Torn between Z6, SP-500, S5200

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Submitted By: rjw

Joined: Nov 26 2005

Posts:

Torn between Z6, SP-500, S5200

Posted: November 26, 2005 - 8:47pm

This is my first post but I've been reading some great information here. Thanks!

I'm down to three long zoom cameras but need help deciding which is the best choice. This will be a Christmas gift for my bird-watching point-and-shoot wife. Primarily, but not exclusively, outdoor daytime use. Simplicity is initially important but capability will become important with experience. I understand that the Konica-Minolta Z6 is basically a Z5 with more memory (true?) and the Z5 gets mixed user reviews (LCD and zoom mechanical problems). The Olympus SP-500 is a little pricey for my $300 budget but still affordable. The Fuji S5200 has the best user reviews but it's only a 5mp 10x camera compared to 6mp and up to 12x. I know that 6 is better than 5 and 12 is better than 10, but are those significant differences?

Decisions, decisions.

The only advice I've gotten was second hand from a friend of a friend who works at a brick and mortar camera store. She categorically recommended the Konica-Minolta over the Fuji because the Fuji is "slower" (not sure what that meant), has fewer pixels and lower zoom power for basically the same price. I can read the specs, too. What I need is an educated opinion.

Is there anything that sets these three apart for my intended use?

Thanks again.

Submitted By: ChipDoc

Location: Tampa, Florida

Joined: Nov 25 2005

Posts:

Re: Torn between Z6, SP-500, S5200

Posted: November 27, 2005 - 2:38pm

I haven't used any of those cameras you mentioned, but I can tell you with certainty that the difference between 10x and 12x is pretty significant - particularly if your wife is interested in birding. The difference between 5 and 6 mp isn't as big a deal. I've gotten wonderful 8x10 images from a Nikon 880 which is only 3.3 mp.

-Chip

Submitted By: rjw

Joined: Nov 26 2005

Posts:

Re: Torn between Z6, SP-500, S5200

Posted: November 28, 2005 - 6:13pm

Thanks for the advice, ChipDoc. I can see how an extra 2x on the zoom would be better. Of the three I've been considering, that rules out all but the KM Z6 which hasn't gotten stellar reviews from all of its owners. Another option is the Panasonic DMC FZ5. It's more expensive but its proprietary battery is a real disappointment. One spare battery alone costs as much as a good charger and a couple sets of high power AA NiMH used by all of the others.

Submitted By: ChipDoc

Location: Tampa, Florida

Joined: Nov 25 2005

Posts:

Re: Torn between Z6, SP-500, S5200

Posted: November 28, 2005 - 6:55pm

There are, of course, a lot of considerations besides magnification and megapixels. The following advice is based solely on my poking around the Net; I've never tried one of these cameras. But they sure look good from here.

Check out the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ3 which not only features a 12x lens, but a lens made by Leica which keeps a constant F2.8 brightness throughout the entire zoom range. Add to that the Optical Image Stabilizer package which comes standard with this camera and you have a mighty attractive camera. The MSRP is just over your stated budget, but I suspect that end-of-year discounts would bring it right down into the $300 range.

Very little can beat superb optics, but there is a downside to this camera - it's got a 3.1 mp sensor. Now as I said in an earlier post, this isn't as big a deal as you might think. You can make excellent 8x10 prints from an image of this size and I rarely make any larger than that.

Well, it's a thought anyway. Happy shopping!