Dpreview Reviews Four 8MP Cameras

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dpreview.com' target='_blank'>http://www.dpreview.com</a><br /><br /></div>Dpreview.com has just posted reviews of four of the latest 8-megapixel cameras. Wow! The ones that are reviewed are as follows -<br /><br />• <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonpro1/">Canon PowerShot Pro1</a><br />• <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/konicaminoltaa2/">Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2</a><br />• <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp8700/">Nikon Coolpix 8700</a><br />• <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympusc8080wz/">Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom</a><br /><br />In brief, they say that 1) "The Canon Powershot Pro 1 features a 2/3" type eight megapixel CCD sensor combined with a Canon "L-type" 7x optical zoom lens which provides a wide zoom of 28 mm to 200 mm."; 2) "the Konika DiMAGE A2 shares its body design, lens and control layout with the five megapixel DiMAGE A1 but pushes the megapixel count up to eight and includes several 'under the hood' improvements."; 3) "The Nikon Coolpix 8700 is visually identical to the Coolpix 5700 as it shares that camera's body and lens, however there have been quite a few changes inside the camera. This is Nikon's offering to the eight megapixel prosumer market which is now made up of five cameras."; and 4) "the Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom combines a brand new five times optical wide zoom (28 - 140 mm) lens with a 2/3" type eight megapixel CCD. The C-8080 also sports a new body design and comprehensive control system."<br /><br />But this is quite literally the tip of the iceberg. The reviews are very extensive and very good. The comparison testbed comprises of these four camera going head to head against each other, with one additional camera - Sony DSC-F828 - thrown into the lot. This has lead to some interesting conclusions where the Sony DSC-F828 is the clear leader in terms of performance while the Olympus gave the best image quality. I highly recommend reading these reviews, especially if you are in the market for the 8MP range cameras.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

I personally like the Dimage A2 very much. Two dial system, good controls, fast AF, manual zoom ring, decent macros.

[Gary Sheynkman]

I like the ergonomic of a canon but at 1 grand why not spring for a dSLR and avoid that noise :? ?

[Jonathon Watkins]

I like the ergonomic of a canon but at 1 grand why not spring for a dSLR and avoid that noise :? ?

Because it's a lot smaller and I am more likely to take it everywhere. The 'turnkey' solution appeals to me, i.e. one built in high quality lens, no messing about, no dust on sensors while changing lenses etc.

I got a Canon Powershot Pro last week and am still getting used to it. I like it a lot. The images are brilliant, very high definition, sharp & clear. The camera's handling is logical and it just feels right to me. I'm happy with it. :D

[Bob12]

I agree Jonathon. I frequently refer to my Pro 1 (and its predecessors) as my "everyday camera" because of its light weight and compactness. With the use I put it to, noise will likely never be an issue since I'll probably leave it set to ISO 50 most of the time. If I want to get serious, I'll use the EOS-1D Mark II - when it finally gets here. I've taken a couple of hundred pictures with the Pro 1 in the week I've had it and also like it quite a bit. The only complaint I have is that the lens hood has to be removed when using the internal flash because it casts a shadow at anything under about 110-120mm. But that's a minor consideration as far as I'm concerned.

[Gary Sheynkman]

In that case I stand corrected :lol:

Here is the kicker though, do you like to compromise?

The Pro 1 is not a "pocket camera" and it is not a full blown super camera. If and only if you could have a slim camera for "stuff" and a 300d or d70 (or 10d or d100) would you choose that option?

[Bob12]

Gary - I don't know if your question was to me or Jonathon but, in my case, yes, I have taken that option. I'm just waiting for the shipment of the EOS-1D Mark II. I also have an EOS-1N (35mm) that has become a "backup" when I have the need or desire to do something with film.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

In other words it's probably collecting dust now. =P

Make that it's now a dust collector! =P

[Bob12]

No dust - I keep it in a Pelican case :)

[Jonathon Watkins]

If and only if you could have a slim camera for "stuff" and a 300d or d70 (or 10d or d100) would you choose that option?

Hmmm, tough one. I think I would stick with the Pro1, it's just so much smaller and more convient. You can't really get reasonably priced 20mm equiventlent lenses for Digital SLRs yet, so I'm not mssing out on too much with my 28-200mm zoom range. :) I do plan on getting a small digital camera for my wife though - so that she / I :wink: can carry a camera everyhwere.

Comparing the Pro1 to my 500N, it's just sooooo much smaller and compact. OK, the Pro1 does not quite match my S45, but it's pretty darn small for what it does.

I'm going to get a LowePro D-Res 30 AW case (http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/dres/dres30aw.html) in order to cary the Pro 1 just about everywhere. I much prefer belt mounted cases, rather than carying the camera round my neck.

Now I just need to decide what to do with the 500N and my 28-135 IS lens.......

[Crocuta]

I've always assumed I would have to go with a DSLR because I really can't get by with less than a 300mm lens, but I noticed the Nikon in this review is up to 280mm (35mm equiv). Man, that's getting close and I can sure see the attraction of any of these. Unfortunately, even if they hit that 'magic' number for me, I still couldn't stick in a teleconverter to get that extra bit when I need it. I would sure love to have something significantly smaller than an SLR or DSLR for my wildlife photos, but I don't see it on the horizon yet.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

You can stick a teleconverter.. I think for these cameras the TC is about 1.5x