A few camera feature questions.....

[WDW4ME]

I am looking to replace my 5 year old Panasonic Lumix FX7 5mp with a 3x zoom.

In looking at new cameras, I want a point and shoot with more megapixels and optical zoom, image stabilization and a setting where the camera would choose the proper setting for the shooting conditions so I would not have to stop and try to figure it out. Like Smart Auto or Intelligent Auto, etc. And not a large size with a price of $150-$250 or so.

Since you are in so many different shooting conditions at Disney World, my questions are:

1) Are the number of mp's more important than the number of optical zoom? I am seeing 12mp with 3 to 12 optical zoom. So if you have higher mp's, I would think you would want a higher zoom, as well, so what am I missing that they are still coming out with new cameras that have 12 mp's with only a 3x zoom?

2) Do the cameras with the one major setting that makes the decision for most conditions do very well, or am I expecting too much? I understand it would not be perfect in every situation, but an overall decent job.

3) I always took a small camcorder, along with my camera--are people using their camera for videos now instead?

Here are some I was considering:

Panasonic Lumix FS15, FS3 or ZR1
Canon Poweshot SX200IS or SX120IS
Kodak Easyshare Z950
FugiFilm F70EXR
Samsung HZ15W

Appreciate any input from people who know--which is not me!

Thank you so much for the help!

 

[VVFF]

I am looking to replace my 5 year old Panasonic Lumix FX7 5mp with a 3x zoom.

In looking at new cameras, I want a point and shoot with more megapixels and optical zoom, image stabilization and a setting where the camera would choose the proper setting for the shooting conditions so I would not have to stop and try to figure it out. Like Smart Auto or Intelligent Auto, etc. And not a large size with a price of $150-$250 or so.

Since you are in so many different shooting conditions at Disney World, my questions are:

1) Are the number of mp's more important than the number of optical zoom? I am seeing 12mp with 3 to 12 optical zoom. So if you have higher mp's, I would think you would want a higher zoom, as well, so what am I missing that they are still coming out with new cameras that have 12 mp's with only a 3x zoom?

2) Do the cameras with the one major setting that makes the decision for most conditions do very well, or am I expecting too much? I understand it would not be perfect in every situation, but an overall decent job.

3) I always took a small camcorder, along with my camera--are people using their camera for videos now instead?

Here are some I was considering:

Panasonic Lumix FS15, FS3 or ZR1
Canon Poweshot SX200IS or SX120IS
Kodak Easyshare Z950
FugiFilm F70EXR
Samsung HZ15W

Appreciate any input from people who know--which is not me!

Thank you so much for the help!

For your first question it depends how much of a zoom range you will need. Not everyone needs 12x of zoom range. If you are taking pictures where you can get decently close to your subject 3-5x zoom is all you'll ever need. 12x zoom is often recommended for people who want to take pictures of their kids at soccer games, stage shows, etc(any situation where you can't physically walk closer to get the picture).

Cameras with a large zoom range are often physically larger or have some compromises picture quality wise. So it's up to you how important this feature is.

Number of MP is not very important anymore. Cameras theses days are more limited by the lens rather than the sensor. Its more of a marketing thing in point and shoots now.

Auto setting tries its best buy you can't expect miracles. If you are focusing far away from a subject it will probably pick landscape mode, if you have a close up subject mainly filling the frame it may pick portrait. Notice I say may. You leave the choice up to the camera and its going to get some right some wrong. You still aren't going to be able to take pictures at night generally and have them turn out well. Basically if auto mode worked for you on your old camera(which all cameras have an auto mode) then it will work fine for you now.

Some people are using their cameras for video now. The picture quality is generally similar(especially with HD movie modes). The audio quality can vary fairly drastically and you may be disappointed. So its worth reading a review or two and watching the movie samples they often include.