Looking for a Digital Camera....

[kizmac]

I've been looking more online and such, and I've made up a list of a few things I think are good qualities...

-picture quality
-optical zoom
-AA batteries
-quick start-up


Thanks for all the help; but I think I need to go to best buy (or another store like that) and get the feel for these cameras then chose...

Yep, those are the biggies! Give the Sony Cybershot p200 a try at Best Buy. The start up is like lightening! As for the AA, I've had both kinds of cams that used lith-ion and AA.......I find I prefer the lith ones. I just got a second battery and always keep one charged. They tend to be lighter than AA which can add to the weight of the cam. I used rechargeable AA's but was always finding that the kids would steal them from my camera and then I couldn't find them to recharge and would be buying rechargeables all the time. I don't have that problem with the litho-ion.

If size isn't a big deal and you don't need to have a camera that fits in your pocket, definitely consider the Panasonic Fz5. Circuit City carries it, but I didn't see it at our Best Buy, but remember when you're lookin they will all be cheaper online. Just see what you like the feel of.

 

[mousefansmom]

I also purchased the Panasonic FZ5. It is fabulous. We had an older Kodak digital which was ok, but this Panasonic takes the best digital pics that I have ever seen. I did quite a bit of research and found that the German lens that it has (Leica) is considered one of the best made in the world and most cameras with that lens go for thousands of dollars. I also got the HP Photosmart printer (package deal at a local Electronic Store) and nobody that I have encountered can tell the difference between the pictures I took with the Panasonic and printed with the HP, and those that I took with my 35 mm and had developed at the photo store. I am amazed, and I love how easy it was to learn the camera. The battery life has been quite good, although I did buy an extra. I would have preferred CF cards to the SD, but so far I have hundreds of pictures and a dozen short video's on my 1 G card and it is still going great.
I truly am a believer in the Panasonic and can't wait for our trip. . .!

Mousefansmom

I purchased the Panasonic FZ5 a couple of weeks ago for our upcoming trip to WDW, and I am absolutely blown away by this camera. It is simply amazing! The 12X optical zoom along with the Image Stabilization are great. The small size and light weight of the camera are also nice features.

The price of $388 mentioned above is also a very good deal for this camera, and if this is within your budget, I would highly recommend it.

I also looked at the Canon S2 IS and the Sony DSC-H1, both of which are also extremely nice, but ultimately settled on the Panasonic.

My previous digital camera was a Nikon that used CF memory cards, and I was hoping to find a new camera that utilized the same memory format in order to avoid having to also buy new memory as well, but the Panasonic was still the best choice for me.

 

[joanchris]

Hi,I just got a new Kodak dx7440 (4 mp, 4xoptical zoom, + lots more) I researched literally for 2 mos for this camera, trying to stay in budget but get a good camera, read tons of reviews on many different cameras. This is not the smallest digi cam out there, but is not too bulky either. I am totally pleased with this camera, it's many different options (even fireworks setting for getting pics there! and nightime shooting to get people and background). The battery life is pretty great, but i did buy an extra one (li ion, not AAs like I had originally wanted. )
Paid only $193 for it, search Froogle for "kodak dx7440" to find best price, I've seen it for as much as $300 elsewhere.
Joan
68 days til wish trip to Disney, my girls' first time!

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks kizmac! I think the LZ2 is my pick, just waiting on my birthday money! I drove past hhgregg today and thought I should pull them up online... They have the camera for $239.97 with free shipping! I think that is the cheapest I have seen it!

 

[ukcatfan]

Just a word of warning about hhgregg. I have made two major purchases there and their customer service was downright horrible. This was in Louisville, KY.

 

[lenshanem]

Uh, circuit city has dropped their price since this morning on the LZ2. It is now at $249.99, still with free shipping... hhgregg still cheaper, though.

 

[lenshanem]

As of today everyone seems to have dropped their price on the LZ2. I wonder if this is because of the new cameras coming out that kizmac mentioned??? Glad I waited!

 

[dragonfly75]

awesome about the price drop!!

 

[elgerber]

Another Panasonic Lumix user, I have the FZ20. We love it, Panasonic would be a great choice!

 

[ukcatfan]

Wow, ukcatfan, tell us how you really feel.

It looks like Kodak finally got the mesasage that their digital cameras were not up to par with the industry. I was floored when I read this yesterday. http://www.dpreview.com/news/0508/05080202kodak_p880p850.asp
With as big of a company as Kodak is, it is about time they put out a camera than looks like it will compete. I am waiting for the reviews on these. I especially would like to see the ISO performance (it goes all the way from 50 to 800 with many selections in between). The P880 also has a ISO 1600 setting, but only at 0.8MP, which makes it pretty useless. The street prices should place the P850 around the $400 mark after initial hype.

 

[dragonfly75]

ok, another camera I'm curious about is the Cyber-shot DSC-T5. From what I've read on review sites, people either love it or hate it...does anyone use this camera? It sounds great for candids!

 

[fairytalehaven]

I love my Kodak CX 4mp. The pictures are great and it's very easy to use. I especially like the ease of downloading onto the computer. Just insert the usb and go.

 

[lenshanem]

OP, did you ever decide on one?

 

[dragonfly75]

Actually, I bought one last night. I bought the Sony cyber-shot P73. I don't think anyone suggested it, but it looked like a good camera. So far I'm really happy with it.... plus the price was right- only $150! (that was $100 off the original price!)