After all the brain-draining deliberation of the little people inside his head, the jury has finally reached its verdict; Nelson's next camera upgrade is going to be a....
The Need: To have a point and shoot compact that can do all features: Weather-proofing, a Nikon interface, Fuji's Honeycom CCD, rangefinder look, 28mm wide if possible and some decent zoom and does not cost a kidney like that sonuvagun rangefinder Leica M8. Pixel count is not important as I wont print any larger than 8 x 11 anyway.
The Subjects:
Panasonic Lumix TZ3 - Powerful 10x zoom on a compact that starts with a remarkable 28mm Leica Vario Elmarit wide angle lens.
Panasonic LX2 - Retro styled with a wide lens angle on a 16:9 screen ratio.
Canon TX1 - New entry of Canon that promises the 10x zoom and High Def video recording in a very compact body.
Nikon P5000 - Still warm from the factory, the P5000 promises to fill the gap between the DSLR and compact cameras.
Canon G7 - Canon's G series that only comes once every 3-5 years promises full manual control much like an SLR could
Fuji F40fd - Fuji kicked everyone's dark butt by introducing the highest useful ISO settings in a compact camera without being overly noisy on the pics.
Olympus SP550 UZ - 28mm to 504mm , that's 18x optical zoom !! , yeah baby yeah!! Not that its that shagallistic but that is one long stretch of a zoom.
Elimination of losers:
It was a tough call, the subjects were all capable of the need: Compact, great pictures, Wide angle possibilities, Zoom and all the works. The process of elimination threw out the Olmypus zoomer and Fuji F40fd first as they failed the most; The SP550 was a great zoomer and oh what long lens it has when it stretches to 504 mm, but the pictures are just so so and it aint really a compact unless you can take on the idea of a big bulge on your pocket. Fuji F40fd's design is consumer- taste inspired - butt ugly. But lo! it is still the reigning king of the dark world, no compact comes close to its ability to take great pix even at the high 400-800 ISOs level, but it lacks the manual controls, not having a wide,neither a zoomer. If one doesnt mind style and other bells and whistles - Fuji F40fd wins hand-down. The Canon TX1 might have it all except for the wide angle, but as hybrids often are : Jack of All Trades- Master of none, it can give just slightly good photos, slightly better videos than the TZ3 and a 10x zoom ..and that's it, its purpose in life is yet to be discovered. The LX2 have had a great following for those who were still nostalgic of the 35mm rangefinders as its shape is rather slim and long, but beside the wide lens and styling, the price is just $30 less then the G7, finally LX2 bears the curse of all Lumixes - Noise.
The Final 3
The Nikon P5000 felt really comfortable and very compact, it boasts of a 3200 ISO (at 5mega pixels though) and Nikon's new (old story for the rest) stabilized system. It has a lot of manual controls including a wheel for fast ISO and F Stop adjustments. Superb and I'd say one of the best user interface, easy to navigate, easy to control and far better shutter response than the G7. The hotshoe for external flash is a plus. Wide and Telephoto adapter lens available ( at approx $160-$200 each , nuts!). Price $350
The Panasonic TZ3 is the most compact of all wide-tele digital camera out there, followed perhaps by Ricoh's R series. Its got all the bells and whistles and the reliable Paanasonic stabilization system that really helps at the far end of the zoom. What it lacks however is the manual control as it was targeted for the great majority of point and shooters. The 10x zoom and video capability would be of great value to soccer mom's and dads but may be lacking for enthusiasts. Zoomers cant have it all, thus this one suffers from noise and over use of noise reduction - the Achilles heel of Panasonic Lumix cameras. Price $440. Winning point: 28mm Wide to 10x Optical zoom.
The Canon G7 like its previous G models are targeted for those on the border but not yet wanting to cross to the SLR camp. It features full manual controls yet still capable of working as a P&S camera. It has 6x zoom and an image stabilizer which is becoming standard these days. ISO ranges from 80 to 1600, max at 3200 (dont know how usable that is). Its a brick and I wish the magnesium alloy was used here instead on the P5000. It takes time to master and controls are not easy to find. A hotshoe can take in external flash, Wide and Tele adapter lens available (not cheap if u need this, just get an SLR). Price $480
Its not a gazillion dollar purchase like an RD1 or Leica M8, but heck I have all the time to pry nooks and crannies for my point and shooter. The TZ3 will have to go, as though it has everything I would want in a compact, it failed to impress on all of it. The P5000 is as great as its price, nothing more ,nothing less. The downside and what turned me off is the cheap feel as it is really very light (why the magnesium alloy?), for me Its Nikon's attempt to match the G7 but tried to cut corners to lower cost and ended up looking like an A640. The G7 leads the P5000 in every aspect except ease of operation - can deal with that...as I like complexity, it matches my state of mind. With the G7 and P5000 comparison, Its exactly like paying for the xtra stuff, more zoom, more controls, heavier, sturdier feel = more $$. In a year or two I will be drawn to new models and in this context, I believe the G7's resale value will far exceed any compact models around. And so it is cast, the G7 is going home with me.
As I was patiently waiting for the camera shop staff to inspect the package contents and write my warranty papers, I casually asked what he thinks about the P5000 compared to the G7.... he stared at me with a slight twinkle in his eyes as if waiting for me to ask that question ....coming next on my blog
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
On Taking Time
A watch is about: Quality, Elegance, Accuracy, Luxury, Extravagance, Craftsmanship, Respect, Taste, Character or show? A regular Jaeger will cost you $50k- that is about 2.5m Pesos, more than enough to send a kid to school from elementary to college. Extravagance in my point of view. In 1999 the most expensive watch ever sold, a 1933 gold Patek Phillipe with 24 complications, was auctioned off at Sotheby's for $11 million.
I am Nelson and I am a watchaholic. My watches are not as expensive as the Pateks and Piguets (funky names if you ask me). From my own economic perspective, (single-selfish-dont care and employed) my watches arent that much, but for some who arent crazy bout watches and those who are in a tighter budget, my watches are impractical and extravagant. Same shit, different scale. Fine, I agree that I am among them who tread the path of senseless extravagance, nothing to be proud of...but a teeny bit of something's gotta give.
More alibi. Most of the time, it pays to dress for success - one can expect to be treated as one looks. if you look cheap, you will be treated like one. Psychologically, it can be a confidence booster - not that i need it, but self improvement is always good, lest it harms others.
The right piece at the right time. I wear my accessories according to the occasion and location. I've never worn Cartier in Manila, everybody will think its a knock-off anyway. I do however wear the fakies in Japan where nobody cares because people can actually afford the real deal.
I can see my watch collection as a benchmark for my personal achievements, a tool to enrich my life and from time to time a means to validate my time-space existence.
Categorized by its function are my passion-driven-time-accessories:
Swatch Skin, Racing Numbers chrono - One can never have enough Swatches in their lifetime. This watch is for forgetting it was there.
Casio MTG700M - From hiking to fending Divisoria mobs on a xmas rush, this watch has never let me down.
Dunhill Dunhillion- for that job interview, you have to look like you are not really desperate about the job.
Early 90's TAG 2000 Series (now tagged as a classic 2000 - you just know you're getting old) - My first pricey watch. Although the bezel is loose, and the date has gone berserk, it still tells time accurately and goes with any style, also used for offending other officemates who sport Formulas.
Orient Automatic - Clad with a black dial and wrinkled black leather, for calmer days, Wednesdays and I don't care what you think, my watch tells time kind of days.
Timex Leather Expedition - TGIF, perfect watch as I eject from my cubicle to after-work gimiks.
Techno Marine Maori (funky and fake) - Am not that nuts to buy this model, just wanted to try it... cool enough but with the real one weighing like an anchor and with just a Swiss movement up its sleeve, I dont think its worthy of its price tag.
Must 21 Cartier - Funny, the only person who commented on it was an old lady boss, it tells time accurately, other than that its just a name.
Rolex GMTII (Greenhills special, I still dont know what's so great bout Rolex' , except for the GMTs - its darn ugly, again just for trying and seriously enough, am not convinced) I'd go with an Omega Moonwatch or Seamaster anytime.
Wired - Offering uniquely designed watches (online Japan only) Seiko's experimental venue for watch nerds offer these high quality timepieces. I have 2 of them, a squared digital that gets quite a lot compliments and a gigantic-sparkling blue chrono that makes my tiny hand even tinier. Except for the non-Saphire glass, the build and quality of the Wired XYZ models are great.
And this year's Christmas gift from girlfriend - A titanium, 5 motor, 5 band wave ceptor, solar powered, world-time, chrono, 10 alarm, auto adjust to 3 continents, perpetual calendar, GMT, self-correcting Casio Oceanus with a manual 20 pages long. And yes, I have a need for all those functions for my daily existence.
I am Nelson and I am a watchaholic. My watches are not as expensive as the Pateks and Piguets (funky names if you ask me). From my own economic perspective, (single-selfish-dont care and employed) my watches arent that much, but for some who arent crazy bout watches and those who are in a tighter budget, my watches are impractical and extravagant. Same shit, different scale. Fine, I agree that I am among them who tread the path of senseless extravagance, nothing to be proud of...but a teeny bit of something's gotta give.
More alibi. Most of the time, it pays to dress for success - one can expect to be treated as one looks. if you look cheap, you will be treated like one. Psychologically, it can be a confidence booster - not that i need it, but self improvement is always good, lest it harms others.
The right piece at the right time. I wear my accessories according to the occasion and location. I've never worn Cartier in Manila, everybody will think its a knock-off anyway. I do however wear the fakies in Japan where nobody cares because people can actually afford the real deal.I can see my watch collection as a benchmark for my personal achievements, a tool to enrich my life and from time to time a means to validate my time-space existence.
Categorized by its function are my passion-driven-time-accessories:
Swatch Skin, Racing Numbers chrono - One can never have enough Swatches in their lifetime. This watch is for forgetting it was there.
Casio MTG700M - From hiking to fending Divisoria mobs on a xmas rush, this watch has never let me down.
Dunhill Dunhillion- for that job interview, you have to look like you are not really desperate about the job.
Early 90's TAG 2000 Series (now tagged as a classic 2000 - you just know you're getting old) - My first pricey watch. Although the bezel is loose, and the date has gone berserk, it still tells time accurately and goes with any style, also used for offending other officemates who sport Formulas.
Orient Automatic - Clad with a black dial and wrinkled black leather, for calmer days, Wednesdays and I don't care what you think, my watch tells time kind of days.
Timex Leather Expedition - TGIF, perfect watch as I eject from my cubicle to after-work gimiks.
Techno Marine Maori (funky and fake) - Am not that nuts to buy this model, just wanted to try it... cool enough but with the real one weighing like an anchor and with just a Swiss movement up its sleeve, I dont think its worthy of its price tag.
Must 21 Cartier - Funny, the only person who commented on it was an old lady boss, it tells time accurately, other than that its just a name.
Rolex GMTII (Greenhills special, I still dont know what's so great bout Rolex' , except for the GMTs - its darn ugly, again just for trying and seriously enough, am not convinced) I'd go with an Omega Moonwatch or Seamaster anytime.
Wired - Offering uniquely designed watches (online Japan only) Seiko's experimental venue for watch nerds offer these high quality timepieces. I have 2 of them, a squared digital that gets quite a lot compliments and a gigantic-sparkling blue chrono that makes my tiny hand even tinier. Except for the non-Saphire glass, the build and quality of the Wired XYZ models are great.
And this year's Christmas gift from girlfriend - A titanium, 5 motor, 5 band wave ceptor, solar powered, world-time, chrono, 10 alarm, auto adjust to 3 continents, perpetual calendar, GMT, self-correcting Casio Oceanus with a manual 20 pages long. And yes, I have a need for all those functions for my daily existence.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
