[JMan09]

I am going to Spain in March and wanted to get a new camera before I went, with a fast shutter, and a good size built in optical zoom. Each camera has 12x optical zoom and 5.1MP and cost $449.

I was also lookin at the Kodak Z650, it has 10x optical zoom, and 6.1 MP and it cost $349.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these or recommend a similarly specd camera?

[Leia's Left Bun]

OMG the sony's have much better opticals.

[JMan09]

Anyone else have any good info.

[ghporter]

Kodak's optics are pretty darn good. Sony's are apparently better in a LOT of people's eyes. My (relatively old now) Kodak DX6490 has a Schneider - Kreuznach Variogon lens that does a 10X optical zoom. Good name, looks good, etc. But it's only a 4.1Mpix camera...

If you can afford both, choose the one YOU think makes better pictures. Try them both out at the store - make the sales drone show you how the pictures look on BIG screens so you can see any differences. You can nod your head and be impressed, but you don't have to buy right then if that store doesn't have the best price. It's the sales drone's JOB to demonstrate stuff for you, so let him do it.

[the macimum]

Neither, Nikon D50

[JMan09]

If I had the money I would get the Nikon D50.

I went to the store to look at both cameras, and I am now leaning toward the Sony. But when I was looking in a Photography magazine that I have, in the back ads I saw a company that sold the Sony DSC-H1 for $319. The website is broadwayphoto.com. I was wondering if anyone else has seen this. They say it comes fresh from the camera company and with all included accessories. It sounds like a good deal because it is over $100 less than Best Buy and the Sony website. And it also comes with a 1 year warranty.

[mduell]

I like the Canon S2 IS.

Read the reviews for all three at dpreview.com