Best camera for taking panarama's?

save-a-lot

Hi

I am looking to buy a new camera, currently use a Kodak DX 4330 (3MP camera) it is ok for general use, but I want to start to take panarama's. I have done some with the existing camera which are ok, but I now want to create some that are picture perfect. I use photo stitching software to stitch the images together into a panorama.

What camera is best suited to this? The budget I have is really upto £250, £300 at a push.

f1charlie

I don't know that any one camera is better than any other for taking panoramas (although I'm sure someone will prove me wrong!), it is more in the technique i.e.
1. Keeping the camera level between shots
2. Ensuring there is enough overlap in the shots for the software to do its job effectively
3. Keeping an even exposure across all the shots.

For 1 and 2, a camera which can display a grid on the LCD will help, as would using a tripod. For 3, a camera with manual exposure adjustment.

In what way is your current camera not doing the job? Is it just an improvement in general photo quality you are after?

Charlie

horsenailbucket

My Canon Ixus has a built in photostitching app that helps line up shots for paranoramas. Then when you import into the Canon zoombrowser, it does the stitching for you. Worth a look?

save-a-lot

f1charlie wrote:

3. Keeping an even exposure across all the shots.

That is the problem with the current camera

deanos

There is a new Kodak camera out with dual lens for panaramic shots

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/documents/fa/0900688a8055a2fa/dcbuyer.pdf

Stark_2

You will need to find a camera that allows you to lock the exposure (AE lock). Most, if not all SLR cameras have this function, although some of the new point and shoot digitals will have this function also.

A quick search came up with the Casio Exilim EXZ850

linkage: http://www.digital-cameras.com/digital_cameras/mini_compact/casio_exilim_exz850.html#specification

it seems to have everything you could want. I have not used one so I can't give you any other information about it.

or you could move up to the digital SLR range with a few lenses and and get into a lot of trouble with your bank manager! just like me!!

hope that helps

Nick

f1charlie

Stark wrote:

You will need to find a camera that allows you to lock the exposure (AE lock).

Or allow manual exposure settings.

Charlie

albertross_2

Canon Powershot A640 software stitches automatically apparently.. (not that I've tried it).

£239 from here: http://www.ajpurdy.co.uk/erol.html

"Stitch Assist
Build awe-inspiring panoramas by neatly aligning sequential images"

deanos

Most of the Canons have the panaroma function

other

save-a-lot wrote:

Hi

I am looking to buy a new camera, currently use a Kodak DX 4330 (3MP camera) it is ok for general use, but I want to start to take panarama's. I have done some with the existing camera which are ok, but I now want to create some that are picture perfect. I use photo stitching software to stitch the images together into a panorama.

What camera is best suited to this? The budget I have is really upto £250, £300 at a push.

a quality tripod
most cameras have a stitching function, few have a proper wide angle lens tho