Need help please!!! on new camera

[kidslvdizny2]

I'm looking to purchase a new digital camera. Not quite ready for a SLR. I've been looking at the 12x optical zoom as I am a scrapbooker and would like closer pics. We also have a dis trip next monthand I would love some good pics.
Can anyone recommend a few they think are good value for $$ spent. I'm getting confused reading reviews. I also can't always trust the salespeople in the stores. They are not always that knowledgable.
It also seems the more I look into it the more confusing the specs get. I'm not that knowledgable. ISO's and noise etc.. I would like a point and shoot with some other options that I can learn as I go. 10-12x opt zoom

Thanks I hope this makes some sense to someone out there

Kidslvdizny2

 

[S. C.]

I love my Canon Powershot S3 IS. It has 12x zoom. Below is a link with pics from the canon S3 and tips.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1235546

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/s3is.html

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

If you take a lot of low-light action shots (indoor sports like basketball or dance) you'd probably do best with the Fuji S6000fd .... it's got the best low-light performance of any of the P&S "superzooms."

For most other types of shooting, I prefer my Canon S3. It's got a longer zoom and (IMO) better features; including IS which is crucial at the long end of the zoom.

 

[YEKCIM]

S3-IS and S6000fd Comparison

S3-IS is smaller/lighter, has a longer "reach" on the telephoto end of the zoom, and has Image Stabilization. Fuji has better low-light / high-ISO performance, true wide angle on the wide end of the zoom, face recognition technology, more powerful flash, and mini-SLR ergonomics.

~YEKCIM

 

[pjstevens]

It also seems the more I look into it the more confusing the specs get. I'm not that knowledgable. ISO's and noise etc.. I would like a point and shoot with some other options that I can learn as I go. 10-12x opt zoom

I recently bought the Kodak Z712 for my birthday. I wanted the high optical for close ups and the ease of 'point and shoot' for my hubby who can't figure anything out. I LOVE my new camera. I have been taking pics none stop the past two months. Can't wait for our disney trip. I debated between the newer Fuji one and the new kodak. I didn't go cannon as i was in an under 300 price range (all my bday money).

 

[kidslvdizny2]

Thank you so much, for your info and suggestions. It's funny until I got your responses I was only looking at Kodak,olympus and panasonic.I hadn't even considered Cannon. I did find the cannon SI3 at a pretty good price. I'm still weighing it all out so if anyone else has anything to add I'm open for suggestions.
the salesman at Circuit city suggested a panasonic DMCTZ3K if I wanted to stay with a slim camera and big zoom. I'm not that attached to having only a slim camera.
I'll let you know what I get. I'll probably have a ton more questions

Kidslvdizny2

 

[Groucho]

I wouldn't consider anything except the S6000fd myself. It's got more features than the rest (raw mode, real zoom and focus rings, etc), and most importantly, it's got a much larger sensor than the any of the competition. This means much better low-light ability as well as the ability to capture moving objects better (where IS won't help you.) The zoom is 10.7x, so it's really not that much less than the 12x models, and it goes wider (equivalent of 28mm) than most. Furthermore, it costs less than many - about $250 after rebate last I checked.

This isn't to say that other cameras aren't good. But for long-zooms, nothing has the ergonomics and the low-light ability (and probably quality in any light) as the Fuji.

 

[kidslvdizny2]

Ok here it goes. I went in looking for the Fuji s6000fd to play with it. my Circuit city didn't have it. I again played with the S3IS and was pretty much decided until this associate who happened to be pretty knowledgable in cameras ( I brought a friend along so i wasn't getting fed a bunch of BS) anyway after talking with me and finding out I have a point and shoot olympus d565 (very old) he showed me the Olympus sp 510uz. I like my olympus alot just doesn't have big zoom. At this point I was very confused on what to do.
I saw a customer looking at SLR cameras. I spoke to him and he definitly knew more about camera's than I do. I tild him I was torn between the two and didn't know which to decide on.
He said either one would do what I wanted the olympus seemed to be faster shutter speed just playing with it in the store and not messing with buttons.
This is where it came down to price. both camera's were less expensive on circuit city's web site than in the store plus I had a coupon for an additional $15. I decided on the olympus SP-510UZ which came down to $219 as opposed to $285 plus I also already have the xd memory card.
I want to thank you guys for all your suggestions. I hope I won'r be disappointed. Now I have to figure out how to work it

Kidslvdizny2