SLR-like

[ruel]

Im looking to replace my Canon A510 which is a piece of !@#$ with two cameras. An ultracompact and a SLR-like. I have already made a choice based on the features that I am looking for, for an ultracompact, and have chosen the Kodak V550. The search for a SLR-like has been far more difficult however.

Here is what you should need.
Budget- ~$500
Size- SLR Like
Megapixels- 5+
Image quality- 7+
Usage- amateur photography, learning more about cameras until i get an SLR, the ultracompact will be for taking everday pictures of friends etc.
Prints- Yes, for framing or larger
Photo- I will be shooting all types of photos, indoor, our, still, action
Image stabilization would be nice as I dont want a monopod with me all the time

If i can think of more i will of course add more.

[Geoff Chandler]

ruel,
Firstly - I am a bit concerned that the Canon A510 didn't meet
with your approval, not that I have one - I have always thought
it should be a reasonable compact - similar to the A70 and A75 it
replaced.
As for an SLR like compact point and shoot - I hesitate to recomend
my current camera (KM- A200) - but it fits the bill nearly exactly.
I have been very pleased with it. It is easy to use in point and shoot 'Auto' but I prefer to do more and this camera can do as little or as much
as you wish (almost) it has a manual zoom ( like SLR's) which,
though a bit uneven and cheap feeling, works briliantly!. The pics
are very natural - there is lots of adjustments that can be made to
get the pictures to come out how you like.
This has a 28 - 200 zoom. If you prefer a longer zoom then maybe look at
Panasonics (FZ 20) - I was going to say the Canon S2 - but maybe you
would like a break from Canon - the S2 is excellent though.
I hope you find something you like - make sure that you get to try out
a few different models hands on.
Good luck
Geoff

[timmciglobal]

FZ-30?

Fz-5?

Depends how big you want the SLR like to be, both nice cameras.

Tim

[coldrain]

Sony cybershot DSC-H1? It is the least noisy of the "SLR like" Ultrazooms (iso 200 and 400 usable!) and uses AA size batteries.

[reyval2k]

Another plus for the KM A200 - it goes up to ISO 800 compared to the other UZs within your price range which only get up to ISO 400.

[Balrog]

Just out of curiosity - what did you dislike so much about the A510? It's a fairly compact camera with decent performance and quality in most situations..

[ruel]

bad build quality for the purpose
im still waiting for more input just as an fyi