Finally going digital. Help needed!

[Mikko]

Hi!

I have been a serious photographer for years and mostly used Nikon F90x film SLR. On my trip to Poland the camera got stolen :mad: but fortunately i do have insurance.
So, i am now waiting for the insurance money, about 600 $ and i am eager to get me a new camera.
I finally decided to go digital, but i have a lot of doubts about it.
I have used Nikon D100 a lot (at my work) and really like it, but i know i can't afford digital SLR yet.

So, what to buy?
I would like to be able to use my Nikon SB28 flash gun (i hope it is possible), therefore i am thinking about Nikon with a hot shoe for external flash.
I have been looking at Coolpix 5000 since it seems to be quite cheap (btw, what is the difference with coolpix 5400?). Is it of any good? or is it really old fashioned already?

What i am worried about going digital is the picture quality (good lens) and the shutter delay (i really can't stand it).

I also would like to have enough wide angle (about 28mm in 35mm cameras), but otherwise the zoom is not so important since it decreases the f-values).

I hope you can advice me. And english is not my native language so sorry for any mistakes.

/Mikko

[Mikko]

One more thing... after reading reviews i am really getting interested in Panasonic DMC-FZ20.
Do you think it understands Nikon SB28 flashgun?

/Mikko

[grayhair]

I have had a number of film cameras through the years and am on my 4th digital: an fz20. It's like an slr in feel and size and that zoom is fantastic. It all depends on what you want to do with it, though.

Since I still have a lot of Pentax lenses I thought about the new *ist ds by Pentax. But with the correction factor, 1.5, I'd still have to get some new lenses. And then there is the dust on the sensor issue and how to clean it without wrecking it.

I opted for the fz20 mainly because of all the positive feedback on different forums and figured that this many people can't be wrong.

Good luck,
Dick

[Mikko]

Cheers, Grayhair.

I think i'll go for fz20, since no one seems to have anything negative to say about it. and i could also use my Nikon sb-28 flash with it.

My main concern with no-slrs is the flash and also electronic zoom... for some reason i can't trust them to last too long. and also zooming manually (like with slrs) is much faster. and doesn't eat batteries. and doesn't make noise.

but anyway, i'm sure i'll be satisfied with fz20! first i just have to wait for my insurance money... i hope it will be enough!

/Mikko

[grayhair]

Mikko, be sure to check out all the info on filters and adapters, etc. The Panasonic Forum is full of sharp folks who have a wealth of knowlege on this subject.
Good Luck,
Dick