Digital cameras

[Kazuaki Shimazaki]

I'm planning on buying one. But I need one that works well in low-light conditions, such as in night or inside a cave. I need one that can see lines and patterns of cave rock. And hopefully it will do it with reasonably accurate rendering of the original color.

I'm able to pay up to about US$700 (which should translate to about HK$5600 or less,) though I don't really want to. I know for that much I can get a Sony camera that claims it'd work well in 0 Lux. But I really only want to pay US$400-600 (about HK$3000-4000.) I know that quality is bought with money, but Anybody got any ideas how I can get a good buy for my budget?

[phongn]

Those zero-lux cameras have an IR mode for such low-light conditions. Night-vision optics and IR optics will always get you back a green image.

If you want to take good pictures, lug around a decent light and battery for the camera.

[Kazuaki Shimazaki]

The demo claims that it'd be blue (on the brochure.) I gather that the so called "NightShot" system uses active IR to frame up the image but uses a flash for the digital capture.

I know that if I bring enough lights, I can make almost any camera take good pictures. Now I want to know if there are models that give a more presentable picture under low light (under 100 lux) than others. Given the fact I'd have to carry stuff all day, with possibility for hill work, I'm not thrilled about the prospect of lugging around big heavy lights all day - the built in flash is about my limit as to practical active illumination for my uses.

I bought a cheapie digital camera before. It worked fine (not "great" but OK) in the day, but its picture under moderate living room light is - well "marginal" is an optimistic word for it, and its auto white balance system is crap under those conditions.

[Next of Kin]

I started a thread when I was shopping for my digicam. Someone posted some great product information links.

Say Cheese

[phongn]

The demo claims that it'd be blue (on the brochure.) I gather that the so called "NightShot" system uses active IR to frame up the image but uses a flash for the digital capture.

D'oh! I was thinking of Sony's video cameras, not still. Sorry about that.