Utility fielder

[MacBook]

Budget:
Up to $1,000

Size:
As small as possible, given the characteristics included. Weight is important because of back problems.

Features: As much telephoto and wide angle as possible.

How many megapixels will suffice for you?
Probably 6MP or more

What optical zoom will you need?
6x and up

How important is “image quality” to you?
8 to 9

Do you care for manual controls?
Yes, I like to have them available, particularly manual zoom and A/S/M priority.

General Usage
* What will you generally use the camera for?
Everything from indoors photos to landscapes

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
Usually no larger than 8x10, with a very infrequent 13x19

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

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
Not really

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?
I have a Panasonic FZ15 that I like in some respects. I would prefer better image quality (more than 4MP), better low-light performance, manual zoom, and as much control through buttons/knobs rather than menus.

Are there particular models you already have in mind?
Panasonic FZ50
Fujifilm S9100
Fujifilm S6000fd
I am leaning towards one of the Fujis because of reported (in forums) low light performance and 28mm wide angle.

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
WA to 28mm preferred

[coldrain]

To me it sounds you will be most happy with the S6000fd...
If you want more you should start looking at a DSLR, but that gets to be more expensive.

[toriaj]

Have you considered the Nikon D50? It's a slightly older model, but still excellent and now cheaper :D Just make sure you buy it from a reputable seller. It's out of stock in some of the "typical" sellers. But Coldy's right, if you get a DSLR you will eventually spend quite a bit more than $1000. You'll want lenses, filters, post-processing programs, memory cards, tripod, lights, it goes on and on ... :D

[MacBook]

That makes sense, and it is not so much the money as the weight and all the peripherals (i.e., lenses) that I would want to carry that makes me really want to stay with the digicam. I am an advanced amateur but I also do not get out as often as I would like, and will use this camera for vacations, family pictures, neighborhood shots of birds other items, as well as an occasional just pure photo outing. I think an advanced digitcam, even with all the limitations, is still my preference.


Have you considered the Nikon D50? It's a slightly older model, but still excellent and now cheaper :D Just make sure you buy it from a reputable seller. It's out of stock in some of the "typical" sellers. But Coldy's right, if you get a DSLR you will eventually spend quite a bit more than $1000. You'll want lenses, filters, post-processing programs, memory cards, tripod, lights, it goes on and on ... :D