I have a hard limit of 300$ I can spend

[episodic]

I have a hefty want list:

At least 8x optical zoom
RAW capture
All around good camera with unlimited movie mode
Low light capability with usable higher ISO settings

Type of memory is unimportant


Let me know what you think . . .

I can tell you I'm leaning towards either the Kodak P850 or the Fuji S5200.

[episodic]

No thoughts?

[NewsView]

I don't think the combination you are looking for exists at that pricepoint. You could get some of the features in the Fuji F10 (high ISOs) or the Casio Casio EX-Z750 (manual controls) or the Konica Minolta Z6 (12x optical zoom), but they don't all come in one package. Believe me, I wish they did.

I've posted my own experience in another thread about my attempt to upgrade my six-year-old digital camera with a similar budget, but despite all the advertising hype it seems like these current gen cameras force you to drop one feature to gain another. I think the manufacturers do this intentionally so that you will keep increasing your budget to obtain the desired features. As far as performance, the real shocker for me has been the relative lack of improvement in the new cameras. They have higher megapixels, but the tradeoff is that you can't appreciate those MPs as often as you imagine because camera shake destroys a 1/3 or more of the pics. Strangely, this did not seem to be so much of an issue a few years back (certainly not with my old Panasonic). The other thing you almost HAVE to have is manual control because the auto focus on these new cameras just doesn't cut it (again, unlike the old). You can go out and buy a disposable film point-and-shoot with decent focus from about 4ft out, but with the newer digital cameras the AF seems to be more finicky than should be acceptable for a so-called point-and-shoot. If you have to set up each shot using a menu or button, than it’s not the digital equivalent to a point-and-shoot film camera, in my opinion. Perhaps that's another way the manufacturers have to get us to upgrade to "image stabilization" and the like. I know it sounds conspiratorial, but when you find a six-year-old obsolete 1.3MP camera holding its own against cameras that should blow it away in every respect, you really have to wonder.

[episodic]

Thanks for the thoughts. Would the fuji s5200 not meet my needs? Is there something I need to know there? I can get the fuji with a 256 meg card to start for less tha 300$ shipped at amazon right now. It has a raw mode. It has 10x zoom.

Something I should know about this?


I don't think the combination you are looking for exists at that pricepoint. You could get some of the features in the Fuji F10 (high ISOs) or the Casio Casio EX-Z750 (manual controls) or the Konica Minolta Z6 (12x optical zoom), but they don't all come in one package. Believe me, I wish they did.

I've posted my own experience in another thread about my attempt to upgrade my six-year-old digital camera with a similar budget, but despite all the advertising hype it seems like these current gen cameras force you to drop one feature to gain another. I think the manufacturers do this intentionally so that you will keep increasing your budget to obtain the desired features. As far as performance, the real shocker for me has been the relative lack of improvement in the new cameras. They have higher megapixels, but the tradeoff is that you can't appreciate those MPs as often as you imagine because camera shake destroys a 1/3 or more of the pics. Strangely, this did not seem to be so much of an issue a few years back (certainly not with my old Panasonic). The other thing you almost HAVE to have is manual control because the auto focus on these new cameras just doesn't cut it (again, unlike the old). You can go out and buy a disposable film point-and-shoot with decent focus from about 4ft out, but with the newer digital cameras the AF seems to be more finicky than should be acceptable for a so-called point-and-shoot. If you have to set up each shot using a menu or button, than it’s not the digital equivalent to a point-and-shoot film camera, in my opinion. Perhaps that's another way the manufacturers have to get us to upgrade to "image stabilization" and the like. I know it sounds conspiratorial, but when you find a six-year-old obsolete 1.3MP camera holding its own against cameras that should blow it away in every respect, you really have to wonder.

[NewsView]

I was thinking of that price/feature set for 6MP, but otherwise this deal looks fantastic for what you get. I can't say that I've researched this model, though.

[bascom]

The P850 had a big price drop to $300 or less recently. I think it's now the cheapest zoom on the market but the S5200 isn't far behind.