Camera Help

[lesliepear]

Yesterday I was helping my friend set up her new digital camera (she got one although she's computerless at the moment). Oddly enough she got the camera I'd been looking into the Olympus FE-120 - which is a major upgrade from my 4 year old Olympus D-520. So I got to try it out as I showed her what to do. It seemed pretty good - BUT it doesn't have an optical viewfinder. So in bright sunlight it is very hard to see the big LCD screen.

Do they even make cameras with optical viewfinders anymore? I do like the camera and the fact it takes AA batteries - maybe rechargables have longer battery life, but with AA's you can get replacements anywhere in a hurry.

I looked at the Olympus Stylus 710 online but the reviews were so so. I want to get a camera that has a minimal shutter lag and the reviews of this said it didn't.

Any suggestions? It looks like my bonus will come this month, so I'd like to decide soon!

Comments

[fukrware.livejournal.com]

In my experience in selling and using digital cameras, the small point and shoot cameras will all lag a little, especially when using a flash. You can eliminate lag time by pressing the shutter button down half way while composing the picture. (I know this can sometimes be a pain...) However, the lag time all but disappears when outside in the sunlight and not using the flash... Olympus always carries a decent camera... well built, will last a good long time. Nikon also will be a top of the line camera, their L series (as in L2, L3, L4) are very nice. Sony claims excellent cameras and everyone always wants them, but in my experience, they are overpriced, you can never buy generic accessories, and they tend to break frequently.

The only cameras (again, in my experience) that have no lag time at all will be the higher end digital SLR cameras, for instance, like one poster mentioned, and also the same camera I have, the Nikon D70s. However, these are bulky and expensive. You can get a cheaper SLR, say the Nikon D50 which carries less features, is a tad smaller & lighter, but is more user friendly for those not used to SLR cameras. But this camera is still about $700. So, it all depends on how much you are willing to spend, if you mind the camera being bulky, and also if lots of features scare you or not. ;)

Sorry... Thus ends Kelley's camera lesson for the day. lol....

[fukrware.livejournal.com]

I also wanted to mention that a lot of the newer small point and shoot digital cameras are doing away with the view finders. Which, I agree with you, I think it is a big mistake. Looking back, I believe the Nikon L series do NOT have viewfinders.... grr. I love those cameras, though...

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

The Nikon is really nice. But I need something a little less complex. And I'm sure newer cameras have less of a lag than 4 years ago.