[DieselMDX]

yeah that is my plan i want a dslr but need a small camera to carry around imo sd1000 is perfect

thanx P1

[Netspec]

I didn't see anyone mention Olympus SP (550-570) series. I purchased a 550 last year and it does what I need it to do. Size was a factor for me, as I don't do well with smaller P&S cameras. Just need to take more pictures so that I can become more comfortable with its features.

[agentf1]

I just ordered a Nikon Coolpix P80 so I will let you know when I get it. It has a 18X zoom and does just about everything a DSLR will do minus raw format but yet there is no worry about getting dust on the sensor.

[sal329]

I got a Canon S850is for my fiance for Christmas, I love that thing

[agentf1]

Originally Posted by agentf1

I just ordered a Nikon Coolpix P80 so I will let you know when I get it. It has a 18X zoom and does just about everything a DSLR will do minus raw format but yet there is no worry about getting dust on the sensor.

Just to update everybody, the Ninon P80 works awesome and has almost all the same features a good DSLR would have a half the cost and no worry about swapping lenses or getting dust on sensors. I also love my Canon SD300, fits in my pocket and takes great shots.

[agentf1]

Well after comparing the P80 to my friends Panasonic FZ18 I found the FZ18 took better pics so ended up returning the Nikon P80 and picking up the FZ18. The P80 seemed to excel if you were just shooting macro shots but what percentage of your shots are bees on flowers. The FZ18 took just about every other shot all the way up to the long end of the zoom much better.

Needless to say the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ18 gets my recommendation for the best point and shoot with a mega zoom.

[Rydawg]

I was also looking at the P80 and I did not here to many people like it. I heard the Panny FZ18 is an amazing camera though. The TZ5 gets amazing reviews also.

[Denzil]

Personally, I use the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N1. It's a few years outdated but it still holds up with its 8.1MP resolution. It's pretty nice because it has a 3" touchscreen LCD display and I got it for pretty cheap over the internet.

However, now I'm thinking of taking my photography to another level by going with a Canon DSLR (not sure which model at the moment) or a Nikon D40x. Not only that but lenses will be similar to polishes... just gotta have them all! LoL... well, maybe not so much.

[agentf1]

Originally Posted by Denzil

Personally, I use the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N1. It's a few years outdated but it still holds up with its 8.1MP resolution. It's pretty nice because it has a 3" touchscreen LCD display and I got it for pretty cheap over the internet.

However, now I'm thinking of taking my photography to another level by going with a Canon DSLR (not sure which model at the moment) or a Nikon D40x. Not only that but lenses will be similar to polishes... just gotta have them all! LoL... well, maybe not so much.

If you do not mind getting dust on the sensor and spending boat loads of money on lenses a DSLR is the way to go, otherwise I would go with the Panasonic FZ18, it does everything that a DSLR will do, has a 18X zoom (28.7X Zoom when in 2mb mode) and allows you to manually set all your settings or use the auto mode. So far I LOVE this camera and for 329 bucks you really CANNOT go wrong.

I compared it to the Olympus 570 and the Nikon P80 and the Panasonic was the best of the bunch. I would have cost me over 1000 bucks to get a comparable DSLR and lenses that do almost what the 18X zoom can (28 to 504mm).

When they get the dust on sensor issue resolved and I have a spare $1000+ dollars laying around I will go DSLR. But to get 1 lense that covers 28 to 504mm so I do not need to swap lenses and get the dust issue is way to expensive right now IMHO.