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Paul5388
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Joined: 25 February 2008
Location: Long Branch, Texas
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| Posted: 03 December 2008 at 8:55pm | IP Logged
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Well, my old Kodak DC220 has gotten to where I can only use it when it's plugged in, so I just ordered a new, actually slightly used, Kodak Z1012IS off of Craigslist. It isn't a SLR, but it seems to do the things I can handle. Since it comes with an 8 gb memory card, I may actually be able to get some videos.
This comes with the rechargeable battery that looks like two AA batteries stuck together. I think it can use two AAs in addition to the normal camera batteries.
My son-in-law has one and has been favorably impressed with its varied features, including reducing the wobbles that produce blurred pictures. That's a great feature for old wobbly folks, even when they use a tripod!  It also has a 12X optical zoom and 10 megapixels, hence Z1012, Duh.
Being a little on the frugal side, I got son-in-law to pick it up for me in Dallas, but they aren't coming until the 12th for my granddaughter's wedding to Gallatin Gunner on the 13th. I could have gotten them to mail it, but it doesn't hurt me to wait a little, besides, it's cheaper this way! 
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JerryL
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| Posted: 03 December 2008 at 11:44pm | IP Logged
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Paul that looks like a nice camera. The optical image stabilization is a very nice feature. I have it on most of my lenses for my DSLR now. It is probably one of the best features to come out on cameras. With it you will be getting a lot more keeper shots.
I am also impressed by the focal length possibilities of this camera, 33-396 mm (35 mm equiv.). Currently with all of my lenses for my DSLR I have a 27-450 mm(35 mm equivalent) range, but I have to switch lenses to get that range.
I know some people say mega pixels don't count, but I love the cropping capability 10 mega pixels gives me. It will enable you to crop out large portions of the photo and can act as a zoom to bring out details you normally don't see.
Oh yeah, read the instruction manual to make sure on your camera, but with my image stabilized lenses I am supposed to turn off the stabilization when using the camera on a tripod. If I don't do this the image stabilization can actually blur the image. Just check to make sure.
Jerry
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Paul5388
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| Posted: 04 December 2008 at 8:08am | IP Logged
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Jerry,
I have the manual and the extended manual (?) downloaded, so I'll try to check on that prior to it getting here.
For some reason, this camera has better specifications than some other brands the cost $100 more.
It did come with a full size tripod instead of the little table top variety that is normal for the "kits" offered now.
SIL took some pictures on their recent trip to Colorado and the only problem he had was keeping the focus from locking in on close objects instead of the distant mountains he was trying to shoot. Mountains are a big deal to us flatlanders. 
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JohnK
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| Posted: 05 December 2008 at 8:06am | IP Logged
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That looks like a pretty good camera Paul. I have a similar Panasonic, only 8mp and lower rez movie mode though. The big zoom range is really handy. You should be able to screw a teleconverter on the end if you need even more reach too.
The lens is probably one big reason for the price difference when they look similar on paper. Think of it like scopes or binoculars, you can spend $50 on a set from Buschnell or $1000 on Swaroskis that are both 10x20 and look similar in the catalog.
I looked up the Kodak, it has a macro mode too with a minimum focus distance of only 4.72" - that will let you get really close.
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Paul5388
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| Posted: 05 December 2008 at 9:02am | IP Logged
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The macro mode may help on some of the bullet pictures that seem to be hard to get right.
One good thing about digital cameras is being able to see what you got instantly. That way I can keep shooting until I finally get it right. 
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JerryL
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| Posted: 05 December 2008 at 9:51am | IP Logged
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Paul, I think the $100 price difference is like John said, lens name/brand name.
Also I just went camera shopping with my dad for a new point and shoot camera for my mom. She didn't want anything fancy but here are my observations.
For $100-$200 you can get a nice point and shoot that will have 6-10 mega pixels and between a 2x-5x optical zoom. Most of the cameras in this range don't have viewfinders and are very small. Less than an inch thick and easily able to fit in a pocket. In this range the higher price usually gets you either more optical zoom, more mega pixels, or technology such as image stabilization and face detection/smile detection. Most cameras in this range will also record video.
The next price range is most likely the current step up zone/sweet spot for digital cameras. I guess I would call these cameras the super zooms and that is where your camera fits in Paul. The price range on these camera starts at two hundred dollars and goes all the way up to over a thousand dollars. Cameras in this range are larger overall, mainly just to house the bigger lens required for the super zoom. The mega pixel ratings on these camera start at around 8. As the price goes up in this range you get more mega pixels, more optical zoom, image stabilization of some type either optical or sensor based. Most of these cameras will also shoot very good video with some if not most being capable of HD video. Other features you get in this level are faster shutter response, burst modes enabling you to take lots of pictures fast, and more control over the actual picture taking process.
The final range of digital cameras I looked over is the DSLR market. Entry level DSLR's can now be had for around four hundred dollars. Megapixels for DSLR's start at around six and go up to twenty five on top end cameras. Most DSLR's now come standard with image stabilization, either in the lenses or the body of the camera. As the price goes up in this market zone you get larger sensors, more mega pixels, live view, movie mode, more focus zones, faster burst speeds and a host of other features. The sky is the limit on how much you can spend on a DSLR camera system, however it will offer you the most control over the picture taking process as well as the ability to customize the camera for the exact type of photography you want to do.
Jerry
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Paul5388
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| Posted: 05 December 2008 at 11:18am | IP Logged
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Jerry,
#1 son found one of these Kodaks at a discounted price of $137 (he paid $202 and is supposed to get $67 in rebates). It's actually one of the kits that includes the desk tripod, 8 gb memory card and rechargeable battery. I think it was a new camera, but I don't know that it included shipping at that price.
The one I got was similar, but used, and it did have a better tripod. Not much of an upgrade for the $200 I paid. 
WalMart wants $239 for the camera and Sam's Club is about $20 cheaper, but neither one is any more than just the camera with 200+ mb of built in memory.
I consider it to be an intermediate grade, between the shirt pockets and the DSLRs.
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Backwoods Photos : Cameras
Topic: Kodak Z1012IS
