Oct 15, 2004 01:34 PM
3095 Views
(Updated Nov 05, 2004 01:46 PM)
In my opinion -- the OLY C-series cameras (3000, 4000, 5000 and now, 8000 series) offer the best mix of semi-professional features in a digital camera for the intelligent Indian techie.
In fact most casual Indian photo enthusiasts will hardly use all features of even the earliest C-series camera, the C-3020, much less the latest 8000 series ones. In every series, there are cameras with more/less features. The C-3020 does not have a video out jack, while the C-3040 does. Most C series cameras use the same type of chassis and controls. The newer ones (C-5060 and C-8080) add an important element -- external hotshoe for flash. Some have rotable screens and special wider lenses (C-5060 wide zoom).
Do not confuse these with the much smaller Olympus C-700 series cameras. These are not as robust but do have a 10x zoom lens while their larger C-3000 or C-4000,5000, 8000 series have only a 3x to 4x optical zom lens.
The numbering of this series denotes the megapixel level. Therefore, 3000 series are all 3 megapixel, 4000 series is 4 megapixel, 8000 series is 8 megapixel etc.
How many megapixel is good enough? In my case -- I never blow up pictures more than A4 (letter) size. So Three megapixel per picture is plenty for my use because an A4 portrait of a loved one has all sharp facial features showing. So much so - in fact -- that most times I have to soften portraits before I print them out :-)
The C-8080 is the penultimate digital camera now with a pricetag of $800 in USA. The early C-3020 or C-4000 can still be had in some stores (COSTCO, Los Angeles area) for about $250. The latter is a steal....
All lenses are great in these cameras -- being of aspheric glass/acrylic elements. Being Olympuses (famous for its microscopes)-- that's no surprise at all. Contrast and MTF values are world class as well as distortions very well controlled.
Heartily recommended :-)
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Update : 04/11/2004
Some readers have requested that I compare some of the latest semi-pro cameras under Rs. 20,000.
First of all -- my suggestion (although redundant) is that it is better to buy a digital camera overseas personally or through friends (whether Dubai, S'pore or USA). Local (Mumbai/Delhi) shops offer no advantage because they have little clue about digital camera repairs, stock NO parts and may be even offering second hand articles sometimes. So- Buy overseas and bring it in. You are allowed one personal camera anyway without paying duty AFAIK.
Second -- the cameras I reviewed above and will do again (the ones that cost about US$250-$400) are SEMI-PROFESSIONAL. This ain't your point and shoot. Although many point and shoots are in this price range -- the little cameras have puny lenses and often take blurry pictures.
However -- the pictures from olympus C-5060 and canon G5 come out excellent -- often much better than any Chemical Photo camera. Contrast and resolution are excellent.
If you're good with photoshop and can do editing then your images will be unrivalled in quality.
My Latest Choice Award for best semi - professional camera under Rs. 20,000 goes to both the Olympus C-5060 and the Canon G-5 (or othe g-series like G4 or G3, cheaper).
The early Olympuses used AA battery, nowadays all these cameras use rechargable lithium packs which are expensive. Both these cameras can take accessory lenses with the use of a cylinder adapter-- although the built in lenses are all at least 3x zoom and have superb specs.
The latest cameras are Canon G6 and Olympus C-7000 as well as C-8080 -- but these exceed Rs. 20,000 by far -- at least for another year. Then they will drop another couple hundred US dollars from the $800 pricetags they command now.
I personally like the Olympus lenses but the latest G series are actually more compact without sacrificing peformance. Olympus' c-7000 is also very compact. Almost as compact as the earlier Mju series (point and shoot). Speaking of the newest Mju -- they are called Stylus verve for women and come in seven colors to match outfits -- clearly targeted at women.
The C-series from Olympus (and Canon's G3, G5) have very large/sharp lenses, a large feature set and for the price -- the complication level is moderately high. These cameras are clunky and they won't fit into womens purses.
Most women won't be comfortable with operating them either. A little too complicated. This is not meant to be a slight towards women. Women tend to prefer end results rather than fiddling with controls. IMHO this has been my experience in my immediate circle. For women I suggest the Stylus verve (link below).
Some links,
Canon G5 review:
https://steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/g5.html
Olympus C-5060 review:
https://steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/c5060.html
Stylus verve camera (Mju) review:
https://steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/verve.html
