Greetings gurus,
I'm interested in getting an ultrazoom digital camera. The few options that I've had are:
1) Fujifilm S5000 (value for money, however it lacks image stabilizer, hot shoe and uses expensive XD picture cards and has small LCD screen)
2) Canon S1 IS (slightly more expensive than S5000, but comes with image stabilizer and uses cheaper CF cards, but lacks hot shoe, illuminator assist and small LCD screen. Also it does not look pro or SLR-like when compare to S5000)
3) Panasonic FZ10 (the most expensive, but comes with 4megapixel and 12x zoom when the former two comes with 3.2megapixel and 10x zoom. However, FZ10 uses proprietery battery which is expensive as compared to the AA batteries used in the former two. Also, FZ10 uses expensive SD cards. One thing good is that it inculdes a hot shoe and large LCD screen)
Prices:
1) Fujifilm S5000 costs around $600 (3.2megapixel, 10x zooom, 16mb XD)
2) Canon S1 costs around $800 (3.2megapixel, 10x zoom, 32mb CF, currenly canon has a promo which includes free 256mb CF and big tripod, but promo ends 31may2004 as told by the resellers)
3) Panasonic FZ10 costs around $1000 (4megapixel, 12x zoom, 16mb XD)
Specs aside, I think word-of-mouth is very important, especially from users themselves. I'm a user of Fujifilm digital cameras and I'm satisfied with their outputs. Not sure with the other two brands, so I need the help of you guys out there to give me your valuable comments and advises as to which one is a better buy and value for money.
My concern is does image stabilzer that helpful and necessary and must-have for ultrazoom? Does image stabilizer compensates for user shaky hands motion when taking pictures?
I'm interested in getting an ultrazoom digital camera. The few options that I've had are:
1) Fujifilm S5000 (value for money, however it lacks image stabilizer, hot shoe and uses expensive XD picture cards and has small LCD screen)
2) Canon S1 IS (slightly more expensive than S5000, but comes with image stabilizer and uses cheaper CF cards, but lacks hot shoe, illuminator assist and small LCD screen. Also it does not look pro or SLR-like when compare to S5000)
3) Panasonic FZ10 (the most expensive, but comes with 4megapixel and 12x zoom when the former two comes with 3.2megapixel and 10x zoom. However, FZ10 uses proprietery battery which is expensive as compared to the AA batteries used in the former two. Also, FZ10 uses expensive SD cards. One thing good is that it inculdes a hot shoe and large LCD screen)
Prices:
1) Fujifilm S5000 costs around $600 (3.2megapixel, 10x zooom, 16mb XD)
2) Canon S1 costs around $800 (3.2megapixel, 10x zoom, 32mb CF, currenly canon has a promo which includes free 256mb CF and big tripod, but promo ends 31may2004 as told by the resellers)
3) Panasonic FZ10 costs around $1000 (4megapixel, 12x zoom, 16mb XD)
Specs aside, I think word-of-mouth is very important, especially from users themselves. I'm a user of Fujifilm digital cameras and I'm satisfied with their outputs. Not sure with the other two brands, so I need the help of you guys out there to give me your valuable comments and advises as to which one is a better buy and value for money.
My concern is does image stabilzer that helpful and necessary and must-have for ultrazoom? Does image stabilizer compensates for user shaky hands motion when taking pictures?