Help FAST!! Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 5.0 MP

[meganecp]

I know someone who has this camera for sale. It is used and they are asking 175.00. I looked up reviews about this camera and that seems like a good price...can anyone tell me if this is a good camera?? I was thinking of getting the LUMIX DMC FZ7 is this as good of a camera? I am guessing the LUMIX would be close to 300.00 so this camera would be much less...

[bascom]

Here is the Z5 review: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/minolta/dimage_z5-review/index.shtml

It sounds fairly good to me but it doesn't have high speed download. You would need to use a card reader. Same for the Panasonics (Lumix).

I don't know why you want an ultrazoom for just routine family portraits.

[meganecp]

I want to learn more about photography...I would like to be able to learn how to take different kinds of pictures...I am not really sure where I will end up going with it....so I want something I can kind of grow with I don't want to get a camera and then wish I had gotten something that had more options in a few months...any suggestions? I just thought this camera was for sale for a great price...I am open to all opinions!!

[tim11]

Please don't start too many threads over the same subject.
I'd get FZ7 or A710.
Z5 is an older camera and it didn't win many people hearts even then. KM is now history.
And Your kids might mistake Z5 for a component of their PlayStation. :D

BTW: What's your budget limit? Do you want ultra zoom or more compact type? Any camera can make portrait that you want to do. It all depend on your skill to make those portrait stand out, in fact.

[meganecp]

About 300.00 I would like to spend the least possible.

[tim11]

FZ7 is a very capable learning camera though not perfect - but there is no perfect camera anyway. It has been criticized for Panasonic characteristic noise levels. If you view images at 100% it will be plain to see, though I have to add that I made 11x14" photos of FZ20 and see no noise.
Check DCRP Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_fz7-review/index.shtml), and also check its sample images gallery (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_fz7-review/gallery.shtml). I suggest you make some large prints of these images and see for yourself; don't just take my words for it.
For its price, speed and function, it's hard to beat. One word of advice though, if you want to take portraits indoors you may need to invest in some lighting system as well, average light bulbs won't be enough for compact digital cameras.
Its direct competitor is Canon S3 IS. It's more expensive and focus is said to be testing at times, though I have never use one myself.