Help needed - Urgent!
So, so sorry for the long silence (I seem to say that every time I reappear after a long absence). I've been busy (Who isn't?). The thing is, I've had a lot of reading to do (So do iFos and Ayumi, but they seem to be okay).
Anyway, I've finally zoomed in on a camera which fulfills most of my wishes (plus, it's also within my financial means. Well, not quite, but that's another story). So, I'd be in deep gratitude if any of the other bloggers could give some comments to my potential 'wife' (as Mynn affectionately calls his DSLR).
Presenting to you, the Casio Exilim EX Z60 (clap clap)
Oh, by the way, here are the specs (Just in case)
Exilim Z60 Zoom Features:
- 6-Megapixel effective CCD imager, 3x optical zoom w/auto macro
- Stylish, durable and light-weight aluminum body
- Large 2.5-inch TFT color LCD, twice as bright as EX-S500
- Anti Shake provides higher sensitivity, faster shutter speed prevents image blurring to hand or subject movement
- High-speed start-up enables shooting approximately 1.4 seconds after power up.
- Release time lag of only 0.002 seconds after the shutter is pressed.
- Rapid Flash, 3 high speed flash photos in one second
- Continuous shutter function enables photos to be taken in 0.9 seconds intervals.
- 33 "BEST SHOT" scene modes set the camera for easy to difficult situations.
- Attach up to 30-second audio memos to still images at capture or later.
- Record voice-only audio, approx. 25 minutes on internal memory.
- MPEG-4, VGA(640×480 pixels), 30 frames/second high quality movies
- Movie Best Shot, Past Movie, Short Movie and in-camera movie editing.
- 9-point autofocus system with selectable AF modes: Multi or Spot AF.
- ISO sensitivity from 50 to 400, ISO 800 with Anti Shake.
- Built-in flash with Red Eye Reduction and Flash-assist function.
- USB data transfer to PC or Mac computers.
- Super-Life battery enables up to 180 shots on a single charge.
- Li-ion rechargeable battery and charger included.
- 8.3 Megabytes of internal memory and SD card slot for memory expansion.
- ExifPrint, PRINT Image Matching III, USB Direct-Print, and PictBridge compatible.
I'm really hoping for some feedback as this seems my only viable option (the other one I had my eye on was the Canon Digital Ixus 60 a.k.a SD60, but it was a bit pricey at RM1300. Mom scowled when she heard the price).
p.s. If you're wondering why on earth did I include brackets after each sentence, it's just simply because I've nothing better to do (A pathetic excuse, I know. Oh shoot. I've done it again)
p.s. If you're wondering why on earth did I include brackets after each sentence, it's just simply because I've nothing better to do (A pathetic excuse, I know. Oh shoot. I've done it again)
11 comments:
assalammualaikum hiyoshi
with regards to buying a new camera, seriously, it is always difficult to choose exactly the best one and one that provides the best "bang for the buck" so it's important to do quite a bit of research. I've been looking at other cameras around the same price range of exilim (which translates to around GBP 120) and here is what i've come up with:
(a) the exilim z60.
The camera is good enough. the pros are: fast start-up, good slim design, lightweight, decent zoom range, good quality images, good price. however, the cons are that there are no manual modes.
speaking abit more about manual modes, it depends on how you like to take your photos. if you prefer to set everything on automatic, than by all means the exilim is probably good enough. however, if you would like to for example, control depth of field (for a nice blurred background) or use slow shutter speeds (for making motion blur) then you need a camera with Av, Tv and M modes (aperture, shutter speed and manual control).
one of the camera around GBP 120 these functions is the Canon A540. so,
(b) the Canon A540. Pros: longer zoom than the exilim. The canon can zoom from 35mm to up to 140mm. in comparison, the exilim could zoom only to around 110mm. so, for the extra "skodeng" power (as ikelah likes to put it [by the way skodeng means "intai"]) the canon is much better. ALSO, the canon has Tv, Av and M modes. With the canon, you could also buy things called "conversion lenses" - small attachments you could fix to the lens to increase the zoom range, to add macro functions or to take wide angle photos. very nifty. Reviews say the picture quality is good too - although slightly soft. the soft look is typical of all canon cameras --- including my 400D dslr (personally, i don't like it - but your opinion may differ).
For the best bang for the buck, i think the canon a540 is the one.
The cons i would say, is that it doesn't look as attractive as the exilim. the canon is slightly bulkier. also the canon doesn't have rechargeable batteries - you have to use two AA batteries. However, to some people this is a good thing, AND you can always buy rechargeable AA batteries quite cheaply :)
(c) Another option is the Canon ixus 60 which is similar to the exilim in every way, except that the picture quality may be slightly better according to some review. The exilim z60 is probably slimmer than the canon ixus 60, but the ixus 60 is also beautiful, and is 6 megapixel. The ixus 60 DO NOT have manual, Av or Tv modes. but worth considering as the picture quality is reported to be better than the exilim z60.
Other cameras to consider within the price range are:
(d) The nikon S9
(e) the nikon L6
non of the nikons offer manual modes, Av or Tv but they do look pretty and apparently picture quality is very good.
my advice is please, look for all these cameras in the shops and try them out. my recommendations go to the Canon A540. but please try the camera out to see if you like the image quality. if you don't mind not having manual controls or skodeng power then absolutely the exilim is attractive, lightweight, cheap and good enough :)
hope that helps hiyoshi and did not confuse you further (buying new things is always confusing ... due to the plethora of brands)
further reading:
1. Canon A540 review
2. Exilim Z60 review 1
3. Exilim Z60 review 2
4. Canon Ixus 60
5. Nikon S9
6. Nikon L6
ps
please pardon the horrible grammatical errors above - i'm posting this at 4am and i'm typing too quick to care.
Well, that was speedy. Thanks! *smile*
Note to others: Notice how Mynn barely pauses for breathes when it comes to cameras. Just pulling your leg there mate!
But honestly, thank you so much for the response. I'll need to sit down again and consider which camera to buy. Decisions, decisions....
Hiyoshi:
How about drawing lots? That'll be much easier isnt it? :p
haha, dah nak dapat menantu dah your parents ya? selamat berhoneymoon with the 'wife'.
p/s: tak nak consider NIKON ke?
hiyosh
it's just a coincidence i happened upon your comment on my blog at 4am. actually that night (foolish of me) i went to an "unspecified coffee shop" with sarah and i tried the coffee of the day. yeah, i couldn't sleep that night - that's why i answered at 4am.
with regards to all the cameras i listed above hiyosh, they are all listed below 150 pounds. that means they all should be around RM 900 - so please shop around for the "right" price.
also hiyosh, all the cameras listed are "only" 6 megapixels, i.e superseded models by around 1-2 generations ... that's why they sell really cheaply in the UK. so seriously, do find the right price for them --- don't buy the Ixus 60 for RM 1300!!
Salaam..
Er.. give me something that I could comment on.. hahaha..
haha, yeah hiyoshi, i agree with ayumi.... Haha... Well, i own a panasonic lumix 5megapixel camera...Everyone says that camera is a good one but god knows I know nothing about cameras. haha...
Jamil, it's been a awhile. Hehhe. How's everything going on? Anyway, I'm here to help. =P
Salaam,
A beautiful 'wife' it is... Casio is know to make slim 'credit card sized' cameras. Useful if you're going on an undercover mission.
Well, normally technical specs for compact digital cameras are almost the same for ALL cameras of the same 'age' (Older cameras will be slightly 'slower' and has less functions from the new ones). So, from my point of view is to go according to the lens make, safety, style and affordability.
I said 'safety' because some cameras tends to heat up when they're left ON for too long because they have poor battery power management and this could be a fire hazard.
I myself am using Panasonic Lumiz FZ07 because of the 'chicque' look (pink), a straight forward menu function and the sales assistant promised to give me a lot of other freebies ;P.
Ok la... buat semak comment box hang saja. Good luck in finding your 'perfect partner'.
So,.....bought that camera already??
If you have, post some pics please. I'd LOVE to have Paul Moss evaluate your work.
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