The DSLR alternative??

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Now Kodak has jumped on the bandwagon. First Samsung, then
Panasonic, then Fuji and now Kodak.
Megapixels, long zooms, lots of manual control.
I wonder how this segment is going to sell?
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0508/ [...] 80p850.asp

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Paul Furman wrote:
> RichA wrote:
>
>> Now Kodak has jumped on the bandwagon. First Samsung, then
>> Panasonic, then Fuji and now Kodak.
>> Megapixels, long zooms, lots of manual control.
>> I wonder how this segment is going to sell?
>> http://www.dpreview.com/news/0508/ [...] 80p850.asp
>
> Funny looking viewfinder bump on the top. Why bother when it's not
> going to match the actual framing anyways?

It supposedly has an electronic viewfinder, which should provide a 100%
accurate representation. But what is that lump on top?

David

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Skip M wrote:

> "RichA" <none@none.com> wrote in message
> news:186ve1le2msqf3upgatafuf3m7lhkgl3di@4ax.com...
>
>>Now Kodak has jumped on the bandwagon. First Samsung, then
>>Panasonic, then Fuji and now Kodak.
>>Megapixels, long zooms, lots of manual control.
>>I wonder how this segment is going to sell?
>>http://www.dpreview.com/news/0508/05080202kodak_p880p850.asp
>
>
> They're starting to creep up on small DSLR size, too. I couldn't find the
> size of the sensor on the P880, but it is close to the size of a 350D,
> albeit 1/2 the weight when the latter has a 17-85 IS mounted. I wonder
> about the price...
>

A clue to the sensor size is the minimum aperture of f8. That indicates
to me that it is a small sensor.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Skip M wrote:

> "frederick" <nomail@nomail.com> wrote in message
> news:1123021176.802507@ftpsrv1...
>
>>Skip M wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"RichA" <none@none.com> wrote in message
>>>news:186ve1le2msqf3upgatafuf3m7lhkgl3di@4ax.com...
>>>
>>>
>>>>Now Kodak has jumped on the bandwagon. First Samsung, then
>>>>Panasonic, then Fuji and now Kodak.
>>>>Megapixels, long zooms, lots of manual control.
>>>>I wonder how this segment is going to sell?
>>>>http://www.dpreview.com/news/0508/05080202kodak_p880p850.asp
>>>
>>>
>>>They're starting to creep up on small DSLR size, too. I couldn't find
>>>the size of the sensor on the P880, but it is close to the size of a
>>>350D, albeit 1/2 the weight when the latter has a 17-85 IS mounted. I
>>>wonder about the price...
>>>
>>
>>A clue to the sensor size is the minimum aperture of f8. That indicates
>>to me that it is a small sensor.
>>
>
> Oh, I knew it was small, I was looking for the exact dimensions. You're
> right, f2.8-8 range is a clue to the lack of size, esp. when compared to the
> f4-32 of the 17-85 or f2.8-22 of the 24-70 L.
> As I re-read my post, I can see my wording could lead to confusion, I meant
> the camera was close to 350D size, not the sensor.
>

Yes. I misread your post, misread the DPReview aricle, and until I
noticed the f8 limit, I thought the Kodak Camera was interesting. I
expect it probably isn't. I think cameras like these are probably
overestimated, and comparatively cheap P&S zooms often underestimated.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

RichA wrote:
> Now Kodak has jumped on the bandwagon. First Samsung, then
> Panasonic, then Fuji and now Kodak.
> Megapixels, long zooms, lots of manual control.
> I wonder how this segment is going to sell?
> http://www.dpreview.com/news/0508/ [...] 80p850.asp


Is RichA coming from the stone age?
These types of cameras have been around for years. people always want
more MP and more zoom. Only better educated people also want bigger
sensor and image stabilization and want better quality lenses.

And please define what is "lots of manual control"? I am not aware of
any cameras other than slim and small type without suficient manual
controls.

As for how well will they sell. I would say they will do well if the
price is kept below $400-$500. Many people don't know the fine art of
photography equipment and the speficiation sells.

At the time when I had Olympus C-3000Z, 3MP P&S cameras, I would be sold
by this type of cameras. But after having a Rebel/20D and seeing the
amazing picture quality I could archieve (with appropiate lenses, of
course). I cannot go back to a simple P&S.

Plus knowing the high MP compromises the low light performance make
these type of cameras a big no, no for me.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

RichA wrote:

>>RichA wrote:
> Oh they did exist, for sure. Olympus lead the way, they had P&S with
> long zooms and even fixed lens DSLRs with long zooms. But they
> ditched most of them. Now, more and more companies are featuring them
> as their flagship cameras instead of venturing into the DSLR world.

Sony makes those high end digicam too. Sony is joining forces with K-M
to make dSLR. Panasonic is in the 4/3 camp and considering they also
make professional grade video cameras, they have enough name recognition
to venture into professional still cameras too. You don't need to be
reminded about Fujifilm, Pentax and Olympus, do you? As for Kodak, the
name just doesn't fly in high end cameras. They are now concentrated in
sensor manufacturing. Perhaps they might return to the 4/3 format someday.


> More than whatever else they previously offered. Take a look at
> Samsung's current crop and then the new 815 coming.

Perhaps you can do the research for me telling me what exciting manual
controls that only this new camera have.


> The refrain I'm hearing that will probably be used to sell them
> against cheap DSLRs is "NO DUST!"

Maybe. I have not cleaned the sensor since I got it last December. I
have taken thousands of pictures and changed lenses hundreds of times.


> I think more than a few people exaggerate their need for "low light"
> capabilities, as a way of justifying lugging around a DSLR with all
> the lenses, etc. But it would be nice to have it when needed.
> -Rich

Your last sentence is correct. The basic premise is use the right tool
at the right time. I am glad I have both Canon 20D & Sony V1. Only
people like you who bought a high end P&S have to spend that much time
to find excuses to justify your purchasing decision.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

In message <7p3Ie.77$Wi6.43@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>,
l e o <someone@somewhere.net> wrote:

>Maybe. I have not cleaned the sensor since I got it last December. I
>have taken thousands of pictures and changed lenses hundreds of times.

The only time I see dust is when I accidentally leave the camera set to
a slow shutter-priority and a high ISO, and aim at the sky. If you
rarely use f/16 and smaller, you will rarely see dust.

Still, an anti-dust feature in my next body would be welcome.
--

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