New to this board...Need advice on new camera

[kkmauch]

I want to buy a new digital camera. I am not really a novice, but I am also not a professional. I would be using the camera for everything from vacations to nights on the town with my pals. I want something that won't be annoyingly large and cumbersome to carry, something that won't be terribly heavy, something intermediate-advanced for ease of use, and something that won't cost me more than $300. I prefer lots of optical zoom and 5+ mp.

Any suggestions? I don't want a Kodak, no offense to Kodak lovers, but I won't buy another one.

Thanks!

 

[Jeanne B]

My recommendation would be the Canon S2 or S3 although the S2 is more in your price range unless you can find a special on the S3 (watch dealsofamerica.com). Both have image stabilization and 12x zoom, the S2 is 5MP, S3 is 6MP, the S3 has a slightly larger LCD. Here's a link to their specs on dpreview. Beachcamera and buydig are generally the cheapest place to buy them (these are sister sites, very reputable) but often Dell has a special on them also. There's a lot of S2 and S3 owners on this board (including myself).

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...byside&cameras=canon_s2is,canon_s3is&show=all

 

[Groucho]

The Sony H5 and Canon S3 seems to be the usual recommendations if you want something with a big longer zoom, though others are good, too. (I wish Fuji would start putting true IS in their long-zoom cameras so they'd make it on the list!) If you want something smaller... well, then it gets even more complicated.

 

[kkmauch]

after doing lots of research here and places like pcmag.com, I decided on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7S, 6 MP and 12X optical zoom.

I ordered it from BuyDig.com and should see it in about a week. Incidentally, it will be delivered to my house, more than likely when no one is home, and it will sit on the front step. I live in MN and recently the highs during the day have been barely able to get above 0 degrees. Will it hurt my camera to sit out on the step all day until I come home from work?

 

[Groucho]

I think it's usually not so much the temperature that causes problems, it's the change in temperature (and especially humidity) when you bring it back to a warm environment - you'll probably want to let it sit for a few hours to get completely to room temperature.

But I'm not an expert in these matters, so don't sue me if I'm wrong.

 

[ukcatfan]

after doing lots of research here and places like pcmag.com, I decided on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7S, 6 MP and 12X optical zoom.

I ordered it from BuyDig.com and should see it in about a week. Incidentally, it will be delivered to my house, more than likely when no one is home, and it will sit on the front step. I live in MN and recently the highs during the day have been barely able to get above 0 degrees. Will it hurt my camera to sit out on the step all day until I come home from work?

This is not an issue b/c it is from Buydig. They require a signature 100% of the time. You will likely need to go down to your local FedEx office to pick it up (I think they use FedEx at least).

Kevin

 

[kkmauch]

Good to know, Kevin. Thanks for the info!