[pct-l] Re: pct-l Digest, Vol 29, Issue 22

[wpsnotebook at charter.net (Richard Woods)]

Absolutely right on, Jeff.
Nikon Coolix S4 is the model - very nice piece of equipment - thanks 
for the tip!
And you're also right that digital zoom capabilities are marketing 
fluff.
Optical zoom however is very important, as are the MP capability. A 3MP 
image will essentially give you a sharp 5X7 print. A 6MP will give you 
an 8X10 print with the same sharpness, and the Nikon optics (the glass 
in the lens and how accurately the elements are aligned) are 
historically industry standards, although I still want to see an actual 
image test.

Mo Jo

On Wednesday, September 21, 2005, at 08:34  AM, 
pct-l-request@mailman.backcountry.net wrote:

> From: "Jeff Moorehead" <jeffmoorehead1@cox.net>
> Date: Tue Sep 20, 2005  3:39:25  PM US/Pacific
> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Subject: [pct-l] new digital camera out.. could be the one
>
>
> Hey, I remember someone wanting a suggestion on digital cameras a 
> while back. If you're still not comitted and still cameraless, you 
> might want to know about a new digital camera just released by Nikon-- 
> the specs are very hiker friendly:
>   6 million MP
>   2 AA batteries
>   10 X optical zoom!! (38-380mm 35 mm equivalent)
>   macro mode (focuses to 4 cm)
>   7.8 oz (not much more with lithium AAs)
>   ~ 490 shots on lithium AAs
>   and a bunch of other new  metering and auto-focus twists to make 
> this the "must have camera of the year". It is not waterproof however.
>
> In the previous discussion, not much attention was paid to zoom ratio. 
> Most point and shoots with similar specs have 3X optical zoom. Using 
> digital zoom simply magnifies pixels and hence increases digital noise 
> (myself I never will use it). To me this is really a significant 
> selling point. It might be the difference between a tiny dot in a tree 
> and curious bear cub peering down. Or the difference between the ass 
> end of a deer and a nice over the shoulder portrait. You get the idea. 
> And it's got that Nikon glass, too. Nikon is one of the few large 
> corporations that I like-- if that statement isn't too terribly 
> oxymoronish. No I don't work for Nikon.
> Street price= 4 bones (a little pricey but for a good product).
>