[ftaok]

In reply to:

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I have a Canon S230, which is a 3 megapixel digicam with a 2x zoom. There are some good manual options on this little wonder as well. The S230 sells for around $400, so it's also in your price range.

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Nighteyes,
How good is the software that comes with that camera? I was looking at the S200 when I got mine Sony, and then they announced the S230. I would have gotten the S230, but I wasn't coming out until 3 weeks after my vacation. Besides, I had already bought the Sony and didn't want to pay the restocking fee.
I'm asking about the software because the Sony came with some Mac software, but it's OS9 only. I know the newer Canon software is OS X native.
Thanks.

[NightEyes]

the software is fine with the S230, though I didn't need to install it. Both iPhoto and Image Capture recognized the camera right away. I've played with the Canon software that they include, an iPhoto-like program that is ok.

[Parrot]

I've got a Nikon Coolpix 4300. Great camera. 4MP and 3x optical zoom. Similar specs to the Canon S45, but the Nikon camera's have better macro performance compared to others.
I'd recommend the Coolpix 4300 or Canon S45. If you want slightly better picture quality (still 4MP though) try the Coolpix 4500 or Canon G3, but these camera's are a bit bigger ie a trade off. I'm not so sure about the Olympus C-50. It's 5MP and compact, but I've heard varying reports regarding the quality of the images it produces.

[Paranoid_Android]

Never handled an Olympus myself, Ti Guy.
Mind sending a link to some sample images of yours?
I've got some grand ones from my Canon S30 at my homepage:
http://homepage.mac.com/smbraff/
...if anyone cares to view them.
I think I took down all the scandalous stuff... /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Ti_Guy]

Paranoid, buddy.
Here are a few pictures I took with my Olympus C-4040 . All were taken with the least amount of compression.
You see, any moderately priced digital camera cat do the same thing in the same hands, and achieve other better or worse results in other hands. It's all about personal preferences (sick clich, I know!)
I prefer the Olympus because it feels like a film camera, what I've been using for more than 20 years. The lens on the top C-series cameras is a top notch performer, with a f-1.8 maximum aperture, very useful for both flash and available light picture taking. The new C-5050 is looking quite tempting, to me, for many reasons other than the 5MP sensor. The more I can access different settings without going through menus, the more the camera appeals to me. Fortunately, the C-4040 can be very menu independent once you set up a few of its many customizable shortcuts.
Cheeres, all. Time for bed.

[Paranoid_Android]

Wow!
Those icicle images are quite impressive.
Does your Olympus have B&W mode?
How about movie mode?

[Ti_Guy]

In reply to:

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Does your Olympus have B&W mode?
How about movie mode?

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Yes and yes. I think every camera over $250-300 has those and many other features. As I said earlier, Paranoid, it's not just pixels that make a good pictures. It's mainly plain old exposure (aperture, shutter speed) and optics (focus, lens quality), simple as that.
I took those icecle pictures on a cold afternoon, while waiting for my kids to come out of school. The best pictures are those we do not plan too much ahead for. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Paranoid_Android]

The Minolta cameras don't sport a B&W feature from what I understand.
Or so says my friend who owns a Dimage.

[mrkablooey]

you can also get great reviews and sample, typically full-res images at www.steves-digicams.com

[kam61799]

I recently purchased a Minolta Dimage F100 (found one at a great price) and just wanted to let you know that it does in fact have a B & W mode (along with a movie mode, voice recorder functionality, and all the other goodies you would expect from a 4 MegaPix high-end consumer camera). The only complaint I can muster is about the cameras interesting "automatic subject tracking auto focus," which attempts to track subjects as they move across the frame. The novel feature is little slow for my taste, but can be easily switched off in favor of more traditional focusing choices (single shot AF, AF, or manual focus). All in all this has proven to be a surprising capable camera - something I was not expecting from this sveltely packaged little thing. Even more exciting is the recently announced Dimage F300, which sports a 5 megapixel CCD in the same diminutive and stylish form factor.

[Parrot]

Thought I'd post a few random 'experimental' pics from my Nikon Coolpix 4300.
http://www.jeack.com...ethods/DSCN0066[u]1.JPG

http://www.jeack.com...ds/DSCN0643.JPG

[Tuki]

I have a Nikon Coolpix 995 - I love it. If I would have bought a camera 6 months later, I would have gone with a Canon s30. The Canon s series cameras are great and they all fit into an optional under water protective case - good up to 100 feet.
These are getting a bit old, but what the hay. I'll be taking a bunch this week.