New camera help please.

[digitalwanderer]

Fujifilm FinePix S700BK 7-Megapixel Digital Camera (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Fujifilm-FinePix-S700BK-7-Megapixel-Digital-Camera-Black-FINEPIXS700BK/sem/rpsm/oid/174772/catOid/-16941/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) - $194

I'm looking at that one right now, mostly due to the 10x optical zoom. We're going up to the city Saturday to see Kathy Griffin and I suddenly realized our camera SUCKS! :?

My big limitation is it has to be local, so probably either Best Buy or Circuit City. :(

[digitalwanderer]

This Olympus SP-510 UZ 7.1 for $230 (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Olympus-SP-510-UZ-7-1-Megapixel-Digital-Camera-Silver/sem/rpsm/oid/160921/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do#tabs) doesn't look bad either, nor does this Kodak EasyShare Z712 7.1 for $235 (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Kodak-EasyShare-Z712-7-1-Megapixel-Digital-Camera-Black-Z712/sem/rpsm/oid/178022/catOid/-13062/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do).

Or mebbe just go cheap and little and grab a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7K 7.2 for $180 (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Customer-reviews-for-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LZ7K-7-2-Megapixel-Digital-Camera-Black/sem/rpsm/oid/179789/rpem/ccd/productDetailReview.do#tabs)...I'm very confuzled. :???:

[Skrying]

Whatever you do, buy one with image stabilization of some sort. If you don't... then... you're really missing out and that 10x zoom will be utterly useless.

[SugarCoat]

You dont need a camera, you need a gun.

[Zaphod]

Have look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz3/). 28mm wide angle, a long 10X zoom, and good optical image stabilization in a pocketable form factor makes this one a blast.

There are many better 'photographers cameras' for the money (detail, accurate color reproduction, manual settings), but the combination of features, size/usability, flexibility and fun factor for an amateur is hard to beat.

Edit: Added link and a bit of exposition.

[digitalwanderer]

Thanks Zaphod, that looks sweet. And for under $200 (http://www.thedigitalnerds.com/product.asp?productid=DMCTZ3S&tab=1), worth putting off getting. :)

[Zaphod]

Thanks Zaphod, that looks sweet. And for under $200 (http://www.thedigitalnerds.com/product.asp?productid=DMCTZ3S&tab=1), worth putting off getting. :)At first glance, that place seems like a bait-and-switch/scam store. A quick google search seems to confirm it.

[SugarCoat]

I still say gun (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraList.php). You wont find a TZ23 from any legit store for under $300 unless you catch a sale. Be careful because there are many many electronic e-tailers that will give you a headache. If the price seems too good to be true, avoid it completely. One (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/) of the best camera e-tailers.

[Zaphod]

You wont find a TZ23 from any legit store for under $300 unless you catch a sale.TZ23? The Lumix TZ3K (black) is $250 shipped from Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830180095) including a 'free' 1GB SD card, which is a fine price for that camera.

[LunchBox]

check the circuitcity store near the area or their site I think they have a sale on digital cameras atm :)