Camera Noob looking to learn.

[RedShirtTOS]

Budget

* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.

Under 700.00

Size

* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?

Size does NOT matter

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you?

6 or more

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)

At least 10x

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)

8.5

Do you care for manual controls?

I am a noob, but would like to start as hobby so yes manual controls is a plus!

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?

People, Movies, Landscapes.

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?

Largest will be 8 x 10

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?

Yes

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?

Maybe

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?

Dislike Sony brand

Are there particular models you already have in mind?

Olympus SP-550 Ultra Zoom

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)

Stabilization, Wide Angle, Zoom, Movie Mode

I am looking to use this camera on vactions, office pictures, outdoor photos, conventions, etc... Last camera I owned was the first cannon powershot and havent had a camera in a long while. I want this to be a hobby and was considering a DSLR but I need something that takes movie shots. I would prefer SD media but alas Olympus likes XD :-( Any help would be appreaciated I want to purchase a camera next week and get practicing.

[RedShirtTOS]

I guess noone has an opinion?

[coldrain]

Olympus has not made any really good compact cameras in a long time.
Until I will read some really favorable reviews concering image quality I will not want to recommend one.

The Sony H5 and Canon S3 IS are good cameras.

[Norm in Fujino]

Olympus has not made any really good compact cameras in a long time.

How long is long? --and how compact is compact? I have the C-755 (basically same as C-750) and it has excellent IQ--at only 4MP.

[coldrain]

The last few years already. Name one from the last 3 years that was worthwhile?

[RedShirtTOS]

Thanks for the responses I like the cannon suggested but it doesnt support RAW format which is the killer for me. Canon S3 IS I would love a dslr but I want to take movies when needed :-( Anyone else have any other suggestions?

[flippedgazelle]

Fortunately, you have a number of fine choices, including the the previously mentioned Canon S3 and Sony H5. You can also add the Fuji S6000fd (which I have and enjoy immensely) and the Panasonic FZ30 to your list - both cameras have a a pretty ardent following.

If you can wait a bit - and if your dislike for Sony doesn't run too deep - you might want to check out the Sony H7/H9. At least superficially, the specs indicate very impressive cameras.

[RedShirtTOS]

That fuji sounds great but it doesnt have image stabilization :-( If it had that I would be all over that camera everything else sounded great on it. The other panasonic looked good but I will be printed out 8x10's and would rather have the better IQ then not incase post processing doesnt work the way I want it too. I appreciate the suggestions been giving me alot too look at. Its a shame a dlsr doesnt take movies.