IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE!! The (near) perfect camera!!!!!!!!!

[Alfisti]

I know i could be just over excited and it probably ha sa major flaw but FINALLY it looks like someone has been listening to us!!!

Here is a link to the new Pentax cameras that seem to offer the "best of all the bloody worlds!!!!".

I bought a Fuji 3800 for the BIG zoom and excellent features for the price but it is SO BULKY it can get VERY annoying. Then ther eis the lack of adjustment for ISO settings .. but get a load of this thing!!!!!!!!!!

You can read the article but basically,
- VERY compact size!!!!!!!!!
- a great big 37-188mm lens (5x optical zoom)
- a raft of manual controls and semi manual pre-sets.

WOOHOOOOOO ... now I need to wait a year for the price to drop but hey .... i'll wait

[Hyun]

You forgot the link...

I assume you are talking about the new Pentax Optio cameras? Here's the link:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/pr/pe...50-450_pr.html

Would've been nice to know what the ballpark price would be...

[ruzicka]

I called a Pentax rep (I live near the corporate HQ in Colorado!). Iwas told the following:

Optio 450
- release date: June
- price: $499

Optio 550
- release date: late April
- price: $599

Doesn't sound too bad!

Paul Ruzicka

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by ruzicka

I called a Pentax rep (I live near the corporate HQ in Colorado!). Iwas told the following:

Optio 450
- release date: June
- price: $499

Optio 550
- release date: late April
- price: $599

Doesn't sound too bad!

Paul Ruzicka

How good is that!! That's $399 for the 4MP within 6 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry baout forgetting the link .... here it is ....

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0302/03...ptio550450.asp

[Mathew]

What about Optio S. Isn't it really cute? The only main difference is the optical zoom (only 3 x) and resolution (3.2 MP only). But the price is 100 Dollars less. Any comments?

[Alfisti]

Same old same old .. that bloody lousy cookie cutter 100mm zoom. The 190mm is much better on this model.

[steve6]

Hate to sound an old misery and Pee on your parade but :

powered by an exclusive rechargeable lithium-ion battery and only 4 secs max exposure time.

But it's a step in the right direction and might force a few others to get their act together.

[Doug39]

I guess I'm glad I haven't bought my D7i yet...that 550 seems like a good alternative, especially for the price. What can the D7i do that that 550 can't?

I currently have an Oly-D340L, so I'm coming from a position of minimal capability.

--Doug

[voxmagna]

What can the D7i do that that 550 can't?

Can the D7i give world time in different time zones and wake you up with your favorite pic on the lcd - it doesn't make the tea though-Can the D7i shoot stereoscopic pics (?) .

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by steve6

Hate to sound an old misery and Pee on your parade but :

powered by an exclusive rechargeable lithium-ion battery and only 4 secs max exposure time.

THe battery is the one draw back .. that does worry me.

As for maximum exposure time, i honestly couldn't care less .. I don't need half the manual options on the camera because I am just learning the art .. still learnign exposure and white balance basics .... so .. it has MORE THAN ENOUGH of everythign else.