I've researched for several weeks and have finally narrowed my choice of digital camera to the Coolpix 800 or the Olympus 460Z. With price reductions and rebates the price is pretty much the same. The Nikon has 2.1mega[pixels and the Olympus has 1.3. However,the Nikon has a 2X optical zoom and the Olympus has a 3X zoom. I plan to take pictures of people,scenery,but nothing real fancy. If I print I will do 4X6, with occasional 5X7. I've read peoples comments on the individual cameras, but nothing that compares them in terms of my needs. I's sure appreciate any input.

-- Natalie Gaull (ngaull@aol.com), July 23, 2000

Answers

Like u, I have narrowed down to these 2 cameras. According to some feedback, Nikon has a weak flash which means that indoor pictures will be darker than Olympus. Also, Compactflash memory is more expensive than Smartmedia. U could 16 MB for only 30 USD, not so for Compactflash. Coolpix 800 also costs at least 80 USD more (including rebate). I could use the extra to buy NimH batteries/charger & get a 16 MB Smartmedia card & still have extra to spare. (Olympus D-460 costs 299 for my case)

I also tried to compare the pictures taken by both cameras. The difference is subtle though Nikon has a higher resolution. So I am getting a Olympus D-460. Thought I share my thoughts with u.

-- Lit Choon Seow (seowlc@hotmail.com), July 25, 2000.

I'd go with the higher resolution for the same price. This will give you more options to crop photos and also makes up for the reduced optical zoom (you can crop down to 1.3MP for more effective zoom on the Nikon at Olympus resolution levels).

-- Dennis Pereira (dpereira@ultranet.com), July 25, 2000.

Natalie,

I am reconsidering to buy the D-460Z. I could find abt 380 USD for the Nikon camera(after rebate). I think I need input on this issue too. This is my first digital camera but I want to use it pretty often since it is replacing my SLR.

Guys, help me out. Which is better ? Nikon or Olympus ? How bad is the Nikon performing in low light conditions ? I need the camera to take indoor shots. Also I understand that there is a firm ware update for Coolpix 800.

-- Lit Choon Seow (seowlc@hotmail.com), July 25, 2000.

I bought a 1.3 megapixel camera 3 mo. ago. At this point after taking 1000 pictures and printing some, I'm sorry that I didn't get a camera with higher resolution. After all picture quality is what your looking for and the Nikon coolpix 800 is a good camera for the price right now. You can also get a Kodak DC280 for around the same price and it comes with a set of NiMH batteries and a charger as well as 3x optical zoom.However, LCD is not bright enough in bright light. With the Oly you will have to pay extra for charger. Given your choice I would buy the Nikon.

Mike

-- Mike Fleming (Flemmj@hotmail.com), July 27, 2000.

I went for the Olympus.

It's claim of 1 fc (11 lumen) sensitivity seems pretty conservative - it digs brilliant color out of darkness. The macro ability is pretty good - I got a full-frame pic of a thimble, and still had room on the zoom. The flash covers more than the 14 feet claimed. And 5X7 prints look very nice. My only serious complaint is the lack of manual white balance - daylight, even on a dreary gray day, balances well, but pics taken in a museum are uniformly yellow or greenish- yellow in balance.

Less serious complaints range from "the lens isn't replaceable" (I prefer SLRs, but not their price), to "I want a strap attachment point on BOTH sides, to "the flashcard door opens too easily".

If I had to do it over again? I'd still buy the 460. At just over $300 (as of the end of July), it's hard to beat.

-- Al Klein (aklein@us.luxottica.com), August 01, 2000.