Help! Need real life P850 info

[FS63]

I've been trying to find professional reviews for the Kodak P850 (e.g. Imaging-Resource, DigitalCameraInfo and here at DCR) without any luck. I'm trying to decide between the Sony DSC-H1, Panasonic DMC FZ series, Canon S2 IS the Kodak P850 and possibly the FUJI S5200 or Konica-Minolta Z6. I'm somewhat familiar with photography (definately not an expert) and would take advantage of any manual settings available. My main interests for this camera would be my sons sporting events (baseball, basketball, etc.), general outdoor photography and low light indoor photography (house parties, weddings, etc...) so fast focus, burst mode (good fps number), low light capabilities (w/o a flash) and good print quality for 8x10s are important. I've read that the P850 is somewhat slow to focus and that the viewfinder blacks out during burst mode... if anyone can verify these issues and offer any suggestions for my photography needs it would be much appreciated. Thanks...

[swgod98]

Due to your needs of indoor sporting event shooting, I would probably recommend the Fuji S5200. Not sure if it measures up on the burst mode, though. The S2 tops that list, then the P850 next.

I think all of these camera's lose the image in the viewfinder and LCD for a split second during burst mode captures (in between shots). The S2 has a normal burst mode (which is a bit slower fps, to keep preview going), but even it turns the LCD off for a moment in between captures.

My S2 has been to a hockey game, which is indoors. But, there is a lot of light bouncing off the ice down there, so all those pictures came out fine (and at ISO200). However, all the shots into the crowd came up with blurry fans (anyone who moved!). Because of this, I recommend the S5200. You will likely need the higher ISO ability. Plus, it will do you good indoors at your party/wedding events as well if you don't/can't use flash.

Unfortunately, I don't have any information on the S5200. No experience on it either (only what specs are listed online). So, there may be some flaws to it that I'm not aware of.

Maybe someone with a P850 can answer some of your Kodak related questions...

[extremefire]

I am in the same situation as you, right down as to which camera to purchase.

With as in depth as Jeff's other reviews were, I was hoping that he would of been doing a P850 review soon. But according to his upcoming review list, the soonest we could expect that is next month. My current front runner is the FZ30, though the P850 does look very interesting. I'll be watching for information as well.

[Atindra]

The lack of interests of professional reviewers of dcresource, dpreview etc sites on P850 camera is really frustrating. Camera's performance sofar seems really good.
Since it released I am keeping track on several forums on the pics posted from this camera and I am really impressed.
Atindra

[extremefire]

Maybe if we meditate on it, Jeff will wake up tomorrow morning, and go "Wow, no one has done a descent review on the P850, I better do one." :D

We probably will not be making our purchase until mid-November so we have some time to decide still, but it would be nice to have a descent review of it before then.

[Atindra]

I think Digitalcamerainfo, dcresource and steves-digicams could be the first sites to review that camera.
Atindra

[speaklightly]

For what it is worth, here are my views, after using the Kodak P-850 for two weeks. The P-850 represents a huge step forward for Kodak technically. However the P-850 is a step or two behing its competition (Canon S-2 IS, Sony H-1, Fuji S-5200, Panasonic FZ-5, and the KM Z-5/Z-6).

The Kodak P-850 will yield very good photos with great Kodak colors, when you have good outdoor lighting. The optimum range of operation for the P-850 is in good daylight up to 6X optical zone. As the light falls off and the optical zoom increases, the P-850 becomes slower at focusing, and the resulting photos loose contrast and eye appeal.

The built-in flash unit is quite powerful and will do a good job out to about 16 feet. You can easily extend the flash range out to 25 to 28 feet with the addition of a simple slave flash.The P-850 does not have a low light level focus assist lamp. Kodak claims the assist lamp is not necessary. When handled carefully and when minding all the technical details, the P-850 will do a reasonable, but not great job, in an existing light/no flash environment. Expect to see long focusing times when at or near the maximum optical zoom, and some visible noise in any image in which you have increased the ISO setting above 250.

Battery life is only average giving between 200 to 250 shots depending on how much LCD and Flash usage there is. Using the accessory lens/filter adaptor with the P-850 substantially increases the camera size from front to back, and some users may find it too large a package for their use.

The primary competition to the Kodak P-850 will come from the Fuji S-5200/S-5600 which is currently selling for $(US) 30 to $50 less and has a much higher ISO capability but no IS. The higher maximum ISO setting enhances the Fuji's existing light/no flash capability. The Kodak P-850 is not the front runner in the ultra zoom category. However, it is a good basic ultra zoom digital camera capable in most photograpic situations.

To add some perspcective to my comments, I am a professional and I have conducted digital camera workshops all over the world for the last 6 years.

Sarah Joyce

[Atindra]

Since I dont own P850, I can not counter Sarah's opinion, she had owned one and her opinion is user opinion. However, I had a thread on dpreview site and there are at present lots of P850 users, here is their responses,
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1011&message=15407333
http://photobucket.com/albums/b89/Todd83/
some great shots including low-light
http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=68670&forum_id=18
http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=70965&forum_id=18
http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=71150&forum_id=18
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1011&message=15456588
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1011&message=15464323
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1011&message=15419550
I can post some more threads if you wish. Most of the user found it better in competition.
Atindra

[speaklightly]

Atindra-

I agree with you that the P-850 is a user friendly digital camera and most folks like the camera's handling a lot. However, technically speaking the P-850 is still a step or two behind the competition.

Under the optimal daylight/sunny skies conditions, the Kodak colors look brilliant and of poster quality. I carry my cameras with me every day, and not every day provides those sunshine filled Kodak Moment photo environments.

Sarah Joyce

[FS63]

Thanks to everybody for their input... I was able to find the P850 in a local Best Buy and I found the burst mode a bit too slow for my taste (as well as the display blacking out for most of the shots). At this time based on specs and some "store time" I'm leaning towards the Panasonic DMC-FZ5 but I think I'll wait for a professional review on the Fuji S5200 before I make my decision.