Originally posted by flea
okay, the 5n sounds great, but I don't know if it's worth the price if I can just get the zx-30.

What do you mean by manual controls? What is manual on the 5n that isn't on the zx30? Focus, aperture? what?
The difference is in automatic you get what the camera considers what the correct exposure for the setting is.
Now dont get me wrong, the incamera metering systems on todays cameras are top notch but they dont always set the exposure for the best picture. Like shutter speed (the time the film is exposed to light) apature setting, (how big the hole is in the lense to allow light through, think pupil in your eye) Automated cameras will sett both of these for you, but is some situtations what the camera thinks is correct will not be as good as setting it a little higher or lower.


So what does the manual have that you dont with automated?

The MAIN thing i can think of is (im not sure if the 30 can do this or not) is to override the autofocus on the camera.

Sure its great but you will find that in most cases that lense using its vertical and horizanal planes of focus wont be able to focus the image. It will not let you shoot unless its focused. Thats when you set the lense to manual and you tell the camera its focused.

You get the shutter settings i.e 1 sec 2 sec 15th/sec 30th/sec 60/sec etc etc instead of the little pictures that say ok for portraits put it in the face, for action put it on the guy jogging.

etc etc

You can set how the mamera meeters. This camera uses a six segment meetering system. (It probably has these other meter features as well) But not all instances require a full sex segment meetering. Spot meetering will be your best friend when you know ehen to use it.



Im not trying to sell you this camera, If you looking for a simple camera just to snap pictures with the 30 is a good buy.
But if you ever decide to do more with it youre gonna have to get another camera . Id also try ebay, used cameras arent to scary.

As for the cannon rebel g. I wouldnt recomend it. Ive read several reports in different magazines about metering and apature problems in this line. Not all of them have problems, but not all firestone tires blew either.

If you want a cannon try the elon series.


remember those prices you saw was probably for the body only, you still need a lense. These below are for camera, case, lense and a bit of other stuff.

Pentax
PXZX30KD Pentax ZX-30 Date Kit w/Pentax SMCP-FA 28-80 3.5/5.6, Case, Batteries & 5 year extended warranty $309.95



Pentax
PXZX5NKD Pentax ZX-5N Date Kit w/Pentax SMCP-FA 28-80 3.5/5.6, Case, Batteries & 5 year extended warranty $389.95




straight off adorama. The 23-80 zoom lense is all youll ever need for basic pictures.


Hope all this helps
D