Your Advice Is needed (finepix s5200 vs 2 powershots)

[tc2]

Hello everyone,
I'm interested in purchasing a camera, and I've narrowed down my choices to three potential ones - The Fujifilm Finepix s5200, canon powershot s2 IS, and canon powershot a710 IS. My main concern is image quality, so if any of you know which of these has the greatest image quality please tell me. Thanks for your help!

[Kenen]

I have an S2 and the image quality is good. I'm guessing the A710's image quality is good as well (I had an A510). Why are you thinking an S2 over the S3 though? Or was that a typo?

[tc2]

No the s2 is not a typo, I thought about the s3 but it's just a lot more money for something that isn't that much different from the s2. have you experiecned any problems with focus with your s2?

[Kenen]

Yah, I've had some focusing issues, but whether that is the camera, or just me, I couldn't say. I have just assumed it was my problem, but I guess it could be the camera to...

[gerrydee]

I own an S3 and there is no focussing problem that I'm aware of that doesn't exist with all the other big zooms on the market, just people who are new to photography and don't know what to expect from a big zoom camera. The s5200 has gotten really poor reviews anywhere you go. I would stay away from that one. Most importantly, no IS. Imagine zooming 10X and trying to get a clear picture. You would need a tripod. The IS is indispensable.
The price difference between anS2 and the S3 is now about $50. since the S3 has recently had drastic price reductions, probably due to the eminent release of the S5. For that $50. you get a lot more camera.