wickett Loc: michigan

I have a kodak easyshare sport. All zoom pics are grainy or blurry. It doesn't have optical zoom. I would love to zoom in on insects, birds etc, but pics come out looking like cartoon pics, blurry, discolored etc. Any suggestions for a good zoom camera...please.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Wick, how much money you want to throw into it? Full fledge DSLR's or a Bridge camera? You gotta tell us.

Sarge69

wickett Loc: michigan

Not quite sure, I know that some can run pretty high. While I do take alot of pics, I am not a pro by any means. I just want good quality pics and the ability to get close ups. I know nothing about lenses, and special accessories. Maybe the $200 to $300 range but want something that doesn't require going through alot of steps just to set up for one shot.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Since you're in hiding, I don't know if you are able to get into Black Friday sales around the U.S. Might be some good camera deals under $500.00

Sarge69

bullfrogs Loc: Chico, Calif.

I feel your pain. And it took me quite a while to grasp the concept you are facing. It is not impossible to take Sort of, closeups with simple cameras, BUT you have to learn how to NOT exceed the perimeters of the given camera. If you RTFM, and apply the information you learn to your picture taking and make notes and teach yourself how to exceed and proceed with the learning process. The base-mark will help tremendously with your growth.
Next i would suggest someone like Bryan Petersen on you tube to help with the process.
Having used the Oly 500uz, which is a p&s and dealing with your problem, you can imagine my surprise when i figured this close up thing out and stopped using zoom to get close ups. Once i learned to not zoom and move up (Physically) and set the camera on ultra close up and deal with the light properly, I was a much happier camper.
That said, it is much easier to use the SLR, but there is a learning curve there also but you can see the results.
Good luck and hope to see some close up work here.
One other thing if you use RAW format, if you have it or the largest resolution you have you can always resize and crop the image a bit to assist in enlarging.
Ray

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

It appears that you want a pocket camera with the aromaticity of the Kodak you have but one that fits the qualifications quoted above.

I did a lot of surveying based on those qualifications with many other abilities added all within the price range. I purchased a Panasonic DMC ZS20. As the number implies its Leica lens is a top quality wide/tele with macro abilities. The reviews negative statements come from comparing ZS20 to DSLRs and to expensive P&Ss. Yes, there are other P&S I would prefer, like the $650 Sony Rx100, or the $7000 Leica M9 camera!!! Bridge cameras will fit in you pocket but only if you cut a hole in it. If you are going to put up with the size of a bridge then why not get a DSLR so that you can upgrade lenses... well again DSLRs and Bridge fall outside your stated requirements.

The review gave it praises a Direct Quote from the dpreview site: "The Lumix DMC-ZS20 is arguably the most full-featured travel zoom on the market. Its Intelligent Auto mode and decent set of manual controls combined with an elaborate GPS setup and 1080/60p movie mode make it a traveler's delight. Unfortunately its image quality is not as good as the rest of the package, and enthusiasts may miss things like RAW and manual focus."
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs20-tz30-review

The price varies with the day. I purchased mine for $220 (Amazon) but many want $300.

PS: Right away, purchase charger and batteries, the on-board charger is very slow. I modified mine to take 37mm filters which allows for circular polarization filters, protective UV, neutral density filters and if you have filters using them with a step-up ring. My step by step article on the mod:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-75114-1.html

I have to Sony DSLRs for pro shoots because they are expected, but the reality is the output of images does not require DSLR quality; that is reality. Output now is HDTV slide show, 7" desk frame, computer monitor and low resolution such as e-mail and cell phone. Yes, an occasional 8x10, but mostly 4x6 drugstore prints.

OOOPS, forgot the ZS20 also takes HDTV in two speeds and in stereo!!! Yes, a GPS built in too....Read the review.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Wickett;
Your problem concerning the grainy look of your photos is due to not having optical zoom. No matter what P&S or bridge camera you choose, you can elliminate the grainy look by turning off the digital zoom feature and only using the optcal zoom of the optics, and the better the lens, the better the photo. Leica makes excellent glass lenses as does Nikon and Canon and the suggestions from others here have narrowed your search. Lumix,and some SONYs with their Leica lens is a good choice. Just shop for a camera system that has good optical and not digital zoom. Digital zoom is like cropping and enlarging inside the camera and without any resolution like that found in expensive DSLRs, the result from digital zoom is usually less than satisfactory.

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

I've got an old Kodak C195 EasyShare with 5x OPTICAL zoom. Bought this OTC for under $90. Fits in any pocket......well considering what ya see at Walmart...almost any pocket. Never throw anything out. :-D :D DJT

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi wickett,

We got my wife a Nikon P510 at CostCo for $399.00 the other day. It zooms to 1000mm and is a great little camera. The pictures are sharp, clear and well saturated. Take care & ...

wickett Loc: michigan

Sorry, didn't realize I was hiding, think I fixed that. I work in a supercenter discount store, and actually have to work on Black Friday. I haven't seen the sales on the camera's yet, but will take all the advice given, with great appreciation, and start my search. Thank you very much.

wickett Loc: michigan

Thank you for the info. I have been looking at camera's that have an optical zoom, as well as other features. I know I can figure it out, just need to have a little patience and learn more about my camera.

PNagy Loc: Missouri City, Texas

Canon SX50 HS: 35x zoom, very good capability of handling nearly all photographic tasks. Street price around $400.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

NSD all who serve

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

One thiing to remember is the shutter-lag that some digital cameras have when shooting moving objects like birds or sporting events. It would be advantagious for you to actually try numerous cameras and see if they have this delay before making your decision. Find a camera that feels right in your hands and not just make your choice from recommendations of others, although they might be well intentioned. Seeing a camera in a BIG BOX STORE like BESTBUY or WALMART that is not charged up or have power will not allow you to try the camera on for feel or atributes. Only a camera store will allow you that convenience.

RocketScientist Loc: Littleton, Colorado

Your problem is the fact that the camera does not do optical zoom. Any point & shoot that has a lens that extends will give you better quality than what you have.

Pay attention to what the other posters said here and stop in a real camera store. Figure out what you are looking for. If you don't like the price at the camera store, then go elsewhere now that you have a better idea.