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I am hoping that someone may be able to provide some information for me - although I know there may not be a difinitive reponse.
Over the past year or so I have become more interested in photography and am now considering purchasing a good prosumer camera (is that right? Don't want an SLR but want to jump up from my current camera - Fuji 4700). I would appreciate if people could advise as to what they feel best suits my needs - and the main pros and cons for their recommendation.
I have listed my requirements below - hopefully they make sense.
- A camera that I can use for good holiday pictures (so option to just use as a normal digi camera) but also ability to take more advanced photos (with great detail)
- Noticeable difference in quality from my current Fuji 4700
- Good close up ability
- Highest Res possible
- Value for money (under 1,000)
- Movie function with sound (I know - gimmick but this camera will be used for holidays as well !)
Reading my list back it sounds like I just want a good digital camera - but that's not the case. I want to step up from the standard 'Dixons' camera and have something that I know can perform. Something that I know is capable of brilliant photos - something I can take out and feel confident with.
Please let me know your thoughts - I await with interest.
Thanks again,
Chris
Chris
From personal experience I can recommend the Minolta Dimage A1/A2 models. The A1 has now been superseded by the A2, main difference being higher res (8mp against 5mp) and a better EVF (1mp).
They both have an excellent image stabilisation system on the CCD and both use the same lens. This is a 7x zoom (28-200) with macro facility at both ends. The 200mm macro is impressive and I used it for a number of the shots in my portfolio.
I have now traded up to a dSLR but was very happy with my A1. There are a number of reports of the amount of noise you get on all the 8mp prosumer cameras, but the users on here don't seem to have many complaints.
The A2 is about 600 brand new I think, if you are interested in a used A1 get in touch off line and mine may be available.
Hope this helps.
Ian
Oh good, a prosumer thread. I am going mad with indecision.
Sorry, CB, your suggestion won't fit in my pocket/handbag from the look of it!
I currently have a sick Olympus C5000 and I want to upgrade anyway to more pixels. I know more isn't necessarily better, but I need to print to A3 plus. My current camera in theory prints to A3 but I tend to crop a lot and A3 is pushing it.
I live in Crete and hope next year to sell a few large colourful postcardy type pictures, even small posters and a few portraits, and I don't want to take macros of insects or sweeping dramatic landscapes, action, waterfalls etc.
Am considering the Canon PowerShot G6 (the S70 won't do because I need to easily use a polariser)
The Olympus 8080 - good because I'd be able to stay with XD picture cards and presumably the same battery
Fuji whatever, also because of XD picture cards
Nikon Coolpix 8700, Minolta Dimage A2 etc.
Cost is a big consideration, and it has to be tough, I'm fairly rough on them, sadly. Also, as I live in Crete, there is very little in the way of camera shops to try them out.
All suggestions welcomed as at the moment I change my mind everytime I read a different review!
Lydia
Well it's not a prosumer but I am currently considering exchanging my Sony F717 for a Sony P150. That way I can continue to use the pricy Memory Stick cards I have invested in.
The P150, which despite being pocket/handbag sized, has 7.2 megapixel resolution and the option of full manual control. It has had favourable reviews from both DP Review and Steve's Digicams.
So that is a camera that may be worth considering.
There is a trade off between lens speed and zoom length.
Not many prosumers (or DSLR lenses) will allow f2.4 at 190mm! The lens itself is top notch and I am NOT expecting much in the way of quality improvements from my Canon 20D and its pricy lenses! Having just been looking at prints recently taken with the F717 I frankly can't see how it would be possible with standard-size prints anyway.
It was, though, the zoom range (efl 38-190) that finally made me buy a DSLR... not wide enough and not long enough.
Bernie,
The Lumix DMC FZ10 is the best I've seen with f2.8 at 35mm and 420mm, if the requirement is for f2.4 then the Lumix DMC LC1 will do f2 at 28mm to f2.4 at 90mm, sadly 90mm is the longest it will go to. I doubt if we shall see much longer focal lengths at f2.4, think of the size of the front end. My f2.8 at 420mm requires a 72mm filter.
If this is going to degenerate into a discussion about minute lens details and f stop whatsits, I am taking my question elsewhere! 
Lydia I would have a look at the Minolta Diamage A1 as it offers 5mp anti-shake and a lens with a fairly good zoom range. The A2 has more resolution but you may run into issues as the higher resolution sensor shows up some lens issues not seen on the lower cost one.
The Lumix did not do too well in a recent review in AP. Of the ones you mention the Olympus gets good reviews if you can live with its lens range. Is a second hand dSLR out of your reach?
It's always easy to spend others money.
Hi Chris
Difficult question to answer, their are so many good cameras about now.All of them will meet your spec easily.
It's also difficult for anyone not to recommend their own choice of prosumer 8-)
I think it's fair to say, that people (such as myself, Carabosse and others on here) took time to research and try out the models available, before buying our respective cams.
In my case I bought a KonicaMinolta A2, I was drawn to the viewfinder, which is much clearer and sharper than any other prosumer (so far). Also the 8megapixel chip, which is useful in allowing quite a lot of cropping, while still retaining high quality.
I rarely use higher than the 100iso setting, so digital noise is not an issue for me, The Anti Shake function helps a lot in this respect
The camera can bang out 3 raw shots at almost 3 frames per second, before stopping to catch it's breath, useful for sports/action. (I used it recently snapping jetskiers)
I have printed out about twenty 15" x 11" prints to date, which are in an art album with some of my older 35mm prints of the same size. I am delighted by the quality of these.
A4 prints are very good indeed
My point is, what fulfills my needs in a prosumer, may not satisfy yours, you may dislike the A2 and love the Nikon 8700, or Sony F717, or Canon Pro 1 etc etc etc.
I doubt that there is much difference (in the real world, not lab tests) between any of the top 5mpixel or 8mpixel cams, but sometimes a single feature such as AS, lens length, handling or simply price can be the deciding factor, only you can judge.
Best advice (without a lot more information on your precise needs) I can give you, is to decide what features you need (must have) for your type of photography, study the tests (plenty online), once your choice has narrowed, go to the shops and try the shortlisted cams in your hands. I think that sometimes just holding a camera, can make the choice automatic.
As I said before, there are so many good cameras out there, with various spec, but only a few (or just one) will have your name written on it.
Have fun choosing, I did
I know I didn't start this thread, but thanks to the people that replied. Still not quite made my mind up yet but edging towards the Olympus 8080 after reading the review of it in dcresource.com - excellent site I found, very comprehensive and the reviews were just about comprehensible for a beginner.
The 8080 has an electronic view finder, not sure of the implications of this, can anyone enlighten me please. Baffled why there is a choice of 28 image resolution options to choose from, why would anyone want that amount of choice!
Price may be a deciding factor, Olympus, Minolta and Nikon are more expensive here in Crete, where I live, than in the UK, but Sony is cheaper.
Anyone out there with an 8080 who can give me negative points about it please?
Hi lydia
Since no one else has answered, I'll try and fudge an answer for you 
I think the 8080 will not disappoint you, for the type of photography you describe, it should be enough.
The prints I get at A3 are very pleasing, I expect the Oly will deliver similar results to my A2, it's the same imaging chip etc.
It's a pity you can't get to physically compare the cameras and look through the viewfinders.
It's very very hard to describe in words, what an electronic finder looks like accurately.
You will be looking at a TV type picture of the scene through the camera lens, some screens are better than others, the A2 being the best in terms of clarity.
The 8080 is a big camera, much larger than your C5000, but it seems to be built to a high standard, so should take the rough treatment you describe
Ok 8080 owners, over to you
The area in which the 8080 comes in for most criticism is handling. It's not regarded as an intuitive camera to use and more features than usual require you to access the LCD menu - you want to do this as little as possible, so cameras that are well designed allow you to do as much as possible with dedicated (or programmable) buttons. The A2 is probably the best handling camera in this respect. If you need to go to the LCD menu (and the manual) too often it tends to deter you from using the camera.
The EVF is a device that allows you to see what's actually being recorded on the sensor - unlike an optical viewfinder that lets you look through the lens. The disadvantage of the EVF is that it can be less distinct than an optical viewfinder (especially the low res ones) and therefore manual focus can be more difficult. The big advantage (IMO) is that you see what you're getting. If the picture looks too dark, then it's under-exposed. If it's too bright it's over- exposed. With an optical finder you rely on the metering, but with the EVF you can actually see what the picture is going to look like. The A2 has by far the best EVF available. If I'm taking a picture that is difficult to meter, I stick it in manual and adjust the controls till it looks right and the in view finder histogram is OK. This works nearly every the time. No wrong exposures.
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