Help me decide on a camera please!

[mmackeymouse]

Okay so I am in the market for a new camera. We are going on a cruise in less than a year, so I am not in any huge hurry to get one, but I found this fabulous one that I love NOW.

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/z/finepix_z200fd/index.html

Now, to understand my conundrum, you must understand me. I am not cheap at all, but I also am not the type to purchase anything hastily. I shop around. I compare. I read reviews. And then and only then, I make my purchase.

Now, most places this camera is running $200+, but I found it with a 4 Gig card, extended warranty, free shipping, for $149, a great deal. But, then I start thinking to myself that toward the end of the year when there will be major sales. If this camera goes on sale for like $80, I will be so mad!

But, then again, there is no guarantee this particular camera will go on sale. So, I am worried to wait too long, because if the economy bounces back, the bargain basement price may be out the window. But, likewise, if the economy gets worse before it gets better, the camera could get cheaper. And, as I said earlier, I don't really NEED the camera anytime soon.

I would love some advice!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

LOL, I think you're overthinking it a little bit.

Why not just buy it now and enjoy it if you know it's the camera you want?

This will give you a long time to learn to use it so in the end, you're pictures will be more enjoyable.

That, you can't put a price on.

 

[mmackeymouse]

LOL, I think you're overthinking it a little bit.

Why not just buy it now and enjoy it if you know it's the camera you want?

This will give you a long time to learn to use it so in the end, you're pictures will be more enjoyable.

That, you can't put a price on.

I overthink everything! You really do understand me! Haha.

Anyway, I just was not sure if you photo-savvy people could take a look at the site, and see if it looks like something that would be a good deal or whatever.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I overthink everything! You really do understand me! Haha.

That's because I'm the same way.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Thanks for your encouragement! I just don't want to make a hasty decision, ya know?

Part of it is that I am a bit of a brand snob Typically we like to look at Sony, Canon, Kodak. But, last year for my parents' anniversary, I bought them a super nice Panasonic, and it is great! Fujifilm is an in between brand, not top tier, but not off brand either, so I am willling to possibly take a chance.

Also, I have had trouble finding a lot of reviews. Cnet and Epinions does not have any user reviews. I was really surprised to see it had not been reviewed by editors at Cnet. PCMag gave it a lukewarm review, but there was a handful of reviews on Amazon, and the users LOVED the camera. I have only found one video review on Youtube. It is a newER camera, but it is not super new, and I am trying to figure out why very few people own this camera........it worries me.

 

[RBennett]

I would go to dpreview.com. They have TONS and TONS of reviews and photo galleries so that you can see what that particular camera is capable of. You can also compare side-by-side to see how it stacks up against other ones.

ETA: Here is the review that I found on your camera you're looking at:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/FujiFilm/fuji_finepixz200fd.asp

 

[mmackeymouse]

Welp, I went through with it. I bought the camera. I am not thrilled with the camera. I mean, it is a pretty nice camera, but still....I dunno. I am debating on whether to return it or not.

You see, for my parents' anniversary last year, I bought them a Panasonic DMC-TZ5. I did not realize exactly how good a camera it was when I bought it, but I guess I lucked out, because it is one of the best point and shoot digital cameras on the market. It is only a 9 MP, but it has a 10x zoom, a 3" screen, and the picture quality is impeccable. It is a little on the bulky side, but for their purposes, they love it.

Now, I love the look of the Fujifilm camera. And, I love the feel of it too. It is nice and small. But, I took several comparative photos with the Fuji and the Panasonic and was disappointed. In good light, the Fuji actually takes pretty nice pictures. I mean, this camera is definitely a step up from my old 3.2 MP Kodak with a 1" lcd screen. However, it has a higher tendency to blur when compared with the Panasonic. The coloring is not quite as accurate; the quality just not quite as sharp.

Again, the camera is a pretty nice camera. But, I guess after seeing my parents' perfect photos for a few months, I'm not quite as happy with it as I hoped to be. Now, the camera I bought for them was twice what I gave for the Fuji, and a good 2-3 times pricier than I was wanting to spend.

I don't know whether I should resign myself to the fact that a smaller camera might mean lesser quality and keep the camera. Whether I should look into the smaller Panasonics, and hope that the image quality is similar. Whether I should shell out the extra cash for a higher quality camera that may not be as compact as I'd prefer.

I have 14 days to decide whether I want to return the camera or not. I will have to pay return shipping, plus a 10% restocking fee (ouch). I just dunno....