Help with new camera decision

[tn4mickey]

I'm toying with the idea of buying a new P&S digital camera. We have a 3.3 MP Olympus that we've been very happy with but want a bigger zoom.

I'm debating between:

Olympus SP 55UZ (7.1MP, 18x zoom,wide angle) my concern is it doesn't have an optical viewfinder. I'm afraid in the bright Florida sun at WDW the LCD might be hard to see. What do you think?

and

Canon Power Shot S5IS (8MP, 12x zoom) Smaller zoom, slightly higher price (not enough to matter though)

 

[S. C.]

I always use my optical viewfinder outside. I can't comment on the Olympus since i've never owned one but i do love my S3. I think i would go to a camera store & see which one felt better in my hands.

Hopefully someone here has owned both and can give you better answers than I did.

Whichever you choose don't forget to post those great pics for us.

 

[DisneyArk]

I'm looking at the same cameras. I've noticed that most of the small cameras that have more than 4X optical zoom, do not have an optical viewfinder. I personally love using the optical viewfinder on bright sunny days, so I can't live without it.

Hopefully you'll get more responses. And please keep us posted on what you purchase and if you like it!

 

[Tuffcookie]

OP,
My first digital camera was an Olympus C-720. It had 8 x optical zoom, 3 MP. It had a view finder in addition to an LCD screen. I think I remember the lag time was considerable. Not sure how it's rated for lag time on the one you're looking at.

My 2nd digital was the Canon S2. I absolutely loved that camera. I went from 8 optical zoom to 12!

I was seriously thinking of taking the plunge and getting a digital SLR the 3rd time around.

Then the S5 came out.

After weighing the pros and cons I purchased the S5. I loved the fact that the same day I purchased it, that night I was at youngest DS's band show and could record his school's portion in it's entirety!

My vote is for the S5!

TC

 

[TwingleMum]

I was considering a camera with no optical view finder but when I went to the store to try it out I was annoyed looking around the store without bright sunlight that there was no optical viewfinder. So I found out real quick an optical viewfinder doesmatter to me. (Your mileage may vary )