> From my strictly personal pov, it looks to me to be a better >proposition than a DSLR. >And it's interesting to note who are the contenders in the digicam race: >Canon and Sony. > >Cotty wrote: >> Oooooooooh.....! >> >> <http://www.dpreview.com/news/0306/03060201canong5.asp>
Ah, but Cavo old chap, The one thing I love to do is use manual focus, so from my point of view, a DSLR is much better. I think proper manual control (not just override) is essential. That's what bothers me about manual focussing in these small digicams like the Optios and the Powershots and so on - it's not manual focussing at all, it's a manual override that is slow and cumbersome. The great thing about SLRs, whether digital or film, is that you can taylor the system to your own liking. All my lenses have big fat manual focus grips on them - I would consider nothing else. Turning a lens barrel is quick and easy. Pushing buttons (in this case) is not as quick and not as easy and therefore I (personally) am not interested. However, that said, for a point and shoot street camera in digital (where grabbing the shot the quickest way possible is primary), then an Optio or a Powershot will be a good choice. The Optio 550 sure looks perty, no mistake. But I have a thing for black cameras. Especially when they take CF cards (does the Optio take CF cards?) and the same batteries that I'm already using.... I'm not sure I follow you about 'who are the contenders in the digicam race: Canon and Sony' What about Pentax? What about Nikon? What about Olympus? etc? They are contenders also, surely, and good ones. If I choose a camera, one of the criteria that strikes me as pretty important is the lens quality/design. Off the top of my head, I couldn't tell you who makes the lenses for Sony's digicams, but I wouldn't immediately consider a Sony over a Canon because of those two, I know which one specialises in photographic items. Same for a Pentax, or a Nikon, or an Olympus. It's true that with digital, the camera body is much more important than with film, but a Sony stills camera to me is like a Canon hifi stereo system. Nice, but I'd rather have a Sony, cos that's what they're best at.... Sorry, rambling. More drink! Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=====| www.macads.co.uk/snaps _____________________________ Free UK Mac Ads www.macads.co.uk
