*I have been inspired by Ronak Gandhi
to write this report.*
I will try to enlist what all were my requirements when I set out to purchase a
superzoom non SLR digital camera.
[1] I needed a camera which looks like an SLR
[2] The camera should have the option of addition of lenses to extend the
wideangle/zoom
[3] The camera should be lightweight for single handed operability(this was
one major criteria)
[4] The camera should have handy control options which are not too complicated
( this I realised retrospectively after my purchase)
[5] The camera should have good image stabilisation
[6] The camera should have manual controls
[7] The camera should be powered by AA batteries(that are available
everywhere)
[8] The camera should be priced reasonably( At most I could have paid Rs.
15000/- or$365 at the exchange rate of Rs. 41/- per dollar)
[9] Finally, the camera should have good imaging capabilities.( Although this
should have been my top most requirement, but somehow this was pushed down to
the last)
With these requirements I started my search for my dream first digital camera.
The very few cameras that I had to choose one from were as follows:
Canon S2IS
Canon S3Is
Nikon S10
Panasonic Lumix FZ7
Sony DSC H2
Sony DSC H5
Kodak z612
Fujifilm Finepix S6000
Olympus SP510UZ
Olympus SP550UZ
Out of these cameras, the Nikon s10 failed to start the race as it lacked
manual controls. I had handled a FZ7 from close quarters but discarded it on
the basis of its high price and difficult control options in my opinion. The
two sony cameras although being very fine equipments did not finish the race
owing to their weight and size and their general reputation in the market of
not being good cameras(sony produces good handycams but not good cameras -
thats what was said by experts). I must add that at one point of time it very
much looked like I was finalising the H2 because of its easy availability in
India and hence easy servicing options in case it needed any help.
With the Nikon, Panasonic and the two sonys out of the race, Canon S2IS
suddenly looked to be the topmost contender(the S3Is being discarded owing to
its steep price and difficult controls) but very soon it also fell out with my
discovery of the Kodak z612. The Fuji camera also never actually started the
race owing to paucity of user reports. The Olympus Sp550UZ was way over my
budget .
Needless to say, it was the Kodak z612 that I ultimately ordered over at Amazon
and got it delivered to a friend in the states who handed it over to another
friend who was coming to India.(Here in this small space again lies a very
long story about how the camera changed hands between the two of my friends;
which will be told at a later date)
After getting the z612 in my hands, I actually realised what a superb camera it
was.
To tell you very frankly, my purchase of the z612 was made on the basis of
elimination of the other camera models based on some reason or the other. The
z612 never showed any strong points in its favour that usually draws you to any
particular thing. There was a severe paucity of reviews on the camera and I
could only find the review of steve’s digicam to be of any use in finalising
the Camera. It always was the dark horse.
In purchasing any camera, it is always advisable to handle the camera at a
local store and compare it with other cameras before making the purchase. since
it was not possible for me as I could find the z612 nowhere in india when I
made the purchase, I decided to try out the 3D models of the various cameras
online. It proved to be a really good exercise and went a long way in
finalising my choice.
Now, having acquired the z612 I will enlist the pros and cons of this camera.
Pros:
[1] Extremely lightweight
[2] One handed shooting possible
[3] Extremely fast - in zooming and cycling between shots
[3] Very easily accessible controlling options
[4] Optical zoom available during videos
[5] Superb Image stabiliser
[6] Metal adapter available for attaching auxillary add on lenses
[5] Extremely cost effective - It cost me only$220
[6] Uses SD cards; MMC cards can also be used.
Cons:
[1]Uses a rechargable lithium ion battery( I negated this by buying an extra
rechargable battery)
[2] The camera loses focus during zooming while taking videos(can’t do anything
about this)
[3] Suboptimal performance in auto mode in low light settings( this can be
taken care of to some extent by tweaking the manual controls)
Apart from a few things, I find this camera perfect for my requirements.
Since my purchase, I have added a 2 GB SD card, a camera carrying bag, 2.2x
teleconverter lens which increases the optical zoom to 26x, a delkin screen
protector is on the way, I am formulating a plan to build a harness for the
camera to carry it easily in the field; and I plan to build a few other things
like a differently designed bag to carry it in the field.
Special note for prospective buyers **:
All the super zoom cameras that I have listed are more or less similar when it
comes to imaging capabilities. If your purchasing criteria is not as strict as
mine you can go ahead and select any one that you like from the list above.
Always remember that you are making a compromise when you are buying these
cameras over the entry level DSLR and you simply cannot expect these cameras to
give you DSLR like shots. Of course, with enough practice and handling you may
be able to get close but never compare these cameras to the biggies.
Since my purchase in March 2007, a few more superzooms have been added to this
list. The Sony DSC H7, Sony DSC H9 and the Kodak z712 are now also available
in your list of options.
To take a look at photographs** taken by any of these camera, please search the
vast resources of https://flickr.com and https://webshots.com
*A
full version of this report may be found at:*
https://abheekghosh.blogspot.com/2007/06/purchasing-superzoom-camera.html