Need ultra zoom but which one?

[Pixie]

I've had a Fuji 2650 for a few years now and I love it, however, my son broke it over Christmas so I am in the market for a new camera. I thought I had my mind set on the Fuji S5000 but now that I've been reading the reviews on the Ultra Zooms I don't know.

I am not a pro by any means and to be honest, don't know anything about white balance or aperture or shutter speed... so I don't have to have a camera with tons of fancy functions. Here's the basics I'm looking for:

-10x zoom
-3mp minimum
-Uses AA batteries
-Reasonably priced in the $250-$350 range
*a plus if it uses xD picture cards lol

I do know from reading the reviews that I want something known for good night AND day/indoor shots as well as little purple fringing and vignetting. Not picky, am I? LMAO!

I am so lost by all the choices I have I want to pick the right one. So what are my options?

[KoolBreeze]

other than the fact it uses a proprietory battery, the cannon c-765 might be a worthy consideration.

something I had looked into for a smallish body ultra zoom prior to deciding I really wanted MORE. especially image stabilization.

I'd say if you can toss the majority (if not all) your particular requirements listed, (lol) the panasonic FZ5 would be "MY" choice.

either way, good luck !!!!

[louis.b]

Don't know if size is an issue, but for superzoom, good indoor (incl. low light) shots, and image stabilzation (which I think is a "must have" for superzooms, especially if you don't want to carry around a tripod), I believe your best best is the Panasonic DMC-FZ3, which you should be able to find it in your price range online. (Nice run-on sentence, ay!?) However, it doesn't use AA's.

BTW - I have the Fuji 2650 also and hate it. :mad: No offense, but the thing is junk. I curse the day I bought that camera. (Yes, that's a bit of a sore spot with me, but that's a story for another time.) :o

PS - Panasonic has some new FZs coming out soon (check the home page of this site) which you may find worth the wait. They're also coming out with an LZ1 that uses AA BATTERIES, is more compact than the FZs and has the following specs I've taken the liberty of posting below. The only thing is that it's only 6x optical zoom and not 10x as you requested.

Lumix LZ1
---------
4.0 Megapixel CCD
F2.8-4.5, 6X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 37 - 222 mm
Optical image stabilizer
Compact body (think Canon A75 size); silver color
2.0" LCD display
14MB onboard memory + SD/MMC card slot
Unlimited continuous shooting mode
Uses two AA batteries
PictBridge-enabled
Ships in March for $250

[gary_hendricks]

The Olympus C-765 meets your criteria, but it's 4MP and doesn't have AA batt I think. But it does have an amazing 10X zoom. :)

[Pixie]

The Olympus and Lumix were two I read the reviews on and really liked.... and I think they fell within my price range. What I liked about the FZ line is they have IS and getting a (good) long-range picture is important to me. I just can't make up my mind but I suspect that any one of these cameras will be okay for an amateur like me LOL! I am turned off by the proprietary battery issue but I could deal with it I suppose.

ps - When I said I loved my Fuji, keep in mind that I know almost nothing about digital cameras or photography and it was my first dig cam LOL... so that didn't mean much :D

[EAP]

Try the Olympus C-7000; the reviews indicate it's superior to the C-765 or C-770. Also consider the Pentax Optio 750Z. Jeff has reviews on both these cameras on this site, as well as the Olympus C-765 and 770.

[EAP]

Oops, never mind, just re-read your parameters. The Olympus C-7000 is pretty pricey, and doesn't take AA batteries. I don't think the Pentax does either. For that matter, do any of the ultra zooms take AA batteries?

[ktixx]

This probably isn't the right thread for this topic, but it has been mentioned a lot in here, so I Figure I will post my question. I have noticed that a lot of people want AA batteries in there camera, but why is that? Almost every expensive, professional/pro-sumer camera comes with LiOn Batteries. I work for a retailer that sells cameras, and the ones with AA we have to replace the batteries every 2 days or so, they don't last. I realize that cameras like the 20D have the option to use the battery grip with AA batteries (if you want) but I don't see why that would be the main choice. I would think that it would be a last resort option if you were on the field and your LiOn battery died. As for me, I just found an online battery site which sold me a backup battery for $20 (MFRP = $60 - $80). If anyone can give me any insight on this topic it would be much appreciated.
Ken

[Roxanne]

Ken , Can you share that site ? Thanks

[Pixie]

For me personally, the preference for AA batteries is simply convenience-based. If I'm out with my kids or at a dog show or event and my lion battery goes dead, I am out of luck unless I've spent the money to get an extra and sometimes they are quite pricey. Granted after so many replacements you are actually paying more for the AA's but it's a little at a time versus buying a new camera and several accessories.

For most people, the camera is an investment and if you don't make a living taking pictures and do not have a lot of extra money to spend the AA makes sense at purchase time. Adding up all the extras AND the camera can be overwhelming... Anyway, that's my opinion on the subject as to why ppl might prefer AA to other batteries.

However, I would also be interested in that site since I am highly considering buying one of the aforementioned cameras here and neither take the AA....

[louis.b]

I have noticed that a lot of people want AA batteries in there camera, but why is that?
Ken

Well, I think it's a popluar request because you can buy rechargeable AAs for repeated use when you have access to A/C to recharge. Then if you're in a crunch and your rechargeable AAs die, you can buy AAs off-the-shelf to tide you over until you can get to a place to recharge your rechargeables.

Plus, if you have rechargable AAs you can use them in other electronics you may have whereas your proprietary Li-Ion probably only works in your camera.

Those are my reasons anyway.

[ktixx]

http://www.digicamaccessories.com/

That is the website I bought my battery off of. I purchased a replacement for the Canon BP-511a. These batteries are NOT made by canon or any other name brand, they are knockoffs. I am not 100% sure of the capacity, as I have not had time to test it, but overall I am sure it will do the job just fine.
Ken

[gb_in_ga]

Well, I got my Olympus C-755UZ about a month ago for $249 on Outpost.com -- and I do believe that it meets your specifications. It is the same as a C-750UZ except that it does not come with the set of AA NiMH's and charger (which I already had), and does not come with the wireless remote (available online for about $30 on Amazon.com). I would suggest getting a larger capacity xD card, though, the supplied 16MB card is laughably small. Unlike the C-765, it takes AA's, not a proprietary Li-Ion, and it also has a hot shoe. I take it that it would not upset you too much if the camera is a 4 MP model instead of your specified 3 MP? If you really do want a 3 MP, you can still get the C-740UZ, but I don't see why. For about the same price you get 4 MP's instead of 3, and a hot shoe to boot.

[Pixie]

THanks - I will check out the 755. Nope, don't mind at all getting more MP, LOL!

[gary_hendricks]

Well, I think it's a popluar request because you can buy rechargeable AAs for repeated use when you have access to A/C to recharge. Then if you're in a crunch and your rechargeable AAs die, you can buy AAs off-the-shelf to tide you over until you can get to a place to recharge your rechargeables.

Plus, if you have rechargable AAs you can use them in other electronics you may have whereas your proprietary Li-Ion probably only works in your camera.

Those are my reasons anyway.

Totally agree. AAs are the way to go, just that they can get heavy.

[gb_in_ga]

Pixie:

Well, in the interest of full and fair disclosure, I'd recommend the C-755, but it is not without it's weaknesses. I'd have liked for it to have image stabilization, but I can live without it -- that's what they make monopods & tripods for. Like all of the Olympus UZ's, it has some problems with autofocus in low light and low contrast situations, but nothing that can't be worked around. And it does not have the fastest shutter release response by any means, but there are ways to work around that, too. All in all, it is a serviceable camera. Not a perfect one, but it does the job, has good image quality and is, IMHO, really good for the money.

[JuJu]

Hmm...how do the Konica Minolta Z3 and Canon IS S1 compare to those mentioned?

[gary_hendricks]

If you don't mind paying a bit more, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 is a great camera.

[RayGun]

If I may add, Canon S1 IS is a 10x stabilized ultrazoom that takes AAs

[speaklightly]

A good site, that I have found, for other than OEM lithium ion batteries is:

www.sterlingtek.com

Speaklightly

[ashpete]

For me wanting AA's is really a must have, and mate I'm not being harsh but think outside the square. I'm travelling overseas at the end of this year and having a rechargable would be a f'ing pain in the ass! Having to lug around a bulky charger, spare betteries (they are expensive) and also have to carry an adapter so the charger could work in other counteries... simple really?!