Digital Camera Reviews (around Rs. 20,000/-)

BuRnT RuBbEr · 13th March 2006, 16:22

there is one issue with sony that nobody has pointed out as yet. the images are tad over-processed. esp the red regions of the gamut are sharpened a bit more than needed. may need to photoshop and decrease that. And it does not have a zeiss lens, reason being it' large lens size ( zeiss generally provides smaller lenses.) otherwise, h1 is above canon s2 IS in most of the reviews. It also has a viewfinder ( i am not sure if canon has it). You can also look for sony m2 if you are more about compactness.
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]I would not suggest cams that have just arrived, because they generally undergo firmware updates and flaw removal. I myself have an canon digital rebel, but that would be more than twice your budget....[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]hope that helps.[/SIZE]

Gordon · 13th March 2006, 16:42

Another important issue in SD cards. The trasnfer rate is way too slow. Memory Sticks are known for FAST transfers, which is exactly why they can take high quality videos. Moreover, when I tried deleting all pics from a 256mb SD card in a Panasonic, it takes AGES!!! But in Memory Sticks (even the 512 MB), is done in a flash.

BuRnT RuBbEr · 13th March 2006, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon

Another important issue in SD cards. The trasnfer rate is way too slow. Memory Sticks are known for FAST transfers, which is exactly why they can take high quality videos. Moreover, when I tried deleting all pics from a 256mb SD card in a Panasonic, it takes AGES!!! But in Memory Sticks (even the 512 MB), is done in a flash.

hey! thanx...was not aware about this issue in SD. using memory stick anyhow.

ksethuram · 13th March 2006, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhirajs

Guys,which 1gb sd card should i buy?kingston or someother?for howmuch?

I like the DSC-N1 also,its damn sleek ,& has a 3.0"LCD.

My suggestion would be go for miniSD and use with SD adaptor. This will give you the advantage to use the same in latest mobiles to store MP3's.. Sandisk or Lexar would be a good choice. Go for High speed card. Also do not get a single 1GB, split into two 512's...This would help you in case of failures.

ksethuram · 13th March 2006, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon

Another important issue in SD cards. The trasnfer rate is way too slow. Memory Sticks are known for FAST transfers, which is exactly why they can take high quality videos. Moreover, when I tried deleting all pics from a 256mb SD card in a Panasonic, it takes AGES!!! But in Memory Sticks (even the 512 MB), is done in a flash.

Hope the SD you had was a normal one. There are high speed SD's like Extreme III from Sandisk which has 20MBPS R/W speed..

Only external size of xD,SD,MMC mobile Card and Memory stick pro cards are different but more or less all of them share the same internal flash storage.

ksethuram · 13th March 2006, 17:31

My preference would be
Point and shoot
1) Canon
2) Nikon
3) Sony
SLR
1) Nikon
2) Canon
3) Kodak
Pro-SLR
1) Canon
2) Nikon
3) Kodak

SRK · 13th March 2006, 18:09

I've got a Canon A620. It is nice I got it for somewhere around Rs.23000(with 512MB sd memory card).Though it is a little bulky, it has some features available in SLR cameras.It works on 4 AA size battries and can take about 150-200 photos.It can be directly connected to your tv to view the pics.
It has 4X optical zoom.7.1 megapixel,enough for taking high quality pics by a novice (like me).The Auto functions rocks,you can even take pictures in a dark room, due to its flash.
It can also take small video clips with sound but of low resolution and can be viewed only in small size.
There are many other brands like Sony,Kodak,Nikon,Panasonic,etc.
Out of them Sony should not be the 1st preference because Sd cards cant be used in it, and i think it is a little expensive.
Better go for Canon or Kodak.

extreme_torque · 13th March 2006, 20:00

True for video recordings high speed SD cards are needed and those are available easily.
The fringing problem is a big draw back and the fact that sony dsc h1 doesnt has carl zeiss optics. Panasonic FZ 20 is a perfect high optical zoom camera if u arent into high megapixel resolution... even for that FZ 30 is there.
Panasonic has the fastest auto focus in its catagory.... all this talk of sony having a 2 inch LCD is rubbish coz bigger the LCD, lesser is the battery life, besides the LCD in Panasonic is bright and crisp. Even the image stabilization which is the one of the most important criteria in a high optical zoom camera, is the best on panasonic and fastest too.

BuRnT RuBbEr · 14th March 2006, 00:07

There are too many options in 20k slot. one esp needs to decide on the form factor of the cam first!

panasonic wont appeal the ladies of the house. Nor will fuji. ( fuji is good for low end basic stuff....where there arent any much expectations).

The screen size can become an issue when we are using the menus. too small may not get approved with everyone.

Gordon · 14th March 2006, 08:51

Quote:

The fringing problem is a big draw back and the fact that sony dsc h1 doesnt has carl zeiss optics.

Why go in for the H1 when the H2 is already out?! And it does have a Carl Zeiss lens with 12x Optical Zoom. I guess from the past one year, Sony has been adopting Carl Zeiss lens on all its new models.

Rehaan · 14th March 2006, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon

Another important issue in SD cards. The trasnfer rate is way too slow. Memory Sticks are known for FAST transfers, which is exactly why they can take high quality videos. Moreover, when I tried deleting all pics from a 256mb SD card in a Panasonic, it takes AGES!!! But in Memory Sticks (even the 512 MB), is done in a flash.

Might have just been a slow SD card reader in that panasonic yknow?

And with regards to purple fringing, the S3 IS might have helped that with some UD lens element(s) ?

cya
R

extreme_torque · 14th March 2006, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon

Why go in for the H1 when the H2 is already out?! And it does have a Carl Zeiss lens with 12x Optical Zoom. I guess from the past one year, Sony has been adopting Carl Zeiss lens on all its new models.

H2 would be way above 20k's!

s0uljah · 14th March 2006, 20:54

I owned a few Digi's, canon, kodak, olympus and fuji.
Fav's : canon/ olympus.

Will be buying something shortly 5.1... if budget permits maybe even a 7.1
Dad's travelling through asia next month.

THELUCKY · 14th March 2006, 22:04

Just Bought Canon A530 for Rs15,500/- from Canon shop in Delhi at

S.N market.

It Includes

1. 256mb kingston SD.
2. Camera Support MMC and SD
3. Carry Case
4. Battery charger Uniross(with 6 battery of 2300 mah).

How is this??

Gordon · 14th March 2006, 22:40

Quote:

H2 would be way above 20k's!

Yup, it maybe a little more than 20k. Because Sony.Com says it costs $399 which is a little less than 20k.

Quote:

1. 256mb kingston SD.
2. Camera Support MMC and SD
3. Carry Case
4. Battery charger Uniross(with 6 battery of 2300 mah).

How is this??

How much warranty?!

Sony offers 3 year warranty on its digital cameras. I think it offers it on all other products too. I'm not sure about the others. I think they offer only a one year warranty. Also, always buy any digital camera from a recommended dealer. Because other dealers who give it to you for cheap, will give warranty of only three months. If anything goes wrong with the camera, it may cost you more than the camera itself.

13th March 2006, 16:22	#16
BuRnT RuBbEr BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: DL 1 Posts: 367 Thanked: 13 Times	there is one issue with sony that nobody has pointed out as yet. the images are tad over-processed. esp the red regions of the gamut are sharpened a bit more than needed. may need to photoshop and decrease that. And it does not have a zeiss lens, reason being it' large lens size ( zeiss generally provides smaller lenses.) otherwise, h1 is above canon s2 IS in most of the reviews. It also has a viewfinder ( i am not sure if canon has it). You can also look for sony m2 if you are more about compactness. [SIZE=2][/SIZE] [SIZE=2]I would not suggest cams that have just arrived, because they generally undergo firmware updates and flaw removal. I myself have an canon digital rebel, but that would be more than twice your budget....[/SIZE] [SIZE=2][/SIZE] [SIZE=2]hope that helps.[/SIZE]
	() Thanks

13th March 2006, 16:42	#17
Gordon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,549 Thanked: 508 Times View My Garage	Another important issue in SD cards. The trasnfer rate is way too slow. Memory Sticks are known for FAST transfers, which is exactly why they can take high quality videos. Moreover, when I tried deleting all pics from a 256mb SD card in a Panasonic, it takes AGES!!! But in Memory Sticks (even the 512 MB), is done in a flash.
	() Thanks

13th March 2006, 17:31	#21
ksethuram BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chennai , London (now) Posts: 233 Thanked: Once	My preference would be Point and shoot 1) Canon 2) Nikon 3) Sony SLR 1) Nikon 2) Canon 3) Kodak Pro-SLR 1) Canon 2) Nikon 3) Kodak
	() Thanks

13th March 2006, 18:09	#22
SRK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,206 Thanked: 536 Times	I've got a Canon A620. It is nice I got it for somewhere around Rs.23000(with 512MB sd memory card).Though it is a little bulky, it has some features available in SLR cameras.It works on 4 AA size battries and can take about 150-200 photos.It can be directly connected to your tv to view the pics. It has 4X optical zoom.7.1 megapixel,enough for taking high quality pics by a novice (like me).The Auto functions rocks,you can even take pictures in a dark room, due to its flash. It can also take small video clips with sound but of low resolution and can be viewed only in small size. There are many other brands like Sony,Kodak,Nikon,Panasonic,etc. Out of them Sony should not be the 1st preference because Sd cards cant be used in it, and i think it is a little expensive. Better go for Canon or Kodak. Last edited by SRK : 13th March 2006 at 18:12.
	() Thanks

13th March 2006, 20:00	#23
extreme_torque BANNED Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 4,461 Thanked: 5,535 Times	True for video recordings high speed SD cards are needed and those are available easily. The fringing problem is a big draw back and the fact that sony dsc h1 doesnt has carl zeiss optics. Panasonic FZ 20 is a perfect high optical zoom camera if u arent into high megapixel resolution... even for that FZ 30 is there. Panasonic has the fastest auto focus in its catagory.... all this talk of sony having a 2 inch LCD is rubbish coz bigger the LCD, lesser is the battery life, besides the LCD in Panasonic is bright and crisp. Even the image stabilization which is the one of the most important criteria in a high optical zoom camera, is the best on panasonic and fastest too. Last edited by extreme_torque : 13th March 2006 at 20:02.
	() Thanks

14th March 2006, 00:07	#24
BuRnT RuBbEr BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: DL 1 Posts: 367 Thanked: 13 Times	There are too many options in 20k slot. one esp needs to decide on the form factor of the cam first! panasonic wont appeal the ladies of the house. Nor will fuji. ( fuji is good for low end basic stuff....where there arent any much expectations). The screen size can become an issue when we are using the menus. too small may not get approved with everyone.
	() Thanks

14th March 2006, 20:54	#28
s0uljah Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: BLR Posts: 2,222 Thanked: 26 Times View My Garage	I owned a few Digi's, canon, kodak, olympus and fuji. Fav's : canon/ olympus. Will be buying something shortly 5.1... if budget permits maybe even a 7.1 Dad's travelling through asia next month.
	() Thanks

14th March 2006, 22:04	#29
THELUCKY Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Noida Posts: 12 Thanked: 0 Times	Just Bought Canon A530 for Rs15,500/- from Canon shop in Delhi at S.N market. It Includes 1. 256mb kingston SD. 2. Camera Support MMC and SD 3. Carry Case 4. Battery charger Uniross(with 6 battery of 2300 mah). How is this??
	() Thanks