Originally posted by SaratogaSVT:

Fujifilm Finepix 602Z (the current front-runner);
Olympus Camedia C-5050;
Canon Powershot G3; and
Nikon Coolpix 5700.

If anyone owns one of these models, I'd love to hear your opinion about it. I've read a lot of reviews - including from users themselves, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to see what fellow CEG'ers think about them.




Hi there,

I am moving my summary up here to the top because my reply is getting really long! I own the Fuji and I've played with the Olympus and not the G3 but the G2. The Olympus has a fast lens IIRC and 5 megapixel sensor, however I found it hard to see details on its LCD screen and I didn't like the user interface. The Canon seems to be a great all-around camera (you can't really go wrong with Canon) - the only downside is it doesn't have as powerful a zoom (you may not care about this). If you like the Canon, I would also suggest you look into the new Sony DSC-V1 which seems to be a winner. And it is even smaller than the G2/G3/G5. As for the Nikon, I have not used that one but it looks to be a more advanced (and I'm assuming more $) alternative to the Fuji.

Be advised that if you're considering the Fuji, there is a 6MP replacement (the S7000) due in October:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0307/03072902finepixs7000.asp

Anyways, on to my impressions of the S602Z...

I've had my Fuji S602Z for almost a year. I've gotten good use out of it and overall I've been quite happy with it. In addition to the obvious features that I've listed below, the Fuji also has a bunch of nice little features which you don't really notice until after you've gotten familiar with it. Though it is getting a bit old and there are a few things I would like to see improved, right now there aren't any other models in its price range that I would immediately choose over it. With exception perhaps of the Sony DSC-F717. The Sony has got a fantastic lens, however I have some issues with that camera which prevent me from getting it (namely, the use of memory stick and lack of a standard flash hotshoe).

Basically my reasons for choosing the Fuji were as follows:
6x optical zoom, standard flash hotshoe, good manual controls and interface (it operates like my 35mm SLR), use of CF, standard NiMH AA batteries (it has great battery life, btw), great movie mode (640x480, 30fps - length is limited by the capacity of the card), and of course the price.

Things I would really like to see improved:
Has trouble focusing in dim lighting (it lacks an AF assist light), sorta bulky (though it is already smaller than a 35mm SLR!), and more megapixels!

Note: I had some specific reasons for getting a digital camera - you may and most likely have a completely different set of criteria.

Where are you going for your vacation, and what kinds of things will you be doing there? If you're just looking for a vacation/snapshot cam, these cameras are a bit overkill IMHO. If this is the case, I would consider the Canon A60/A70 (I got an A60 a month ago). The A60/A70 are compacts that will fit in your pocket and take surprisingly good photos. They also have Tv/Av/manual exposure control for when you desire some "creative control".

I hope this helps and feel free to PM me if you wish to take this off-line.

Gerald

'98 GL V6/MTX (Plenty of mods... in my basement) '88 ST165 (mild mods, stock 8psi)