Need help with a couple cameras I'm considering

[aaronlisar]

OK, my wife and I are looking at replacing our Kodak DX5790 camera. We really like the Kodak but would like to use the camera as a camcorder as well but we cannot zoom in video mode at all. We'd also like to get some higher optical zoom (currently 10X) and a little higher MP (currently 5). We've narrowed the choices down to the following three cameras and I was wondering if I could get some advice.

1. Olympus SP550- Ultrazoom. This looks like a great camera with a wopping 18X optical zoom and 7.1MP but I'd have to replace my SD cards for XD and I've read elsewhere online that you cannot zoom during video if you have audio enabled. Whats the point then right?

2. Sony Cybershot H9. Nice 15X Optical zoom. I haven't read enough good reviews about this camera to feel good about it and haven't read anything about video mode yet. Its got 8MP but I've read that it can't handle it that well so people are tuning it down to 5 or 6MP. I also don't like having to purchase new media cards.

3. Actually two cameras here, Canon Powershot S3 or S5. I've read that the upgrades to the S5 from the S3 arent that great and certainly not enough to pay the extra $200 for. Pro's for this camera I've found is that it does exactly what I want for video but the S3 is only 6MP vs 8 in the S5 and zoom is 12X so it's not much of an upgrade. I also get to keep my SD cards here as well. I can get the S3 on Amazon for just under $300 new so that is the best priced I've found yet.

Well, thats it. I didn't include a Kodak for replacement because I can't find one (non SLR) that will do what I want in video. Anyway, these are my options right now and I think I am leaning towards either one of the canons. Oh yeah, I almost forgot I did read a review on the Canon S5 talking about how the battery door is also the spot where the SD card goes and they found it to be a weak spot that might render the camera useless later on. I'd also like to mention that I have yet to actually go to the store and look at these cameras personally as I have been doing all my homework online before I go into the store. Any help would be greatly appreciated and sorry for being long winded. I'm now going to bed since I have to get the kids up in six hours.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

As someone who absolutely LOVES their S3 (check out our thread of S3 pics to see what you can do with one), I'd vote for the S3.

It might not have the zoom of the Olympus, but in every comparison I've seen the Canon takes better pics. Same with the Sony ... the noise reduction starts destroying detail as soon as you get above ISO100. The Canon pics *are* noiser, but they preserve more detail that can be rescued with Noiseware/Noise Ninja/etc.

The video on the S3 is great (the zoom works at full speed and you cannot hear it in the audio thanks to the "ultrasonic" motor) and the only downside is the 1G (about 8.5min.) limit per clip. However, it's got a dedicated movie button, and starting another video clip is a single press ... so I don't find it to be that big of a limit.

The S5 is basically the S3 with more MP, a flash hotshoe, a 4G video limit and a bigger LCD ... personally, I don't think it's worth the extra $200 for these features. You could almost buy a DSLR for that!

Don't let MP be a factor in your decision. Higher MP on small-sensor cameras (basically any P&S) *really* just means noisier pics or blurrier pics (depending on the level of in-camera noise reduction). A pic from a 6MP camera will easily make prints 8"x12" or larger.