Me again. Would the Kodak Easyshare Z612 possibly be a good choice???

Smaller DSLRs
Canon XTi 400 - $899 -3:2 ratio, 10MP, comes with a cheap 18mm-70mm (28.8mm-118. It has been noted to have more chromatic moise than previus XT models. Still a good camera. I liked when I used it. When printing

Nikon D80 or D70 - I dont know anything about them. but since you have Nikon mount glass this may be your best option ot save money.

On the above cameras, when you print at 5x7 and 8x10 sizes you will lose about 2MP worth of sensor space due to the aspect ratio of the paper size, so you would be printing at 8MP with those two popular sizes. However @ 4x6 you would get the full MP offered by the sensor

Olympus E500 - $699, 8MP, comes with TWO good kit lenses, not the best but better build than the other offered kit lenes. 14mm-45mm (28mm-90mm) and 40mm-150 (80mm-300mm)44:3 aspect ratio so you would lose about 1 MP on 4x6 print and be about the full 8MP on 5x7, 8X10 prints. Olympus does have a 10MP entry level DSLR but it is not being sold in N America currently, but you migh tbe able to find a merchant in Europe to send you one.

I own a Canon XT and Olympus E500 and I think the E500 was the better deal for entry level DSLR, going pro...thats abother league of cameras.

Enjoy,
Joe

Me again. Would the Kodak Easyshare Z612 possibly be a good choice???

Go Here:

Kodak Easyshare Z612

Kt

ezbake,

Here is a site that may be of help
http://www.imaging-resource.com/WB/WB.HTM?view=dp_all

Here is another site with some in depth reviews: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

You didn't mention a price range so it's difficult to make a recommendation.

Here is another link to discussion on th Kodak Z612
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/search.asp?query=kodak%20z612&forum=1011

Good luck,
Dave

I went shopping for a digital camera the night before last and I had my mind on a Cannon Powershot S3, one that I have read some great reviews about. While at the store I had two different people come up to me while I was holding the display model on the Z612 that I stumbled upon. They both said that it was the best camera they have ever owned. One lady said she worked on the highschool yearbook and that the school had two $3000 Nikon DSLR's, used for yearbook photos. She took pics with her Z612 and compared them to the exact same pics taken with the Nikon, and no one could tell the difference. The Z612 has 6.1 megapixels, more than enough for most pics that amature photographers take. It has a 12x zoom lens, equivelent to a 35-45mm SLR lens. It has electronic vibration control. All these features are also on the Cannon Powershot S3, which costs $400. The Z612 I bought at Costco was $269. Reading reviews, one shortcomming of the camera is it has a tendency to not stay in focus when zooming in and out when shooting video. If you desire video footage and the quality is important, perhaps the Cannon is the better rout. I my opinion, it seems that the Z612 rivals most $400 digital cameras out there, for a whole lot less. But believe me, the more you read, the tougher it gets. After reading a couple reviews, I was on the verge of bringing it back to go with the Cannon. It seems Cannon is the choice of most gadget review sites such as cnet, pcworld, etc. but I'm going to stick with the Kodak. I haven't used it yet as it's a gift for my wife. Let us know what you decide.
--regards,
John

Nothing against the 612, I am sure it is a fine camera, but if that person was not able to tell the difference between a "$3000" Nikon and a the 612 then I dont think I would take her advice.

Two different types of cameras with different expectations from both. There is a difference. Different sensors and different glass.

As far as the Canon comparison, they make great cameras, but so does every other camera company. Just go with the one that feels right when you pick it up and hit the sutter button. For my wife, the measuring stick is the shutter lag. She is willing to give up features of one camera because another camera is better with the shutter lag times. Sony Cybershots are LOADED with this and that, but when you hi thte shutter it takes another 6 seconds for the camera to actually take the picture. Sony isnt the only one, just the one I notice the most, Fuji is bad about it too.

Joe

Thank you all for your help. I continue to research. I am not sure how much I will spend. I was thinking in the $300 range, and learned my husband was thinking of getting a DSLR with a metal body, which I believe start much higher. We just don't want another junk camera that takes forever to take the pix once you hit the shutter button. I think a lot of extra features might be wasted on me, since I never really understood a lot of what went behind the science of picture taking. I can frame a shot, I take forever to manually focus, and set f-stops, etc. I want the shortiest shutter lag possible, like Zitro Joe's wife. I've learned the hard way that the Sony I owned was awful. The guy at Cord camera turned his nose up at the Kodak brand....i'm sure he makes more money selling more expensive cameras. I also learned the hard way not to buy a big bulky camera, because I'm less likely to carry it around and use it. Especially with kids in tow. I guess I will continue to consider the Z612, but now am also looking at Cannon DSLR since that seems to be the route my husband is leaning toward. Thanks. I still have 4 days til Christmas right?!

Thank you Joe, Kt, Dave and John! We got the Z612 yesterday, and both hubby and I are happy. Thanks, your information was helpful! Merry Christmas!!!

I think you most be sure of your camera befor you leave the store.I was told by the salesman that cameras are not returnable because people used them for weddings and other things and then bring them back.Make sure you know their return policy.