aNdY wrote:

> Heart pain. Today finally I found a camera shop and look at their
> display. I play around with model SONY DSC-R1. Despite having 10.3
> Mega Pixel, the picture looks rather weird. I held it and ... I can't
> feel the connection with it. The view is just 2".
>
>    SO is it normal for picture to look weird in the 10.3 mega Pixel
> LCD screen?

Weird in what way?  I don't know what you mean.  I know dpreview said that 
it felt strange to have the LCD on the top of the camera, is that what you 
mean?  You can also tilt it so that it's on top of the camera so you can 
look down on it.  I actually like that because it's like using a TLR camera, 
and it's great for taking low shots without having to crouch down.

>    Instead, I notice the new model Sony T30 Cyber Steady Shot. It has
> a large 3" LCD plus screen. I have no time to explore that.

I wouldn't go near that camera personally.  It won't give the best quality 
results that you said you wanted.  It doesn't have RAW mode, it doesn't have 
any manual controls and it has a tiny lens that suffers from chromatic 
aberration, corner softness and distortion.  It's a simple snap camera, 
nothing more.  It looks pretty decent for a snap camera in fact, but it 
won't give you top quality pictures, if that's what you really want.  It 
only has a 3x zoom too, so it won't zoom in very far.  I think your 
obsession with a big LCD and image stabilisation is affecting your 
judgement.  A big LCD won't give you better pictures, a better lens, sensor, 
RAW mode and manual controls will.  If you really want the best picture 
quality, but a DSLR, simple as that.  Stop worrying about the LCD.

> Important question need to check with you. The storeman says SONY
> produce the best digital camera as compared with otehr brand as they
> are always the first with ideas and all local TV Crew uses SONY cam
> recorder and camera.

He's obviously trying to sell Sony cameras then!  Canon produce the best 
quality sensors, Nikon usually have the best features, maybe Sony have the 
most novelty gimmicks!  ;-)

> So, brand wise, Should I ignore Canon, Olypmic
> etc?

Of course not!  Don't listen to him.  They all produce good cameras.  But if 
you want the best quality, then ignore compact digicams and get a DSLR.  If 
you must have a smaller camera look at the Canon G6 or the Panasonic models.

And don't be too obsessed with Image Stabilisation either, it's helpful but 
it's not essential.  Photographers have been taking photos for 150 years 
without it and they've managed fine.  I've never used it and I have no 
trouble taking sharp photos.

> I am so confused and Great Singapore sales is going to be over
> by end of month. Could you advise me more? Shoudl I still go for SLR
> or SLR like .. or just normal?

If I was me, I'd buy a DSLR.  Hey, that's what I did!  :-)

If I was you, I'd do whatever you decide to do.  The question you have to 
ask yourself is this, what's the most important thing?  Image quality?  Or a 
tiny camera with a big LCD and Image Stabilisation?

If it's image quality, buy the Canon 350D, or *any* other DSLR for that 
matter.

If it's tiny with Image Stabilisation you want, buy the Panasonic LX1.

But if you really have to have that 3" LCD, buy the T30, but don't expect 
great quality.  It may be good enough for what you want though.  Read this 
review
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_t30-review/
And take a close look at the quality of these pictures (the full size 
images)
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_t30-review/gallery.shtml
especially the "purple-fringing horror tunnel" shot
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_t30-review/DSC00003.JPG
Notice how the pillars on the right have overexposed?  Without manual 
controls you wouldn't be able to do anything about that.  Without RAW mode 
you wouldn't be able to get some detail back.

> I need one which allow me to easily take a picture, best if can zoom
> in clearly, and can preview it on the lcd immediately and also veiw
> all taken pictures and then pick the unwanted away and keep the
> wanted etc...

You can do that with all digital cameras.

> With high mega pixel... and zoom with steady shot..

Get a DSLR and a good zoom lens with IS.

> Do
> U think I should just get Cony Cyber Shot T30 with super steady shot
> and forget about my quest for a betetr camera?

If you were me, NO!  But if I were you, I don't know.  What do you want to 
do?  You started off saying that you wanted the best camera possible, so I 
don't think you'd be happy with the T30.  You might at first, until you 
learn a bit more about digital photography, then you might regret it.

If you don't fancy a DSLR because they're too big and heavy, get a good 
digicam.  I'd recommend the Canon Pro1, G6, or the Panasonic LX1, in order 
of heavy to light.  The Pro1 would give you the longest zoom range, which 
you said you wanted.

There's no such thing as a perfect camera, they all have different 
advantages and disadvantages.  If you want a really small light camera with 
Image Stabilisation, then I think the Panasonic LX1 may be the best for you, 
since it has a really good quality lens and RAW mode.

Others may recommend different cameras, but those would be my choices for 
you.  Don't believe the salesman's hype that Sony are the best at 
everything, they're good, but video is what they're best at, Canon and Nikon 
are best for still cameras.

Paul