I want to buy a digital Camera that will do 8x10 pictures for under $600.00.

-- Jane Martin (j428@worldnet.att.net), April 02, 2000

Answers

Well, since you did not specify that you wanted good quality 8x10 picture, then, any digital camera will do. However, if you want very good quality images at 8x10, stick with 35mm cameras, because no digital camera under $5000 can do it.

-- David Erskine (davide@netquest.com), April 03, 2000.

David:

What a "stupid ass..le responce".!!

Jane, while no digital camera currently on the market will give the "perfect" replication of 35mm film cameras the results of several, I think, will more than match your requirements.

I have both the Olumpus D-620L & the newer 2500.

The D-620L, which I paid $1200 for new & now can be had for almost half that amount will produce 8x10's with excelent results....the 2500 even better.

As an Architect, I have photographed many of my projects (interior & exterior) with natural light with very good results....even "stitching several interior" together!

Many others such as the Nikon products, etc. will also give excelent results.

I took serveral rolls of "velvia" slide film photos last summer of the same project as on Digital and have yet to develop the film as I have been so pleased w/ the results of digital. (Stiching and all into panaramics).

Go for it!

-- Rick Hoge (hoge@webzone.net), April 04, 2000.

Hi Jane,

Other folks opinions not withstanding, have a look at the Toshiba PDR-M5 or some of the other moderately priced 2+ megapixels digicams. Most are capable of 1200x1600 pixels and should provide a pretty good 8x10". If you want somewhat better output the next step up would be a 3+ megapixel digicam, but I doubt you'll find one under $600 for some time.

I suggest the PDR-M5 because I have one(blatant owner's pride), because it has a 3X zoom lens, because it has a big ol' 52mm thread lens adapter barrel that'll let you add lenses or filters, because of the rapid shot to shot times and burst modes, and because it fits your price requirements. (look for the $100 rebate coupon!) You can find downsides if you look for them, but all products have them, and for under $600 it's shortcomings are more than palatable. You might consider other 2+ MP models, many have comparable features, but I can recommend this one since I have it.

Now bear in mind, that a 1200x1600 image printed at 8x10" will yield an image that only has 150 PPI of data in one direction and a bit more in the other. Many will say that's not enough for an 8x10", but I have an 8x10" framed on my wall that was printed at only 128 PPI, so give it a try. If you feel that 1200x1600 comes up short for you, try Genuine Fractals or find a way to get a 3+ megapixel unit.

You might try www.accompany.com or www.mobshop.com as it's called now. Several people have mentioned good deals they've gotten through the volume buying process that they employ.

Bear in mind that you may get "near" the quality of 35mm camera drug store prints with the right digicam, editing, printing and paper, but it won't really rival professional photography under difficult conditions. However, the digicam has other advantages that you don't get with 35mm unless you scan and process digitally, like: cropping, background removal, ease of retouching, etc. One of the best things is being able to see what you captured almost immediately, and perhaps get a second chance to grab that shot again. Beats developing a roll of blank film because the camera didn't like it, it didn't feed correctly, or it was processed incorrectly... Cheaper yet, if you only print your best liked images. Also VERY cheap to learn what you're doing wrong -without any wait.

Good Luck!

Gerald M. Payne

-- Gerald M. Payne (gmp@francomm.com), April 04, 2000.

A very good answer indeed! I think I am going to guise as a woman for my next query!!!!

-- Hans (hans100@mweb.co.za), April 05, 2000.

I've printed close to a 100 glossy 8 x 10 prints with images taken on my old 1.3 megapixal Olympus D-400 Z. On very close examination, many shots do show the limits of this camera's resolution limitations, but overall, they still look pretty good, especially with a little enhancement. I would venture to say with 2 megapixal+ digital camera this would be even better. For $600, I would recommend the 2.1 megapixal Nikon Coolpix 950. I just preorderd the new 3.3 megapixal Nikon Coolpix 990, but that is going for $800 to $1000.

On another note, if you're looking for a great photo printer to do 8 x 10 prints, I would seriously consider the Epson Sylus Photo 870 that I recently purchased. Incredible image quality!

-- George Dangerfield (gdanger@voicenet.com), April 09, 2000.