sp350 vs C-series Oly camera

[sunkarm]

If Oly wanna introduce a new camera i hope it's within the sp300 series so i can still use my housing already.

 

[alcina]

Keep wishing It's rare that a new model will fit an existing housing.

 

[Larry C]

If Oly wanna introduce a new camera i hope it's within the sp300 series so i can still use my housing already.

Camera envy is a terrible thing. Some of the best photos taken on this forum are with semi-antique cameras whose owners have become really good at using them. At a recent local annual photo contest right across the street from a place that sells $7000 dslr's by the dozen, one category was won by a guy still shooting a Nikonos. I'm sure as I get better at shooting, I'll want better eqp't., but it's still the guy behind it that makes the difference.

 

[jlyle]

Camera envy is a terrible thing. Some of the best photos taken on this forum are with semi-antique cameras whose owners have become really good at using them. At a recent local annual photo contest right across the street from a place that sells $7000 dslr's by the dozen, one category was won by a guy still shooting a Nikonos. I'm sure as I get better at shooting, I'll want better eqp't., but it's still the guy behind it that makes the difference.

Three of the first place winners in this year's LAUPS International were shooting 5050's!

 

[f3nikon]

Well, I guess that depends on the "pros" you are referring to. Cathy Church was a big fan of the C series cameras, but she highly reccomends and sells the SP-350 as you can check out on her site (www.cathychurch.com). I know others that like the 350 also but Cathy is definitely one that toutes it heavily.

I'm not saying the 8080 is a bad camera in any way, but you of all people should know by now based on your other feelings that just because it costs more, doesn't make it better..

Fair enough but I believe Ms. Church may have picked the SP-350 for her rental or resale business, because you can still buy them new in large numbers the C series are sold out.

Good point, glad you brought it up...in this case there is a difference and that is in the larger wide-angle lens plus the higher torque AF lens motor, solid metal frame, pop up flash and the much larger CCD sensor. I can see the higher cost involved between the two cameras. The SP-350 over all is the better value for U/W use.

 

[f3nikon]

I have little doubt that the C series cameras had better optics and better actual resolution. What the SP has is bang for the buck. It is just a great combination of price point and features, and you can take pictures that are quite nice with it. It's the closest thing to a DSLR in function, but not performance. I would love to see Olympus come out with a replacement that has all the same features, but with a better lens, a bigger CCD and a faster processor. Maybe that's the Canon G-7, but it doesn't shoot RAW like the G-6. The SP-510 looks real nice, but also, no RAW and less resolution and it's kind of big. Maybe they're going the right way with the new E-400 (euro only) DSLR. How about a hybrid?

And the reason why Canon did not include the raw feature in the G7, is that the image quality would compete with their own DSLR sales, they actually had to "dumbdown" the G7...so so sad.

On the point of larger CCD sensors then making the the camera body much larger. This is the reason why TV networks and station use LARGE shoulder mount beta or DV cams that hold the 3 one inch CCD sensors and the huge Fuji lens. With all this high tech they still cannot make them any smaller without giving up the image quality.

 

[lifeisfullofgooddives]

I bought my 350 beacause I wanted a easy camera with lots of features that can take good pics. One day after I have learned everything about the 350 I will buy a housing for my d70 or whatever dslr I have then, but I am not where near there yet!

I am glad I went with the 350, so far it has worked great, plus it fits in my pocket! which is a good thing.

granted If I could I would change things, but that won't happen because then the camera company would not be able to sell you something new in a few years

 

[rlm]

Being old and cheap, I have had a hard time giving up my two Oly C4040Z cameras and the Ike housing. The reviews of the SP 350--and the $199 price at Costco-- made me pull the trigger this past weekend. zNow I need a housing, and I am torn between the PT-030 at $180 and the Ike at +/- $450. I have always liked and used Ike, with never a drop of flooding. Also is the factor of a tray for my Ike DS50 and DS125, and the 67 MM thread lens I already own. Suggestions from those who have been there?

 

[Larry C]

Go for the Ike. The combo with the DS-125, Ike controller and 67mm mount WA lens works great. I have the PT-030 and it works fine and is easy to maintain, shutter button sticking issues aside. I helped a newbie with his Ike combo with the Oly WA lens on it, and it worked beautifully right off the bat. He got some great pictures his first time out once we had the settings hooked up. Better service from Ike and the sturdier housing and well tested combinations of Housing, strobe and lens ice it as far as I'm concerned. Spend the extra $250, you'll be happier for it in the long run.

 

[sunkarm]

rlm,

i have the SP350 and ike's housing. The ike's housing can b used up to 60 meters deep or even deeper (i haven't tried it though), already have the cord to put onto the hotshoe of sp350 (this is important if u wanna avoid using internal flash to trigger the strobe), comes with the tray and arm, standards parts (so u can easily replace them if needs to in the future) and most important it has international warranty.

However, since i already have 2 sets of arm n tray also i don't have ike's strobes yet, i had my delaer swap with the 67mm lens converter since i already have the WA and close up for it. i tested in the pool n it's great.

hope this helps.