Little Help please

[oconnorp]

Hi all, my wifes birthday is coming up and I would like to get her a new camera. She is just starting to get into photography(as a hobby) and likes to play with alot of the manual settings when taking pictures. She likes to take pictures at night especially of a full moon. I realize I should be looking at an SLR but they are out of my price range right now. I would like one of the extended zoom models and using this site have narrowed it down to a couple models and was hoping for some input from you guys. I will include the best price I have found on the models

Canon s5 @ $399
Olympus SP-550UZ @$299
Kodak Z712IS @ $199
Panasonic DMCFZ8K @ $329

I like the idea of being able to add additional lenses and filters if she should decide to pursue the hobby in the future. All the above have pros and cons and I was hoping maybe somebody smarter than me could provide a little insight:confused:.

Thanks

Paul

[speaklightly]

Paul-

From your list and in this order (based, of course, on just my personal opinion) I would look at the Canon S-5, the Panasonic FZ-8, and the Kodak Z-712. If cost is a factor, check out the Canon SX-100.

Sarah Joyce

[KCook]

take pictures at night especially of a full moon
Even though a camera boasts of having manual control, it often comes with limitations. I would double check that the shutter speeds include a B(ulb) or T(ime) setting.

IMHO ultra low light photography and superzoom lenses are conflicting requirements. You would be better off with 2 different cameras.

Kelly Cook

[pas49ras]

IMHO ultra low light photography and superzoom lenses are conflicting requirements. You would be better off with 2 different cameras.

Kelly Cook

Not sure what that statement means but the full moon is brighter than most people think and is easily photographed. A tripod is helpful but it is possible to hand hold one of the ultra zooms. I would stick with the S5

[KCook]

My bad Doug. I thought he meant to take photos of the outdoors using the full moon for illumination! You're perfectly right, the moon itself is plenty bright. And a long zoom would be needed to show it with any size.

Kelly

[AndyfromVA]

I'd go with the camera with the most optical zoom which, among the cameras on your list, is the Olympus SP550UZ.

[pas49ras]

I'd go with the camera with the most optical zoom which, among the cameras on your list, is the Olympus SP550UZ.

I can find the Canon S5 online for around 300.00...add the fact it uses AA batteries and SD memory cards and can accept a option telephoto-lens for additional reach..I think it the best in class. The Olympus takes X-D memory and its slow and expensive and small in GB size with only a 2 GB max. I think its only a matter of time before Olympus drops the X-D cards as they are the only ones left using them and they really have a negative impact on camera performance.

[oconnorp]

Thanks all for your help.
All the info is very overwhelming. I have also found the panasonic fz18(i think) the one with the 18x zoom i believe it is in the same price range as the s5. What you you guys think about it? The other frustrating thing that I have found that these cameras are about $100 more shopping in Canada. Our dollar is about the same but I can't find one of the US retailers willing to ship to canada. Any ideas there?

Paul