Hey camera experts!!!

[Merandab4]

Hi All,
I have been doing some research on some digital cameras, (yes, it's time to give up the 1.3MP Fugi Finepx, although it is a great little camera).

Anyway, I want something that I can use for everyday use, but will help me transition to semi-pro. I have on occasion done senior pictures for people and have been asked to take pictures at my friends second wedding. (I mentioned that it was her second wedding because she does not want to spend the money for a true professional photographer).

I don't want something too bulky, because of course I want to be able to carry it around WDW for like 8 hours at a time..lol

Here are my choices so far. Please let me know if you have any experience with one of these camera and what you thought of it.

By the way, My husband wanted to buy me the cannon rebel, (we found it for $650 which is a great deal) I've read on here that it is an excellent camera, but I felt that it was too bulky for me, and would feel odd whipping it out for just candids and snapshots.

These are in no particular order......

1. Cannon Powershot G6
7.1 mp
4x optical zoom
SLR style grip
9 point auto focus2" vari-angle LCD screen.
weight- .8lb
cost- $599 plus a $30 rebate

2. Kodak easy share DX7590
5 mp
10x optical zoom
2.2" LCD screen
professional lens
manual controls
weight- .7lb
cost- $449 plus possible 70 rebate

3. Kodak easy share Z740
5mp
10x optical zoom
1.8" high-resolution LCD with auto picture rotation, electronic veiwfinder
weight- 10.1 oz
cost???

4. Kodak easy share DX7630
6.1 mp
3x optical zoom
2.2 lcd screen
advanced lens
manual controls
22 scene modes
weight- .5 lb
cost $ 299

5. Fugi finepix E550
6.3 mp
4x optical zoom
2" lcd screen
fast start up time
weight- .4lb
cost- $349

6. Was also looking at the Cannon S700 but found that it weighed 21 oz and think that maybe that would be to heavy for me to carry around all day.

What do you all think?

I am also considering lag time for each. But for some, I could not find that info.

I also looked at consumer reports.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[JudithM]

Have you searched on www.dpreview.com? That site has lots of good info on digital cameras. Good luck with your decision.

 

[mla973]

Merandab4 -

I will try to help out with some advice. I have the Kodak Easy Share DX7440, and I love it. (Not that this is the exact model, but there are simliarities.) Mine is a 4MP with the special color chip, which is fantastic. I printed over 500 photos from my last WDW with it!!!! And that doesn't count what I deleted!!! (I found the preset scenes for Indoor and Landscape to be particularly helpful at WDW.)

My favorite part about the Easy Share system is that the camera just plugs into the computer and all you do is press transfer and the photos go onto the computer. With the Easy Share software, you can resize, change red-eye, enhance lighting. etc. I was very hesitant to go digital, and now I wouldn't have it any other way.

I did have my zoom lens motor break after I bumped it on something, and Kodak replaced it all for free (we were within the warranty period). I don't own the dock, and really don't feel it's necessary, unless you want to charge batteries that way. I have not found it a problem not to have it. I do modify all my photos after uploading and then burn onto a CD to take to the store and print. (Still can't do the online printing thing - I am too impatient!)

My father just purchased the DX7590. I have only used it once and found it to be a bit too bulky for my preference. The zoom was incredible. It does look like you can use preset or manual settings.

Let me point out that I work for an architectural firm, where we spend $2,000 - $4,000 on a professional photo shoot for our best work, and we use mostly my camera for the rest.

Hope that gives you a little insight. Good luck deciding. We purchased from Circuit City when they had a free memory card and case. I bought Kingston memory cards from www.zipzoomfly.com and have been very happy with them.

 

[pattyT]

I'm no expert - i am just nosey and wanted to see what the post said...
that said
I have the Kodak Easy Share Dx4530 (yup the cheapie Walmart day after thanksgiving sale 5mp special!)
and I LOVE IT
I am suprised how much... dh wanted to get me the nikon d90 and at 1k i said no - I don't need another big bulky cameras - i just want something i can carry around in the diaper bag....
i especially love the nighttime mode...
i cant even get good pictures with my 35mm nikon n65

 

[jessiann97]

I recommend Kodak Easyshare cameras. I've owned 3 of them and have never had a problem.

 

[Augustheather97]

I just bought a few months ago a Pentax Optio SV...and I LOVE it....5 mp, 5x opticla zoom and takes crystal clear pics and not much larger than a altoids container....I can;t recommend it enough...you will be thrilled with it...and I only paid $335 for it

 

[Spinning]

I will give my input too since i just bought a digital camera about a month ago.
I bought a Fuji fine pix s51000. I love it. It is a 4 meg. with a 10x optical zoom. The pictures are beautiful. The lag time is not bad, I really don't notice it much. Plus for those action moving shots it has both a sports mode and this wonderful rapid fire that is great!
what memory cards do you have now? That is an added expense. I went from an SD card to and XD card....so had to buy 2 new cards.

Best bet is to go to the store and hold all of the cameras. I thought for sure I was going to get a minolta or the kodak but I didn't like the feel in my hands! Good luck!
oh here is anothe great site for comparing:http://www.steves-digicams.com/
Also the one Judith M mentioned is very good at doing a side by side comparison.

 

[MadamG2U]

Hi I dont post often but wanted to tell you that I have the DXS7630. I love my camera! I got it from Costco on a special. It came with the dock and a 512 card all for $329 including shipping. Recently went to a wedding and shot over 200 pictures. Its very easy to use and the easyshare software is great.

 

[ksjayhawks]

I have the dx7590. Took it along on our cruise and got fantastic pictures! I find that it fits easily into my purse, etc. I like the zoom features and the different manual settings as well as being able to do video clips. It came with the dock and I am getting the portable battery charger for use when traveling. I really like the easyshare software. My dh uses our old easyshare camera.

 

[ksjayhawks]

sorry duplicate post.

 

[zagafi]

You want to go "semi-pro" and not use a DSLR?? Wow. That's going to be very limiting and make it very difficult, I think.

If you're seriously wanting to do portraits as a business, I *highly* recommend getting a prosumer DSLR. You can take great snaps in auto mode if you choose, but you'll have full manual controls and be able to switch lenses for greater creativity.

 

[Merandab4]

Thank you all for your input on the cameras.
Dh and I went shopping tonight and I got the Kodak 7590. It is 5mp and has 10x optical zoom.

I took all my printouts of the ones I was interested in with me to the stores. I've been doing plenty of research online so I basically knew which ones I thought I wanted, but wanted to be able to hold the camera in person so I knew how heavy it was going to be. I have to thank the salesmen at Circut City for being so honest with me. I showed him the pic of the camera I was interested in (which I found on the Circut City website), it was the 7590. He told me that it was a GREAT camera, but it was discontinued. He showed me the one that replaced it, but said it wasn't as good because the lens was not as good because it was glass. Evidentally the 7590 has a different kind of lens, (the schneider something or other lens) anyway, he said with glass lenses the pictures aren't as sharp. Well, I was a little bummed out because after looking at them, I really wanted the 7590. I decided that I would go home and look online somewhere to see if it was still available. Well, before we went home, DH suggested we stop at Sam's Club. low and behold they had the camera. The lady working in the photo lab was very helpful and said she wished she had that camera. Also there was a gentlemen there developing his own pictures who had this camera and he just raved about it!
Well, I have the camera charging right now, but by tomorrow I should be playing around with it. I am so excited! Thank you all so much for your suggestions!

 

[nicurn]

glad you found a camera you liked. have fun playing with it. maggie

 

[Spinning]

wow I don't think I have ever in my life heard that glass lenses weren't the best. I was told by many many sales persons in camera stores to stay with a glass lens. Plus a schneider lens is one of the top leading lenes in the camera world.
anyway!
So glad you were able to find the camera you actually wanted. I think in the end that is what makes for great pictures if the owner is happy with the camera!