 hours of shooting with LCD on and no flash (not bad at all), I have come close to switching to second battery after taking photos using 26 floppies (again with LCD on, no flash) during the car racing. I really like my FD-91. I am not that familiar with FD-88, the resolution difference if is an Interpolated, then I would not be very excited about it, but if it is a true resolution, then I would definitely consider that during decision making. I have had Oly Digicam in past. Oly like all other manufacturers has some good and some not as good of products. You need to make a list of what you "have" to have, and what you "like" to have, then compare the two cameras and see which camera serves you best. The Oly 625 is the last "dino" of his generation (500 & 600 series). Good Luck.

-- Fred (tabarrok@ariver.com), June 21, 1999.

The Oly will look better. If you indeed need just 4 X 6's though you should not let the picture resolution be the deciding factor - what will you use the camera for? Look at the features of the Sony 91 that are not available in the Oly. If the features are things you don't think you will use then go for the Oly. I wouldn't recommend buying features you "think" you may eventually use - decide on features you know you will want and need. The key features for most people in the Sony are: Floppy Disk, 14X zoom (with Steady Shot). If neither of these are important to your needs then I'd go for the Oly. If you're like me - the 14X was a clear advantage and that's why I have a Sony. I do like the MPEG movie mode - but have yet to use it (6 months).

-- Dan Desjardins (dan.desjardins@avstarnews.com), June 25, 1999.

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