Lets talk Digital Cameras!

[MosportGreen66]

I am desperately in need of a new digital Camera. My original unit is an Olympus Camedia with 3.2 mega pixel and a 3x optical zoom. It takes OK pictures and has been exceptionally reliable, but it’s ancient.

I want a camera with at least 7-10 Mega Pixels and 10x (ish) optical zoom. Some other goodies should include image stabilization and automatic light adjustment technologies.

I am strongly considering the Lumix but am open to all suggestions.

No real price range yet because I am undecided as to which camera to go with. I am very open!

Thanks.
-Dan

[ORIGLS6]

Tons of choices out there Dan. Bruce and I can highly recommend the Fuji line. We have the S5100 & S5200 respectively; both in the 5.1 MP range. Their latest offering is the Finepix S700, a 7+ MP piece. Small enough to handle easily, yet it has the feel of a 35 SLR. Both the S51/5200 and the new S700 have 10X optical zoom. Bruce and I are quite satisfied with ours. I looked at the Lumix as well and can't say anything bad about them.

First you need to decide what MP range you need, (which you obviously have) then your price range, then just go for the one that feels right to you. Kwhizz uses a smaller pocket sized unit and you can see the quality he gets. Hard to argue with his choice!

Good luck analyzing all the recommendations you're like to receive here!

[Xplantdad]

I agree with DC. Fuji consistently gets high marks from Consumer reports, too...considering the price point that they are at.

Get whatever feels comfortable for you. I prefer the larger size camera bodies...as that's what I was used to...I also like the ability to take it off the automatic setting...and experiment, too.

There are times where I wish I had a smaller camera...but for me...it's not that often...

[MosportGreen66]

Thanks a lot guys!

I have family with the Fuji's and they love them. I plan on taking a drive into the city to B and H photo just to do some more homework.

A bunch of guys on the BMW forum suggest the Canon Power Shot G7. They say it is the best bang for the buck.

G7
Back to square one...

-Dan

[GRB]

I need to make some 6-10 second movies. Is the G7 good for that or is there a better choice?

[Xplantdad]

Most all digital cameras can take good quality video...

The Fuji will take a video for as long as you have stoage space on your card. Others are limited to 15 to 30 seconds....

[ORIGLS6]

Dan,
If you've had good luck with your Olympus, you might check out their SP550. 7.1 MP with an 18X zoom and dual image stabilization. Also shoots at 15 frames/second if you have that need. I have an old Olympus OM-1 35mm that I've carried all over the country. It even survived a number of backpacking treks in the mountains and NEVER failed me once. As much as I like my Fuji, if I were to buy a digital SLR at the moment, it would be hard for me to look at anything but the Olympus E500 or E510.

[bigchevydaddy]

We use a Cannon Digital Rebel XT and XTi on a daily basis at work and they are awesome cameras. We added the battery pack, which makes the camera body slightly larger (like the old motor drives did) and we can shoot hundreds of photos on one charge of the batteries. Having interchangable lenses makes them 'handle' like the old 35mms with great flexibility. The XTi sells for under a grand with one lens.

Good luck, BCD.

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
I am desperately in need of a new digital Camera.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, you read my mind! My Sony has developed "spots" on its lenses, I think it's lint from the carrying case that got inside the camera? I can no longer zoom-in because it magnifies the lint blob on the lens. I noticed that a few of Kwhizz'z Power Tour shots had the same blobs in some of the photos. Is it worth having the camera cleaned or just go buy a new one?

[ANDY M]

Better off buying a new one. Nobody offers service on these things, and if they did, you could buy a new one for what they would charge.
I have an older Olympus C-5500, 5.1mp, 5x zoom. It has the sport setting and all of the other options, but what I like is the ability to turn off the screen and just use the viewfinder. Call me old school, (I am), but it saves a lot of battery life and the ambiant light conditions don't effect your framing a shot. Bright sunlight or darker indoor situations are hard for me to see on that little screen.
Don't worry about mega pixels, anything over 4mp will do the job. All the rest is marketing. The Cannon or Nikon SLR digital units go for $500/600. They weigh a little more, and won't fit in your pocket, but they take great pics. Buy an extra set of batteries, some cameras will just lock up without warning when they die. The NiCad ones make for a good back up plan, but the Lithium ones will last longer.
Print making is all about the printer and how much you want to spend on ink. I have a new HP all-in-one, and I can put my media card into the printer and print from there, or download to my hard drive from the printer.
All of the major brands are rated high by Consumers Report, so it's mostly personal preference. Best tip for good photos: Be a little more patient in setting up the shot, and keep the sun at your back whenever possible.
Good luck.