Minolta Z2 v Fuji S5000 ?

[alguru]

Newbie trying to buy new cam.

To my untrained eyes, Fuji s5000 seems to be similiar to the Minolta Z2 (not in form, of course. In function.)

Fuji S5000 (with bundle) costs as much as the bundleless Z2 as of date-of-writing-->$699 at MSC. Z2 is newer by half a year and has a 'new' lens and some features that are supposed to make it superior to the Z1.

Problem is...I don't know how the Z1 performs. I forgot to check out the camera booths at the recent show.

Can anyone help? How do they stack up?

I am looking at system stability (I have read about rumours of s5000 hanging), fully zoomed pic quality, shutter lag, flash.

My budget is around 700, hopefully less. Main requirement: at least 10x Opt Zoom.

Thanks in advance.

 

[The_Cheat]

Haha~! Give up on the idea of FZ1 already huh?

 

[Ah meng]

I have previously done a field test for Z1(months ago),it can handle water sport quite well. It also focuses faster and zoom more steadily than S5000/S7000. U can also mount an external flash for Z1/Z2. ....But if u can,wait for Canon PowerShot S1 IS (3.2mil pixel with image stabiliser) launch in S'pore and then decide ur choice. IMHO,know the camera's limit and buy what u need.

 

[alguru]

Haha~! Give up on the idea of FZ1 already huh?

Yes, after touring peninsula plaza+MSC+Cathay Marina+Cathay Penin.

The shopkeepers kept looking at me like I was some idiot when I asked for old models. In an OMG moment, I found out that Olym 730 actually costs more than 750.

 

[alguru]

I have previously done a field test for Z1(months ago),it can handle water sport quite well. It also focuses faster and zoom more steadily than S5000/S7000. U can also mount an external flash for Z1/Z2. ....But if u can,wait for Canon PowerShot S1 IS (3.2mil pixel with image stabiliser) launch in S'pore and then decide ur choice. IMHO,know the camera's limit and buy what u need.

I know about the S1 too, sounds exciting, especially with image stab. However, I suspect that the price of the S1 would be very exciting too, in the wrong way.

Being the cheapskate student I am, I won't be seeing any income until the holidays. My current plan is to survive on a ZoomZoom digicam until I get enough money to upgrade to something better, eg a cheap DSLR.

Until then, I will try to make do with $700.

Z2(alone) and s5000(bundle) are both 699, but reviews for Z2 are pretty scarce. While I like z2's unique design (don't laugh, they matter to me) as well as its Minolta tag, the s5000, with its positive reviews, decent night focusing , bundle and adapter ring do appeal to the scrooge in me.

I am thinking of using a slave flash when I shoot. How do I adjust the settings to accomadate the cam? Can slave flashes be adjusted in the first place?

 

[alguru]

For those interested: MSC's bundle for S5000:

cam bag
tall tripod
watch (?????)
black backpack
128 XD
sanyo charger
lens cleaning kit
lcd protector.

all these are supposed to be worth $475.

What about Z2's bundle? More importantly, what shop was doing the Minolta booth in the IT show?

 

[TME]

Being the cheapskate student I am, I won't be seeing any income until the holidays. My current plan is to survive on a ZoomZoom digicam until I get enough money to upgrade to something better, eg a cheap DSLR.

Until then, I will try to make do with $700.

Dun know about the cheapskate part but parting with $700 for prosumer digicam does not rate as cheap in my dictionary..... that's a heck lot of money.... and hor, I dun think there's such thing as a cheap DSLR lor.... unless blowing $1.6K for a 300D is really not a problem for u....

U might want to wait until the hols then decide which camera or DSLR u want? Cos the Z2 is very very new and it will take a while for the internet review sites to come up with in-depth reviews... in the mean time can save for more accessories like extra NiMH batteries lor....

 

[alguru]

Dun know about the cheapskate part but parting with $700 for prosumer digicam does not rate as cheap in my dictionary..... that's a heck lot of money.... and hor, I dun think there's such thing as a cheap DSLR lor.... unless blowing $1.6K for a 300D is really not a problem for u....

U might want to wait until the hols then decide which camera or DSLR u want? Cos the Z2 is very very new and it will take a while for the internet review sites to come up with in-depth reviews... in the mean time can save for more accessories like extra NiMH batteries lor....

Actually I'm not even considering which dslr to aim for. Yet. Either this s500 is good enough to wow me for several months at least or I will brainwash myself into believing that the s5000 is the best thing since sliced bread.

Anyway, I got myself a S5000. MSC offered it with the IT show bundle for 699. I had wanted to stab myself for missing the Z2 promotion during the show, so I decided that I should not wait and wait and miss the promotion when all the bundles are gone and worse, when the s5000 is no longer considered a newish set.

I am working on the theory that a camera will always be worth its market price. That is, a camera worth 699 today might only be worth 300 in the near future, due to raised expectations, envy, what-have-you.

Don't flame me.

 

[Caussway]

S5000 should do well for most general use. Now learn how to make full use your camera to get best results. I've seen some people produce stunning pictures will simple P&S cameras. Enjoy your new camera.

 

[TME]

Actually I'm not even considering which dslr to aim for. Yet. Either this s500 is good enough to wow me for several months at least or I will brainwash myself into believing that the s5000 is the best thing since sliced bread.

Anyway, I got myself a S5000. MSC offered it with the IT show bundle for 699. I had wanted to stab myself for missing the Z2 promotion during the show, so I decided that I should not wait and wait and miss the promotion when all the bundles are gone and worse, when the s5000 is no longer considered a newish set.

I am working on the theory that a camera will always be worth its market price. That is, a camera worth 699 today might only be worth 300 in the near future, due to raised expectations, envy, what-have-you.

Don't flame me.

Enjoy!!! It's a great camera still.....

 

[The_Cheat]

Actually I'm not even considering which dslr to aim for. Yet. Either this s500 is good enough to wow me for several months at least or I will brainwash myself into believing that the s5000 is the best thing since sliced bread.

Anyway, I got myself a S5000. MSC offered it with the IT show bundle for 699. I had wanted to stab myself for missing the Z2 promotion during the show, so I decided that I should not wait and wait and miss the promotion when all the bundles are gone and worse, when the s5000 is no longer considered a newish set.

I am working on the theory that a camera will always be worth its market price. That is, a camera worth 699 today might only be worth 300 in the near future, due to raised expectations, envy, what-have-you.

Don't flame me.

Actually don't know whether it's too late to say this... but if you are going to prove your theory, you should not buy the camera, but wait for the near future to come, and see whether the price have drop or not lor.

For me, I'd rather get 2nd hand, cos one could never match up with technology.

Anyway, S5000 is IMHO a very decent camera! Enjoy your shooting!

 

[The_Cheat]

Enjoy!!! It's a great camera still.....

What do you mean by "still..."?? You think Z2 is better than S5000?? :dunno:

 

[TME]

What do you mean by "still..."?? You think Z2 is better than S5000?? :dunno:

I dun know but given the specs and the price and the pretty good reviews of the S5000, it's a good camera despite the hype over the Z2's lens etc... but then again, this is a Minolta forum.... :blah:

 

[The_Cheat]

I dun know but given the specs and the price and the pretty good reviews of the S5000, it's a good camera despite the hype over the Z2's lens etc... but then again, this is a Minolta forum.... :blah:

Haha~! Good one... :thumbsup: :bsmilie: :bsmilie:

 

[alguru]

Bot Gardens, 22 Mar, S5000, Koka 9000ETS, Overcast, Hot, Skill--Low
Manipulation--none
file--jpeg, 2MP


Scenario 1: On the move
was chasing this lizard dude for 5 minutes

Scenario 2: Attempted Macro w/o any attachment, dark subject, dark enviroment

Scenario 3: 0.5 meters, zoomed out

Scenario 4: Attempted Macro w/o any attachment, flower, daylit enviroment

Scenario 5: Close-up apprx 30cm w/o any attachment, dark green subject, green+grey bg, daylit enviroment, zoomed out

Scenario 6: 10X zoom, daylit enviroment, across the pond, no tripod

Scenario 7: Attempted Macro w/o any attachment, flower, daylit enviroment, AF, multiple potential focus points

 

[The_Cheat]

Bot Gardens, 22 Mar, S5000, Koka 9000ETS, Overcast, Hot,

Frankly speaking, I was keeping an eye on the sky today also, and it's really not a good day for outdoor shoot today, especially with a prosumer digicam. But have to congratulate you on a few decent macros. Nice! :thumbsup:

Colours may not really be quite vibrant, and touch-up by photoshop or other softwares are highly recommended! Cheers!

 

[gadgetnut]

For what it's worth, I chose a Z1 over a Fuji S5000. With that in mind, I would think a Z2 over an S5000 would be a no-brainer. At first, I really wanted a Fuji S5000. I like the looks, the feel, and the features. What stopped me from getting one are two things: Slow AF lock and shutter lag. I want to use my camera for action shots while my son plays sports. The Z1 does a much better job in that area. I don't think the Z1 or Z2 are as nice looking, but it's performance that matters. I've had my Z1 for almost a month, and I love it. And it's looks are growing on me.

 

[alguru]

I quite satisfied with the s5000 shutter lag. Approx 2 sec.

What about the Z2?

To add, I have always preferred the robo-look of the Z2 over the more 'dignified' look of the s5000.

 

[TME]

I quite satisfied with the s5000 shutter lag. Approx 2 sec.

What about the Z2?

To add, I have always preferred the robo-look of the Z2 over the more 'dignified' look of the s5000.

2 sec is seriously long... but if u are concentrating on non-action type of shots I guess it's ok... the first shot that u posted looks rather shaky... were u breathing very hard? This kind of nervous monitor lizards, u need a very long telephoto as they will not let u get too close...

 

[alguru]

2 sec is seriously long... but if u are concentrating on non-action type of shots I guess it's ok... the first shot that u posted looks rather shaky... were u breathing very hard? This kind of nervous monitor lizards, u need a very long telephoto as they will not let u get too close...

Maybe I should have waited for prices to drop, but then again, life is always full of ifs and maybes. For now, I shall stick to the s5000, and I have no complaints.

lizard: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
set to 10x and tried to stalk it but it started to move off at an almost constant pace away from me, seemingly without any regard to the distance between itself and me.

I ended up running after it. I took some shots with on-board flash and some with the slave I kept in my pocket. For the slave, I held the cam in one hand and the slave in another. Come to think of it, that was a really stupid thing to do.