After missing the chance of some superb pictures of a really nice roebuck this weekend, I am looking at getting a better digital camera..My present Nikon has x3 optical zoom and I want to get either a 10x or 12x...I am not interested in a digital SLR nor do I need anything with RAW formats ect..

I am kind of leaning toward a Canon Sureshot S2 but the local camera shop were not very complimentary about it...They recommended a cheaper Kodak with a x10 zoom and no Image stabilisation..The guy reckons that IS is more gimmick than anything on cameras at this level??? They carry both cameras so, I really expected him to recommend the more expensive Canon...

On a lot of these "bridge" cameras, the screen can be folded out and tilted ect...Are these reliable as they look as if they might be prone to breaking ina year or two???

Regards,

Pete

Pete E --

I started with a Fuji with 3X zoom and was completely happy with it. Then I decided I needed more zoom. My kids had bought an Olympus 740 with a 10X zoom and I liked its features and feel, so I bought one. Only gripe I have is that it has too many features and the manual is on a CD. That means I can't take it to the field with me to read and study during slow times.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_deta...ct_code=Q2200A%23ABA

Pete E, I ended up with this one for myself, and have been very satisfied. I have had to give it to my daughter, she uses it a lot with great success. it has many options for pix, one of which is a videa clip capture, very neat. It comes with about all you need, except batteries that work well in the real world. Do get some good rechargeable cells! And a LARGE digital storage card! It will take 5 MP pix, so detail on enlargement is good. BTW, 8X Optical zoom, and 7X digital zoom, total of 56X zoom, if needed.

Now all I need is a good set of legs to go put it to use!!!!

8MM OR MORE,

I eventually went with the Canon S1...It had an IR remote facility which Canonm dropped on the S2 for some reason other wise i would have gone with that.

Because the S1 is the older model I also got a very good deal for a grey market import off the Net..

So far I am very pleased with it..However if Canon ever update their Pro 1 to a x10 or better lens and keep its other features, I will probably part ex the S1 in against it..

regards,

Pete

The changes in what the camera does that have happened recently are big. The image stabilization feature is a big plus, although I have not used a camera with it, just an opinion. Take a small (size) camera, on zoom, and pretty soon all you see is your movement!! The HP camera I referenced does that.

I bought a walking cane that has a camera mount integral because of that, which doesn't work to well for a lot of people (daughter included)!

I hope your choice works well for you, if not, there will be a newer better just around the corner, I'm sure!!

If you are looking for a digital with long zoom-Office Depot had the Olympus 740 (10x optical) on sale this week for $169 plus they were passing out a $50 rebate coupon as well. That price is hard to beat.

I bought a Minolta bridge camera with the Image Stabilisation feature and am pleased with the results. Downside is size, its as big as my Nikon SLR, and you really do need to take the instruction book with you if you want to take advantage of all the features. One thing I like about bridge cameras is that they protect the captor from dust better than an interchangeable lens SLR and dust is prevalent in the African bush.

I also went through the growing pains of the digital camera age. I started with a 1.2 megapixal HP. I recently bought the Kodak Easyshare Z740. I love the camera. It is easy to use and produces some of the sharpest images I have seen. It is a 5 megapixel camera. I placed a 1 GB sd card and it will take 632 images at 5 meg and also has an internal memory. Another positive, batteries, if you are in a pinch and can't recharge the ones that come with the camera, you can use two standard AA batteries.