Thinking of buying new camera

[Litespeed]

I had seen the Panasonic DMC-ZS1 at Costco for $280.00 and haven't decided whether to buy it or not. Right now I have a Sony DSC-W100 which works fine but the battery is starting to lose it charge.

I thought I had read somewhere that all camera's shoot in RAW, but the DMC-ZS1 does not and says so in the description of the camera.

Is TIFF the same as RAW? Obviously, I have never shot in RAW and don't know that I would go that route anyway so that's not a big selling point for me.

Has anyone looked into this camera and what are your thoughts on it.

[Hankw]

Goodmorning:

RAW is the photo your camera takes that is not processed from within the camera. It's like using film and later processing it in the lab, only with RAW you do it with photo software.

I can't help you with your camera, but for that price I would check into getting a Dslr. I recently bought a Nikon D40 and really enjoy using that. This will give a choice of shooting RAW and RAW+JPEG and many other advantages such as using different lenses for other types of situations. Canon makes good camera as well as a few others. Someone will come along shortly with more info for you.

Put some thought in what you might like to be doing with your Photography in the future. The possibilities are endless, and it is OOOHHHH so much fun.

[dj_paige]

I had seen the Panasonic DMC-ZS1 at Costco for $280.00 and haven't decided whether to buy it or not. Right now I have a Sony DSC-W100 which works fine but the battery is starting to lose it charge.

I thought I had read somewhere that all camera's shoot in RAW, but the DMC-ZS1 does not and says so in the description of the camera.

Is TIFF the same as RAW? Obviously, I have never shot in RAW and don't know that I would go that route anyway so that's not a big selling point for me.

Not all cameras shoot RAW. (Well, to be more precise, not all cameras save images in RAW format, I guess they all have to shoot RAW).

TIFF is not RAW. If the camera specifications don't say "raw", then you can't get raw photos from that camera.

[baycruisers]

Check out the cameras you are interested in at:

http://www.dpreview.com/ or www.cnet.com (http://www.cnet.com)


If there's not a big difference in price (and it's up to you to decide when the price point is met) I'd go with a DSLR. More to learn, but more flexibility and options.

But, I'm always happy to spend other peoples' money. ;)

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I totally agree about a DSLR ... when I bought mine it had far more features than I thought I needed but I thought that it was better to buy too big than buy what I needed and a year down the road have to buy another.

I bought the Digital Rebel (called the 300D here in the UK) ... that was 5 years ago and I still love it :)

Wendy

[Joe_Kostoss]

Right now I have a Sony DSC-W100 which works fine but the battery is starting to lose it charge...

I also recently bought the Nikon D40 DSLR. I think DSLR is the way to go. The D40 is out of production, but there are other inexpensive models to choose from, but cost slightly more than the P&S.

If you don't want a DSLR and your Sony works fine but needs a new battery, why not go for the battery?

[baycruisers]

Something else to consider...we always travel with my DSLR and a P & S. There are times a DSLR is simply overkill or not a good idea to carry around (e.g., the beach) and our P & S serves us just fine. At other times I want the flexibility and sharp images that can only come from my D80. My wife also likes the ease of using the P & S and is not interested in the D80. She has taken some very impressive pictures with the P & S, so it's not the camera, it's the brain and eye that makes the difference.

[epaul6]

Along the same thing-the most important feature of any camera is will you use it. I have both. A DSLR is a commitment. I now have several lenses and a backpack (read diaper bag) to take with me a tripod and ball head is next on my list. If I am just taking family snapshots or am in a confined space I use the old P&S. Sports, fast moving shots, low light shots, weddings-I use the DSLR. I do shoot in RAW for important (to me anyway) events. There are sometimes where it is just more convenient just to have the P&S.
A trap that some folks fall into is that they think they can take better pictures with a different camera. I think my best piece of equipment is a subscription to Elements techniques and Scott Kelby's two books "The digital Photographers Guide". Either or both will improve your technique and allow you to take better photos.

[Chuck S.]

Right now I have a Sony DSC-W100 which works fine but the battery is starting to lose it charge.



Camera batteries do wear out. If the only issue you have with your Sony is the battery, you should seriously consider getting a replacement battery. A lot cheaper than going down the slippery slope of DSLR ownership!:)

I've had very good luck with third party batteries from www.sterlingtek.com. Only a fraction of the cost of OEM batteries and performance has been excellent.

[Litespeed]

I decided to go mid-range so I bought a Canon SX10 IS, which had great reviews. I'm taking it to the zoo tomorrow to test it out. Have gone over the manuel and found out a lot about the camera. I love the zoom so far. I have only taken some pictures inside the house, nothing outside yet, still have a LOT to learn. Once I get some good pictures I will post them.

[Chuck S.]

Litespeed, that's a good choice. I've had very good luck with Canons, dating back to the Dark Ages (pre-digital). The superzoom gives you lots of flexibility without having to change (let alone buy) lenses.

Looking forward to seeing your zoo pix! :)

[JulieM]

The days when my shoulder hurts from carrying my gear and the other days when I'm coveting some new lens or another are the days I wish I'd never gotten bitten by the dSLR bug. :D Enjoy your new compact camera, Litespeed. I'm sure you've made a wise decision.

[Bayla]

I bought the Digital Rebel (called the 300D here in the UK) ... that was 5 years ago and I still love it :)




Wendy,

Me too. I sometimes think you and I are the only ones still using the 300D....everyone seems to be upgrading....

Bayla

[Wendy]

Hi Bayla ...

I did look at the newer models but they are lighter and don't feel right in my hand .. by now the 300D feel like a well trusted friend :).

Also I don't really see much in the newer models to make it worth upgrading.

Wendy

[Litespeed]

Here are a very few of the best pictures to turn out. Most of these were shot in Auto mode. The only other mode I used was Program AE. The one of the tiger I had to zoom in quite far since he was up at the top of the enclosure.
This picture was shot in Program AE, ISO speed 400, and file size 2272x1704. I didn't mean to make the file sizes so big.
When I try to zoom in on a file this big, once I get to 85% or more, the quality is greatly reduced, WHY?

Panda (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Litespeed/Zoo%20June%202009/IMG_0391.jpg)

This file was shot in Auto, ISO Auto - 80, file size 2272x1704

Panda (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Litespeed/Zoo%20June%202009/IMG_0397.jpg)

This file was shot in Program AE, ISO 400, File size 2272x1704

Orchid (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Litespeed/Zoo%20June%202009/Orchid.jpg)

This was shot in Auto, ISO Auto 100, file size same.

Hibiscus (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Litespeed/Zoo%20June%202009/IMG_0516.jpg)

How can I improve when shooting in Program mode?

[Litespeed]

Forgot to include the tiger

Tiger (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Litespeed/Zoo%20June%202009/IMG_0495.jpg)

Program AE mode, ISO 200, focal length 100 mm

[Chuck S.]

How can I improve when shooting in Program mode?


You'll find the quality in Program mode will be much improved if you dial the ISO down to 80 or 100. 400 is more than you need for well-lighted outdoor scenes, and introduces noise into the picture.

Your shots taken in Auto are very sharp and well-composed - great start!

[Litespeed]

Thanks for the tip, I will lower it and see how I do.

[Wendy]

Nice shots ... looks like the camera was a good buy :)

Wendy