I'm trying to decide which camera to buy. I'll probably buy within the next two weeks.

Kodak 280 - Good pictures and has USB, CompactFlash; but is said to be slow, has limited zoom and poor in low-light conditions. $465

Olympus 2020Z - Maybe better pictures (?). Has no USB, I'd have to buy a reader. Uses SmartMedia (not as good?). Supposed to be much faster, better zoom, and low-light performance. $545+$70 for the reader.

I'm sure others have had the same dilemma. What did you choose and why? Advice from anyone?

Thanks

-- w.green (wsg49@yahoo.com), May 01, 2000

Answers

I chose the 2020z and love it! The Kodak line was the first I looked at, but didn't like the oversaturated colors of their digicams. Sams Club carried the Kodak line, so I got to play with one on display. I'm not concerned about the slow serial transfer instead of USB. I just do whatever else I have to do while the pictures download from the camera. I also prefer the small size of the smartmedia cards. They are easy to carry around in a camera bag. The 2020z has manual aperature and exposure control with good low light capability. Read the reviews throughout the web. What pushed me over was the mobshop.com promotion code that they use to have. I bought the camera for $515 and it was as low as $485.

-- John Slivinski (slivinj@donet.com), May 01, 2000.

I was able to get the Olympus C2020z on Mobshop.com after a 20% discount for $485. I believe the link for the deal was listed in this forum about 2 weeks ago. The USP smartmedia card readers are about $30-$50 for a good deal. Also keep in mind the 2020 comes with a set of recharable NmHi AA batteries and a charger (a $50 savings)

Good luck.

-- Paul (p.blakeslee@state.gov), May 03, 2000.

I just ordered the C2020 from pcwonders.com ($592.00). Saw it advertised as low as $533. I do know that pcwonders has a reader for $37 and 32MB Smartmedia for $50. Can anyone comment on CompactFlash - vs- Smartmedia?

-- C.Ripley (teeee66@hotmail.com), May 03, 2000.

Don't go with what everyone else likes, go with what YOU like. Just my opinion, though! I went with Kodak BECAUSE I like the colors. Don't forget that output (printed photos) is part of the digital picture taking process too. I find that the rich colors of the Kodak line of cameras produces more colorful, and in my opinion, realistic photo prints. I have a DC280 and an Epson 900. I still can't get over the quality of the end product. People at work are buying both Kodak and Epson as a result of photos I have hanging in my office.

Again, that's my preference, go with what you like. Feature for feature I'm sure most cameras are quite similar, the image is all that counts in the end anyway.

-- Steve Steinberg (ssteinb1@tampabay.rr.com), May 05, 2000.