Buying a Used Digital Camera.which one

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abhi.pani
Inventar

#1 erstellt: 24. Jun 2007, 06:24

Hello Sirs,
My 3 year old Olympus C-725 Digicam has gone kaput. Its a 3 megapixel camera with D-SLR like functionality (all manual controls etc etc). The service guy says I will need to shell out 4k for repairs. I am in a confused state now.
Whether to pay 4k and restore this camera or try and buy a good used camera for the same money. I desperately need your help here to decide between the two.

The used cameras that I am getting in the range of 2k-4k INR are:

1. Nikon Coolpix 5600 (this I am getting for 2k, cheapest in the list)
2. Nikon Coolpix S3 (slim) (very sleek design, will cost me close to 4k)
3. Canon Powershot G2 (has got awesome reviews for its image quality but its bigger in size)
4. Canon Powershot A540 (a popular camera)

Now there starts my confusion. Which way to go. For around 4k I can have any of these 5 cameras (including my own Olympus C-725).

Nikon 5600 is the cheapest here but it has a maximum ISO of 200 which makes it a below average performer in low-light.

Nikon S3 is slim, slimmer than my wallet, has a big LCD, decent photo quality but is close to 4k

Canon Powershot G2, I was amazed to read the reviews and user experiences of this camera. People have compared it to Nikon D80 for its sheer image quality. I need you guys' suggestions about it. It is bigger in size than the Nikon but if you guys think its a steal, I can go for it.

Canon Powershot A540: Nothing special, just a popular camera, would cost me close to 4k.

Now pleeeeeeeeeeeeeese dont say "To each his own"

.
I would be back to square one then.
Please give a verdict.

reignofchaos
Stammgast

#2 erstellt: 24. Jun 2007, 06:35

The G series canons are the best of the lot amongst point and shoots. Of course makes sure when you are buying a used camera that the number of shutter actuations is not that high. Anything between 5000 and 10000 should be fine. If its higher, ignore it.

Amp_Nut
Inventar

#3 erstellt: 24. Jun 2007, 06:54

I think your 1st decision would need to be whether you want a Lifestyle ( and convenience ) product or a performance product...

Performance has its penalties too !

abhi.pani
Inventar

#4 erstellt: 24. Jun 2007, 07:00

Amp_Nut schrieb:

I think your 1st decision would need to be whether you want a Lifestyle ( and convenience ) product or a performance product...

Performance has its penalties too ! :(

Hmmm..may be I am looking at a sweet compromise between the two. I really get pissed off when I dont get respectable quality pictures under certain conditions or having to click repeatedly to get one good picture.

abhi.pani
Inventar

#5 erstellt: 24. Jun 2007, 07:01

reignofchaos schrieb:

What is shutter actuation ?? You mean number of clicks ?

ani
Stammgast

#6 erstellt: 24. Jun 2007, 11:03

Abhi,

I would like to remind you one important fact about most P&S digicams, they are almost like disposable pens, if you are so keen you can buy a refill and use them but before the refill is over the something or other will break

So repairing a cam that is more than 3-4 yrs old may not be worth it and for the same reason buying an used old camaera too is not advisable unless you get it at disposable price.

The reason for above observations are the cheaper mechanical construction and hence poor weather sealing of these devices. If you look at this angle the G2 is having the best built and will perform better than the others.

If I have no other option except from choosing the list you have I'll get the canon after bargaining till the moment I part with my cash

regards
Anil

SDhawan
Stammgast

#7 erstellt: 25. Jun 2007, 09:23

I would suggest Canon G2 or Nikon S3.

If I were in your situation, I'd rather wait to buy a new one.

KalesinJ
Neuling

#8 erstellt: 11. Sep 2007, 00:06

G2
4.0 megapixels
Max resolution: 2272 x 1704 (3.8 megapixels)
Image formats: RAW JPEG (EXIF)
Sensitivity equiv:
• Auto (ISO 50 - 100)
• ISO 50
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
Zoom wide (W): 34 mm
Zoom tele (T):102 mm (3 x)
Lens Aperture:F2.0 - F2.5

• Contrast detection
• Continuous or Single AF
• 3 selectable focus points
Max shutter 1/1000 sec
• Program AE, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual
• Image Control:
• Pan-focus, Portrait, Landscape, Night scene, Colour Effects, Stitch
White Balance:
• Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Tungsten
• Fluorescent
• Fluorescent High
• Flash
• Custom preset (Manual)

Movie clip:
• 320 x 240, 15 fps, max 30 secs (including audio)
• 160 x 120, 15 fps, max 120 ses (including audio)

Flash Range:
• Wide: 0.7 - 4.5 m
• Tele: 0.7 - 3.6 m
Flash modes:
• Auto
• Red-Eye Reduction Auto
• Red-Eye Reduction
• Flash On
• Flash Off

Only thing that I might say against this camera is that it is slow, and has 4Mpx... but for the price it is good buy.
Only I would never buy used camera.. specially not compact type.
So I agree with Sanjay and would wait a bit and buy new one.