Korean Job Discussion Forums

[oskinny1]

I have the Canon G10, and though it is a tad wide for the pocket (unless you wear baggy clothes) it takes awesome pictures.

[RufusW]

I thought I'd bump this up with a little research.

I'm looking at the Fuji Finepix F200EXR - 419K and the Panasonic LX3 - 615 or 650K.

Both have good reviews on dpreview.com. They really seem to like the LX3, it also seems well priced in Korea, it's about 740K on Amazon in the UK.

So, any thoughts? If I can look after it, the LX3 looks great. Also out of stock atm.

Was tempted by a D40, but still thinking about weight.

[Hindsight]

Comparing the Fuji and Panasonic are like comparing apples and oranges. The Panasonic is almost twice as expensive and has a very different focal length, running from 24 to 60 mm.

If you don't know what that means, you are going to be in for a shock if you buy it, and may be pissed. It means it is a very wide angle lens with no telephoto.

I would love to have one, but it is way too expensive. (Actually, I would probably get the Ricoh GX200, which goes to 72 mm and uses AAAs.) But most amateurs wouldn't know what to do with a 24 mm lens. The Panasonic is probably sturdier because of its unusual fixed lens.

But then I would also love to have a Fuji Finepix F200EXR. Fuji makes some great lenses and tends to be cutting edge in producing sensors for low light. I gather this is their newest sensor. It has some sophisticated features for the serious photographer. And it has a 5x zoom going from 28 mm to 140 mm, unusual in a point and shoot.

No one can pick a camera for someone else. There's too many variables. The only thing someone can do is help you decide between cameras with approximately the same specs and prices.

If you are buying a camera for traveling and are not doing serious photography, you want something "disposable" and light, i.e., you won't go into deep depression for six months if something happens to it.

You need to consider batteries. Will you have to carry a separate charger and extra battery? Or does it use AAs? AAs are much better for traveling, but are becoming rare in small cameras. Some Canons still use AAs.

Shock and water resistance are also important. Some cameras can be used underwater without a housing, and can withstand a drop. Olympus makes several, but some other makers have them, too.

If durability were more important than top picture quality when traveling, I'd get a waterproof, shockproof camera.

But since I care more about picture quality, I got a small, cheap APS camera. An APS looks like a mini DSLR. They are thicker than a point and shoot, but have much longer telephotos. Mine runs on 4 AAs. But you can't put it in a shirt pocket. If it gets broken or lost, it is cheap enough that I will just get another camera. I would NEVER carry a $700 camera while hostel traveling.

If you are traveling, are afraid of carrying an expensive camera, and are not an expert photographer, there are Canons and Fujis that sell for less than $200 that will give you good pictures. I don't see many bargains here online, so if you can, have someone buy it for you Stateside, test it, and send it to you.

I have more than one camera. If you get a cheap, small camera, you can always buy a bigger, fancier camera later, and still use the small one.

[SHANE02]

[zappadelta]

I am looking for a compact/ultracompact point and shoot that is good for taking action photos (mostly of my puppy). What feature(s) is most important for that?

[zappadelta]

Any thoughts on this one? Pretty affordable, looks nice.

http://www.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=161838275&pops_shop_cd=GE&pops_clasps_cd=300007128&pops_clasps_kind=S

[blackjack]

[RufusW]

Thanks for that Hindsight.

I'm not really comparing them but showing what's probably best in each price range. I understand a bit about focal length, I'm actually attracted to the LX3 because of that - I'll be taking a lot of landscapes and I like the effect a wideangle has on portraits.

You've opened my eyes to just not spending as much though, especially as I'll be travelling extensively and I probably expect it to get stolen sometime.

Also, batteries. I'll have to take the charger around with me, adapt it in different countries and I might not even be able to charge it for weeks at a time (hiking).

I'm now even thinking about a film camera!

[zappadelta]

[nangulo]

I was looking at at Panasonic DMC ZS3K Lumix (for high quality pics and videos) and a Fuji Finepix F200EXR for low-light photos (for concerts and night shots) these were the ones recommended to me by the man at the camera shop when I was back home.
Anyone have any idea if I can buy those two brands in Korea? I see lots of Canon and Sony ads, but none for Panasonic or Fuji.

[zappadelta]

[blackjack]

[zappadelta]

[nangulo]

I've been on the G-Market site once,it's mostly in Korean, so you really need a Korean friend to help you if you want to shop there.

[zappadelta]