I want to buy cam up to 500 Euro. I have few models on my mind but I want to read a opinions of digicam users.
Thx in advance...

I just bought the Coolpix 5000 and I love it... I would really like to have the additional zoom on the 5700, but it is not out yet and it will cost more... The camera cost me $915.00 USD... I am by no means a pro, but reading the manual completely really helped with the controls...

The price you mention limits your choice a little. It also depends on what you intend to do with it. Do you want a point and shoot or something a little more versatile.

I recently bought an Olympus 3020Z and have found it very good; also have a look at the U700UZ if you want a bigger lens. I used to own a point and shoot Fuji - I really do like the Fuji point and shoot
cameras.

Steve

I run small site that brings me some money. My idea was to put more pictures on my site (mostly local stuf). Iam also interested in a bigger lens. My latest idea was to by Fuji FinePix 2800z. It is 2.1 Mpx cam with 6x zoom. I think it is worth to tryThx fo advices, hope to read more of it.

Everything really does depend on what you want to do with the camera.

Some people prefer a camera that they can easily slip in their pockets, some want something that also looks good on the desk, and others (incl. me), all else being more or less equal, buy for the lens.

I really would like to own about a dozen digicams, but that ain't gonna happen...

You say that you have Euro 500. In Japan that would just get you an Olympus C2100UZ on a good day for discounts.

I mention this camera because it has a x10 stabilized zoom and takes great auto pictures but also has lots of manual controls for when you start wanting to take over. It also has a fairly standard 49 mm lens thread for filters.

Most of the very compact cameras have narrow lenses, which funnel less light through to the CCD.

Once you get a camera you will also have to buy a new memory card.
A 128 MB SmartMedia card can be had in Japan for JPY 6k (about Euro 70). The cards supplied with cameras are not going to store many pictures.
You may also need to buy some spare of sets of NiMH batteries and a charger.

Nonstandard batteries are a real pain if you think that you may one day want another camera by a different maker.
Different memory formats are also a nuisance.

To me the Nikon Coolpix 5700 (JPY 120k in Japan or about Euro 1000) has it all... x8 zoom, Nikon macro performance, swivelling rear LCD, TTL LCD viewfinder and 5 megapixels. The only drawback I can see is that it does not use standard batteries.

On your budget you are looking at a two- or three-megapixel camera, which will give fine results. I would go for Olympus simply because they (C2040Z, C3040Z, and C4040Z) come with the brightest lens, this extends the range of lighting conditions that you can shoot in.

I don't like Sony because of the slow and expensive memory stick.

All the top brands have something to fit your budget, its a case of deciding whether you are giving priority to portability and stlylishness or to picture quality.

If you don't see any need to print out at larger than about B5 size (although, if you don't crop A4 may be OK) a two-megapixel camera may fit your needs.

You need to read reviews -- Steve's conclusions are a good place to start, they also usually point to reviews on other sites -- then make a shortlist and ask for opinions on specific models.

I have owned the Kodak DC3200 and DC4800 and now am the proud owner of an Olympus C-2100. I have had this rig for about 2 weeks and I am amazed at my new found ability to produce quality pictures! The integrated 10X zoom is incredible and the automatic stabilizing features give professional results. This camera can be had a CompUSA for $400 US! Get the Olympus C-2100!!


edit---sp

[Edited on 6-16-2002 by David Victorious]