[carlo_scute]

Good day to digital camera enthusiasts'

I'm a beginner when it comes to taking digital photos,and I consider an Olympus camera as a start. I going to share the price with my hubby so I take precaution regarding a purchase.

My issue is that I'm torn in purchasing between <Olympus FE 190 and FE 200> cameras.

Both almost identical, except in:

1. Optical zoom(3X vs 5X)

2. Weight 3.9 oz. (110g)/5.4 oz. (155g) both without battery and media card

3. Size 3.6” W x 2.3” H x 0.7” D (90.5mm x 58.5mm x 18.5mm) / 3.9” W x 2.4” H x 1.1” D (97.5mm x 59mm x 27mm)

4. Internal memory (22MB vs 24MB)

5. Image Processing

6.LCD monitor (110,000 pixels vs 150,000 pixels); both 2.5 inch size

7.Rating based on this link (http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-6501_7-0.html?filter=1000036_6250974_&tag=dir.man.olympus)

7.2 vs 5.4 grade from cnet reviews (FE 190 gets a higher rating)

8. Estimated Retail Price: $199.99 vs $249.99 (prices quoted from olympusamerica.com) -difference is definitely big (approx. 50 dollars)

Just wanted to know your expert opinion before I purchase any camera.
Thanks in advance. Just shoot me a question if needed.

 

[slipe]

The FE200 has a very appealing zoom range with a wide angle. That is very useful for everyday photography. But Cnet can measure cycle and lag times as well as anyone else and those are terrible by current standards. You wouldn't be happy at all waiting over 7 seconds between shots without flash and over a second for the camera to focus and take the picture. And the white balance problems seem extreme.

The FE190 seems to be a decent point and shoot camera. It doesn't focus well in low light which could be frustrating. And you will often find odd coloring with indoor light and no flash. You might read through this: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/fe190-review/index.shtml

You will not be able to get by with the internal memory in either camera. That is useful mainly for storing a permanent photo album. Either will probably give you only ten or fewer best quality shots. You can reduce the size and quality of the shots to fit more in the internal memory, but it defeats the purpose of getting a 6Mp camera.

Olympus cameras take the more expensive xD memory cards. And Olympus has a scam where you have to buy an Olympus brand card or the panorama mode doesn't work.

In his choices of under $200 cameras, Dave at Imaging Resource recommends the Sony W30 as a good choice in the slim pocket camera category. You are still stuck with proprietary memory, but it is a better camera than either of those you mention IMO. http://www.imaging-resource.com/WB/WB.HTM?view=range1

 

[carlo_scute]

thanks slipe.any other opinion?

 

[carlo_scute]

Additional question: Do you really need an optical viewfinder on a digital camera?
Because the Olympus cameras mentioned doesn't have one.

 

[wilson44512]

not really with a camera like that. you dont need a optical viewfinder. it has a good LARGE 2.5" LCD screen. another nice camera is a nikon L5. a friend of mine has one. and i have a L3. and they take good pics

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25550

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25544

a pics i took with the L3

 

[carlo_scute]

thanks Wilson44512! appreciate it! anyone else?

 

[slipe]

I take a lot of pictures outdoors and the sun is almost always shining where I live. The LCD can be difficult to see with the sun shining on it. Some of the Sony small cameras have a transflective LCD that might be better in bright light than the backlit kind. I haven&#8217;t tried one but reports are good.

It is also harder to quickly acquire and follow moving targets with the LCD, especially when zoomed.

You can also get a little steadier hold for limited light with an eyelevel viewfinder.

I&#8217;ve always insisted on having an optical viewfinder or EVF. Many people get along fine without one. It is mostly a matter of preference.

 

[linskyjack]

Only problem is that in her price range, optical viewfinders are useless. By the way, never look at CNET for reviews of cameras. They really don't know what they are talking about. I would trust a site like http://www.steves-digicams.com/ or perhaps www.the-digital-picture.com/

 

[slipe]

Only problem is that in her price range, optical viewfinders are useless.

All three of the under $200 cameras recommended by Dave have optical viewfinders. I have looked through the viewfinder on the Canon A540 and it is OK as optical viewfinders go. I would think the A530 has the same viewfinder and is equally good.

The viewfinder on the W30 is necessarily small as it is squeezed into a very compact camera. The viewfinder does have an 81% coverage, which is good for that size camera. None of the competent review sites complained about the quality of the optical finder. Even a small optical finder is better than none at all IMO.

 

[carlo_scute]

thanks for your honest opinion, I agree it's a matter of preference.
I think the Olympus fe 190 is the best bang for my money here at home.
But i'll check the other cameras as well.