My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next

"Ken" <Reply to NG only> wrote in message news:47692ab7$0$13931$fa0fcedb@news.zen.co.uk...
> Had this camera a number of years and been very pleased with it and looking
> to find replacement but wonder what to look at next?
> I looked on DP Review but wonder if anyone has any tips based on my actual
> needs. Looking for: more than 4 times optical zoom, anti shake, not SLR &
> must have 28 mm lens - definitely no wider (don't want have to use wide
> angle converters).
> I use the camera almost exclusively for interior room shots, buildings &
> landscapes in my work closely related to Estate Agency/Real Estate.
>
> Help would be useful.
>
> Ken
>
>

I suggest try out a Fujifilm s6000fd, which has super low noise at high ISO settings,
this will provide faster shutter speeds inside of places you shoot, giving print-worthy
shots at 1600 speed.

It also has a powerful built in iflash, guide # of 28 feet at ISO 100. The higher the
ISO the higher the guide # goes. You cannot attach a flash, no hot shoe or flash
dedication, but you could use a bracket/handle (in the tripod mount) that has a shoe
or two and use a "slave flash" (sometimes called a "digital flash"), which would fire
off the camera's flash.

It's lens does start at 28mm (35mm equivelent) and since the lens has filter threads
on the front (58mm) you can attach a wide auxilliary lens and get wider. The lens is
a 10.7X. This camera (I think) would do much better than the old 5060, for the
reasons I've given.

Check out the Simon Joinson review:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms6000fd/ He says the low noise qualities
of this cameras are the best you can find (no doubt meaning: in a P/S).
product page:
http://www.fujifilmusa.com/digitalcamera/overview.jsp?prodCatId=856004...em=I856

I use this camera myself, and it DOES produce really high quality images! And I paid
1/2 price for an Xd picture card on ebay.

Good luck,

--
Giant_Alex }<)))*>
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next 

Ken wrote:
> Had this camera a number of years and been very pleased with it and looking
> to find replacement but wonder what to look at next?
> I looked on DP Review but wonder if anyone has any tips based on my actual
> needs. Looking for: more than 4 times optical zoom, anti shake, not SLR &
> must have 28 mm lens - definitely no wider (don't want have to use wide
> angle converters).
> I use the camera almost exclusively for interior room shots, buildings &
> landscapes in my work closely related to Estate Agency/Real Estate.

I think your lens requirments mean
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ2

I did
Format: Compact
Release Status: Not discontinued (current or upcoming)
Zoom wide (W): 28 mm or less
Zoom tele (T): 135 mm or more

at dpreview, and only got 5 cameras.

BugBear
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next 

"ray" <ray.RemoveThis@zianet.com> wrote in message
news:pan.2007.12.19.16.31.59.250250@zianet.com...
> On Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:29:11 +0000, Ken wrote:
>
>> Had this camera a number of years and been very pleased with it and
>> looking
>> to find replacement but wonder what to look at next?
>> I looked on DP Review but wonder if anyone has any tips based on my
>> actual
>> needs. Looking for: more than 4 times optical zoom, anti shake, not SLR &
>> must have 28 mm lens - definitely no wider (don't want have to use wide
>> angle converters).
>> I use the camera almost exclusively for interior room shots, buildings &
>> landscapes in my work closely related to Estate Agency/Real Estate.
>>
>> Help would be useful.
>>
>> Ken
>
> If you use it 'almost exclusively for interior room shots, buildings &
>> landscapes' then why the requirement for 'more than 4 times optical
>> zoom'? But, at any rate, it sounds like you might be in the bargain for
>> an EVF. I'd suggest you look at several. One issue that was a big one
>> for me (though it does not seem to bother other folks) is the resolution
>> of the Electronic ViewFinder. Several models are hampered by only a 110k
>> pixel EVF - I find that totally inadequate - I need 220k or more. If you
>> try one of each you should see the difference. Kodak makes sever Z
>> series cameras which would fill the bill. I have a particular preference
>> for the discontinued P series (I have a P850) which has full manual
>> control and saves in jpeg, raw, tiff. You might check the Kodak online
>> store for refurb units to get a good price.

I need a better than 4 x optical zoom because sometimes I have to take a
shot, of a property from the other side of the river, or such because it is
the only way I can get a full frontal shot. The area where I operate has
lots of hills and if I get closer, on a narrow lane or the land is dropping
I just can't get the right shot. Have tried with digital zoom but extremely
disappointed with end results.

I used to have a Kodak but nothing in their current line up matches my spec.

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next 

"bugbear" <bugbear.TakeThisOut@trim_papermule.co.uk_trim> wrote in message
news:13mid6b2ua1hm74@corp.supernews.com...
> Ken wrote:
>> Had this camera a number of years and been very pleased with it and
>> looking to find replacement but wonder what to look at next?
>> I looked on DP Review but wonder if anyone has any tips based on my
>> actual needs. Looking for: more than 4 times optical zoom, anti shake,
>> not SLR & must have 28 mm lens - definitely no wider (don't want have to
>> use wide angle converters).
>> I use the camera almost exclusively for interior room shots, buildings &
>> landscapes in my work closely related to Estate Agency/Real Estate.
>
> I think your lens requirments mean
> Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ2
>
> I did
> Format: Compact
> Release Status: Not discontinued (current or upcoming)
> Zoom wide (W): 28 mm or less
> Zoom tele (T): 135 mm or more
>
> at dpreview, and only got 5 cameras.
>
> BugBear

The TZ3 looks promising but I am not sure about relying only on the LCD with
a viewfinder unless the LCD screen has improved dramatically, from a few
years ago, where they don't work well in the sun. But good suggestions as
quite compact!!

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next 

"AAvK" <Idondodat.TakeThisOut@wahoo.com> wrote in message
news:BQeaj.18864$yV5.7786@newsfe15.phx...
>
> "Ken" <Reply to NG only> wrote in message
> news:47692ab7$0$13931$fa0fcedb@news.zen.co.uk...
>> Had this camera a number of years and been very pleased with it and
>> looking to find replacement but wonder what to look at next?
>> I looked on DP Review but wonder if anyone has any tips based on my
>> actual needs. Looking for: more than 4 times optical zoom, anti shake,
>> not SLR & must have 28 mm lens - definitely no wider (don't want have to
>> use wide angle converters).
>> I use the camera almost exclusively for interior room shots, buildings &
>> landscapes in my work closely related to Estate Agency/Real Estate.
>>
>> Help would be useful.
>>
>> Ken
>
> I suggest try out a Fujifilm s6000fd, which has super low noise at high
> ISO settings,
> this will provide faster shutter speeds inside of places you shoot, giving
> print-worthy
> shots at 1600 speed.
>
> It also has a powerful built in iflash, guide # of 28 feet at ISO 100.
> The higher the
> ISO the higher the guide # goes. You cannot attach a flash, no hot shoe
> or flash
> dedication, but you could use a bracket/handle (in the tripod mount) that
> has a shoe
> or two and use a "slave flash" (sometimes called a "digital flash"), which
> would fire
> off the camera's flash.
>
> It's lens does start at 28mm (35mm equivelent) and since the lens has
> filter threads
> on the front (58mm) you can attach a wide auxilliary lens and get wider.
> The lens is
> a 10.7X. This camera (I think) would do much better than the old 5060,
> for the
> reasons I've given.
>
> Check out the Simon Joinson review:
> http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms6000fd/ He says the low noise
> qualities
> of this cameras are the best you can find (no doubt meaning: in a P/S).
> product page:
> http://www.fujifilmusa.com/digitalcamera/overview.jsp?prodCatId=856004...em=I856
>
> I use this camera myself, and it DOES produce really high quality images!
> And I paid
> 1/2 price for an Xd picture card on ebay.
>
> Good luck,
>
> --
> Giant_Alex }<)))*>
> not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/

I see on dpreview it is highly recommended.
Missed that one so I will take a close look.
I wonder is the S8000fd is an updated version or not?

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next 

> I see on dpreview it is highly recommended.
> Missed that one so I will take a close look.
> I wonder is the S8000fd is an updated version or not?
>
> Ken
>
>

No that s8000 is very different, the lens starts it's wide end at a longer focal length
(like 36mm or so), AND since the s8000 CCD is smaller (not good), the zoom lens
is a much longer focal length which is not needed for me or your needs either, per
your ststements. The bigger the taking element, whether film or CCD/CMOS, the
bigger the lens will be and vice-versa. And you might consider the s9100 for it's 9
megapixels. The s6000 makes as big as a 6 mp file, though the files can be interpolated
up 300% at the most (Genuine Fractals, a plug-in software for Photoshop).

--
Giant_Alex }<)))*>
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next 

On Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:17:04 -0000, "Ken" <Reply to NG only> wrote:

> I see on dpreview it is highly recommended.
> Missed that one so I will take a close look.
> I wonder is the S8000fd is an updated version or not?

No. It reverted to using a small sensor, so it doesn't have the
S6000's high ISO advantage.
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next 

"AAvK" <Idondodat.TakeThisOut@wahoo.com> wrote in message
news:pLiaj.48362$KU2.26006@newsfe11.phx...
>> I see on dpreview it is highly recommended.
>> Missed that one so I will take a close look.
>> I wonder is the S8000fd is an updated version or not?
>>
>> Ken
>
> No that s8000 is very different, the lens starts it's wide end at a longer
> focal length
> (like 36mm or so), AND since the s8000 CCD is smaller (not good), the zoom
> lens
> is a much longer focal length which is not needed for me or your needs
> either, per
> your ststements. The bigger the taking element, whether film or CCD/CMOS,
> the
> bigger the lens will be and vice-versa. And you might consider the s9100
> for it's 9
> megapixels. The s6000 makes as big as a 6 mp file, though the files can
> be interpolated
> up 300% at the most (Genuine Fractals, a plug-in software for Photoshop).
>
> --
> Giant_Alex }<)))*>
> not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/

Getting a bit technical for me but I appreciate your help.
On the Dpreview site it say the wide angle is 27mm?

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next 

> Getting a bit technical for me but I appreciate your help.
> On the Dpreview site it say the wide angle is 27mm?
>
> Ken
>
>

OOPS! You're RIGHT! I forgot. I still wouldn't buy it myself. They still blew it IMO.
AAvK
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next 

Ken wrote:
> "bugbear" <bugbear.RemoveThis@trim_papermule.co.uk_trim> wrote in message
> news:13mid6b2ua1hm74@corp.supernews.com...
>> Ken wrote:
>>> Had this camera a number of years and been very pleased with it and
>>> looking to find replacement but wonder what to look at next?
>>> I looked on DP Review but wonder if anyone has any tips based on my
>>> actual needs. Looking for: more than 4 times optical zoom, anti shake,
>>> not SLR & must have 28 mm lens - definitely no wider (don't want have to
>>> use wide angle converters).
>>> I use the camera almost exclusively for interior room shots, buildings &
>>> landscapes in my work closely related to Estate Agency/Real Estate.
>> I think your lens requirments mean
>> Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ2
>>
>> I did
>> Format: Compact
>> Release Status: Not discontinued (current or upcoming)
>> Zoom wide (W): 28 mm or less
>> Zoom tele (T): 135 mm or more
>>
>> at dpreview, and only got 5 cameras.
>>
>> BugBear
>
> The TZ3 looks promising but I am not sure about relying only on the LCD with
> a viewfinder unless the LCD screen has improved dramatically, from a few
> years ago, where they don't work well in the sun. But good suggestions as
> quite compact!!

If you add many more restrictions, my friend,
you'll have a candidate pool of 0, which might
make taking any pictures at all tricky.

BugBear
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next 

"AAvK" <Idondodat.DeleteThis@wahoo.com> wrote in message
news:pLiaj.48362$KU2.26006@newsfe11.phx...
>> I see on dpreview it is highly recommended.
>> Missed that one so I will take a close look.
>> I wonder is the S8000fd is an updated version or not?
>>
>> Ken
>
> No that s8000 is very different, the lens starts it's wide end at a longer
> focal length
> (like 36mm or so), AND since the s8000 CCD is smaller (not good), the zoom
> lens
> is a much longer focal length which is not needed for me or your needs
> either, per
> your ststements. The bigger the taking element, whether film or CCD/CMOS,
> the
> bigger the lens will be and vice-versa. And you might consider the s9100
> for it's 9
> megapixels. The s6000 makes as big as a 6 mp file, though the files can
> be interpolated
> up 300% at the most (Genuine Fractals, a plug-in software for Photoshop).
>
> --
> Giant_Alex }<)))*>
> not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/

After reading your replies I have been taking a very very close look at the
Fuji S6000fd/S6500fd as well as the Fuji S9100/S9600 and feel I will
definitely be buying one of them -- but can't make my mind up which one. The
S9600 is dearer but has a tilt on the LCD which for my use is a benefit but
I wondered if the LCD on the S6000fd/S65000fd. was viewable, at an angle,
and how much of an angle. This will be the deciding factor - so no
pressure!!!

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next 

"Ken" <Reply to NG only> wrote in message news:477560c9$0$8421$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk...
>
> After reading your replies I have been taking a very very close look at the Fuji S6000fd/S6500fd as well as the Fuji S9100/S9600
> and feel I will definitely be buying one of them -- but can't make my mind up which one. The S9600 is dearer but has a tilt on the
> LCD which for my use is a benefit but I wondered if the LCD on the S6000fd/S65000fd. was viewable, at an angle, and how much of an
> angle. This will be the deciding factor - so no pressure!!!
>
> Ken
>

I use the s6000fd and it does not have an articulating lcd, solid in there. On the s9100
the display flips up to a couple positions, you can waist-level shoot nicely but it doesn't
twist out to the side or flip 180º the other way or anything like that.

An aside set of notes, the CCD in the s9100 (1/1.6) is larger than the one in the s6000fd
(1/1.7), but only by a fraction. I think think the lens/ccd combo in the s6000fd is better
balanced for sharpness than the s9100, related to "rear of the lens circle projection" to
different sized CCDs, as far as all I have seen in image samples, I suspect the s9100 is not
as sharp because of those difference factors and producing 9 megapixels instead of 6.3...
not quite as sharp (IMO only!).

BUT on those OS's you set the sharpness to low-normal-high, I strictly keep mine on
high no matter what. The lens superb, but AF is a too sluggish, very basic. You probably
be better off with a Nikon d40/ that has an APS sized CCD (much larger) and much faster
at focussing.

--
Giant_Alex }<)))*>
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next 

"AAvK" <nonyabidness RemoveThis @wahoo.com> wrote in message
news:5aydj.22948$db7.12964@newsfe12.phx...
>
> "Ken" <Reply to NG only> wrote in message
> news:477560c9$0$8421$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk...
>>
>> After reading your replies I have been taking a very very close look at
>> the Fuji S6000fd/S6500fd as well as the Fuji S9100/S9600 and feel I will
>> definitely be buying one of them -- but can't make my mind up which one.
>> The S9600 is dearer but has a tilt on the LCD which for my use is a
>> benefit but I wondered if the LCD on the S6000fd/S65000fd. was viewable,
>> at an angle, and how much of an angle. This will be the deciding factor -
>> so no pressure!!!
>>
>> Ken
>>
>
> I use the s6000fd and it does not have an articulating lcd, solid in
> there. On the s9100
> the display flips up to a couple positions, you can waist-level shoot
> nicely but it doesn't
> twist out to the side or flip 180º the other way or anything like that.
>
> An aside set of notes, the CCD in the s9100 (1/1.6) is larger than the one
> in the s6000fd
> (1/1.7), but only by a fraction. I think think the lens/ccd combo in the
> s6000fd is better
> balanced for sharpness than the s9100, related to "rear of the lens circle
> projection" to
> different sized CCDs, as far as all I have seen in image samples, I
> suspect the s9100 is not
> as sharp because of those difference factors and producing 9 megapixels
> instead of 6.3...
> not quite as sharp (IMO only!).
>
> BUT on those OS's you set the sharpness to low-normal-high, I strictly
> keep mine on
> high no matter what. The lens superb, but AF is a too sluggish, very
> basic. You probably
> be better off with a Nikon d40/ that has an APS sized CCD (much larger)
> and much faster
> at focussing.
>
> --
> Giant_Alex }<)))*>
> not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/

Hi

Many thanks for your taking the trouble to help but I found out a friend of
mine has a Fuji 6500fd and I never knew. It is rarely used as he has pocket
sized camera he carries around all the time but he wants to hang on to the
6500. However he lent it me over the past few days which has proven a really
big help. I have now dropped my requirement for the tilting LCD but have
also realised I need to up my budget and have now ordered an Olympus 410
digital SLR which I feel will be dearer but better longer term option.

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: My Olympus 5060 needs replacing - what next