Steve'sDigicams

helder_jb · Jan 25, 2006, 11:58 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to buy my first digicam, and I need some help picking one among these ones to which I narrowed my choices: Kodak V530, Casio EX-S500, Pentax S5z or Samsung I5.

Here's the characteristics I've been looking for:
- Ultracompact
- Optical zoom 2.8X or higher
- 4-6 Megapixels
- Uses SD card
- MPEG4 [email protected]
- The less noise, the better
- Viewfinder not needed
- Up to US$ 280,00

As for the video: no, I don't intend to make it my camcorder. I just want have the chance of recording a few 2-3min small videos without filling up a whole 1GB card. MPEG4 seems perfect for that, for me.

I'm not a pro. I just want to have a small pocket camera to take good quality snapshots of family and trips, and some videos of my martial arts training for later review (also, not a pro: purple belt aikidoka).

For those of you who had the chance of testing a few (or all) of these cameras, which one of them do you recommend to me?

Thank you!

PS: Unfortunately, I have no chance of going to a store and testing them. I have to rely on reviews and sample pictures to choose and buy online.

- Helder

asburydan · Jan 25, 2006, 1:58 PM

Although I can't speak to the Pentax you mentioned, I have been using a Pentax Optio 33L for nearly 3 years. (I have an active post on upgrading). I could not have asked for more from the Pentax I have. The review for my camera is still on this site. If you could compare that to reviews for the one you are looking at, maybe it would be helpful. I also have an old Pentax Super Program SLR and a 13 year old Pentax P&S (both film cameras) that still perform very well except for the limitations of the photographer using them.

mtclimber · Jan 25, 2006, 3:46 PM

I own both the Pentax S5i and the Kodak V-530. I have also shot a lot with the Casios. To me the clear choice is the Kodak V-530. Here is a close-up shot taken with the V-530.

MT

helder_jb · Jan 26, 2006, 9:02 PM

Thank you for the answers

It seems the V-530 is gonna be my order. The downside of it (battery life) can be easily overcome by buying a spare battery.

By the way, mtclimber: Beautiful shot!

mtclimber · Jan 26, 2006, 10:18 PM

Thanks, helder-

I am sure you will find the Kodak V-530 to be a great camera.

MT

kcmargulies · Jan 26, 2006, 10:38 PM

battery life isfine.

i have never shot so many pictures that i used up a battery.

you can always keep a spare in your pocket though...

please post some pictures when you get the camera!

Jan 25, 2006, 3:46 PM	#3
mtclimber Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 18,143	I own both the Pentax S5i and the Kodak V-530. I have also shot a lot with the Casios. To me the clear choice is the Kodak V-530. Here is a close-up shot taken with the V-530. MT Attached Images

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Jan 25, 2006, 11:58 AM	#1
helder_jb Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 4	Hi everyone, I'm planning to buy my first digicam, and I need some help picking one among these ones to which I narrowed my choices: Kodak V530, Casio EX-S500, Pentax S5z or Samsung I5. Here's the characteristics I've been looking for: - Ultracompact - Optical zoom 2.8X or higher - 4-6 Megapixels - Uses SD card - MPEG4 [email protected] - The less noise, the better - Viewfinder not needed - Up to US$ 280,00 As for the video: no, I don't intend to make it my camcorder. I just want have the chance of recording a few 2-3min small videos without filling up a whole 1GB card. MPEG4 seems perfect for that, for me. I'm not a pro. I just want to have a small pocket camera to take good quality snapshots of family and trips, and some videos of my martial arts training for later review (also, not a pro: purple belt aikidoka). For those of you who had the chance of testing a few (or all) of these cameras, which one of them do you recommend to me? Thank you! PS: Unfortunately, I have no chance of going to a store and testing them. I have to rely on reviews and sample pictures to choose and buy online. - Helder

Jan 25, 2006, 1:58 PM	#2
asburydan Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 22	Although I can't speak to the Pentax you mentioned, I have been using a Pentax Optio 33L for nearly 3 years. (I have an active post on upgrading). I could not have asked for more from the Pentax I have. The review for my camera is still on this site. If you could compare that to reviews for the one you are looking at, maybe it would be helpful. I also have an old Pentax Super Program SLR and a 13 year old Pentax P&S (both film cameras) that still perform very well except for the limitations of the photographer using them.

Jan 26, 2006, 9:02 PM	#4
helder_jb Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 4	Thank you for the answers It seems the V-530 is gonna be my order. The downside of it (battery life) can be easily overcome by buying a spare battery. By the way, mtclimber: Beautiful shot!

Jan 26, 2006, 10:18 PM	#5
mtclimber Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 18,143	Thanks, helder- I am sure you will find the Kodak V-530 to be a great camera. MT

Jan 26, 2006, 10:38 PM	#6
kcmargulies Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 55	battery life isfine. i have never shot so many pictures that i used up a battery. you can always keep a spare in your pocket though... please post some pictures when you get the camera!