best image quality for 550-ish??

[Adamzx3]

I want to spend between 500 and 550 on a digital camera, but I want good image quality...the ones I came across where the FZ20 and the Sony DSC-f717. THE FZ20 is a little noisey but then the f717 doesn't have any image stabalization, and is awkward to hold. does anyone have any FZ20 pics that are cleaned up with clean image or noiseninja?

[Jayde]

Hi Adamzx3
:)
would you mind lookin here... 1st..
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1887
maybe the FZ15 is an option...

we here to help tho..
any queries post here plz

f717 doesn't have any image stabalization.. you will struggle without it over 200mm.. so..

no noisy pics.. im looking tho..
helicon noise filter is free also.. :D

[Thon]

Does the 550-ish include cost for extra memory cards, bag or batteries as well?????

And I agree with Jayde, if you do not need a flash hotshoe or 4MP is sufficient, the FZ15 should be considered as well.

[Adamzx3]

hmm i was always under the impression the fz15 was a 3mp camera lol. The hotshoe isnt a big deal....maybey in the future I would use one, and 550ish without memory,bag,tripod and such....just the camera and lens

[Jayde]

you made me look lol..
4-megapixel effective CCD for images up to 2304 x 1728 pixels
from the review ok..

The 5-megapixel FZ20 and 4-megapixel FZ15.
3mp FZ3
4MP FZ10

yeh :D

[aaava]

If you check out the prices here for the FZ20, you can get one from a couple of reputable online dealers for under 500 bucks. Of course, the 16MB card that it's sold with is worthless, so you'll want to get at least a 128MB stick. Whatever you do, do NOT buy the Canon Powershot S1...and I'd be suspicious of ANY Canon DSLR, based on the 'E18' error that seems to happen on too high a pct. of their cameras. You can do a google search to find out more...

But the FZ20, from the research I did, seems to be the best value for the price, and your budget was right around what mine was. I ended up buying the FZ20 for 488 bucks + 12 bucks or so shipping...of course I also bought 512MB, Crystal Optics 72mm Filter Kit, extra battery, and a couple of other doodads, (the 5yr warranty too...I NEVER buy the extended warranties on anything except computers, but after my experience with the Canon, and seeing how many ended up as paperweights, I decided the 60 bucks was worth it for the peace of mind...).

[timmciglobal]

Well...

I know you said 550 or so, but you can find a Rebel online for about 800, plus get 100 mail in rebate from canon. If you ask me, spending extra 150 and getting a digital rebel is WELL worth it. The camera is a totally different experience over using traditional digital and is far more expandable (want better quality or longer lens? Buy a new one. Want IS? buy an Is lens, want to shoot at ISO 800? sure do it)

Tim