Upgrading - Need Advice

[chestnut_racer83]

Hey, new member here.

I have a 3 1/2 year old Kodak Z700 that I love dearly. It was my first digital and really does take nice pictures. However it is a 4mp and I feel that I'm ready skill wise to upgrade. I'm looking for a camera that can handle (or at least help me with) macros but I also need one that can handle action. I often photograph at equestrian events and thus far, My kodak has done admirably.

I have no brand fixation, I am perfectly willing to try a new brand - one thing that kind of intimidates me, I guess is the right way to put it, is how complicated some of the cameras I have looked at are to operate. Easy operation is pretty important too.

My price range is probably in the $400-600 range- $600 would be a stretch but doable.

I've checked my local stores for advice and thus far have found nothing signifigant.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[Rocket_Scientist]

Well, I am certainly no expert, but if you are wanting to stay with a Point & Shoot
camera, I would recommend considering the Canon PowerShot line. I recently bought
my wife an A540, and bought myself an S3 IS. Both are 6 MP and take excellent pictures,
but the S3 has Image Stabilization and 12X zoom. I got it from B&H for just over $400. The
A540 would be less, and there is also an A700 (I think it is) somewhere between thee two.
THe S2 IS , an older 5 MP precursor to the S3, is also available for arounf $300. I haven't
taken a lot of phots with the S43 yet, but I have posted a few in the members galleries,
and I am still amazed at how much detail it captures, and how much manipulation I can
do in post processing. I typically set the resolution to 1600x1200 (there are tweo higher
rsolutions), and that easily blows up to 8.5x11.

[chestnut_racer83]

Thank you so much! I am going to go investigate those models, they sound exactly like what I need.

Thanks again for your prompt reply!

[Photo-John]

It sounds like you're in the market for a super-zoom, like Rocket Scientist's Canon S3 IS. They generally have long zoom lenses, lots of features, image stabilization, and excellent image quality. They're essentially the top end of the compact digital camera class. And although they do have lots of features, they also all have auto modes and scene modes so you can make it as easy or complicated as you like.

We're actually working on a super zoom guide right now. I doubt it will be done before you buy, but since I've been paying a lot of attention to them, I know what some of the cameras and options are. So here's a camera comparison page for you to take a look at:

Super Zoom Digital Camera Comparison >>

For the story we're working on, we're focusing on the Kodak EasyShare P712, the Canon S3 IS, and the Panasonic Lumix FZ7. The Kodak EasyShare P712 might be a great camera for you since you're already used to Kodak's camera design.

[chestnut_racer83]

Thank you so much! That link is very informative. The Kodak looks very nice and I am used to the Kodak interface so right now I am liking that P712. I will check them out locally, if I can find a store with decent stocking. I've heard good things about the Cannons as well so that is also a contender.

Thanks again!