I've just spent 3 solid days downloading, comparing, and tweaking (PhotoShop) pics from the Nikon 950, Olympus 2000, and Canon Pro 70. I might be losing it here, but the big surprise of my tests is that the Canon seems to me to consistently produce the most appealing pics I've seen yet. Are my eyes just shot??? The Nikon and Olympus consistently impress me as being sharper, more accurate overall...there's no doubt about it, yet by the time I'm done with the pics, I constantly find myself choosing the Canon shots. How is this possible? I realize that this is very subjective...I would sure appreciate anyone's opinion that has experience with the Pro70, because at this point I'm thinking VERY seriously of going that route. Thanks so much!

-- Bryan Bennett (coolblueworld@earthlink.net), October 05, 1999

Answers

I agree with your eyes. Despite the lower pixel count, canon 70 is every bit as good image quality wise as oly 2000 & nikon 950 and perhaps better. Exceptions like this have existed in the past, for instance the Oly 500 & 600 had image quality better than lots of cameras with higher pixel count. The oly & nikon have the same CCD, the one on the canon is totally different, doesn't even use the same color scheme, instead of rgbg color it is cyan yellow magenta and green.

It has a great lens, plenty of storage. The bummers would be less manual control, no built in flash (but takes external), slightly less zoom, and much bigger size/weight.

-- benoit (foo@bar.com), October 05, 1999.

I had the same conclusion, and chose the Pro-70. I think a lot has to do with the quality of the lens that the Pro-70 has. Ironically, that is my main reason for selling the Pro-70 and getting on a waiting list for the Nikon D1 (so I can use the fantastic Nikkor lenses!).

- Derek W.

-- Derek W. (wrestler@worldnet.att.net), October 06, 1999.

Thanks guys...I think this camera is pretty well decided on. Everyone I talk to has been very satisfied with the output of this piece, and the obvious pro-level control/implementation. Thanks again!

-- Bryan Bennett (coolblueworld@earthlink.net), October 07, 1999.

Hey Derek!

Fancy meeting you here! Still talking about IBM MicroDrive reliability? Anyway, Bryan, I too, am a proud owner of a Canon PowerShot Pro70 and I couldn't agree more with you that the quality of the optics in my Pro70 is quite exceptional!

If you do get the Pro70 try out an IBM MicroDrive if you can afford the high capacity storage. It is fantastic!

P.S.- I believe the MicroDrive will also work in digicams that are also capable of CF-II card storage.:) --------------///---------------

-- David E. Scott (des-dcompimaging@msn.com), October 29, 1999.