2006-10-16 07:13:29 · 4 answers · asked by tagi_65 5 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
As for MP goes, 3.2 would probably be enough. The thing is, more megapixels allow for more cropping. So a full resolution 3.2 megapixel picture would work, but a cropped a 5.0 MP image would work just as well. As for optical zoom, I think 3x is just fine unless you do sports work, etc. Long zoom is much too hard to get on a normal point and shoot because of camera shake. For long zoom, you'd need a good anti shake or image stabilization feature.
2006-10-16 07:42:48 · answer #1 · answered by biiscit 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi Tagi,
I just answered another of your questions, about DSLRs. Interesting that you should ask about optical zoom now, as that's pretty much a foreign concept with a DSLR, zoom being a function of whatever lens you snap on the front of the camera, and optical being a given with all (current) DSLRs, as far as I know.
For a fixed lens digicam, I wouldn't consider anything with less than a 10x zoom. In SLR terms, something like 30-300mm (that's 10x). For example Canon's S3 IS has 12x zoom (36-432mm equivalent).
For prints, I always prepare files at 300ppi (pixels per inch). So for an 8x10 it would be 2400x3000 pixels. Photo printing sites such as shutterfly suggest that as low as 100ppi is fine, but I think at that point you will start losing quality, especially on larger prints. Remember, the larger the print the more magnified all the flaws are.
Good luck with whichever camera you decide on.
2006-10-16 17:14:50 · answer #2 · answered by TriniSalt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For good quality 8x10 inch prints, get 6MP or more.
As for optical zoom, I find that 3x (from around 25 to 75mm) covers 90% of my needs. I'm into street photography and landscapes, so I'm more interested in how wide the lens goes (expressed in mm) than I am in the number of the zoom factor.
2006-10-16 18:21:31 · answer #3 · answered by OMG, I ♥ PONIES!!1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you are buying a Rebel, digital zoom is not a factor. If you are trying to buy one lens to start, Panacea has recommended the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (28-135 equiv.) here before. I do not have Canon experience, but it looks good to me and reviews well. (I'm only answering this because I see Panacea has been through and missed this question.)
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=10511
2006-10-16 20:54:47 · answer #4 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋