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Well, this has been the last of these chat-format Ask the Editors sessions for CNET. But you can still get your questions answered in our new Office Hours segments, where they lock one of the editors in a studio for an hour to answer your chat question live on camera. I'll be back next week with one of those. And for more on digital imaging, you can check our our podcast, Indecent Exposure (http://indecentexposure.cnet.com), where Matt Fitzgerald and I answer more questions just like these!
Hey Lori. I hope that all is well. For home video editing, would your recommend Pinnacle Studio Plus v.12 or Adobe Premiere Elements? Thanks for all of the wonderful advice and reviews. Cheers!
But I haven't looked at the final version. With video, I tend to recommend whichever is more stable on your system, unfortunately. I'd download trial versions, where available, and make sure you don't have any issues. They also have very different interfaces. Take a look at screenshots on the mfr sites if you can't get trial downloads, and see which looks more approachable to you. That seems to be the major stumbling block with video software--you won't use it if you can't figure it out.
I didn't write the question but am interested in the answer. How about <$500 for a lens?
Is there any off-brand lens manufacturers you tend to shy away from? Any that have been pleasant surprises? Thanks!
I don't think I could make a blanket statement about staying away from any particular lens mfr, if only because lens quality is relative to your budget. And even a lens mfr that produces generally middling products may have a couple of nice deals hidden in their product lines. I'd approach any purchase by finding lenses that have the specs I want and then Googling for any bad experiences people may have had with them. And making sure there's a good return policy ![]()
what camera would you suggest with the following specs (more or less):
high image quality (chip, not necessarily megapixels)
high quality video
image stabilization
lots of optical zoom
sd card
all this as small as possible with a price tag in the range of $200~250ish
I think that's the only one that meets your specs.
I actually have been debating between the Sony HC52 and the Sony HC62. Is the HC62 that much better than the HC52? Thanks BTW.
we haven't tested it, but based on the specs I think it should be. plus, for your purposes, it has a video light I think.
Hi Lori, Just wanted to know what lens would you recommend over the 18-105 vr. kit lens. I just got this camera with kit, and the lens could be better. So what type of lens for wide range, and micro lens would you recommend? Thanks ![]()
Aloha Lori,
I love the ocean and I love surfing. What would you recommend for a waterproof camera? I know there are too many choices; I've found the Pentax W series and the Olympus SW series, but the sales associates at Best Buy won't let me soak them in water.
Kokua (Help!)!
Mahalo in advance,
hawaiiinsomniac
They all do well underwater. I think the Olympus 1030SW is probably the best choice.
Lori: Do you find in-lens stabilizers and sensor shift stabilizers to be equal in effectiveness? Additionally, do you see Canon or Nikon making the shift to body-based stabilizers anytime soon? Thanks, Anthony
the main difference between OIS and sensor shift is the ability to preview the stabilized image (OIS). Some people like that better for very long focal lengths, where the shake can distract from the framing. But they seem to be equally effective for the final shot. And now, I don't see Canon and Nikon switching gears. too much invested in the OIS technology.
Hi Lori, I'm looking to buy the Canon 50d, but I really want to be able to geotag my photos. Is there a way to add the geotag information automatically either through a Canon or third-party product?
there are a variety of different types of add on geotag solutions. cheapest I think is the Sony GPS-CS1. ATP also has geotagging device, though I've heard mixed things about it.
I have a Panasonic DVr-d230 camcorder, and when I plug it into my mac or PC it says there is a DVD drive connected and doesn't allow me to import anything onto the computer. Can you help?
...but that requires a little more time and back and forth Q&A than I can do here ![]()
What would be a excellent camcorder for no more than $350 that would record well in no light situations such as inside very dark buildings or outside at night? DV is preferred over DVD or HDD.
The only way to do no light capture is with infrared, and Sony's the only one who offers IR (NightShot). Within your budget, that would be the HC62.
I was looking at the Canon Powershot SX10, I loved the zoom on it but it didn't do 720p recording, Whats your opinion on a 720p recording Cameras, and are their any that are a nice buy that is within the price of the Canon Powershot SX10?
Not as long a zoom (only 10X), but has better movie capture, is more compact and a wider angle lens. also a bit cheaper. I think all cameras should be doing 720p by now.
What is the best overall digital camera you've reviewed thus far? And is there an upcoming model to hold out for?
Canon PowerShot SD790 IS has best image quality, but has a few performance issues. Sony Cyber-shot T700 is attractive with a great feature set and good photo quality. As for upcoming models, I think we've reviewed all the potentially "best" ultracompact models for 2008. But new ones will be announced in January/February, as usual, and the cycle will begin again.
Lori – I have a 2 year old and she is fast! I have a DSLR, but it’s too bulky to carry to most casual occasions. I am looking for a pocketable, compact camera to take with me most places that is fast enough to capture her antics in reasonably good quality. Also, I do not want to spend a mint to get it. I reviewed the “Small and Speedy” piece tat ypu put on the site, but that was last updated in March. Any new suggestions to add to the list? Thanks!
...because I'm waiting for the review. but our test results show that the Casio Exilim EX-S10 is pretty fast as well.
No that wasn't a typo, I just heard great things about its picture quality. I've heard mixed reviews though. The review on here says its has GREAT picture quality, but some people say its HORRIBLE indoors. Comments?
The T100 was better than the T200, T300, and T500 but the T700 finally looks to be better than all of them. However, like most point and shoots, it still doesn't do very well indoors.
Hi Lori - What Digital (still) Camera would give me the best motion Video? I have an Kodak Picture Frame and love the ability to mix Video with the Slide shows.
Off the top of my head, I'm not sure. These days we're seeing more cameras support HD movie capture. OTOH, I think most cameras can capture movies that will look fine on your photo frame, since those tend to be fairly low resolution.
MiniDV is regarded as the highest quality format for recording digital video, though not the easiest. When can we expect to see HD or flash recorders with a similar level quality or data thru-put...or ever?
MiniDV is the highest consumer quality standard def format. HDV is the HD equivalent, and is higher quality than MIniDV (it's HD on MIniDV tapes). Most prosumer HD camcorders--flash, hard disk and tape--already provide higher quality than MiniDV.
Hi, what's the difference in picture quality of these two different zoom lenses? And is there any talk of new dual lens cameras upcoming?
folded optics are a compromise solution necessitated by ultra-ultracompact cameras. haven't heard anything about dual lens cameras, but we're seeing more ultrawide angle (24mm) models, so I think the dual lens' are probably dead.
Hey Lori, thanks for your time! I am looking into getting a Nikon DSLR and trying to decide between the D90 and D300. What do I get for the extra $600 with the D300? Do you have a lens to suggest with my purchase?
A better constructed, with a dust-sealed body, delivers an extra stop (ISO 3200 versus ISO 1600) of latitude, and a provides a more sophisticated 51-point AF system. Its performance generally matches or outpaces the D90's as well.
But if you don't need those things, I'd get the D90 body and spend more on a really nice lens. which lens depends on what you like to shoot. Wide angle the 12-24 f/4 is really nice. I also really like the 24-70mm f2.8 for more standard zoom. We're testing the 18-105mm now, and should have a review up tomorrow (I didn't shoot it yet)
I really love my admittedly old Canon PowerShot G2, and would love to purchase a new one with the same type of screen that tilts & swivels. All the high 10 megapixel range models now just have the flat non-moveable type of screen. Is this a trend, or do you think more movable screens will be released?
Although more dSLRs seem to be getting them (e.g., sony A300). I like them too.
Lori; I'm looking at Sony CX12 vs Canon HF11, to use with a new macbook pro/FCE. I like the camera/smile tech of the sony, but not the memory stick issue. Which is the best for MBP compatibility in your opininion? Thanks so much. Dan
Since you're not relying on the mfr-supplied software (that's where the incompatibilities happen), and since the MBP hasn't yet dropped USB
I'm not very fond of the memory stick issue either ![]()
Would you recommend and optical view finder over anything else in a compact digital camera?
If so, probably not. On lots of ultracompacts, the OV isn't that useful because it's small, distorted, and doesn't accurately represent the framing. If the display is good enough to see in direct sunlight, you probably won't use the OV.
Do you favor one? NY Times columnist favors tape (simplest backup, just put the tape in safe place). Any reason to prefer digital on the camcorder itself, as opposed to simply tape to PC hard drive?
Also, any benefit to HD camcorders if you think of your PC as primary play back device?
I prefer digital (hard drive or flash) on the camcorder because it's easiest and fastest to transfer it to the PC. But he's right about tape for ease of storage and archiving. Files occupy *lots* of hard disk space. One of the benefits of HD, even if you don't need it now, is that it will look better on future playback devices than SD. And yes, HD still looks lots better than SD even on a PC monitor
Hi Lori, What is the best pre-sumer camcorder to go with? I've looked at the Canon XH-A1 and others from Sony but I'm not sure which one to get.
Thank you.
Do you want HD or are you considering SD as well?
Hi, I've heard a lot about the Sony Cybershot DSC T100. Is it really as good as it is acclaimed to be? And how good is the picture quality on the T700?
I am looking at getting a Rebel XSi or 50D and have heard a lot of people recommend getting a second lens to replace the one from the kit. What is a decent general use lens and a decent wide angle lens.
(I will be mainly taking pictures of cars lined up and in motion during the day and indoors).
And I find it a pretty good general purpose lens. The wide angle lenses are pretty pricey, but I *really* like the 16-35mm f2.8L. I think the 17-40mm f4L is cheaper, and might serve as both wide angle and kit for your purposes. If you get the 50D, you'll need a pretty sharp, expensive lens to get the most out of the resolution.
I know a camera sensor size is one of the most important things when it comes to picture quality. Is there anything elss about the sensor that determines quality?
Thanks,
Gary
First, it's the relationship between the sensor size and resolution (how many pixels crammed onto the sensor)--bigger *photosites* (aka pixels) generally deliver better dynamic range. But color quality is important too, and that is dependent upon the image processing firmware to a large extent as well.
Hi Lori, I love your reviews. I just wanted to know, what compact digital camera out there has the BEST image quality?
So far, that's the best I've seen in a compact/ultracompact.
Hi Lori: Are you going to be reviewing the Panasonic Lumix LX3? If you are currently reviewing it, do you have any initial impressions about the camera? How about its noise profile? Thanks, Anthony
I haven't gotten a chance to shoot with it yet, but, ironically, one of our freelancers (for audio) just bought one and came in here to discuss it, and he seems to like it a lot. If you can't wait, Serious Compacts has done some noise testing and links out to other sites info on it (seriouscompacts.com)
What's the difference between the two types of lenses?
I've heard people say EF-S lenses are better and that I should stick to those... is there any truth to this?
Canon's EF-S lenses were designed to enable a more compact design to fit on smaller dSLRs with APS-C size sensors. the regular EF lenses are for full-frame (35mm size) sensors. actually, the EF-S lenses are the cheaper ones. Canon's "L" series, which are EF lenses, are the best.
Hey folks! Welcome to the last Ask the Editor Live. I'm Lori, digital-imaging editor here at CNET, and I've got all my browser tabs loaded with reference materials to answer your questions about digital cameras. Shoot!