Digital camera opinions

[poolger]

I got my dad a Vivitar vivicam 5195 for his birthday can anyone tell me if they are any good? It will be his first digital camera so we werent wanting to get something really high tec as he isnt that great with "modern technology". My wife also bought him a 512mb Fuji film memory card can this be used with it? Thanks for any help and opinions.

[fo3nix]

The 512MB card depends what type of card it is. The vivitar will most likely accept SD cards (they're perhaps the most popular for smaller cameras), but check the instructions.

As for the camera, well it's not a typical 'good brand' to go for, certainly in my opinion (I would have suggested a Canon or Nokia or Fuji etc.). However, it may well take very respectable photos for your dad's requirements. The actual chip inside may be very similar to other chips similar to other, more expensive cameras. The thing that may well drag it down is the optic quality -- the lens. It's always been very important on 35mm film cameras, and it's still very important now with digital cameras.

[vehelpfulguy]

The vivitar 5195 takes SD memory cards.

Make sure the card your wife bought him is a SD memory card.

[poolger]

Thanks, we just looked and yes it is a SD card. The camera itself is 5 mega pixels and has a 4x digital zoom, will this help the picture quality?

[vehelpfulguy]

It may be fine for your father, but I would say there are 2 limitations with this camera.

First of all it takes 2 x AAA batteries. I think it will go through batteries at an alarming rate.

Not sure if rechargable are supplied, but if not I suggest you get some re-chargable batteries and a charger.

Secondly, it has a digital zoom and not an optical zoom.

A "proper" zoom is an optical zoom where the lens moves in and out and you get the same quality picture if the zoom if fully in our fully out.

All digital zoom does is enlarge the centre of the picture, making it SEEM you are closer, but all it is doing is reducing the quality of the picture. To be honest, digital zoom is almost a waste of time.

More here:

http://www.vivitar.co.uk/products/digital-came ras/5megapixel/vivicam5195/

[vehelpfulguy]

My guess is you paid about �50 for thie Vivitar.

Argos currently have the Nikon Coolpix L3 for �80 and this is a FAR better camera and it is easy to use (I know it is a bit more expensive).

It uses AA batteries, and comes with a 3 x optical zoom.

This camera was selling for about �120 recently so it is a good deal.

The web site Steves Digicams (who reviews almost every digital camera released) gives the Nikon L3 an excellent review and says it is easy to use.

Here is Steves review (if you do not want to read it all just read his conclusion):

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/l3 .html

Here is the Argos page selling the Nikon.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumb er/5605149/Trail/C%24cip%3D50489.Photography%3 EC%24cip%3D50498.Digital%2Bcameras.htm

Just a hint, but next time ask on Answerbank BEFORE buying the camera :-)

[poolger]

Thanks again, yes, we did pay �50, I think it will do ok for my dad's purposes (taking holiday and family pics). How long on average do the batteries last for? We were supplied with the AAA ones but might go for the recharable ones.

[vehelpfulguy]

I do not have a camera that takes AAA or AA batteries so have no idea how long they last.

I just hear loads of people moaning about having to change batteries all the time.

If you buy another camera in the future (for your dad or for yourself), get one with a Lithium Ion battery.

These are the same type of batteries used in Video cameras (but smaller of course) and once charged will last MUCH longer than any AAA or AA batery.

Cameras with Lithium Ion batteries will be slightly more expensive but it is well worth it to save the pain of changing batteries all the time.