Hi, I have finaly narrowed it down to 2 cameras, the Fuji 2602 pro (599 pounds) and the Olynpus E20 (800)pounds.
I feel inclined towards the Fuji, but realy need to know the capabilities of A4 printing. The oly is 5.24 MP, but does the 6MP mark up from the Fuji match this?
I have been to every single camera shop in Gloucestershire, and not one can show me an A4 sample from either camera (and it's driving me up the wall)
The images are to be used on published material (magazines / adverts )so it's quite important that quality is high.
16x20 inches is 40x50 cm and that is size of a 25 inch TV screen and don't know what is A3!
I found
Metric Trimmed Paper Sizes
Metric Name Metric Size in mm Size in Inches Closest United States Size Size in Inches
A8 53 x 74 2.07 x 2.91 Business card 2 x 3 1/2
A7 74 x 105 2.91 x 4.13 3 x 5 3 x 5
A6 105 x 148 4.13 x 5.83 Microfiche 4.13 x 5.83
A5 148 x 210 5.83 x 8.27 5 x 8 5 x 8
A4 210 x 297 8.27 x 11.69 A 8 1/2 x 11
A3 297 x 420 11.69 x 16.54 B 11 x 17
A2 420 x 594 16.54 x 23.39 C 17 x 22
A1 594 x 841 23.39 x 33.11 D 22 x 34
A0 841 x 1189 33.11 x 46.81 E 34 x 44
2A 1189 x 1681 46.81 x 66.22
And finally are they of photographic print quality? i.e would you feel comfortable having them published professionaly at that size?
No way, I have prints up to 30x45cm and in no way would I call the quality good enough for professional publising. The detail just isn't there.
Also, the 602 is a 3mp camera with about the resolving power of a 4mp like the G2/G3. The E20 is 5mp with pretty good resolving power. If I were to print big lots of times I wouldn't choose the 602.
I am also reviewing Canon 300D samples in comparisson to the 602 and even the A4 prints are so much better. Yeah, yeah, they used some expensive lenses, but I was to get those anyway and even if they used cheaper Sigma's I think the print of the 300D would be significantly better.
Is te E20 good enough? Depends on what you want to photograph.
Download some samples at dpreview.com of both and print them / have them printed professionaly. The samples are there, it is for you to decide if you can live with either one of them.
And finally are they of photographic print quality? i.e would you feel comfortable having them published professionaly at that size?
No way, I have prints up to 30x45cm and in no way would I call the quality good enough for professional publising. The detail just isn't there.
Also, the 602 is a 3mp camera with about the resolving power of a 4mp like the G2/G3. The E20 is 5mp with pretty good resolving power. If I were to print big lots of times I wouldn't choose the 602.
I am also reviewing Canon 300D samples in comparisson to the 602 and even the A4 prints are so much better. Yeah, yeah, they used some expensive lenses, but I was to get those anyway and even if they used cheaper Sigma's I think the print of the 300D would be significantly better.
Is te E20 good enough? Depends on what you want to photograph.
Download some samples at dpreview.com of both and print them / have them printed professionaly. The samples are there, it is for you to decide if you can live with either one of them.
Have you purchased any large print yet?
How you know all that?
Do you use Microscope to check if detail is there?
1) Why not get a 10D? (840 pounds)
or
2) Why not wait a bit and get the new D300? (540 pounds)
The S602 is a prosumer. The E20 is a DSLR. Depends if you want the extra lenses or if you want an all-in-one. The S602 is nice, but why not a Sony f717 or 828?
Well basicaly, I have been given 2 grand, which is to buy both a new camera and a new computer. I am splitting them half and half so the new camera must fall within 800 pounds (I need to buy lots of storage too)
I ahve thouhgt about waiting for the D300, but for how long? Also teh Fuji s7000 looks nice, but again when is it going to come out...I can't afford to keep waiting that long.
The 10D, well the cheapest I thought that was like 1,200? If it was 840+ lense there woudl be no deciding, I would get it today!
Have you purchased any large print yet?
How you know all that?
Do you use Microscope to check if detail is there?
I have had my photo's printed from 10x15cm up to 30x45cm matte and glossy, developed by Agfa, Kodak and Fuji and I don't think any of the large prints are of good quality. Especially when the subject contains a lot of fine detail, quality suffers.
But! But the 30x45 602 print looked much better compared to a Pentax 35mm output. But, again yes, the quality isn't good enough. I wasn't looking with a microscope, but standing about 1m away.
On my own Epson I print A4 matte and glossy. When I compare the 602 to a 300D, E1, 10D, D30, D60, D100 there is a huge difference.
The A4 602 output is fine, but not shocking. I could live with it, but after printing dSLR files the difference is just too much.
I don't think any of the large prints are of good quality. Especially when the subject contains a lot of fine detail, quality suffers.
what do you calss as "large print"? A4 upwards?
I have now downloaded and printed (canon s820) 2 from the S602 and 1 from the Oly E20, the E20 is only just better, a bit sharper but the difference is slight.
I am going to try one more E20 pic and make my mind up! Considering there is a 250.00+ price difference I am very suprised by the Fuji s602 quality.
Right all done, the Olympus wins hands down. Even asked my girlfriend who took one look and took out the 2 best in 1 second flat - both olympus E20 shots.
So think I wil buy the E20. The Fuji seems a great little cam though.
Will get it Tuesday - jessops have agreed to match any online price I find (good job as their price is 999.99).
Thanks for all your hepl! Can't wait to get some shots up for the next challenge!
You may be looking for details, but what about colours?
I have printed to A4 on the 3MP mode of my 602 and at normal viewing distance (not under the microscope) the prints are as good as film.
Yes, lack of dynamic range and high contrast, but those are standard drawbacks of digital images, especially on the consumer to pro-sumer range of cameras.
I have printed one 6MP image of a stadium for my office poster (16"x20") and it's hanging up in the wall with other photos taken on pro film and pro slides. I did a little touch up, some colour corrections and a little sharpening, and nobody could really tell that the stadium was from a digital camera.
I have not seen the results of the 5MP on the Olympus, but I like the colours of Fuji much more.
If i had £1000 to spend i would buy the Canon EOS-300D.
Retail price £999 with lens but street price should be lower.
I got a 512mb compact flash card for £80 so memory is cheap.
I am very plesed with my s602z PRO ....Ihave printed at 3m fine on a laser printer,(A4) and find quality in colour and m/c close to my 35mm NIKONS....the E20 is good but still feel that the 602 is a brill cam and a has better features than say the SONY717 .Fuji colour saturation is good,and you can use Smartmedia and Microdrive,I particularly like the digi viewfinder for viewing frames in bright sunlight. My friend has an E20 and colours are quite muted and the oly is a bit Querky anyway
If i had £1000 to spend i would buy the Canon EOS-300D.
Retail price £999 with lens but street price should be lower.
I got a 512mb compact flash card for £80 so memory is cheap.
Jon, if you like (and have broadband) I can e-mail you a file direct from a 602, and you can play with that on your printer to help you decide. PM me if you're intersted.
