Opinion on which camera is a great buy

[erich_vasconcelos]

I'm living in doubt.

I've come across an used Sony cybershot model DSC-F717 for sale, and found in love with its fantastic lens - nothing less than a Carl Zeiss Vario Sonar (f2.0-2.4). Besides that the camera have pretty good specs too, and I don't mind its 5 megapixels, or only 5x zoom. All that for a low price.

On the other hand I have been looking at the new DSC-H2 from Sony. But its lens is somewhat slower (f2.8-3.7), albeit it offers 12x zoom.

And I found out it is still possible to buy the Panasonic FZ5, with Leica 12x zoom lens (F2,8-3,2).

The F717 is about half the price of a brand new H2. The FZ5 costs a little more that the used F717 but is cheaper than the H2.

I am looking for a camera that offers the best picture quality, with the best colour fidelity and broader dynamic range as possible. And no, for now I don't want to move up to a DSLR.

Does anyone has good/bad experiences with one or more of the cameras above?
Which one do you think is a better buy?

I need all the help I can get...

Erich

[Photo-John]

Erich-
I think I'd buy the newer camera. I have used the Sony F828 extensively. And although it is a very nice camera, I think digital camera sensor and processor technology has improved a lot since the F717 was one of the top compact digital cameras. A newer camera will have better image quality and be faster in terms of start-up, shutter-lag, and shot-to-shot time. Plus, both the H5 and the Panasonic have optical image stabilization which will deliver more sharp photos.

I like the statement in your signature. It's funny

[CyberF828]

I think the DSC-F717 is a nice camera my friend has one. I use a F828 which are also cheap now when you find them.