Just found the camera of my dreams

[Volchitsa]

I'm sort of into photography. Also, I just like taking completely random pictures. Then there is stalking.. So my camera is pretty important to me.
Mostly, I use my old falling-appart Olympus D-550. It was an awesome camera at the time, but now it's not worth a lot at all. I must comment on its quality though. Not a lot of megapixels, but the lens is pretty amazing. Or was anyway. Right now the whole camera is literally falling apart. I don't think it was designed for 4+ years of pretty frequent use...
Well my family also owns a kodak. Don't know the exact model right now, but it basicly has 10x optical zoom and 5 MP. I used it a couple of times and I love it. The zoom is really awesome. I mean at my brother's graduation, we sat at the back row of a HUGE auditorium and we still got nice pictures of people on the stage. The quality is good also. I like almost everything about the camera. Even little things like the interface. There's only one setback. A pretty noticeable one. The size. It's not a kind of camera youd just quickly put in your pocket or even bag.

Recently I've been looking through bargain countdown at ecost, and I noticed the Nikon coolpix s4. I just decided to look at it, not really expecting much. I was amazed when I looked through the specs. 6 MP, 10x optical zoom, and all that in a case smaller than my sad olympus.
I love this camera. If I had some money right now, I'd definitely get it.

I didn't do a lot of research, but I've never seen anything similar, so much zoom and MP in such a little camera.
Does anyone know of any other similar models by any brand? Recommendations? I'm just wondering if there's anything similar to this. Nikon is a good brand, should have good lenses. It costs around $320, btw.

Any (almost ;)) reply welcome. :)

[Gizmo]

Nikon is definitely a premier camera brand. And the S4 is a very good little camera. Here is a link to an in-depth review. The camera is highly recommended. :)

Nikon S4 review. (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/CPS4/CPS4A.HTM)

Edit- BTW, if being able to put the camera in your pocket is important, be sure to check out the Canon Digital Elph, or Casio EXILIM line of cameras. ;)

[Volchitsa]

Hey, thanks.
Pocketableness and zoom should be balanced for me. 3x optical is not enough for me, and the size of my kodak is way too big. I think nikon s4 does an awesome job in balancing the 2 and still keeping the quality.

[Volchitsa]

Ohm and another thing. I've heard from some reviewwers that the s4 does not do a good job of focusing when lighting's low and the pictures turn out to be blurry...
Can anyone confirm/elaborate?

[SamuraiCatJB]

Here is steve's review on the S4: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/s4_pg5.html

Actually the blur on low light is common in the low-mid end cameras, after all if the sensor doesn't see it, it cannot focus it. My D70 put's out a focus light briefly to assist focusing in low-light, but even that needs some help in REAL low-light (read: dark via flash), so I am looking at an external flash right now that supports focus assist.

[SonyStyle]

simliar cameras would be sony cybershot T9, 6MP but only 3 MP, but hey, its thin and light but not as light as the T7.

[Volchitsa]

SonyStyle, there are many cameras like the cybershot. What's different about nikon s4 is the 10x optical zoom. And there are no cameras quite like that. They're either huge or small but with no zoom.

[TJ37]

The Nikon Coolpix S4 is actually 10x optical, 3x digital which qualifies it as an ultrazoom point & shoot.

There is a great digital camera review site that I'd like to reccomend:
www.dcresource.com

Direct link to Nikon Coolpix S4:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/coolpix_s4-review/

Me? I'll stick to film ;)

[SamuraiCatJB]

Me? I'll stick to film ;)

I do too, but only when it is hot out. :p

Digital lets me try and review things faster, it also lets me do all my own darkroom work since the only darkroom is a computer. :)

[Gizmo]

SonyStyle, there are many cameras like the cybershot. What's different about nikon s4 is the 10x optical zoom. And there are no cameras quite like that. They're either huge or small but with no zoom.
Check this out. (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06021405panasonictz1.asp) :)

[Volchitsa]

Oh wow, Gizmo, thanks. I'll have to take a look at that one...

[Volchitsa]

All I need now is a comparison chart or a review kind of thing comparing the 2 cameras. Bacause I'm lazy. ;)

You'd think the optics quality of the nikon would be better, wouldn't you? It's also more expensive (not that that necessarily decides anything)...
+ there is that whole MP thing...

[Gizmo]

All I need now is a comparison chart or a review kind of thing comparing the 2 cameras. Bacause I'm lazy. ;)
I'm sure someone will do one soon. After all, it is new. :)

You'd think the optics quality of the nikon would be better, wouldn't you?
Not in this case. This Pansonic camera is made in a joint venture with Leica, one of the PREMIER camera and lens makers in the world. Some would argue that Leica's lenses are second to none. And previous Pansonic models with the Leica lens have recieved great reviews for their optic quality.

It's also more expensive (not that that necessarily decides anything)...
+ there is that whole MP thing...
Don't buy into the megapixel myth that says more is better. Many other factors go into picture quality. Wait untill the reviews come out. I'm sure the picture quality will match any camera in it's class, regardless of MP's.

I'm actually kind of interested in this camera myself. I've been looking for something to carry when I don't feel like dragging my Canon 20D around. :)

[SamuraiCatJB]

if the filtering algorithms are equal and the sensor quality/sensitivity are equal, then the megapixel matters. First and foremost is sensor quality/sensitivity and filtering algorithms. Never buy a noisy sensor just to have more megapixels. :)

I don't buy a camera until the review on dpreview shows photo samples and a noise review on the camera, as well as filtering examination.

Rember that the filtering algorithm is ultimately important. Only the sigma offers rgb as separate sensor pixels and few buy it. All other cameras alternate RGB in a pattern, each pixel picking up one color only. The filtering algorithm uses the current pixel along with surrounding pixels to estimate the other two colors. When you realize that the sensor has 1/3 of the sensors necessary to produce a "true" image, you realize just how important the quality of the filter algorithm is. Sensor then becomes important, a noisy pixel not only throws off one pixel, but all pixels around it due to filtering.

When all else is equal, then the number of megapixels matters. But even then you have to think about intent. Do you really want a megapixel rating equal to film if you are never going to put a 13x17 enlargement on a wall? You might do an 8x10, that is fine, google... you will find that 8x10 is a reasonable megapixel size. In fact I was oversampling with lots of photoshop help and producing reasonable 8x10s at 1.3megapixel, but it took a lot of time and effort to do a good image.

I may jump up in megapixels because I may actually want those huge enlargements, but most people will not. And I have to be careful, because enlarging shows all of the little problems on your image. Chances are I will be in the pro-level of cameras before I jump up much higher in megapixels.

Know what you need it for, what you intend to use the results for. If you are not making posters, you don't need 24 megapixels. (but that doesn't mean I won't drool over a hasselblad -- I would love to do landscapes with it... but would never really buy it)

[Gizmo]

if the filtering algorithms are equal and the sensor quality/sensitivity are equal, then the megapixel matters. First and foremost is sensor quality/sensitivity and filtering algorithms. Never buy a noisy sensor just to have more megapixels. :)

Exactly my point. :) Too many people think that just because it has more MP's its better. Not so. Many other things factor in, as you so eloquently noted. I would add that all things being equal, including megapixels, that lens quality plays an important role also. I know from experience that my L lens on my camera produces a sharper image that my "kit" lens, not to mention better color and contrast.


Know what you need it for, what you intend to use the results for.
The best advice you can give. :)


If you are not making posters, you don't need 24 megapixels. (but that doesn't mean I won't drool over a hasselblad -- I would love to do landscapes with it... but would never really buy it)
*drools* :D

[SamuraiCatJB]

I would add that all things being equal, including megapixels, that lens quality plays an important role also. I know from experience that my L lens on my camera produces a sharper image that my "kit" lens, not to mention better color and contrast.


Very true, I left out that one. I am actually not going to buy a new lens until I have A) a good backpack to store it in safely (and easy to retrieve) B) I can save enough money to buy the higher quality lenses.

Although admittedly if a $1000 zoom lens had taken the dip with me in the swamps I would be much more unhappy than my sigma cheapy telephoto.

Right now I am in learn mode, learning as much with what I have, I will eventually get the better lenses and maybe even a better camera. :) But I don't have a wife to buy me lenses, so I have to do it on my own :p

[TJ37]

Ah interesting, we got some photographers here too!

Back on topic: As SamuraiCatJB stated, megapixels do matter -- however only to a certain extent. Most big-name-brands, through the interest of sales and reputation, do not spit out half-assed products i.e. cameras with noisy sensors. Panasonic is known (atleast in the FZ series) to produce images that are sometimes overly sharp and noisy. A good 4 megapixel camera would produce great 8x10 shots. A some-what noisy 6 megapixel camera could produce pictures of equal quality (with editing if need be).

As for the Nikon or Panasonic debate, brand preference is up to the user who is spending the money. Users who have had good experiences with a brand tend to stick with that brand. Both cameras have their strong and weak points. I would strongly suggest reading several reviews on each camera and looking at sample pictures if available.