We all love to take pictures on our cruises/land trips. I have been researching getting a new "mini-camera" that will fit in a purse to supplement my old and trusted Finepix S5000. Today, doing so, found on www.dpreview.com that there is a new camera out there from Olympus that is 18X! After I got home from Africa, I was amazed what better photos the people with 12X got compared to mine (10X). Perhaps those of use who love taking pictures but don't want to carry around all those lenses have finally found what we want? This camera, on an SLR scale, is supposed to deliver similar to 28-504 mm. in one lens. I can't believe it! Eager to hear the reviews when they come out. Would love to hear what you guys out there with SLR's have to say about this.

Olivia - looks VERY interesting. Love the wide range in focal lengths - all the way from wide angle to extreme telephoto. Also like the image stabilization. It'll be interesting to see the reviews as well but for people that don't want to carry a lot of gear, it's a very nice camera. I might look at getting this as a backup assuming that the reviews are good and that the sensor does a good job.

Masaki

INTERESTING!
One thing I noticed is that it has 3 auto Underwater modes. Olympus does have a compact digital that can take pictures underwater. This one does not say it can do that, but it seems like it has that capability due to these underwater settings. Should be great for snorkelling.

It seems like it is Not however a small camera that can fit in a pocket if that is what you are looking for. It is over 3" thick (a little thicker than Olympus' DSLR), compared to less than 1" for most pocket-sized cameras. I guess whether it fits into a purse depends on size of purse.

They sure are packing an awful lot in here. Can't wait to see the reviews.

The Pros are using the Canon G7 as their point and shoot. Take a look at that one, Olivia. I have an Canon S80 which I am very happy with - but not for Africa.

Edting - i just went and looked at it - WOW it sounds like a dream camera. I would wait for Phil's review on Dpreview and for the commentary. I would definitely consider it - it shoots RAW which is great. I don't shoot in jpg any more. That allows you to adjust bad pictures easily and good pictures come out better.

Also - there is a huge photo show coming I think in March and that is when more products are introduced so it would be worth waiting to see what will be released in it's class.

I see a whole range of Olympus cameras on that page. Which one is the camera of interest? I have an Olympus Stylus, and I like it quite a lot (old now.) The UI has always been a bit frustrating, but the portability is great. I'd love to upgrade at some point, since mine is getting long in the tooth, and I would love some more features.

Wendy, it is the one at the top, with the 18X zoom lens. Gil, I was looking at very small cameras the other day in Circuit City, and found an Olympus (Stylus) that looked like what I wanted, then I realized that none of their ultra compact models seem to have a viewfinder, which I prefer. I just fell upon this larger model when I was researching the little ones. So I'm still looking for a "pocket-size".

Thanks, Kathy, I'll take a look at the G7.

That's too bad, I've read that viewfinders are going bye-bye. My little Stylus has one, and I find it indispensable in bright sun (like FP.) I can't imagine doing without one in that circumstance, but maybe the LCDs have improved by orders of magnitude in the last 3 years???

Most new cameras as Kathy said are introduced between now and the end of Feb. and in August-September.

The Olympus definitely looks intriguing and I'd also be interested to see the reviews. I would definitely look at the Nikons or Canons also and do comparisons between the three. My personal opinion is that while Olympus definitely makes a good product, it isn't quite as good as the other two brands but of course that's based on past performance and the gap is narrowing all the time.

Gil, I don't believe that camera is water resistant. My guess is they provide those settings for if you have a camera housing.

Following Arlene's post, the camera may have all the specs but the CCD sensor has a lot to do with the image as does the optics. Canon and Nikon have the best which is why they are so popular. It's like buying a car. If a Ford Pinto was fully loaded it would still be a Ford Pinto.

I've forgotten what CCD even stands for! I would say that others are right, if I was buying a larger camera (not pocket-sized), I would be looking elsewhere than Olympus. But the little "styli" are great, although now they have no viewfinders, which is a showstopper for me, until somebody proves that I could use the LCD in FP or the Caribbean. Even in Portugal I used the viewfinder almost exclusively because of the glare.

CCD = charge coupled device. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge-coupled_device

Masaki

Oops, didn't know I was talking about buying a Ford Pinto here! There are some really amazing conversations going on on that dpreview board about this camera on several different brand forums! It's amazing the brand loyalty that some have. They are all speaking in language I do not understand! So I will just keep waiting until someone has it in their hands and can tell us casual photographers what it's like. No one here knows that yet.

Olivia - let me know as I looked while shopping today and got more confused - of course I had "mega pickles" with me who thinks he is the camera guru and I don't want his fancy stuff- all I want is point and shoot easy with big viewing screen - one of our kids had a used Pinto in the early 80's - it did the trick as simple camera will do for me -

Yes, just like that used Studebaker Avanti did for me and my cousins when we were in high school that we shared. Great memories are maybe in the mind and not in the photo!

I just bought a client an HP camera for a point-and shoot for his ebay business; I got these for the Twins for the holidays - the images were nice, the LCD was clear and they were super easy. The twins had them figured out in 5 minutes. They take pix almost every day. You can even buy a dock that connects to the computer for snapshots. For the money and features, I would recommend.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/HP/hp_r927.asp

Of course there is nothing wrong with a "pinto", but if you can get something better for the same money, then you'd most likely go for it. Now understand, I'm not saying this new camera is a Pinto, but like you said, until the reviews are out you can't make informed decisions

A Ford Pinto still goes if you turn the key and start the engine. Same with a camera. But if your Ford is fully loaded with bells and whistles, it still goes (take pix) but you might get it to go faster (do more). If you buy a Mercedes, you expect it to do everything and almost drive itself. The thing with Cameras, the more complex, the more they do. They still will take a picture, but, the Cadillac will be capable to take more advanced pix and you can be more creative with it.

OK. I am intrigued. aHowever, there seems to be no price point. Anyone know?
As to a small camera, I love my fuji pocket size for what it is. If you want more info, I can look up the product number. It fits in my pants pockets and has 5 migepixals. I can't typr tonight. Let me know. Lynn

I went on into the Olympus forums on the dpreview site, and it seems the price on this new camera will be $500. Somebody said that Amazon has it for that, with shipping in March.

As with anything, the price will drop after it's out and the initial rush to buy it is over. Recommened retail is $500. Amazon's photo store is run by Adorama. You can probably get is for less at www.buydig.com

I wasn't recommending Amazon. I was simply trying to answer a question, by reporting what I had read elsewhere.

Adorama doesn't run Amazon's photo shop - they're a listed partner along with J&R and Ritz so Amazon sells some of their products but Amazon runs their own photo section as well, AFAIK. The two big retailers for photo equipment that I trust are B&H and Adorama so I would have no hesitation about buying photo equipment from either place.

And also FWIW, I can't find this camera on anybody's web site to date - neither B&H, Adorama, or Amazon seem to have it listed :) Like Kathy said, prices will come down if you wait and I'd wait for the reviews first anyways.

Masaki

Amazon has agreements with assorted retailers. The way it works is they take the order, collect the money and take their percentage - usually 15% of the price. The primary supplier for photo stuff is Adorama but it depends on what the merchandise is. I have several clients who sell their merchandise via Amazon, which is why I am familiar with how they work it. I do the whole back end processing for the client.

Getting back to the subject at hand, yes, when you buy a Mercedes, you expect it to do everything and "almost drive itself". That last thing is what I'm after. The point I was making about this camera (without going into photo foreign language here) is that 1) it has a zoom like no other digital single lens camera on the market right now, so at least worth taking a look and 2) it means you don't have to tote around 25lbs of lenses to get a close-up shot of a bird, a seal, a penguin, or a wide shot of a group of friends around a table, whatever, after you have changed from one lens to another. I am not vying to be published in National Geographic! I want EASY! BUT it remains to be seen what the reviews are, so I will just wait. Still funny to read those debates on dpreview. What a bunch of know-it-alls over there before the product is even delivered!

I think the best thing this camera is going to do (because it really is forging new grounds for the Ultra-Zoom/Wide Angle fanciers among us) is force Canon and Nikon and whatever others are in the Cadillac/Mercedes league (rather than Pinto) is to give some thought to what we mid-range price consumers want to buy! We must be their largest market, don't you think? I read so many comments on the Canon board about them not being consumer friendly. e.g. people being so burnt that they took RAW out of the G7 Kathy mentioned. But then, the same people are the naysayers about Olympus as well. Who knows, maybe it is like some of us Regent passengers dissing Oceania when they have never tried it!

Wendy, let me know if you find a new model of Stylus that has a viewfinder! For now, I have solved my "pocket camera" dilemma that had me searching for a new one. So for now, I am going to be happy with my little Sony (with 7.2 mega pickles) and my Fuji Finepix (oh! maybe only 3 or 4)

Olivia,

If this turns out to be a decent/good enough camera, I will be buying one to travel with as my back up point-n-shoot. Let's hope it's as good as a my Pinto, Volkswagen, Honda and Toyota's were.

Whew! Could not have said it better Olivia - I will be watching for any advice on "sweet and simple" - I think you started this thread with info on EASY!!!! As you know I am married to camera man (weather man, iron man, hoarder man, etc) and I have to remind him - NONE of our friends want to hear about his camera/lens/video/binocular/tales he tends to want to discuss them ZZZZZZ- we have yet to frame one of his pictures..POOF money down the camera drain

For what it's worth, both of my kids AND I had Olympus point 'n shoot cameras before we moved on to something different. Andrea has mine now, and Sonja will give Justin hers when the time comes; they were great, GREAT little workhorse cameras! Rich's got a dead pixel right in the middle of the picture, so he was forced to move on. He and I both love our Minoltas (my Africa camera AND my British Isles camera; I personally think it rivaled all the big lenses out there) but I am also in love with my S3IS. I consider them both to be in the Lincoln Navigator line of cameras.

Joanna, did you and megapickle man look into the ELPH series? The camera I have been talking about here would be to replace my "big" one, that can't fit into my pocket. Depends on what you want. I don't think this is what you want.

Megapickle man wants to select MY simple and easy!!!! He doesn't know meaning of those words .. I want tiny and easy - and I want to DARE to select MY own!!!!! We are no longer talking about cameras he puts me to sleep...I don't need anything till Fjords - so will wait and see

I don't think there is one camera in the Canon line that you could go wrong with. Many of my non-photographer friends have bought their lowest end camera when I have told them that and they have been happy. You don't even need to interface with the computer. Take the memory card right to the drug store, plug it in, pick the pix to print by pointing to the screen and they will even burn a cd for you. Idiot proof.

I will be looking for a new camera this spring. Thanks to everyone that has stayed on topic because I need to learn all I can. Olivia, Pam & Masika - I have seen the photos you all have posted and they are outstanding. I will continue to follow this tread with the hope that you will continue your research and come up with the best camera that meets my needs. I am a novice when it comes to photography, but have no interest in taking a course. Hopefully, I won't cut off portions of the head. So like most others, I'll be shopping for an easy point and shoot model.
Those drug store photo machines are NOT idiot proof Kathy. Often the photo specialists have problems with them, much less the consumers. Playing dumb at these machines is part of my work. You need to trust me on this topic.

Betty and Joanna,

An easy point and shoot is the Canon Elph SD600. We just purchased one and love it.

You may want to seek out a store in your area that deals exclusively in selling cameras, both high-end and more moderate in price. Many of their staff are highly knowledgeable and get feedback from customers, both pro and con. Once you explain your needs, they can direct you to a camera that best fits your needs. You don't necessarily need to purchase from that store. You can research and obtain information and then find the best price for that camera.

Another good and qualified resource would be Consumers Reports. We've never been steered wrong with either source.

We'll be looking for a good point and shoot pocket camera too, so will keep you informed.

That's good to know Betty. I have taught a few people to use the ones at Costco and Walgreen's without any problem. I am sure the software is different as are the machines and the users of the machines as well justas each camera works differently.

I do think they are easier than teaching someone how to upload their photos and connecting a camera to the computer at home - so many computers use different software and interfaces.

Even my mother had trouble loading the film into her Kodak Brownie back when. She had to buy her film at the photo shop so they would load it. Digital cameras are no different. All new skills and each camera has it's own operation.

Thanks all for good info - I think I need someone "really in the know" - Tony thinks he is BUT he has become camera "know it all" forgetting how to deal with the "newbies"...ME.. GOSH it is confusing NO??? Thanks Arlene

I am also interested in getting a digital with the wide angle. In the meantime, I will stick with my Fuji FinePix 7000 and my old Pentax K1000 for the wide angle shots. Oh yeah, and my fuji F450 which will fit in my pocket. Kathy may carry a great camera with lots of fabulous lenses, I carry a lot of different cameras.
Lynn

Smart girl Lynn....less strain on pockets!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :D :D Forgot to say Tony always complaining about his neck/shoulder hurting and his heavy camera equipment - OH get a non camera life Tony - take your lenses elsewhere

I wanted to just add one more thing to this discussion.

When we were cruising the Baltics with Leslie and Brad, Brad had a very old camera with him. I can't remember the make. I also believe he said it was one of the first digital cameras to come out. He kept hoping that the camera wouldn't die, as the battery was having some issues. The camera kept going and going and I think it continues to do so.

In my opinion, Brad has taken and continues to take awesome photographs with that little camera that doesn't have all the bells and whistles on it. He has a brilliant eye and captures subjects magnificently. I'm continually blown away with his photos. I think we are in for some spectacular photos of Antarctica when they return.

Just goes to show that you don't need all the "stuff" to "point and shoot" a wonderful picture.

Joanna, Betty, Arlene, Lynn - To make an educated and appropriate decision for yourselves, go to a good camera store, have a trained and knowledgeable camera specialist demonstrate and explain the features on cameras that will work for you, research them once again in Consumers and then find a great price for that camera.

Olivia, I'll wait for the reviews too, and keep my eye open. Too bad it's not an SLR--I am waiting for my holy grail, which is a good, lightweight SLR with a nice light zoom lens. Lightweight is the key, or I won't carry it. I'll also keep my eyes open for the pocket-sized, or I will just keep using my Stylus.

Adding to what Denise said about Brad (how I loved his Africa and post-ROAR pictures) and his tiny camera:

'There's no such thing as objectivity. The minute you pick up the camera, you begin to lie -- or tell your own truth. It's not the camera that makes a good picture, but the eye and mind of the photographer.' -- Richard Avedon.