Nikon Coolpix S4 6MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom

optiplexgx270

Was thinking of getting a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 5MP Digital Camera with 12x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Silver)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007OV46S/qid=1125953703/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_unbuck_2/103-1578164-5103807?v=glance&s=photo&n=172282

but after a rumage around amazon ive found this Nikon Coolpix S4 6MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000AXMEDI/qid=1125953663/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1578164-5103807?v=glance&s=photo&n=507846

and me likes the size etc.

Just thought id get an expert opion on it?

tonyj

optiplexgx270 wrote:

Just thought id get an expert opion on it?

Well, I'm hardly an expert but I'll throw in my 2c anyway...

Funny thing is, that I was looking at the FZ5 as well for a point-and-shoot. The lumix range has had some very good reviews, and I like the idea of an image-stabilised 12X optical zoom. (What you're paying for in the FZ5 is that lens from leica... they just decided to stick a chip on the end of it and call it a camera... :cool: )

And it looks like a very nice size. See the review at dpreview.com if you haven't already;

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz5/page2.asp

Just remember that although both of these cameras will produce very good quality pics, they won't quite be of the same standard as a dSLR. So don't look at them as dSLR 'replacements'. (The chip is smaller in P&S cameras for a start, and they're more prone to noise at higher ISOs, although undetectable to us mere mortals)

Now, the S4.... Well, this was only released by Nikon last week, so I haven't found any good reviews, but it did catch my eye, mainly because I already have a coolpix.

I really like the look of it, but it appears they've cut back on some of the features from the original Coolpix series (for example, the manual modes) and instead made everything 'auto' with pre-set modes. I was reading this on nikonians.org

All in all there's not much between them. If you can actually find a camera shop that has them so you can see how they feel in your hand, that might help the decision.

Personally, I'd go with the FZ5, for the image stabilisation and the lovely 12X lens - lack of manual focus puts me off a bit, but no big deal.

P.S. I haven't handled or tried out either of these 2 cameras, I'm basing my opinion on my obsessive reading of articles, reviews and specs.

optiplexgx270

tonyj wrote:

Personally, I'd go with the FZ5, for the image stabilisation and the lovely 12X lens - lack of manual focus puts me off a bit, but no big deal.

Thats what im thinking but only thing is the size im not a mad slr etc... fan i.e. im not that into all of the "mad" stuff if you get me, i just want the best point and shoot for <$400 = <€320. i'll be buying from amazon.com

Any recomendations will be taken on board gratefully but i have to say the higher the optical zoom & MP the better.

optiplexgx270

Canon Powershot S2 IS was $300 on Amazon yesterday kicking myself cos i didnt order it

tonyj

optiplexgx270 wrote:

Canon Powershot S2 IS was $300 on Amazon yesterday kicking myself cos i didnt order it

I just checked and it looks like it's £325 (€480) ;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009IY4RI/ref=pd_sim_ce_dp_1/202-5997790-3578201

Anyway, this is the nature of things like this, PCs, laptops, mobile phones. You just have to live with the fact that the prices drop, and the spec increases. And it always seems to be just after you've bought it....

Another way of looking at it is that the longer you spend deliberating about buying a camera, or waiting for the next 'best' one to be released is all time that you could have spent actually taking photos!

I mean, look at this one for example;

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0506/05060202samsung_pro815.asp

8Mp, 15X optical zoom (28-420mm) 3.5" tft lcd.... but not released yet.

busbybhoy

If you wait for about 1 week the Fuji S9500 will be available for about 699.
9mill/10 x optical.
Saw it today. It really is impressive. Hope this confuses you more