Question:
What's a good SLR-Like digital camera?
albion53151
2008-01-25 12:15:05 UTC
I'm looking for an SLR like digital camera. Right now I have a Canon Powershot A560 but I require a few more features then it has to offer. Here are the things that are important to me right now.

1. Fully manual aperture settings.
2. Fully manual shudder speed settings.
3. Ability to take unlimited movies at 640x480x30fps.
4. Uses AA batteries.
5. Between $300 and $400 american.
6. 8+ megapixels
7. SD/MMC memory card
8. Good auto focus.

I've been looking at the Canon S5 IS and the Olympus SP-560 UZ but many reviews on these two complain about poor image quality, and lots of noise on automatic settings. Does anyone have any other suggestions for me?

Thanks
Three answers:
tan0301
2008-01-25 12:22:13 UTC
$269 at www.adorama.com



The Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd has one of the largest zooms on a fixed-lens camera in the industry; the Fujinon 18x Optical Zoom provides unprecedented flexibility in a compact SLR body style camera. With a 27mm-486mm equivalent, the need for additional zoom or wide angle lenses is gone - this extraordinary lens is all you need. The FinePix S8000fd gives you the best of both worlds where image stabilization is concerned. With industry standard mechanical image stabilization, the photographers hand is steadied for a clearer blur free shot. Add to that the addition of Fujifilm's Picture Stabilization Technology, and increase clarity and sharpness is achieved, even in low light conditions or when shooting moving subjects. The combination of the two is the ultimate in stabilization technology.



The new S8000fd Finepix digital still camera features Face Detection technology by Fujifilm to significantly improve your picture taking by identifying human subjects' faces in the frame (up to 10 faces) and in real time, determining the optimal focus and exposure settings for the absolute best results possible in any shooting conditions. Behind Fujifilm's Face Detection technology is a newly developed LSI chip combined with patented software that allows the FinePix S8000fd digital still camera to reach a level of performance in digital photography never before possible. And the sophisticated, intelligent software algorithms detect red-eye and correct it in-camera. More than just red-eye reduction...this is red-eye elimination, after the image has been captured, to assure every picture looks its best. Like the feel of a big SLR but don't like the weight, changing lenses, or the price tag, then the S8000fd is for you. This camera offers much of the advanced functionality of bulky D-SLR cameras with none of the hassle or expense. The 18x wide angle Optical Zoom is all the lenses you need in one. Since it's fixed, there's no possibility of dust contamination.



The Finepix S8000fd features an xD/SD/SD-HC compatible slot, allowing the use of either xD Picture Card or SD media to store and transfer your photos. This convenient and flexible capability assures compatibility with a wider variety of applications than ever before, and allows users to choose the media technology that is right for them. The ultimate in convenience and accessibility, using AA batteries means in a pinch, more batteries are just moments away at any Drug Store, Convenience Store, or dozens of other retailers near by. Additionally, rechargeable AA batteries may also be used to extend the life and performance of the camera without purchasing disposable batteries over and over. It's truly the best of both worlds.



Features

18x Optical Zoom: With its versatile high-quality Fujinon zoom lens, the FinePix S8000fd is ready for any shooting scenario

8 Megapixels: 8-megapixel resolution produces sharp, clear photos that can be enlarged and printed with all their detail and vivid color intact.

27mm Wide Angle: At the wide end of its focal range, the FinePix S8000fd gives you a full 27mm wide-angle perspective

Face Detection: Innovative Face Detection instantly identifies faces in the scene and automatically adjusts focus and exposure to ensure beautiful people pictures

Red-Eye Removal: The FinePix S8000fd features a red-eye removal function that automatically detects and corrects unsightly red-eye reflections that often spoil flash photos of people.

High Sensitivity + CCD Shift Image Stabilization: A CCD shift image stabilization mechanism operates in tandem with high sensitivity to minimize blurring causes by camera shake or subject movement

ISO6400: With a maximum sensitivity of ISO6400, the FinePix F8000fd can take attractive photos even in limited light, without flash

Intelligent Flash: Intelligent Flash calculates subject position, camera distance and brightness of the scene, and automatically adjusts sensitivity and flash output to give you attractive, accurately exposed flash photos with clear background detail.

Natural Light & with Flash: In situations when you're not sure whether the flash is needed, this handy mode takes the same photo with and without flash with a single press of the shutter.

18x Optical Zoom in a Compact Body with Ergonomic Grip: An ergonomic grip and rubber finger pad make it easy to hold the camera steady and operate the controls with one hand, giving you the flexibility to point and shoot smoothly and effortlessly

Smooth 60 fps Electronic Viewfinder: In addition to the 2.5-inch LCD, the FinePix S8000fd gives you the option of framing your shots through a bright, clear 230,000-pixel electronic viewfinder (EVF). With a refresh rate of 60 frames per second, images in the viewfinder appear smooth and natural.

2.5" LCD with Wide View Film: The bright 2.5-inch LCD boasts 230,000 pixels of resolution. Coated with Wide View film, the screen offers an expanded viewing angle that facilitates creative composition and comes in handy for viewing and sharing your pictures.

Auto Mode: This is the easiest mode for taking pictures. Use this mode for ordinary photography

SP1/SP2 Scene Position: Use to select the ideal setting from Scene position menu for the shot.

Program Auto Mode: This is an automatic mode to specify the settings except for the shutter speed and aperture setting.

Aperture Priority Auto Mode: You set the aperture and the camera automatically controls the shutter speed.

Shutter Priority Auto Mode: You choose the shutter speed while the camera automatically selects the aperture that will produce the optimum exposure.

Manual Mode: This mode provides more detailed settings that are impossible to set in Auto mode

Movie Mode: Use this mode to record movies with sound





Specifications

Model FinePix S8000fd

Number of effective pixels 8.0 million pixels

CCD Sensor 1/2.35-inch CCD

Storage media Internal memory (Approx. 58MB)

xD-Picture Card (16MB - 2GB)

SD memory card

SDHC memory card

Still Image File Format JPEG (Exif Ver. 2.2)

Movie File Format AVI (Motion JPEG) with sound

Audio File Format WAVE format, Monaural sound

Number of recorded pixels Still image

Still image: 3,264x2,448 / 3,264x2,176 (3:2 format) / 2,304x1,728 / 1,600x1,200 / 640x480 pixels

Lens Fujinon 18x Optical zoom lens, F2.8 - F4.5

Lens focal length f=4.7mm - 84.2 mm, Equivalent to 27 - 486mm on a 35mm camera

Digital zoom Approx. 5.1x

Aperture F2.8- F8.0, 10 steps in 1/3 EV increment

Normal Focus distance Wide Angle: Approx. 70cm/2.3ft. to infinity

Telephoto: approx. 1.5m/4.9ft to infinity

Macro Focus distance Wide Angle: Approx. 10cm/0.3 ft. to 80cm/2.6ft.

Wide Angle: approx. 10cm/0.3ft to 80cm/2.6ft

Telephoto Angle: 1.2m/3.9ft to 3.2m/10.5ft

Super Macro

Approx. 1cm/0.4in. to 1m/3.3ft

Super Macro Focus distance Approx. 1cm/0.4in. to 1m/3.3ft

Sensitivity AUTO / AUTO (ISO1600) / AUTO (ISO800) / AUTO (ISO400) / Equivalent to ISO64 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 6400 (Standard Output Sensitivity)

ISO3200 / 6400: 4M pixels or lower (Number of recorded pixels)

Exposure Control TTL 256-zones metering

Exposure Mode Programmed AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual

Image Stabilizer CCD-shift type

Mode Dial Shooting Modes Auto, PS (Picture Stabilization), Natural Light, Natural Light & with Flash, SP1, SP2, P, A, S, M, Movie

SP1/SP2 Shooting Modes Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower, Text, Auction

Shutter speed 4sec. to 1/2000 sec. (depends on Shooting mode)

Continuous Shooting Speed Top-3 (max 1.3 frames/sec)

Long-period (max 0.5 frames/sec)

Top-15, High speed (max 7 frames/sec, 4M pixels or lower)

Top-15, Ultra High speed (max 15 frames/sec, 2M pixels or lower

Auto Bracketing ±1/3EV, ±2/3EV, ±1EV

Focus Modes Auto focus (Area, Multi, Center) / Continuous AF/ Manual focus AF assist illuminator available

White balance Automatic scene recognition, Preset (Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light), Custom

Self-timer Approx. 10sec. / 2sec. Delay

Effective Flash Range: (ISO AUTO) Wide Angle: approx. 0.5m - 8.8m / 1.6ft - 28.9ft

Telephoto: approx. 0.5m - 5.6m / 1.6ft - 18.4ft

Macro: approx. 0.3m - 3m / 1.0ft - 9.8ft

Flash Modes Red-eye removal OFF: Auto, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash,

Slow Synchro. Red-eye removal ON: Red-eye Reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction & Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Red-eye Reduction & Slow Synchro.

LCD monitor 2.5-inch, approx. 230,000 pixels, low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD monitor (WV type), approx. 97% coverage, 60fps

Movie recording 640x480 pixels, 30 frames/sec.

320x240 pixels, 30 frames/sec.

With monaural sound, With Electronic Image Stabilization

Zoom function cannot be used during movie recording

Photography functions Face Detection (with red-eye removal), High speed shooting, Best framing, Post shot assist windows, Frame No. memory, Automatic playback, Histograms

Playback functions Face Detection, Slide show, Scrap book view slide show, Trimming, Single frame, Multi-frame playback (with Micro Thumbnail), Sorting by date, Image rotate, Voice Memo, Histograms (Highlight warning)

Video output NTSC / PAL selectable

Digital input / output USB Full-speed

Power Supply 4 x AA type alkaline batteries (included) / 4 x AA type Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (optional) or AC power adapter AC-5VX (optional)

Dimensions 111.3 (W)x78.2 (H)x79.3 (D) mm / 4.4 (W)x3.1 (H)x3.1 (D) in. (excluding accessories and attachments)

Weight Approx. 410g/14.5oz. (excluding accessories, batteries and memory card)
V2K1
2008-01-25 19:20:17 UTC
I don't know precisely what you mean by SLR-like, but if you're looking for DSLR image quality in a compact camera, I'm afraid you're out of luck.



These small cameras (including the ones you mention) begin to fall behind DSLRs in the noise department after about ISO 200, and in most of them ISO800 is unusable.



(Go and look at the reviews at www.dpreview.com and you'll see what I mean.)



Your list seems reasonable and I'm sure you'll find a suitable camera. It just won't make DSLR-quality images.



HTH.
Elvis
2008-01-25 14:03:37 UTC
my suggestion

go to yahoo shopping

digital cameras

digital camera GUIDE

be sure to check titles on the left side

the guide should answer your questions


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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