Hey there, I'm looking for a camera with the three criteria in the title,,


mechanical zoom and focus,,to clarify; not "manual" zoom/focus as in; push a button manually, activate a motor.. but true focus and zoom ring type control.

also an articulated LCD viewer, (in addition to a regular eye level viewer),, if not full screen movement, then at least a fold out/up arrangement to allow for waist level shots..

I believe the K-M A200 fits the bill,, but with the buyout and the fact it's getting a little older, I'm a bit cautious going to K-M..

Any thoughts on this?? I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Pany Fz30 ?

KM turning their camera operations to Sony, should have no bearing on your decision. All warranties will continue to be supported, so you don't have to worry about buying a lemon. The quality of the camera has not changed simply because KM is no longer producing cameras. If the camera fits your needs, then go for it.

Well thanks to to you all for the quick and knowledgable responses, I'll not dismiss the A200, but now I'll have the Panasonic for comparison. Reading the FZ30 review now.

Thanks again

hammac wrote:
You might want to look at http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/...amera_shootout

"Camera Clash: Digital SLR (Canon EOS-20D) Vs All-in-One (Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30)"

And thanks to you too, DigitalNewbie
I'm on to the FS article now.

For focusing all non-SLRs use "fly-by-wire" system, so those focus rings just control focusing motor electrically unlike in SLR lenses whose focus ring is mechanically coupled to lens element. But of course this fly-by-wire ring is magnitudes better than "morse coding"/tapping of buttons.

Also Fuji S9000 fits to those requirements. (folding out LCD)


So when you now got must have features of camera listed it's time to continue listing things deciding which camera is best compromise.
Especially important thing to consider is do you need good wide angle or very long tele (zoom number doesn't tell anything concretic about how good those are) meaning is what you do general photography, architecture and landscapes or wild animals/birds from distance.
Also if you shoot lot of moving targets it's very demanding area in other conditions than good daylight.



Here's comparison between Canon 20D and KM A2.
("predecessor" to A200, although in some areas much more advanced)
http://www.neocamera.com/feature_dslr.html
While 2½ years old there's aspects in A2 which are superior to even newest cameras so age definitely doesn't mean bad, there just hasn't been any real innovations in non-SLRs and developments of advanced models/prosumers has been practically frozen because every bigger maker wants "cash cow"/part of much more profitable dSLR market.

Thanks for your input E.T,,I'll check out the NeoCamera link and read reviews on the
Fuji S9000