Heppy new year all!

Well the sales have stated and Im going on holiday shortly (and cant wait) but my old 1Mega Pixel Olympus camera is a bit *cough* old *cough* ancient! I think its time I replaced it with something a little more modern.

Anyhow, this is not my field of ecperitse, but will probably yours!

Now from the little amount of research Ive done (and people are pulling me in lots of different directions) Im either looking at something like the Fuji S5600 (end of line model??) or a Kodak Z710 or maybe even some type of panasonic camera.

Now looking to spend aroung the Ã,£150 - Ã,£170 mark, that that rules of a Digital SLR but want a camera with good zoom, and of course good quality picture.

What would you recommend? Ideas are much appreicated!

Ill tell ya what Id like...a Pentax K1000D. :wub: Fully backwards compatible with the enormous inventory of K-mount lenses that you can find in any pawn shop. Seriously, it may be worth getting if youre planning on a variety of lenses, as vintage K1000 lenses are dirt cheap.

Only about twice yer budget.

Ive got a Nikon Coolpix 5000 going begging, very good for general photography and landscape.

Got one of the S5600 for Christmas but havent had time to play with it yet

I assume that the Coolpix has changeable lenses?

if so, how much do you want for it?

the Coolpix cameras have fixed lenses, although you can buy add on lenses to be used in addition to the fixed lens for more wide angle or telephoto. These dont provide the same quality as true interchangible lenses though.

So what would you guys recommend... the Coolpix or the fuji S5600?

I would recommend the Fuji S5600 ... got it for chrimbo ... superb!!!  Dont think you can get a better camera for that sort of money!!

Quote from: BrodiemanSo what would you guys recommend... the Coolpix or the fuji S5600?

Fuji... As they have a nice support forum set up by users of the S5* series of cameras Http://www.s5000.net/phpBB2

and you can get a huge range of add on converters for it that... and filters too

Well the camera has been ordered! (the S5600) from Amazon as no other store around me had any in stock! (typical).

Also ordered a 1Gb memory card at the same time.

Cant wait for my new toy to arrive! Thanks for your advise!!

Cheers

Top stuff ... really great, as it means quite a few of us have the same camera, so will be useful for sharing tips etc.

yup I got one of these for xmas too and its really impressed the pants off me so far.

Fuji S5600 is impressive for the price but can suffer from purple fringing in some situations. Well worth the money though and as loads of people on here have them you wont be far from support.

Alternative is the Panasonic FZ7. Lens is better for portrait work but a bit warmer than average for landscape. Suffers very few problems but you pay for the better lens.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmcfz7.asp