BootsnAll Travel Community

Ok, I've been reading the usual review sites for digital cameras and I've managed to get myself thoroughly confused.

The first camera I found that I liked was the Sony Mavica which writes straight to the mini-discs - no need to worry about uploading while on the road. Just make copies to another CD and send home.

But then I started thinking about when I would use the camera after my big trip. Mostly I would want to take windsurfing pictures. This would require a good zoom lens. Turns out zoom is no good without speed - which brought me to the Panasonic FZ10. Ouch $ 600. And if you haven't noticed - I don't know didley about photography and cameras - just what I've managed to read.

Well it turns out most of the 3 megapixel cameras only have 3x optical zoom. The question is - how much zoom is good? My trip will include China, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Egypt and as much of Africa as I can manage to fit in. What would you consider optimal zoom? Or minimal zoom?

I don't expect to leave until October - but I'd like to get the camera in the spring so I have plenty of time to work with it over the summer. I'm looking at least 3 megapixels.

Thanks.
Vicki

Well, for your purposes, I really can't say what'll work. But do know that digital zoom is essentially worthless. My camera has 3x optical and 7x digital, but I find anything past 3.8x is just a crappy picture. Higher MP (mine is an older model, only 2MP) will probably increase the distance where Digital Zoom is useful for, but be warned that the maximum will still probably be well past what will take a good picture.

I'd say for normal use 3x is pretty much a minimum. I have had a couple occasions when I've wished I could do 7x optical, but for me, those rare occasions wouldn't be worth the money.

-Neil.
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It is better to stand corrected than to walk on your knees.

Hey Victw,

A 3x optical zoom is equivalent to a 105mm zoom lens. I can't say that is sufficient for photographing a surfer out in the waves, unless you are dangerously close to the water. For me, photographing surfers can be pretty challenging. You are right about needing a camera with relative high speed, most cameras are well able of freezing moving cars.

I think it will help tremendously now and after, if you pick up some simple photography books and learn the neccessary stuff. And about the best camera, try going to a good camera shop, play with the cameras you have in mind. Take a good look how much 3x optical zoom is. Almost Free is right, digital zoom is muchly useless. When you have some models in mind, research it out on the internet for reviews and information. It will help you make the decision for the 'right one'.

I bought the Olympus C720, mainly for its zoom. It has 8x optical zoom. (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Olympus/oly_c720uz.asp). Another thing I wanted was to be able to adjust aperture and shutter time manually. The only thing with this camera is that it doesn't focus very fast when zoomed in totally. 8x is a lot! I don't use so often actually, but is handy once in a while. My first digital camera didn't have any zoom and I took really nice pictures with it. I guess you learn to live with the limitations of your gear.

As posted here before, consider again buying a 3mp camera, unless you of course you want to print poster-size pictures. For printing normal sized pictures, a 2mp camera is good enough and will save you some money. .

Check out the "Feature search" function on dpreview.com You can enter you minimum requirements (like zoom etc...) and all the gadgets you want and the site will find all the cameras that meet your requirements

Another thing you might try: I bought my camera refurbished. It means it's camera that is returned to the factory or overstock... They are a lot cheaper because most people don't trust these things. But actually I am thinking buying this is even safer than a regular one because they are checked _twice_ by the manufacturer, so... you can compare some prices on sites like http://www.refurbdepot.com

The problem I have with digital cameras with big zooms - the need for a tripod. At such big magnifications like 300mm, any small shaky movements will result in blurness. That's unless its a digital slr and I'm shooting in nice sunny conditions.

I havn't had much problems with that, but I admid most full zoom pictures I took were in full daylight and sometimes I take a few to get the right one. But taking pictures in other circumstances than bright daylight makes is all much more difficult. Especially the hours after sunset when it's not completly dark yet cause me some problems.

Murk,

Image stabilization is why I was looking at the Panasonic. The only other camera I saw with stabilization was the Minolta A1 - I think it's even more $$ than the Panasonic.
This is why I asked the question about how much zoom - because I'm not toting a tripod with me around the world - so anything more than 5x is supposed to be no good without a tripod or stabilization.
And if the extra zoom isn't necessary - I'd probably just stick with the Sony Mavica for ease of storage.
I guess the real question is how often do most people use their zoom? And at what power(?)
Vic

The Mavica series looks decent but are too pricey for me. You're definately right on the importance of zooming ability to different individuals. I have no problems with a 80mm lens, in fact I prefer macro lenses.

You can use creative ways to stabilize your camera... you can put it on your bag and then lay down, for example, or you can even make a tripod using sticks (which I've done before, haha)... things like that. One suggestion I've read, but haven't tried is carrying around a bag (without holes) and filling it with sand, then setting your camera on it and taking your photo that way. You can set it down on any steady object and get more stabilization than you would from just holding it. You can also get mini tripods quite cheap, but they're quite small so you wouldn't be able to stand with them and you'd need a flat surface to put them down on.

Of course, if you're holding your camera, tuck your elbows into your sides. I find that helps quite a bit.

"Never for me the lowered banner, never the last endeavour." -- Sir Ernest Shackleton

I have used Digitals only for year or so but had the opportunity to research them recently while buying one as a gift. I bought and returned few. If you are looking for cheap camera with big optical zoom buy olympus C 720 for around $250. It has 8X optical zoom and 20 some X digital. 8X is more than you will ever need. Only disadvantage the eye view is electronic and not through the lens optical so the eye view picture is not real and is grainy, specially at the higher optical zoom. Otherwise this camera has lots of other features for the money.