Need suggestion for digital camera

[Debbie25]

Right now we have a Canon A20. This was our first digital camera so it was fine at the time. We are now wanting to get a better camera.

My main thing I take pictures of is action photos at concerts from about 50ft from the stage. With the Canon now I have to zoom in both digital and optical and all my picture come out blurry, no matter how still I hold the camera.

I'm looking for a camera that will take these type of pictures. I have been looking on Steve's Digicam, Olympus and Canon's set sites. The cameras that I'm leaning toward are: Olympus C5050, Olympus C750, Canon G3. Will any of these do the job without costing an arm and a leg? Or what others should I consider?

Thanks,
Debbie

[Conk]

I think the easiest thing would be to check out stores return policies and try different camera's. We have Future Shop here with a 30 day return policy. They always tell you to try it. If you don't like it, return it.

[martcol]

Using digital zoom is never very helpful. If you need to zoom it's always best to use optical zoom. digital zoom is just like cropping using a digital editor if you crop a picture heavily, you need a "big" file i.e. taken on camera with plenty of megapixels.

50ft is quite a way for an on-camera flash (if that's what your using). You might do better with a camera with a hot shoe so that you can attach an external flash.


To choose a camera I suggest using a good digital phography magazine and reading their reveiws. You have to be cautious but comparing between magazines can be useful (be careful thoug as too many magazines and you'll spend all your money).

Hope that helps

Martin

[eland]

Debbie
I've just answered a similar question for JenLJ in this same column.

Rather than repeating myself, look at my post for her.

May I say too, that 50 feet is a long way and you'll need a long lens, fixed zoom or SLR with long zoom.
That distance is too far for any but very powerful flash guns, even if they let you use them. You'd need one with a Guide Number of around 60. Also the flash kills the color and atmosphere of the concert.

You need a camera with long lens capability, say 300 - 400 mm equiv. Also a camera that will allow you to set a high ISO value. eg ISO 800 or perhaps more.

eland

[CyberDyneSystems]

Debbie

I used an Olympus C2100 with a 10X Optical Zoom for a few years. This is an excellent camera,. but it is dated by todays standards (2.1 megapixles) The Olympus c750 you mention would be a more modern alternative and I think you will be very impressed with the lens on that camera.

One the advantsage of these cameras is the fact that since the CCD is so much smaller than say a 35mm film,.. to get the same perecived image size,. they use much smaller lenses that can have larger apertures at the zoom equivelent to 35mm. In other words they perform better in low light than you would imagine!

I work in a Performaing Arts theatre and have used the C2100 for the last two years to take pics of numerous shows for archives,.. WITH NO FLASH! It is amazing what they can do.