Thinking of a C4 for my g/f

[Neisius]

::xposted on cgallery.com::

Well she has a 1-2year old Kodak Easy Share CX7330 that got mostly destroyed in a sand storm in Death Valley. I figured it was time to buy her something that didn’t have an extending lens to get fouled up by sand. Basicly she is looking for a nice point and shoot to take on school geology trips.

I first looked at a cheap no name “Konaki DV6 Digital Camcorder”
www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&prod_id=1435345
It has no optical zoom to get fouled and comes with a Li-ion battery and an AA battery pack. Seems like it would be great for her school camping trips.

But then I came across the C4
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7528514083
It’s one of the few enclosed optical zoom cameras I have found and it has enough features that I wouldn’t mind playing with it. And I guess I could pick up a few cheap battery packs on ebay to last her on her trips.

So my question is how sturdy is the C4? Will I be replacing it in 2 years when all the little gears get clogged with sand?
And is $335 + $45shipping a good price? I almost want to risk getting the Konaki DV6 because it cost half as much.

I’m stuck choosing a brand name camera that I wouldn’t mind playing with and a cheap no name that I would care less about replacing it in another 2 years.

[Lee Smith]

Neisius said:

::xposted on cgallery.com::

Well she has a 1-2year old Kodak Easy Share CX7330 that got mostly destroyed in a sand storm in Death Valley. I figured it was time to buy her something that didn’t have an extending lens to get fouled up by sand. Basicly she is looking for a nice point and shoot to take on school geology trips.

I first looked at a cheap no name “Konaki DV6 Digital Camcorder”
www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&prod_id=1435345
It has no optical zoom to get fouled and comes with a Li-ion battery and an AA battery pack. Seems like it would be great for her school camping trips.

But then I came across the C4
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7528514083
It’s one of the few enclosed optical zoom cameras I have found and it has enough features that I wouldn’t mind playing with it. And I guess I could pick up a few cheap battery packs on ebay to last her on her trips.

So my question is how sturdy is the C4? Will I be replacing it in 2 years when all the little gears get clogged with sand?
And is $335 + $45shipping a good price? I almost want to risk getting the Konaki DV6 because it cost half as much.

I’m stuck choosing a brand name camera that I wouldn’t mind playing with and a cheap no name that I would care less about replacing it in another 2 years.

That Konaki is an ok camera for the price but is lacking in features compared to the Xacti. First most an optical zoom is missing and also the detail shows it can record at 640 x 480 but doesnt state the frame rate. The Xacti records at 640 x 480 at 30fps!

The Xacti C4 ranges from £200 - £250 depending on how big the memory card supplied is on ebay. Just try searchnig Xacti C4 also batteries are dirt cheap and an essential purchase.

My sis has just bought a similar camera to the first one you describe and she is happy with it as a bidget camera but wishes she had splashed out the extra for extra features that the Xacti offers!

Lee
www.xacti.co.uk

[davo]

Have used a C4 on extended rugged hikes (snow/rain/wind).
Carried it in my shirt pocket.
Have found it to be very reliable so far.

[Neisius]

After I stopped thinking about what I want in a cam and instead thinking about what she needs, a Pentax Optio WP might be a better choice for her. Being water proof is a big plus and it would end up being ~$100 cheaper in the end.

Thanks for all your help anyways.