Shopping for a digicam

[buffarg]

Funny, but it seems like the quickest way to get info on almost any topic is to ask here

I'm interested in getting a digicam, and from what I've read the Panasonic FZ-10 looks like a beaut, but no shop in Buffalo has a demo of it-they've all got Canon's approximate competitor but not the Panasonic. Would any TO shops have one? Do any of you have one?

Also, I'll be looking to get a new PC this Fall, and perhaps a film scanner...could I ask for advice on scanners and PC equipment for photography?

 

[revolver]

FZ-10

I'm pretty sure I saw one at Best Buy several weeks back. I didn't check the price just had a look at it. If not, Henry's likely has it.

If you haven't already check these sites for reviews.

http:\\www.dpreview.com
http:\\www.megapixel.net

 

[buffarg]

Bewt Buy in Buffalo didn't have one, but your'e saying a TO Best Buy has one?

TY for the answer, BTW

 

[buffarg]

The FZ-10 is listed as a 'special order' at the Radio Shacks and Ritz Camera in Buffalo, but when I asked at Circuit City they found an FZ-15 online at Panasonic.com, so maybe it's already been replaced?
[edit: I went to www.panasonic.com myself and they have no FZ10, they have a 5mp FZ20, a 4mp FZ15 and a 3mp FZ3. Vistek has the FZ20 and the FZ2 on its website. Anybody got one of these? PopPhoto reviewed as having less shutterlag and better ISO400 image quality than the Canon (which was 'Unacceptable at ISO400). OTOH Canon is now upgrading their DSLR]. The Canon digicam I handled was slow to go off when I pushed the shutter button.

Back to my other questions: any advice on film-scanners, and any advice on a digi-photo-friendly PC? Is the Pentium better than the Athlon these days, how much memory, HD space etc. Does a graphics card matter for Photoshop Elements of JASC?

 

[xarir]

What is your goal in the digital camera realm? I might take a good-natured ribbing for saying this, but you might want to seriously consider getting a Macintosh. For digital image editing, your options on a Mac will generally be better than what you can find on a PC. If you have any intent on moving into video editing, the Macintosh option will be far better than PC.

For 35mm film scanners you have several options, but again you need to clarify your goals. You can spend as little as $200 for a flatbed scanner with a transparency option, or $400 for a dedicated film scanner and as much as $15,000. Nikon makes some amazing scanners, but they generally start at $1800 and go up from there.

 

[buffarg]

My goals are still being formed. In scanners, I'm looking to spend less than $500US, so I'm looking at the 3200DPI Minolta plus a low priced flatbed(for everything else) as one option

I havent' shopped for a computer in YEARS, and the last time I did was when Apple wasn't an option (about to go under).

Video editting will be low on my list of priorities, as I presently see them

How about flatscreen vs CRT? I'm in a small apartment so the comapct flatscreen looks appealing. Do you still lose much for graphics or video?

 

[Damondean]

Digital Cameras

If you can't find one, check out the Canon G5 -- or a used G2 or G3 on e-Bay. Has many of the same features-- plus a focus assist in low light but a bit shorter tele capacity.

Check out reviews here:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Al but one or two pix on my page below were taken with a Canon G3. Predecessor of the G5.

www.theprofsglamourpix.com

 

[buffarg]

The G2/3/5 lack the long stabilized zoom, which is the feature I'm mot interested in. The 8mp models are too expensive and the Canon 3mp model with the long stabilized zoom is too noisy at 400-speed