Canadutch
Aside from the feeling of independence, meeting people and getting out of the house, the biggest perk of working again is making money. My husband and I decided that when my first paycheck comes in that I should buy myself something I really want. Something we wouldn’t put the money on out otherwise but can easily afford with the extra money I’m bringing in. Something I can oooh and aaah over that will remind me of why it’s so great to be out in the working world again.
One thing I’ve really wanted for a while now is a new camera. At the moment I have a Casio Exilim EX-Z40 which is a great camera but at 4 megapixels it’s getting slightly outdated. It still works great but I’m craving an upgrade and I want a camera with a vari-angle LCD screen as I think this makes it much easier for taking photos other than what is right in front of you.
I’ve been doing a lot of research into newer cameras and I found the one or rather… two. I can’t decide between two cameras that are almost identical.
Canon Powershot A630 and A640.
I CANNOT DECIDE, ARGH!!!!!
The two models are identical in every way except the color (the A630 is silver and the A640 is black) and the 2 megapixel difference (the A630 has 8 megapixels and the A640 has 10 megapixels).
Oh, and the price. The A640 model is anywhere from 40 – 100 euros more expensive, depending on where you buy it. I found it in one shop yesterday for only 40 euros more expensive than the A630 model, which makes it tempting to go for the A640.
Otherwise all their stats are the same:
I’m not sure what to do. I like the look of the A640 better and of course I like the idea of having 10 megapixels rather than 8, but I like getting more for my money (damn… the Dutch really ARE rubbing off on me!). Also I’m not sure if those 2 megapixels make that much difference when it comes to what I use the camera for (personal use and amateur stuff, nothing fancy).
I have the choice of either buying the more expensive 10 megapixel version of this camera or buying the A630 which is only 8 megapixels (I find it hard to say ONLY there) and spending what I WOULD have spent on the more expensive camera on accessories like a memory card and rechargeable batteries.
I honestly cannot decide… If there are any photographers out there, I could use some advice!
Anything above 6MP is overkill. 6 is basically film-quality. Which is still very good. I, myself, think that when it comes to digital quality though, 8 is perfect. I think 10MP would be a barely noticable difference (at least until we all got high-definition monitors or something of the sort.)
I’d go with the 8. It’s cheaper and works the same as the 10. :3
If the only difference is with megapixels, go for the cheaper one.
I have earlier models of this series, and my brother has the A640, my sister-in-law has the A620. I was expecting major improvements with the newer models, but after testing them out, I still prefer some features on my A80 that are no longer available on the newer models. Also, I have a better-quality LCD screen, even though it’s half the size of theirs!
That happens with software, too — sometimes good features get dropped out to make way for crappy gimmicky features that do more for selling the product than anything worthwhile.
So, my rule of thumb is that don’t upgrade by just one level, because often the new release is not worth the price difference. You want some REAL IMPROVEMENTS, not just the number of megapixels. My A80 is an old 4.0 MP camera, and for website purposes I don’t display anywhere near the highest resolution. You would never notice the difference between 8 and 10 megapixels unless you’re making a poster.
My pet peeve is when people buy the latest electronic equipment and lower all the settings. I mean, what’s the point then?
The silver is prettier so the hell with the extra 2 megapixels :)
buy the 8 megapixel camera if it’s your first camera…you will buy a better one in the future…in 2-3 years you will find 16-20 megapixels cameras with good very good lens…
Sorry, I meant 640. Typo! lol
Hi, you don’t know me but I know Shirley Ann here in PEI. Checked out your blog and don’t base your decision on this, but I must say, the 540 is pretty sweet looking. Plus, an extra 2 megapixels. Anyways, good luck with whatever camera you pick. I’m sure either one would be nice!
Well, personally, I would go for neither one of them. If you really like taking and making pictures, why not buy a digital “spiegelreflex” camera? If you want to go with Canon, which is a decent brand, go with the EOS 400D, (http://www.kieskeurig.nl/product/57010FB5A6C7F037C12571D8003E9637.htm )or to talk about another one, an Olympus, which is also a nice brand, and then maybe the E-400 (http://www.kieskeurig.nl/product/7405C08DAA775C06C12571EE004D65B4.htm)
but hey, it’s your money, so just have a couple of sleepless nights, and buy the one you want. Good luck with it. :D:D:D
I’m a friend of Ash, I’d say go for the 8meg pix and get accessories, 8meg pix photos are big and take a lot of memory, these cameras never come with big cards on your own so buy a 1 or even 2Gb card to go with the 8mb and you’ll be happy, the extra 2m pixels won’t make a difference to your life really.
Hang on there Tammy, I’m going to ask my hot-shot photographer friend :) He should comment shortly.
I reckon get the cheaper one and spend the money on a memory card
I just bought a canon ps 540 for my Miss 10 for birthday. Seems to be a great camera!
I’d say what the others say, too. For normal photographing 8 mb is way more than enough. But if you enjoy macros or like taking some “special” photos or making big enlargements – then I’d go for the 10 mb, especially if the difference is only 40 e. And… since the zoom is only 4x (don’t count on the digital zoom, it only ruins the pictures) with 10 mg you can cut the pics to get a stronger zoom (ok, this is basically the same as using the digital zoom, but in my opinion it’s better to do that on a copy of the photo in a photo processing software).
But I’m no expert either – just a (poorly) self-educated amateur :D
I am not bothered by ANY camera knowledge at all… I just have the shopping gene and that one screams out for the 640 one…
Personally I LOVE black cameras- they feel more “authentic’ somehow, but honestly as an amateur photographer 8 megapixels will be more than enough for personal photos and shots you’ll use on your blog. Unless you’re planning to print large sized photos 10 megapixels is not necessary.
I’m a firm believer of you get what you pay for. Looking at the comparisons, if the only thing is 2 mpixels…then you know… I’d go with the cheaper one.
I say this only because 8 megapixels is quite enough for normal work. I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that 4MP is actually ideal, unless you’re doing some super mega enlarging (and I mean like 20×24 posters and much larger)
but if it was only a small difference of 40 euro? I might just consider the 10MP. :) but no more than that i think.
both look good, cannon power shots are the way to go. I’m on my third model now.