Looking for Crisp Clear Images

[Lynn]

I'm looking for recommendations for buying a new camera. I currently have a Nikon CoolPix 3100 with a 3x zoom. This camera takes great pictures but I'm looking for more zoom. So here's what I'm looking for:
1. Sharp pictures (ones that you can see individual hairs on a close up of a dog or cat or horse.
2. Excellent color. Vivid blues, greens and reds.
3. Ultra Zoom. 10x or more.
4. Doesn't have to have any manual settings.
5. I'd like to be able to take night pictures of the moon and city lights.
6. Most of the pictures I'll be taking will be outdoors of animals and landscape.

Maybe I'm asking too much without going DSLR, but I'm not ready to bite off the dollars and I'm looking for more of a point and shoot. Image quality is very important. Thanks!!

[toriaj]

Hi Lynn, welcome to the forum. You're in for a lot of fun! The truth is, though, that no camera is going to give you what you want. What you need is Experience. Your first shots are not going to meet your expectations, no matter what camera you get. You'll keep learning, and probably surpass your expectations a few months down the road. But the end result is about the photgrapher, not the camera.

However ... I would recommend the Canon S3 or the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 for you. You will need to learn manual settings to get the results you want, so get out of Auto as soon as possible! Good luck, and share your first shots!

[shahmatt]

You could consider the Fuji S6500FD. It's considered to have the best high ISO performance amongst ultrazoom P&S cameras right now which will allow you to take better low light images without a flash.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_s6000fd-review/index.shtml

[LeeSC]

Lynn,

I was in the same exact spot as you several weeks ago. I was actually using the Nikon 3100 (which is now my wife's "full time" camera).

I purchased a Canon S3 and have been very pleased. The Nikon took GREAT outdoor pictures, however, I had been put out with the Nikon for awhile now due to the "washed out" look I was getting on flash shots, especially those indoor or in low light (really evident when photographing people). The first thing you will notice with the S3 is a huge difference with indoor pictures. The overall color is hard to describe in words. As you have probably been accustomed with the Nikon, redeye can sometimes be a frustrating problem with the S3. I feel this is a great camera since it has a decent "auto" mode along with the same "scene" modes you might have become accustomed to with the Nikon. A spin of the dial and you can use the camera in manual mode. This camera exceeds your zoom request since it has a 12x optical zoom. This camera also comes with image stabilization which is really important when trying to use your zoom without a tripod.

As far as the night pictures, the only way to get the best shots is to use a tripod and learn how to use the manual mode.

The price will probably be the best selling point since I actually paid less for this camera than I did when I bought my Nikon 3100.