Need Digital Camera Shopping Advice

[Marseeya]

Hey all. I'm ready to give up on my Fujifilm Finepix S5100 for one reason. It has no stabilization or anti-shake feature on it, and I have a very difficult time taking low-light pictures without a tripod. I've missed out on a lot of good shots because I don't want to lug around a tripod everywhere I go.

I was looking on Steve's Digicams, but what I was wondering if any of you could help me out. I want something less than $400. Has to be at least 5 megapixels and at least 10X optical zoom (got spoiled with the S5100 :teeth: ). It definitely has to have some kind of stabilization feature. Any ideas? I looked at the Konica Minolta DiMAGE and the Kodak Easyshare. Kind of liked those.

I'd prefer to save a bit of money and order it off of Amazon or some place like that, but I would be willing to buy it at a Ritz if there's a benefit to it. What do you think? Do they give you that much assitance in the store? Do they let you try out the camera in the store to see if it's what you really want?

[MICKEY88]

Hey all. I'm ready to give up on my Fujifilm Finepix S5100 for one reason. It has no stabilization or anti-shake feature on it, and I have a very difficult time taking low-light pictures without a tripod. I've missed out on a lot of good shots because I don't want to lug around a tripod everywhere I go.

I was looking on Steve's Digicams, but what I was wondering if any of you could help me out. I want something less than $400. Has to be at least 5 megapixels and at least 10X optical zoom (got spoiled with the S5100 :teeth: ). It definitely has to have some kind of stabilization feature. Any ideas? I looked at the Konica Minolta DiMAGE and the Kodak Easyshare. Kind of liked those.

I'd prefer to save a bit of money and order it off of Amazon or some place like that, but I would be willing to buy it at a Ritz if there's a benefit to it. What do you think? Do they give you that much assitance in the store? Do they let you try out the camera in the store to see if it's what you really want?


it all depends on the RItz store, some are fantastic, as with anything, some are not as good....I used to work for Ritz, and I am a firm believer in their extended warranty..

[Greg K.]

People around these parts rave about the Canon.

Its features include: 12x zoom, image stabilization, compact and solid build, and images that really set the standard for a point-and-shoot in its class.

As for where to buy: I just bought a Pentax SLR from www.buydig.com. I was leery about buying online, but they did a GREAT job. And they have the best prices going. Last I looked, the Canon was running about $380. With no tax and free shipping. I highly recommend visiting the web site.

Stop by a camera store and play with different cameras and see what you think. And when you decide, you just might get a better bargain ordering online. I know I did.

Good luck.

[hlbtimes2]

We have a Canon S2 IS. We love it! We've had it for 5-6 months or so. It has great image stabilization. It actually has the same floating type lense they use in their video cameras. It might be slightly more then you wanted to spend (I think we paid mid $400 for it).

This site http://www.imaging-resource.com/ is a great place for digital camera info.

[Kelly Grannell]

I second Canon S2 IS. You asked for 10x optical zoom? Try 12x !!!

[Marseeya]

Thanks for the tips! I really like the looks of that Canon. The prices for it are all over the place, from $334 to $600!!!

[Dan Murphy]

I have had a Canon 2S IS for several months, and really like it. Great features, and quality. http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S2IS/S2ISA.HTM

[Kelly Grannell]

$334 seems to good to be true and $600 is crazy (even Canadian price is lower than that). In Canada, the price is equivalent to US$521 (and Canada's pricing tend to be 10% than US pricing), therefore the "proper" US pricing should be approx $468.90

[Laura]

Thanks for the tips! I really like the looks of that Canon. The prices for it are all over the place, from $334 to $600!!!
I recommend buydig.com too. We just got our camera (not the S2, a Canon A620) from them today, having ordered Friday--with free shipping and no sales tax!
:woohoo: <---me excited about camera!
So check it out and see if they have a good deal.

Oh, and here's a review of the S2 IS. Towards the bottom it lists a few other cameras that you might check out as well, right above the price lists and "Photo Gallery" section.
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s2-review/

[Anewman]

I recommend buydig.com too. We just got our camera (not the S2, a Canon A620) from them today, having ordered Friday--with free shipping and no sales tax!



I agree and have personally ordered 3 cameras from them. IMO this is the lowest priced "reputable" vendor you can find. I would always compare with Buydig b4 actually purchasing a camera, and if it much lower I am willing to bet the the price will not be honored or you will get huge pressure to buy accessories that should have been included in the first place.

[Marseeya]

I agree and have personally ordered 3 cameras from them. IMO this is the lowest priced "reputable" vendor you can find. I would always compare with Buydig b4 actually purchasing a camera, and if it much lower I am willing to bet the the price will not be honored or you will get huge pressure to buy accessories that should have been included in the first place.

I see what you mean! I googled the name of the vendor (best price camera.com or something similar) and saw a few complaints about them. I think I'll stick with buydig.com.

Now, hurry up tax refund! :hyper:

[hemispheredancer]

Love my S2!! Just wish I had more time to play!

[manning]

it all depends on the RItz store, some are fantastic, as with anything, some are not as good....I used to work for Ritz, and I am a firm believer in their extended warranty..

Ritz Camera has a web site www.ritzcamera.come. They advertise no shipping charges and no tax on orders over 100.00. As far as prices I think they stick with the recommended manufacturer price.

[manning]

Also take a look at the Panasonic FZ30. A lot of people are raving about it.


http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz30/

Also if you want to look at reviews on many cameras go to the home page and pick a review. It is:

www.dpreview.com

[Greg K.]

Ritz Camera has a web site www.ritzcamera.come. They advertise no shipping charges and no tax on orders over 100.00. As far as prices I think they stick with the recommended manufacturer price.

I popped into the Ritz website to see the price. It said "Due to overwhelming demand, this product is no longer available." :scratchin

[Chelley00]

The lowest price I found for the S2 IS (which I've had a whole week and a half!) was from www.beachcamera.com I ordered it on a Friday, it was here on Wednesday, with free shipping and no hassle to buy more.


Check www.epinions.com for reviews on the camera and online vendors.

[hlbtimes2]

I just want to add one more thing I love out our S2- battery life! We use rechargable batteries. They last a really, really long time. Our 5 day trip to Disneyland only required charging once. Might not have even needed it then, but we did it just to make sure. That is with using all the features and taking 100's of pictures in 5 days.

[Greg K.]

Meanwhile, Panasonic/Lumix has just announced this little goober: the world's smallest 10x digital, with image stabilization and a bunch of other bells and whistles. Due date: April. No word on the price. But it looks like it could be a very promising -- and potentially groundbreaking -- travel camera. We'll see what the tests and reviews have to say...

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06021405panasonictz1.asp#press

[Anewman]

The lowest price I found for the S2 IS (which I've had a whole week and a half!) was from www.beachcamera.com I ordered it on a Friday, it was here on Wednesday, with free shipping and no hassle to buy more.


Check www.epinions.com for reviews on the camera and online vendors.

The way I understand it is that Buydig and BeachCamera are sister sites and actually ship from the same warehouse.

The Buydig website is actually registered to Beach trading company, I ran a whois.

[Greg K.]

The way I understand it is that Buydig and BeachCamera are sister sites and actually ship from the same warehouse.

The Buydig website is actually registered to Beach trading company, I ran a whois.

Ah. That explains why their prices are identical -- and why the two websites look so similar! :smooth:

[Marseeya]

Amazon.com just came down on their price for the Canon S2 IS! It's now $389.

I went to Ritz today to check out some cameras and they didn't have any of them that I wanted to look at. :( Neither did Best Buy. They did have the Panasonic FZ30, which was fantastic! I took a few pictures with it and they were great. However, I don't want to spend nearly $700. The clerk recommended the FZ5 and said that they actually prefer it to the Canon. The price for the Panasonic on Amazon is around $365, and it comes with a 256 mg card. That seems like a great deal doesn't it? I'll still probaby buy a better card down the line, but that should hold me over for a while.

[ndelaware]

Amazon.com just came down on their price for the Canon S2 IS! It's now $389.

I went to Ritz today to check out some cameras and they didn't have any of them that I wanted to look at. :( Neither did Best Buy. They did have the Panasonic FZ30, which was fantastic! I took a few pictures with it and they were great. However, I don't want to spend nearly $700. The clerk recommended the FZ5 and said that they actually prefer it to the Canon. The price for the Panasonic on Amazon is around $365, and it comes with a 256 mg card. That seems like a great deal doesn't it? I'll still probaby buy a better card down the line, but that should hold me over for a while.
Of course they prefer it, they didn't have the Canon to sell you. The S2 IS is a better camera.

[Dan Murphy]

I just want to add one more thing I love out our S2- battery life! We use rechargable batteries. They last a really, really long time. Our 5 day trip to Disneyland only required charging once. Might not have even needed it then, but we did it just to make sure. That is with using all the features and taking 100's of pictures in 5 days.
I agree. I am VERY pleased by how long the batteries last, amazing.

[Marseeya]

Of course they prefer it, they didn't have the Canon to sell you. The S2 IS is a better camera.

They didn't have either one.

[manning]

Amazon.com just came down on their price for the Canon S2 IS! It's now $389.

I went to Ritz today to check out some cameras and they didn't have any of them that I wanted to look at. :( Neither did Best Buy. They did have the Panasonic FZ30, which was fantastic! I took a few pictures with it and they were great. However, I don't want to spend nearly $700. The clerk recommended the FZ5 and said that they actually prefer it to the Canon. The price for the Panasonic on Amazon is around $365, and it comes with a 256 mg card. That seems like a great deal doesn't it? I'll still probaby buy a better card down the line, but that should hold me over for a while.

Costo is selling th FZ30 for 599.99. Keep looking there are more than likely better prices out there.

[ndelaware]

They didn't have either one.Then they don't know what they are talking about.

[Greg K.]

Panasonic is unveiling the FZ7, which claims to shoot up to iso 1600. It's due out any day. Check this out:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0601/06012302panasonicfz7.asp

Among other things, that means you can expect the prices for the FZ5 to fall, as stores start clearing it out...or, you might want to wait and see what the early reviews of the FZ7 have to say...and see if it's worth investing in. Early buzz seems to be very good. I think you'll also find both the FZ5 and FZ7 notably smaller and lighter than the FZ30.

[Marseeya]

Decisions, decisions, decisions. :confused3

I'm now torn between the Canon S2 and the Panasonic FZ5.

It seems on the Dis, the defiite winner is the Canon, but in the reviews I've read it seems split 50/50. The price of the Panasonic is lower, but Amazon includes a 256 mg card. I'd still want to buy a 512 mg card on top of that, though. Either way, I probably won't save much more than $50 or so. They both seem like exactly what I want.

:scratchin

[geetey]

Have you gone into a store and held both of them? That may sway you one way or the other. Sometimes a camera just doesn't feel like, or the controls are awkward for your hands. :) Maybe that will help! Good luck! :sunny:

I am still trying to decide which camera to get for myself! :confused3

[manning]

I would suggest too that you go to a store and look at them.

Also both use SD memory cards. Get a couple of 256mb cards (ea will have to be formatted for each camera) and take some pictures then go home and compare them.

[Marseeya]

The only one I've been able to handle is the Canon. I can't find the Panasonic anywhere, although I did snap some pics with the Panasonic FZ30 and totally fell in love with it -- just not the $700 price tag. :scared:

I like the idea of buying the cards and taking sample pictures with them. :thumbsup2

[Greg K.]

Amazon claims to have three black FZ5's in stock, for $365.94. Sorry: none in silver. :(

[Marseeya]

Amazon claims to have three black FZ5's in stock, for $365.94. Sorry: none in silver. :(

Holy cow, they went fast! :lmao: There were the three when I went to bed last night. I e-mailed DH all of the reviews for the two cameras and left it in his hands and told him I just couldn't decide. So he read them all last night and told me this morning that he picked the Panasonic. Got on Amazon around 8 a.m. and there was ONE left. :eek:

I went ahead and ordered it. I figure I can play with it for a day or two and if I don't like it, go ahead and return it or sell it on e-bay and go back for the Canon.

BTW, when I ordered it on Amazon, they're having a 3-month free trial of their Amazon Prime. I was able to get 1-day shipping for just $3.99! :thumbsup2 It costs $79 for the year and I'm debating on whether or not it'll be worth it. I use Amazon a LOT, so I just need to go back and figure out how much I've spent in shipping in the past year to see if it would even out or if I'd be ahead.

[geetey]

Congrats on making a decision!! For me, that's the hardest part! ;) :lmao: