maanmo

FINEPIX F480

this camera, is a beginner's camera , the only interesting feature is
its 4x optical zoom range is wider and farther than
the 3x optical zoom  found in most earlier camera
all new digital cameras made today should have at least this zoom range
this F480 sets the STANDARD
but this larger zoom range feature, is too small an improvement for you to upgrade from
the cameras you already have

  before you consider buying any camera, its useful to read up it review on steve's digicam
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_f480_pg5.html
steve says ...
This is a simple camera, that doesn't offer all of the fancy features found on other, more expensive digicams. If you're one who is just getting into the digital market, and want a compact point-n-shoot model, the F480 will please. It can capture nice photos, has a versatile "Wide" zoom range and includes a very nice LCD. The only downfalls of this model are, the shooting performance isn't quite up to par, and you can only record QVGA (320x240) video.
  ________________________________________- read more on steve's website

another review put it simply... this is an entry level camera

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/F480/F480A.HTM

so after going in circle a couple of times
i would say, if you must buy a new camera, it appears the  two 6X zoom  cameras fall with your price range

however, the panasonic tz3 is what i see as the state of the art travel camera,  
that is ... the ideal camera for your original question

but its $200 or $100 more than what i think is reasonable

its also a camera with only automatic modes, for people who dont want to learn any complicated stuff in
photography
steve says...
In my opinion, the most important feature of the TZ3 has to be its Wide view Leica Vario-Elmarit 10x optical zoom lens. It covers a focal length 28-280mm in 35mm equivalence. With such a versatile zoom range, you'll be able to capture beautiful landscapes and large group portraits at its 28mm wide angle extreme, while bringing distant subjects up close with the 280mm telephoto capability.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/panasonic_tz3.html


[ 本帖最後由 maanmo 於 2007-12-14 16:49 編輯 ]

tweety

is it good?

maanmo

the sony w80... ??

i will look up this magical w80 later,
because now i want to check out the canon S40 you said you had

its 6 years old...
and steve says

The PowerShot S40 is Canon's most compact 4-megapixel digital camera model. The S40 is based on the PowerShot G2's feature set and housed in a highly durable and pocket sized metal alloy body.
....
If you're in the market for a compact but advanced and high-resolution digital camera that can be operated by novices as well as experienced photographers,

and i say...

  Holy Holy,  my lord in heaven
  this camera can go to the moon
  it puts all cameras to shame , even today



now to answer the question if  any camera is any good for you
it has to be compared with  canon S40

  for example, this S40 has manual controls for shutter and aperture
have you ever used  them  in an attempt to improve the photos you take?
  have you read books on photography  on how to adjust the shutter speed and
aperture size.
  if the answers  no, the the fujifilm F480 , ($180 ) is quite good
  because you can zoom wider and farther.
but the size of this f480 is not much smaller than the canon s40
  so  in terms of size it may not be good

tweety

'cuz it was charging C$1200 by the time I asked my friend to help me to buy it from hk.. doesn't mean it's small or reliable bor..

I bought alot of update electronic that I hardly use gar la.. I bought that camera.. just only used less than 5 times.. and then buy another one ..  after I bought sony DSC- S700.. but it's so so..

after I start buying camera phone.. I stop buying d-cam anymore..

'cuz of my cell phone can't take that much pics .. so that's why I need to buy a small one for travel..

I bought N95 in hk since May.. the camera not bad

[ 本帖最後由 tweety 於 2007-12-14 23:29 編輯 ]

tweety

so.. I don't need to spend that much money for camera.. 'cuz of I hardly take picture

I bring camera this time.. 'cuz of I hardly go for travel with 9 friends together at the   same time.. so.. that's why..

maanmo

how about sony W80?

  i guess this sony w80 is so new, steve's digicam website has not reviewed it

  but there are other reviews


the above picture is from the review linked to below
very informative , check it out, it says The W80 is a compact bargain
  this review lists the good and the bad of this camera which is well worth
look over if you are considering buying this camera
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/W80/W80A.HTM


check out the cnet review for additional infor
Sony created the W-series to be its budget line of snapshot cameras. Without the sleek designs of the T-series or the high-powered zoom lenses of the H-series, the W-cameras distinguish themselves only through their modest price tags. Despite their lackluster features, the W-cameras have proven themselves with solid performance and good image quality.
http://www.cnet.com.au/digitalcameras/cameras/0,239036184,339274867,00.htm

tweety

I'll check it out..

maanmo

Holy camera, Holy camera, i see , i see
now that i know more why you are looking for a small camera..

  yep,  i believe, there is only one thing that wont let you down
and that is SONY magic

  the w80 should be good
from one of the review above...
The Cyber-shot W80 includes Sony's new face detection technology, capable of detecting up to eight faces simultaneously
....
even if you travel with more than 8 friends, SONY magic will be sharp and wonderful

amd i think you will use this w80 more often in photography since its so
easy to carry

  the panasonic TZ3 is really quite big, after you describe your style of
camera use,
  the fujifilm f480 may have more optical zoom range but that is not
important  for the way you play with cameras

puZZle

so what's the major differences (practically speaking) between the canon a710 and a720?
they seem very similar to me (i m a noob)

maanmo

原帖由 puZZle 於 2007-12-15 00:33 發表
so what's the major differences (practically speaking) between the canon a710 and a720?
they seem very similar to me (i m a noob)

i dont know what is the difference my self
go to steve's digicam website
check out the reviews on canon a701is and a702is

you will  see one is 2006 , one is 2007,  one is 7 megapixel, one is 8

  it is interesting to read through the reviews
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/canon_a720.html


many cameras are reviewed here by steve
http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html