Digital Cameras

[Zanshin]

This seems to have everything you are looking for, just by going with what my buddy showed me with his.  Once I get it, I'll let you know my own experiences.

I was thinking about waiting for $310 - $325 as well, but then figured I just want it and the extra 30 bucks wasn't going to kill me.  A man must have his toys.

I'm thinking after Christmas there might be a deal I'd jump on.  In the meantime, I'm still using my Cannon PowerShot digital elph.  There's nothing wrong with it, other than the battery which is on its last legs, but I have had a number of occasions where I could have used the better zoom, the quicker shots, and the greater resolution.  The one I have is a 3.2 megapixel that I got four years ago or so.  So, I figure this will be the one I'll get the wife to keep in her purse on occasion, and I'll go bigger an better for the new iteration.  That's the long way of saying I want a new toy.

[Zanshin]

Any thoughts about this one, from anyone in the know?  Tough call between the two, I think.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FZ7-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B000EBK3FW

[Cerevant]

Two comments:

1) The pics above cannot be considered typical: they were obviously taken by someone experienced in lighting, exposure, shutter speed, etc.  That's not to say your pictures will not be very nice - but an expensive camera does not a professional photographer make.

2) I speak from experience  - and while I don't crank out pictures like the above, I absolutely love our Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT.  It is so nice to be able to take pictures indoors without a flash - it really changes the whole feeling of the picture (50mm lens, f1.4).

[Wingspan]

I'm in the market for a new camera, and this one looks nice. Let me know how you like it, if you'd be so kind.  I'm hoping to hold out until I find a deal where I can get it for $325 or so. 

I want something with a good optical zoom that takes nice pictures, and offers the ability to take shots in quick succession.  My father in law just bought a really nice Nikon D80, but I don't want to drop $1000 on a camera. 

if you dont mind the size. check out the Minolta DiMage Z series (Z4, Z5, Z6). they come with at minimum 5 megapixels, and 8x-10x optical zooms. they arent these mini camera's mind you, it's a digital SLR. i have the Z4...i love it. and it has a progressive shooting feature where you hold the button down and it takes up to 5 frames in 5 seconds.

[SunMo]

i just bought my wife a Canon Powershot A630 for xmas, i think it's a good camera

[Rome]

My wife just bought a Kodak 6.1 megapixel camera at Target for like $98.

I was skeptical but the thing actually took excellent photos.


Edited - here it is:

[Zanshin]

It's funny reading the consumer reviews of these cameras-- everyone thinks the one they have is the absolute best.

[Susquehanna Birder]

I have an older Kodak Easyshare camera. One that looks almost like an SLR, but isn't. The high zoom is great. And under ideal conditions, it takes pretty decent pictures. In low light, the autofocus sucks. The Kodak is okay for everyday snapshots and such...but my daughter's Canon is much better in all areas.

[Rome]

Agreed, Sus.

Just saying, $98 for a 6.1 MP camera is crazy, especially for one you're using for standard photos.

[Zanshin]

Oh, you can get great deals for a camera if you look hard enough.  I got my Canon Elph a few years ago for about $100, and that included a nice Pixma printer.  Was a ridiculous deal.  That's really why I'm hemming and hawing at this point; I'm looking for a laugher of a deal, but I'd also like to get something before the holidays.

[Zanshin]

Eh, I think that the s3 "feels" like the way to go.  I tried both out in a couple of stores, and while the s3 is heavier than the z7, it feels better-made and more comfortable.  And it's almost impossible to judge the picture quality by looking at the LCDs.  The resolution on the z7 is pretty crappy, even though I hear the pictures are good. 

I see that I can get the s3 from Dell for $330 or so.  Anyone ever buy anything other than a laptop from Dell?  Recommend it?

[Susquehanna Birder]

Never got anything else besides a PC from them. But $330 is a pretty good deal.

http://www.pricescan.com/digiphoto/items/item173516.asp

[Zanshin]

$600 from Kohls...sign me up for that .

[Zanshin]

The Dell deal didn't include Tax, which drove it up a bit.  Not worth the hassle. 

I did end up buying it, though, from Amazon.com for $325 total (free shipping and no tax).  They had it on sale, then I took another $30 off by applying for a Amazon business credit card.  Not a bad deal, based on what I've seen.

[Susquehanna Birder]

Sounds good. I just saw one in Target selling for $400. Bzzzzzzt! Sorry, Target...too farging high!