buying a camera.. reverse!

[Cat]

I (living in Europe) will be travelling to the States this summer and was thinking that I might get a good deal buying a digital camera duty free. I have a few hours layover in Chicago and could get one there.

I will undoubtedly be able to use it in the States, but I am wondering if I can use it in Europe without problems as well, as it will probably be used there most of the time. Will there be a problem with voltage, memory cards etc?

I am a novice in this area, could you please help me out? Any advice on what camera to buy would also be greatly appriciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Eagle]

Cat, I suspect you will be able to buy a Camera far cheaper in the U.S. than you would in Europe. I'm not too familiar with the pricing in the Netherlands, but in the U.K. the residents seem to pay an extremely high price once all the VAT, etc. is added. I checked Camera prices in the duty free shops in Gatwick, and I can get a better deal here in Canada in most cases, even paying full retail.

I doubt that you will have any problem continuing to use the Camera in Europe. However, it's important that you choose a Camera that is supplied with a "world charger" as standard equipment - the input voltage should be shown as 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz. (or something similar to that). That way you won't have to bother with voltage converters and other gadgets. You will need a Plug adapter though, as the Camera you buy will be supplied with a North American style plug. In my experience most (if not all) Canon models are supplied with "world chargers". I had no problems charging the batteries for my S-50 when in the U.K.

There should be no problems at all with Memory Cards AFAIK. The Camera will be designed to accept a particular format of Card (Compact Flash, Secure Digital or whatever). One point to note though -- when formatting the Memory Card, I belive it's preferred to do this in the Camera, rather than using a PC or whatever. That ensures that the file structure is properly compatible with that of the Camera. Compact Flash is generally the least expensive format and currently has the highest capacities, followed closely by Secure Digital. XD cards and Memory Sticks are usually a bit more expensive.

It's very difficult to recommend a particular Camera for you to buy, as everyone's needs and preferences are different. Also, it would help to know what type of Camera you are considering? I generally separate digital Cameras into three "basic groups" -- compact "point & shoot" Cameras, "monster zoom" Cameras and digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras.

The compact P & S models are the smallest and easiest to put in a pocket, but these lack long zoom range and in some cases only have very minimal controls available (most only have 3x optical zoom and usually some amount of digital zoom, however this should be used sparingly as it degrades image quality); the "monster zoom" Cameras are somewhat larger in size, but offer much longer zoom range (often image stabilized to prevent blurring of the photos) and usually a greater amount of control flexibility; the dSLR Cameras are larger again, and offer the ability to change lenses and these have the most control flexibility but are also the most expensive.

If you buy a Camera in the U.S., it would probably be a good idea to buy at least one spare Battery as these will undoubtedly be cheaper than in Europe. Some people prefer Cameras that take AA batteries (Ni-MH rechargeable are the preferred type) and some prefer Cameras which take Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries. Both types are good (my Camera uses Li-Ion and I've never had a problem with these -- they have an excellent power-to-weight ratio so are great for travel).

It's also a good idea to buy at least one spare Memory Card as again these will probably be cheaper in the U.S., and perhaps a small Case to store all your new kit (I use LowePro Cases, and have found their quality to be excellent). The size of Memory Cards you buy will be dictated partially by the resolution of your Camera. If you buy a 5 MP or above Camera, I would suggest at least a 512 MB Card.

Not sure how much you are planning on spending, but a few models you could look at are the Canon SD-550, SD-500, S-70, S-80, S2-IS or the Sony DSC-W5 or W7 (I find the menu system on the Canon models more logically organized, but the Sony models have received good reviews). I'm not too familiar with Nikon models, so can't suggest any. If you find a model that appeals to you, check www.dpreview.com or www.steves-digicams.com for detailed reviews. Have a look at the User Forums on dpreview also, as other users often have some very good information on how well various models work.

Hope this has been some help. Good luck with your Camera decision and your trip to the U.S.!!!

[MuvverRussia]

One thing with Canons is that their bodies/compacts only have local warranties, so you won't have a warranty on it back in Europe. Worth considering, especially if you get something expensive.

I recently bought a 350d and bought it in the UK for that reason, although I got it for £480 all in (with 18-55mm kit lens) after rebate which was pretty good (slightly cheaper than the US). Whilst camera prices over here are expensive in high street stores, you can get reasonable deals if you know where to look. Memory cards are about the same price as well, as long as you avoid the high street again.

[patrickt]

Like Cat, I too, am in the search for a camera... I mean, I'd like to be able to re-visit the places I see once my memory fails...

That being said, let's talk batteries... let's pretend that I spend a long day in Rome... as I have the tendency to be trigger happy, I'd hate for my battery to die before the end of my day... If it's a camera that uses AAs... I can replace 'em... but it's costly... If I'm using an internal battery, and it dies... well, I'm SOL.... AND, I have to charge it while I'm in the hostel, which points to less security (read: possible theft).... BUT, the internal battery accrues no additional charge...

Do you guys lean towards either side??

Now, cameras in general... I'm a big people person... I think I'd much rather enjoy reviewing my trip based on the people with whom I'm interacted... ie: portrait shots, etc... cause then, I'll remember the entire day... I plan on taking a lion's share of sweeping nature shots, and pics of the incredible architecture.... I dunno, I guess I need a (relatively) inexpensive camera... but one that's versatile as well...

I know, I know... I want it all... just call me Veruca Salt.

Thanks a ton!!
PatrickT

[Eagle]

patrickt, a few points regarding batteries. Both of my digi-cams use rechargeable Li-Ion batteries. I prefer to have at least three batteries while travelling, so that I'll have adequate power if I have a "long day". So far I haven't had any problems travelling with these. I try to find an outlet in the Hostel room and recharge while I'm going to be there for a few hours. There's also the possibility of asking the staff at the desk to recharge, if "security" is an issue.

Although my Cameras use Li-Ion technology, I'm sure I could function equally well with AA Ni-MH batteries. Ni-MH tends to have a higher self discharge rate than Li-Ion, so one has to make sure the charge is "topped up" if the batteries have been idle for some time since last being charged. Of course alkaline AA batteries can also be used if nothing else is available, in many cases these only provide a small number of photos before the "low battery" warning appears, due to the discharge curve of alkaline vs. rechargeables. There is usually lots of power left in the alkaline cells at this point, but the voltage has decayed to the low voltage trigger point of the Camera.

Could you clarify what you are referring to by an "internal battery"? While the batteries on my Camera are mounted "internally", they are removable for charging. It's certainly no problem to change them in the field.

As far as which Camera to buy, it's difficult to make a specific recommendation. What size of Camera do you want to pack around while travelling? It's going to be difficult to fit all of your criteria with anything less than a dSLR. Most of the P&S models only have 3x optical zoom, which I find a bit limiting most of the time. Perhaps one of the "monster zoom" models would fit your needs? If you decide on a compact P&S, check out the Canon S-80. It received the coveted "Highly Recommended" on dpreview; it also provides somewhat of a "wide angle" lens, has 3.6x optical zoom and has an adequate amount of manual controls to offer some degree of flexibility. Keep in mind however that most of the compact models only provide limited ISO range.

Anyway, good luck with your selection!!!!

[patrickt]

Eagle.. thanks for the recommendation... but were I to buy the camera... I wouldn't have a lot of trip left from which to take the pictures... it's a little out of my budget...

I'm a little un-educated when it comes to digi cameras... I've owned one... and it was great, but has since been bumped around enough to where it's out of focus... and it's only 2.1mp... and I'd really like to capture the best images I can... and 2.1 isn't going to do that for me... Conversely, the 8mp of the S-80 is a bit too much...

Sorry for being the picky picture guy

I'm looking into getting the one from the link posted by stabone76... what do ya think??

Thanks for your expertise in all of this..

[Eagle]

patrickt, I don't have much information on Nikon models, so can't offer too many comments on the model in the web link. I wasn't able to find a review on that particular model on dpreview, however Steve's Digicams had a reasonably favourable review. Unfortunately, Steve's rating system is a bit different than dpreview, so the results might be interpreted differently depending on who is reading it. Dpreview at least provides a "Recommended" or "Highly Recommended" tag, so it's a bit easier to understand. ALL digi-Cams have weaknesses of one sort or another, so it's well worthwhile to read the "pros & cons" at the end of the review.

However, one thought that occurred to me is that any of the small P&S Cameras might not entirely fit your criteria. Except for the S-70 & S-80, the lens on most models is a bit "limited" for "sweeping nature shots, and pics of the incredible architecture" (not sure if the Nikon model is capable of "stitching") As you want a Camera that "does it all", you will have to compromise features vs. budget. Also, be sure to check that the Nikon model in the web link is supplied with a "world charger"; that's important if you're going to be travelling with it! Also consider which type of Memory format is used -- CF is typically the cheapest and has the largest capacities, SD is almost the same, but XD and Memory Stick are usually somewhat more expensive. That has to be factored into the total cost of the Camera.

Since you "really want to capture the best images I can", it's probably a good idea to establish a 5 MP limit as the low-end of your criteria. 7 or 8 MP would of course be better, and allow more flexibility in cropping or enlarging. Having the ability to shoot in RAW format can be an advantage in some cases, although most of these need some degree of post-processing (unfortunately, Canon deleted the RAW capability from the S-80, but the S-70 still had this).

For good Camera prices, BH Photo has some good prices but also check www.jr.com as they also offer very competitive prices. You could also check EBay as lots of people sell off perfectly good Cameras in excellent condition, just so that they can have the newest model with all the "bells & whistles". There's an S-70 listed on there today. However, as with anything on EBay, it's "Caveat Emptor"!

Again, good luck with your decision. It's a bit of a daunting chore to sift through all the information, as there are so many Cameras on the market!

[Cat]

Thanks for your advice everyone.
I am not sure what camera I am going to buy, but it will be a trahter simple one. I don't need the extra lenzes and stuff, but do want a rather good zoom. I think I'll check out retail prices and decide what I need on my camera before I leave and then check prices at the airport. If I don't find anything that suits me, I still got my trusty old camare for the trip.

[patrickt]

Eagle... this is the camera I bought online... reccomended by my brother who's a pseudo-professional photographer for Southwest Airlines... he even commented that this particular camera is cheaper and has better functions than his own...

I paid less than $400 for it... which is still a little steep... considering that I'll still have to buy memory card etc... but it's a good price for the invaluable memories it will preserve.

Once I get it, and am able to play with it a bit, I'll post a review...

Thanks for the help... it's greatly appreciated!!!

[Eagle]

patrickt, I wasn't able to see a link to the Camera that you bought on-lne? Which brand / model was it?

[dumbdiety]

I just got myself the Nikon D50. Seems niiiiiiiiiice so far, I'll let ya'll know more about it after I play with it some more.

[Eagle]

Doug, congratulations on the dSLR purchase; I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with it! You should be able to "compare notes" with Kim, as I'm sure the D50 shares a lot of the same control modes, etc. as her D70.

I've been finding with my Digital Rebel that one has to spend some time with the owner's manual to become familiar with all the different shooting modes, etc. There's definitely a learning curve! I bought my Camera at Christmas and am still trying to learn how to use it properly. One of the most common comments on some of the photo forums, is that the dSLR's don't produce the same quality images as some of the small P&S Cameras when used in the "auto" mode (possibly due to the sharpening parameters or whatever?). Consequently, I'm trying to become more familiar with shutter priority, aperture priority and the other "manual" features.

Cheers!!!

[Eagle]

Tony, I agree that it's certainly possible to obtain excellent quality enlargements & crops from a 6 MP Camera. In many cases the difference between 6 MP photos and 8 MP won't be readily discernible.

My suggestions to those considering a Camera purchase were based on several factors:

-- 7 - 8 MP Cameras are becoming increasingly common these days, and the prices are not much higher than 5 MP models. If one is going to buy a Camera, why not get the best resolution one can afford as it will provide the flexibility for good quality enlargements or cropping if desired; many of the "experts" on various photo forums seem to recommend this approach.

-- 5 MP Cameras are quickly becoming the "low end", and I suspect this trend will become more pronounced after the PMA show at the end of the month. The range of 5 MP models on the market seems to be shrinking and many have already been discontinued (such as my venerable S-50). While 3.2 MP Cameras will take perfectly adequate 4 x 6 prints or photos for Internet use, it's getting increasingly difficult (and in some cases impossible) to find lower resolution Cameras in stores.

-- "Generally sensors of digital compact cameras are substantially smaller than those of digital SLRs with a similar pixel count. As a consequence, the pixel size is substantially smaller. This explains the lower image quality of digital compact cameras, especially in terms of noise and dynamic range". Therefore, those using the smaller P & S Cameras might not get the same results with a 13 x 19 enlargement, as those using a dSLR?

-- I've always tended to buy somewhat "leading edge" products as they don't become obsolete quite so fast (although with electronics, the market changes so quickly that products seem to become obsolete rather quickly these days). I don't usually use "price" as the prime factor in a purchase decision, but instead place more emphasis on features and buying a product that will best fit my needs (price is certainly important, but is not the most important criteria).

-- Finally, many of the newer 7-8 MP Camera models have some very nice additional features, such as 2.5" LCD displays, etc. Some models also have improved "photo engines" (such as the Digic II) which produce better images than some of the less expensive, lower resolution, older models.

Certainly everyone will have to decide which brand, resolution and features will best fit their needs in a Digital Camera. When I decided to buy a Digital Rebel at Christmas, I chose what I felt was the best model for me in terms of resolution and features, according to what I could afford at the time. If there had been a 10-12 MP version of that Camera available in the same price range, that's what I would have bought.

[Eagle]

Tony, no apologies necessary, your post sounded fine. I'm more familiar with Canon products than Nikon, so that's what I tend to recommend.

You're right that Canon seems to introduce products a lot more frequently than many other manufacturers (such as Nikon). I suspect that's at least partly due to the fact that most of Canon's manufacturing is "in house" -- they make the components in their own facilities, and therefore don't have to rely on other manufacturers for sensors or whatever. They also have a wider range of SLR Lenses to choose from (most of us would like to have "L" glass, but who can afford it!).

With regard to "screen size", I tend to prefer a larger and brighter display for two reasons (these may apply to others as well):

-- I'm somewhat "older" so kind of prefer a larger display. Even if I'm just reviewing photos, it's nice to have the larger size. This is also important if one is in a "group situation" where various people want to see the pictures that have just been taken.
-- Most LCD displays "wash out" badly in bright sunlight. I found this to be a problem taking & reviewing photos during the day. Some newer Cameras have deleted the optical viewfinder, which is a DUMB decision IMHO! The "daylight factor" makes the "readability" of the display quite important, and I've found the larger display helps somewhat. BTW, the first accessory I ordered for my Camera was a Screen Protector, and fortunately this doesn't seem to degrade the image at all.

Incidentally, the display brightness of the Digital Rebel was one of the features that was criticized by a number of reviewers (apparently the original Rebel had a brighter display--why this was inhibited in the new model, only Canon's designers know for sure). I knew that when I purchased, but it's a minor detail and I should be able to function with the Camera regardless. I certainly agree that it's best to keep this toned-down if possible, to conserve battery power. I usually have two or three batteries when travelling (re-charge every night), so I should be OK if keeping the brightness at a higher level.

but must customers are gong to buy one a year tops (probably two or more years) so more frequent new features dont matter much.

I tend to "hold onto" things like Cameras or other electronic gear for a long time, that's why I'm so careful with the "pre-purchase research" and tend to buy "leading edge". I think I bought my S-50 in late 2003, so it's over two years old already, and I have no plans to get rid of it; it still works well, and is a useful "throw in the pocket" Camera. On my next trip I won't be packing the dSLR around at night (for obvious reasons) but will likely have the smaller Camera with me most of the time. Having a small 5 MP Camera should still allow me to capture some great shots (I was amazed at some of the night shots I was able to get in England -- having a full range of controls is sure a benefit!).

Have you seen the previews of the PMA show on the various photo forums? It's interesting that new Cameras have been announced by a number of different manufacturers, but from what I've seen so far there's nothing from Canon yet? That leads me to believe that they might make several huge announcements, starting on the day the show opens on 26 Feb. - I guess we'll see? Wonder what new "bells & whistles" the new models will have?

In the meantime, I've got a lot of work to do in learning how to use the d-Rebel properly. I haven't been able to get out much for photo shoots due to my leg injury, but I've been going through the manual quite thoroughly. Hopefully I'll be able to get some good shots on my next trip to add to the GFE photo library (maybe even an updated photo of myself!).

Cheers!!!

[commie]

i think its a better idea to buy an reduced "old" quality camera with maybe only 3 or 4 MP instead of a new 7 or 8MP for the same price which offers a higher resolution but only basic features.
i keep all my pictures at my hard disk, and my tft cant display more than 1280x1024 pixels, so im quite happy with a 3MP camera. its something else if want to print it out your pictures in poster-size.

btw, someone who wants to buy my old casio qv 7000? it was a very good digital camera in 2000 or so.