Ok, which one...?

[Tinkerbellmom33]

Nikon coolpix S4
Canon S2 IS
Konica Minolta Dimage Z6

I can't decide

know the canons take beautiful picks, I've seen it here
What about the other two?

 

[YEKCIM]

Three suggestions:

1. Stay away from the K/M; they are out of the camera business (transferred to Sony)
2. You may want to add the Sony DSC-H1 to your "short list". It is very similar to the S2-IS, but has a larger LCD, and comes with two NiMH batteries and a charger.
3. Read the reviews on a couple of the review sites, comparing the models you are considering

Edit: Also, the Nikon does *not* have image stabilization, like the S2-IS, or the new S3-IS that Kelly mentions below. For the record, the H1 is also stabilized.

~YEKCIM

 

[Kelly Grannell]

S3 IS is already on the horizon. Wait for that one if you can. It should be out very soon.

 

[MICKEY88]

Three suggestions:

1. Stay away from the K/M; they are out of the camera business (transferred to Sony)

~YEKCIM

I respectfully disagree, SOny is handling customer service now...and some of the Minoltas are going at rock bottom prices,

if you trust Sony enough to buy the Sony, why not buy the Konica Minolta, which Sony now services..??

 

[YEKCIM]

MICKEY88:

I understand your view on this, and your point is well taken; my comment was just a suggestion, based on the uncertain future of the former Konica/Minolta camera line. I personally own two Maxxum film cameras with a bagful of lenses, and am anxiously waiting to see what direction Sony will take with the old K/M lens mount. I was very seriously considering the K/M 5D, until they announced the Sony arrangement. I'm still in hopes that Sony will come out with a dSLR using the old K/M mount (as has been promised), whereby I can squeeze a little more life out of my existing equipment. In the meantime, I'm quite happy with my Fuji S5200.

Thanks for giving the OP a different viewpoint on the K/M issue.

~YEKCIM

 

[MICKEY88]

MICKEY88:

I understand your view on this, and your point is well taken; my comment was just a suggestion, based on the uncertain future of the former Konica/Minolta camera line. I personally own two Maxxum film cameras with a bagful of lenses, and am anxiously waiting to see what direction Sony will take with the old K/M lens mount. I was very seriously considering the K/M 5D, until they announced the Sony arrangement. I'm still in hopes that Sony will come out with a dSLR using the old K/M mount (as has been promised), whereby I can squeeze a little more life out of my existing equipment. In the meantime, I'm quite happy with my Fuji S5200.

Thanks for giving the OP a different viewpoint on the K/M issue.

~YEKCIM

with DSLRs it's a little more risky, if you want to keep your camera for years and add to your system, with a point and shoot, I'd plan on replacing in 2 years anyway.


back to DSLRs I have 2 9000 Maxxums an 800SI and a bunch of lenses and accesories, I was patiently waiting for Minolta to come out with a 9D, when they announced the deal with Sony I switched to the same mode of thinking as you, waiting for Sony to come out with a DSLR, then I got impatient and decided to buy a 7D for now and add a Sony DSLR if they have a decent pro model..
so far they insist on using the Minolta mount and that all accessories will still be good, that is a plus, hopefully they will also make their DSLRs use compact flash, rather than their memory stick..that is one more way they can draw in the Minolta faithful...

hopefully they will also include the AS in body rather than going to lens like other companies...

one of the press releases I had read, said that Minolta would continue to supply bodies and lens to Sony

PS if you should think again about buying a 5D, check out the 7D first, right now the prices are very close

 

[YEKCIM]

I'm out of the camera market at present. As events turned out, I had some unexpected expenses that precluded dSLR or even IS-equipped P&S. The S5200 had a $50 rebate, making my net cost $222, which was within budget so I sprung for it. Not unhappy with it, especially for what I paid. Mrs. YEKCIM, OTOH, is a freelance pro and confiscated my two 7000i's and lenses thirteen years ago, when we married, for use in her business, so she has been following the K/M-SONY deal pretty closely, as she would like to switch from film to digital and, with the existing stock of lenses, the new SONY, if it is K/M mount (which seems all but certain) and has the Anti-Shake, would be very compelling. Lacking that, I think she is looking at Nikon or Canon, in that order. I suggested that the Canon 20D would be a good "starter" for her to make the switch to digital, but she is (wisely) waiting to see what SONY comes out with, hopefully later this summer, or early fall.

~YEKCIM

 

[MICKEY88]

I'm out of the camera market at present. As events turned out, I had some unexpected expenses that precluded dSLR or even IS-equipped P&S. The S5200 had a $50 rebate, making my net cost $222, which was within budget so I sprung for it. Not unhappy with it, especially for what I paid. Mrs. YEKCIM, OTOH, is a freelance pro and confiscated my two 7000i's and lenses thirteen years ago, when we married, for use in her business, so she has been following the K/M-SONY deal pretty closely, as she would like to switch from film to digital and, with the existing stock of lenses, the new SONY, if it is K/M mount (which seems all but certain) and has the Anti-Shake, would be very compelling. Lacking that, I think she is looking at Nikon or Canon, in that order. I suggested that the Canon 20D would be a good "starter" for her to make the switch to digital, but she is (wisely) waiting to see what SONY comes out with, hopefully later this summer, or early fall.

~YEKCIM

for obvious reason I'd go Sony also, although a 7D would work well for her..

after that I'd go with Canon over Nikon, from all I've read their gear is better,

 

[LMarge]

I love my S2IS - however heard the S3 is awesome from the reviews - I would wait for it!!! I've got pics from the S2 posted in the zoo blooms thread if you need to look at something - just playing with it - still trying to figure it all out!!!LOL
Marge

 

[mhutchinson]

Go for the gusto and get the Canon 5D with 24-105mm L IS USM, 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM, a 1.4X teleconverter, with the 580EX flash...that should get you off to a good start and I am sure you should be able to get it and a nice bag for about $6,000 (well maybe).

Seriously I would hold off for the S3IS unless cost is a factor and the S2IS has been coming down in price. I would go to Digital Photo Preview or Digital Camera Resource to help with the decission process. You might even find something you hadn't considered...

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Honestly, I don't like the 580 EX that much. Now I've replaced my 580 EX with Metz 54 MZ4.

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

Thank you for your replies!
I didn't even think about the stabilization with the Nikon, completely slipped my mind. I will check those links. I would wait for the S3, but I want to get it before our upcoming trip. Dh has been putting it off, and now it's almost here! My Dd's communion is next weekend too and I wanted to be able to use it for that and have time to play with the settings.
Thanks everyone!

 

[YEKCIM]

Let us know what you end up with, and how you like it. Are you buying from a brick-n-mortar retailer, or ordering online?

~YEKCIM

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

(sorry for the delay in responding, had to travel for the 1/2 the weekend for a family party)

I want to order on line, Dh wants to buy in store. Circuit City has it but more expensive then online. From what I could tell on line, Best Buy doesn't have it, WalMart is sold out (online), not at Target either. I'll have to shop around this week and see what I get. I'm really leaning towards the Canon. I'll let you know!!

 

[phinz]

Take the online printout to the store. I got Best Buy to match Circuit City's online price on my new Coolpix P4. I save about $70 or so that way.

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

I ordered the Canon S2IS from beachcamera.com!!! It takes 1-2 days to ship and I picked express shipping(3-6days) I'll let you know how it goes. I checked Best Buy and they don't have it, Walmart didn't and Sam's club only had it online for $380! Circuit City had it for $364. I got it for $328.86. I hope it comes fast! Hopefully I'll have at the end of the week if all goes well. We ordered our first camera this way to, so I hope all goes well.