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tartaly
11-01-2009, 09:14 AM
Budget

* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
For a P&S I would like to stay under $500 usd

Size

* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?
I am steering away from a dslr partly due to size, so not something large but doesn't need to be pocket size either. Just something easy to take with me anywhere.

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you?
doesn't matter 10ish

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
Zoom isn't hugely important to me

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10) 8

Do you care for manual controls?
Yes, I woul like to expand my camera knowledge by having the option to learn in manual.

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?
taking pictures of my small children

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
no probably not bigger than 5X7

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Yes, I will likely be shooting indoors quite a bit

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
no sports but active children

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? i like nikon or canon

Are there particular models you already have in mind? I have been looking at the Nikon P90 but I am just not sure of the quality in low light photos. I know to get the best photos I need a dslr but honestly am not sure I want the commitment of purchase or of learning one right now. Any help you can give me would be much appreciated.

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
Wide angle and image stabilization would be nice but not required.

speaklightly
11-01-2009, 01:51 PM
tartaly-

Kodak just introduced a camera that might meet your needs rather nicely. It is called the Kodak Z-950. It has 10X optical zoom, full IS, full manual and some very advanced automation controls, a powerful built-in flash, high ISO capabilities up to ISO 1600, and virtually no shutter lag at all. It is currently selling for $230 to $250 on the internet.

It might be worth a good look. And BTW you made the correct choice on the Nikon P-90 camera. Once the ISO is set to anything greater than ISO 400, the images get really "grainy" and image quality goes downhill in a hurry.

Have a great day.

Sarah Joyce