PCA Forums

Okay, my 5 year old Sony FD71 is getting long in the tooth. I want a 2 Megapixel camera. Mostly for holiday snapshots, occasional use for business (web work, brochures).

I'm undecided between the Olympus D-520 and a Canon A40 Powershot cameras:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A40/A40A.HTM
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D520/D52A.HTM

Both are the same price right now ($250). Both are comparable in features although the Canon has more "pro" features on it. I mostly point and shoot, but sometimes I like to be able to override the automatic settings so that's attractive. The wife also used to be a professional 35mm photographer (although she's a point and clicker now too).

The other big difference from the VERY detailed review I read at imaging-resource.com is that the Canon A40 handles low light levels MUCH better than the Olympus.

On one hand the low light level characteristics of the Canon are attracting me. On the other the Olympus looks attractive because it takes Smart Media instead of CompactFlash (I have some spare 64 and 128Mb SmartMedia cards laying around) and it only uses 2 AA batteries instead of the 4 the Canon uses (and still gets good battery life).

Anyone out there familiar with either camera and want to weigh in?

I've already decided that I will definately want the following accessories:

- Bigger memory card than what comes with them (and again, I already have some SmartMedia laying around so that's a point for the Olympus)

- NiMH batteries (and since the Olympus only needs 2 I can buy one 4 pack instead of the 2 4-packs I'd need with the Canon to have two sets).

- Soft case

- SmartMedia, CompactFlash reader (probably that sexy multi-card reader that Walmart is selling). I have no intention of using the USB interface.

Any input appreciated. Thanx.

Ack! It's not SmartMedia I've got lying around. It's CompactFlash so that leans me towards the Canon A40 even more....

I just got the Canon and am pleased with it so far although 'I really haven't had time to play with it - i wanted it to be able to use manual settings and to get the shutter speed equiv up high enough to take pics of the kids, etc. I got mine from OM w/ 64 CF for $212 last week on the OM deal.

it seems solid and well put together, more than the fuji i have. the optical zoom is nice. the resolution looks pretty good - i tried to set up the usb cable on my work puter but i was doing something wrong when i was downloading and kept getting some kind og protection error - if borrowed a cf reader and it was fine - the camera cable is usb, so it should be pretty fast

i looked around at a couple of cameras in this range and came to the same conclusion you did that the additional features made this a good pick.

if if ever catch up with myself, i'm going to try and do some nature shots with the telephot, etc.

you most definitly want the cannon, the olympus has the single problem of not capturing the color white correctly in certain light... which turns people off of it.

Mesa vote is a CANNON a-40, great little bugger

my vote is also for the Canon; while Oly makes great cameras digi and slr, i personally think the A40 is a more functional camera than the Oly you're considering. more options means more tweakability which equates to a wider range of picture-taking possibilities. of course this also means, there's more room to mess up a shot if you don't know what you're doing. in which case, if you're a simple, point and click kinda guy that leaves the camera on Auto-everything all of the time, then it really doesn't matter as much (but the A40 will still perform better). if you're past the total newb stage and a borderline amatuer photographer, then definitely go w/ the A40. if you're more serious, then get a G2 like me.

Well I picked up the Canon A40 Powershot at Office Depot (same price as NewEgg, and easier to return if there's a problem).

So far I like it a lot. Nice sharp pictures and darn good low light capabilities.

I picked up one of those Lead-Data multi-card readers at Walmart for $39. Seemed like a good deal since it has a 2 port USB on it and reads every kind of memory card out there (now I can load music into my Nomad's smartmedia without the USB cable too).

Now I need to order a camera case and two sets of rechargeable NiMH batteries with a fast charger.

Thanks all.

office max has them on special again starting sun - 250 including a 64 cf card - you might be able to get some $$ back on a price match