Need help choosing which camera

[ashbandicoot]

Well, first off let me say that I'm new to the forums so hello to all.

My current camera is the Fujiflim FinePix 2600z, although its been a fairly good camera, i'd like to upgrade to something with more features and less bulk. Mainly the size of the camera limits my use because it isnt easy to carry around. Also it lacks manual modes, different scenes and other features, which I dont miss since I dont have them, but would like a camera that offered some.

The cameras that I am currently considering are the Fujifilm FinePix F10, Canon A520 and A620, Canon SD450/500. But the F10 and A620 are the two I am considering to most. I've read many reviews both from this site and others and current owners reviews on all the cameras and I am still stuck on which would fit me better. I am open to suggestions on other cameras as well.

For the most part I shoot tons of car shows (indoor & outdoor) as well as outdoor scenery. I dont shoot many night shots, but i'd like a camera with a fairly strong flash, if possible.

Budget: $350 or less
Megapixels: 5 to 7
Optical zoom: 3x or higher
Image quality: 8 or 9 (1-10 scale)
Manual controls: I'm very new to this since mine doesnt have them, but I would like some on the camera
General usage: cars shows, outdoor life, pics of friends, racing events
Prints: for the most part nothing over 5x7, although some larger ones for the outdoor scenes and car show images

Thank you:)

[ashbandicoot]

No ideas or suggestions?

[George Riehm]

No ideas or suggestions?

Since you haven't received an answer...
... and have included racing events in your usage (I'm assuming auto racing) you might want to look at some of the ultra zooms (10X-12X) from Canon and Panasonic. These cameras are probably at the top of your price range and a little beyond but worth considering.

[ashbandicoot]

Thanks I'll look into the ultrazooms.

Other than the ultrazooms, I think i've narrowed it down to the Canon A530, 610, and 620. So it basically comes down to image quality and features in making my decision. Is there a noticeable difference in the quality between the three?

The 610 and 620 have the swivel out LCD screen, which could be handy and fun. I can think of times at auto shows where i would have liked that feature. But the 530 only uses 2 batteries compared with 4 for the other two, but its not a big issue. And is lower in price which would prompt me to get a 1GB SD card over a 512mb for the 610/620, at least initially at the time of purchase. And then there is the megapixels difference of 5 for the 530 and 610 and 7 for the 620.

[George Riehm]

Thanks I'll look into the ultrazooms.

Other than the ultrazooms, I think i've narrowed it down to the Canon A530, 610, and 620. So it basically comes down to image quality and features in making my decision. Is there a noticeable difference in the quality between the three?

The 610 and 620 have the swivel out LCD screen, which could be handy and fun. I can think of times at auto shows where i would have liked that feature. But the 530 only uses 2 batteries compared with 4 for the other two, but its not a big issue. And is lower in price which would prompt me to get a 1GB SD card over a 512mb for the 610/620, at least initially at the time of purchase. And then there is the megapixels difference of 5 for the 530 and 610 and 7 for the 620.

If you are not printing larger than 8 x 10 the extra MP's will not make any difference, and very little difference even with larger sized prints. If you crop a lot then the extra resolution may be more useful.

The articulating LCD is a very handy tool. If I were ever to buy an all-in-one again this feature would be a must.

[ashbandicoot]

Thank you very much George.

I agree on the handy LCD feature. So now its either the 610 or 620. I doubt that I would be printing anything larger than 8x10, mostly 5x7 prints and 8x10s. Looks like the 610 is what I'll be going with.

[jdhu]

fuji f30 perhaps? comes out next month, good performance, compact, has some useful manual controls, high ISO shots, good low light supposedly...

only thing is it comes out at $400...

[bascom]

Thanks I'll look into the ultrazooms.
Other than the ultrazooms, I think i've narrowed it down to the Canon A530, 610, and 620. So it basically comes down to image quality and features in making my decision. Is there a noticeable difference in the quality between the three?

There are reviews on this site of the A540 (similar to the A530) and the A620 (similar to the A610). Check them for quality. The images for all 3 cameras look equally nice to me. I bought the A610 last month and am enjoying it.

If your decision is A530 or A610, there are some other threads in this forum that discuss that. Basically, it comes down to, do you want the smaller A530 with higher ISO or the A610 with better video and swivel LCD?

If you want more zoom than 4x, some point and shoots with 6x are the A700, Panasonic LZ3/LZ5. Or ultrazooms of 10-12x are Pana FZ5/FZ7, TZ1, Fuji S5200, and Kodak Z650. They are all $350 or less.