Great Digital Camera

[Shane]

Just thought I'd give a shout out to those who are looking for a high-end print quality digital camera.

I used a Nikon 5700, 5 mega pixel camera for a client product photo shoot the other day and found the image quality to be nothing short of amazing. Better than any others I've used before. The flash alone is awesome. the softest, most evenly distributed white light. Lit the product featuers very well. No major shadows. Not to mention pixel/image quality to match. More than anyone would need for 200+ dpi, 200+ line screen work. SWEET!

Feel free to email me for additional features/specs/pros/cons...

Best regards,

~ Shane

 

[AnnieAK]

I liked the 5700 based on the 8X magnification, and because in the reviews I'd read, they did say it had awesome picture quality. However, the last time I was in Anchorage, I checked one out in a store. One of the bad things I'd read about them was their slowness to focus in low light, sometimes having a hard time focusing at all. That definitely seemed to be true, and that store was fairly bright. Even the guys behind the counter said they thought it could be a whole lot better, compared to the MInoltas and Sonys.
It's an incredibly small and light camera, really impressive. If it weren't for the focus thing, I'd probably get it.

 

[Shane]

I would not argue that each camera has interface differences, and many of them being deal breakers. The only argument I would make in defense of the Nikon is that for the money, I haven't used a finer consumer-grade, 5 mega-pixel, digital camera that would produce better image quality. I have spent most of my time with the camera in manual focus. But for my high-resolution/quality needs, it has proven to be nicer than I had anticipated. As for low light, the Nikon's built-in flash lit up the inside of a dark, 20'x30' safe like a full set of diffused light sources. Not the "spotlight" produced by most other products. Very soft and well adjusted.

A whole lot better? I respect the information you were given from the retail store. However, in all fairness, it wouldn't be a Sony or Minolta product I've used/tested (in the $900 to $1000 range) that produces a consumer-grade device that blows this one out of the water. Perhaps a quicker focus mechanism. I'm not sure about that one.

Just wanted to share my positive experience with the Nikon.

~ Shane

 

[Kickaha]

Thanks for the review Shane.

I was curious about that camera. I've been playing with printing different output to a Canon color printer. I can definately notice a differnence between a 3MP picture and a 5MP picture. No question. The 3MP looks good ... until it's compared against the 5MP.

The Nikon looked good for both the 5MP and the 8x optical zoom. Only thing is the price. The good news is it will be half that in two years.

Thanks again.

 

[AnnieAK]

I was all set to buy the 5700 at one time. Since my old 35 mm camera is a NIkon, and it's been working great for 22 years, I wanted another Nikon. Then I read a short review by a landscape photographer and he didn't like the zoom or the way you do the manual focus. He also REALLY didn't like the length of of time it took to write to the card, but that's another story. After that I started doing some more researching, and looking at the other cameras. On several forums people noted that it's really nice to have the old-fashioned zoom and manual focus ring on the lens barrel, rather than doing it with a little button/lever, and I agree. My Olympus has a little toggle, and I don't like it at all.
I have heard that the flash, as noted above, is better than most others. I seldom use flash for the longer distance photos I want to do, so that doesn't apply.
I wish the other manufacturers would work on their image quality or Nikon would bring out another camera with different manual/auto mechanisms. I looked longingly at the Nikon D100, but I just ain't rich enough for that!!!

 

[Kickaha]

Well, my problem is that I want at least 8x optical magnification and at least 5MP. Anything less and it's not worth the upgrade. Olympus seems to have high zoom, but low MP or high MP but low zoom. The price of the current crop is still a tad too high. Maybe next year?

 

[Jim Thompson]

Keep the fingers crossed that next year will be the year for high MP's and high optical.

We will see until then I will keep my c700 and not do much printing.

Shane,

Thanks for teh review. I have looked long and hard at the 5700 as well as the Sony and the Oly in the same price range. They are all high quality cams that have their benifits and their faults. Figure out which one works best for your needs. Sounds like you have tha figured out and I bet you are taking some fine shots with it!

Enjoy,

Jim

 

[1SoCalHunter]

I have a Nikon 4500 and I print on the new Canon i950 and I tell you, it's a deadly combination, the pictures come out with an excellent superior quality, even on the 8x10's. It'll be a while before I upgrade...

 

[Shane]

Good stuff folks. Thanks for the dicussion. My requirements are very similar to all of yours. The limitations are obviously seen in these cameras pushing the resolution boundaries yet at a consumer affordable price point. I also use the Olympus 3030 and 4040. What I believe we will see very soon is the resolution craze sort of plateau, and the enhancement of other features like:

> Magnification
> Physical Size
> Memory (Storage)
> Flash
> Lens options

I think what is keeping the progression down so much is the technology required in pixel interpolation. Allowing for more accurate digital zoom capabilities.

~ Shane

 

[Jim Thompson]

One other issue with me is overall size of the cam, which is why I love my little "pocket" OLY C700.

I could not fathom trying to carry a Sony 717 or a Oly 5050 with a tele lens in my pants pocket like I do my little cam now.

Until I can find another pocket cam with 4+ MP's and 8+ zoom, I gotta stay where I am.

I like spur of the moment "from the stand" shots like this. She was about 50 yards away and directly behind me. With one of the higher end cams, the shot would have been better, but I may never had actually pulled it off because of the size.

Oh yeah, image stabilization would be nice too! Tripods get in the way on stand!!!

Jim

 

[WildBird]

Jim -

Great shot of the doe. I agree on the tripod not being helpful in that situation, unless you were only hunting with the camera. I find that using a monopod with a ball head (with a lot of practice) is almost as good. Better to get the shot than not. I just got a C-730 and it is great. I wanted compact size for taking to the field, along with the 10x zoom and the many upgraded features. I added a Raynox 1540 (1.54x) zoom lens, so now I have 15x total zoom which takes it out to 585mm with great brightness, resolution and color. Just need more time in the field so I don't go nuts. Upcoming turkey season will give it a workout. Henry

 

[1SoCalHunter]

Nice picture there Jim!

 

[Jim Thompson]

Thanks Wild and Socal,

I am constantly grabbing either the cam or weapon in the stand, and yes I constantly grab the wrong one!

Most of the time when in my climber I will not carry a monopod, but will use the front bar of my climber as a brace. Or like in the above pic, use the tree as a rest.

When I am in my lock on's, I will carry a monopod a lot.

I usually only take pics of deer I would not consider shooting. I was looking for a bruiser when the doe above showed up. Here is one of a little lady....little is right

Jim

 

[copilot]

Dollar for dollar I think you will find an Olympus that can do what that Nikon does and then some. Check out an Olympus e-10 or e-20. Also available for the e series is a really neat a/f zoom.

The camera if you shop around can be bought under a grand for both the e-10 or the e-20. The zoom part is new and still pricey 650.00.

 

[TxCowboy]

Copilot, that is a great looking add on lens. I'd love to have an E-20 but I just can't shell out the money right now. What lens is that in the photo?

I'm confuse on the megapixels of the E-20. It's called a 4.95 mp camera but I keep reading something about it using 2.95 mp in "progressive scanning mode". What ever that means?

 

[Jim Thompson]

I would need a mighty big pocket to carry that thing around

I bet it will take some fine pics though. A friend uses one like it for pro wedding photos.

Jim

 

[1SoCalHunter]

What is that thing there copilot?

Don't tell me that it comes with a bolt short barrel rifle incorporated

 

[Qbn Hunter]

Great pictures guys. I am looking for an affordable camera, around the $200 range. My main concern is zoom. I want to take the camera hunting and I would like to take pictures of animals at a far distance.