[martysport]

Hi, I'm trying to choose a new camera
What I want is a decent camera with a good macro and it must be CCD and not CMOS.
I would like it to be able to do HD video too (720p min) I did consider a camcorder too, but as it wouldn't get used very often a camera with video funtcion seems a good idea for me.

So? any ideas? idealy I would like it to be sub £200 if possible. Some of the Panasonic cameras seem like they might fit the bill?

[clonmult]

I hate to ask, but why CCD and not CMOS? You do realise that a lot of DSLRs use CMOS - it doesn't actually make for a worse picture by any means.

For example, the higher end Sony kit (A700, 450, 500, 550), Nikon and Canon all tend to have CMOS sensors. Which tends to imply that CMOS definitely has an edge in picture quality.

For a truly good macro, you'll really be wanting an SLR with a macro lens - in which case you don't stand a cat in hecks chance at that budget.

Being more positive, I've done some rather surprisingly good macros with my Panny FT1 - its a waterproof, 12mp, 4.6x optical zoom, fairly sturdy, does 720p video.

And with luck, it can be got as a factory refurb from play.com for €155 euros - works out at around £120. Not bad for a camera that cost me £220 around 7 months back.

[martysport]

Originally Posted by clonmult

I hate to ask, but why CCD and not CMOS? .

I just associate CMOS with poor quality webcams/mobile phones

Looks like a Panasonic TZ7 might be suitable
I'll look into the FT1 too that you recomended (Play don't ship hardware to mainland Europe, just the UK)

[The Sack]

All Canon DSLRs are CMOS, that what gives them such silky smooth images and impressive lowlight ability's.

[martysport]

I just orderd the TZ7

[clonmult]

Originally Posted by martysport

I just associate CMOS with poor quality webcams/mobile phones

Looks like a Panasonic TZ7 might be suitable
I'll look into the FT1 too that you recomended (Play don't ship hardware to mainland Europe, just the UK)

CMOS used to be related to poor quality imaging, its a fair assumption to make. But since Kodak started doing some stupendously high quality full frame sensors a few years back, its been an even mix between the two, with higher end tending towards CMOS.

Heard a lot of good about the TZ7, and interesting about the FT1 - colleague just ordered one, and he got a note saying it was being despatched from France!

[dodgygeeza]

The problem with CMOS sensors in mobiles etc is that the sensors used usually have ridiculously small pixels, resulting in a low signal to noise ratio and hence grainy images. As other poster have already noted, pretty much all new digital SLR's these days are using CMOS rather than CCD but with much larger pixels, resulting in far better output and actually better low light performance than CCD-based equivalents

[martysport]

Just a quick update, I got the TZ7 a few days ago and its a great bit of kit
Does everything I wanted and more. HD movies are outstanding as is the sound quality.

I'd certainly recomend it