Hi.

Am attempting to buy my first Digital Camera. Have been really enjoying doing the research, re: reviews, user comments, etc. As you may expect, after 70-80 reviews, user comments, etc., I am now thoroughly confused.

Used the tool (forgot the name) that asks Qs, and helps zero in on a camera. Results were the Olympus 450Z. Started out liking the Kodak 200, then 210Z, but was not sure. Just read three reviews of the Cannon S10. Seems nice.

Am looking to spend $500. Want easy controls (Kodak?), but also want to take advantage of advances in Digital Photography....so the Cannon, with its ability to hold the new IBM card, has its appeal too. Then I am thinking...what the heck...the Olympus with a 32BM card can hold enough pics??

Will mostly use the camera for family stuff...some for the Net, some for printing. Like the idea of higher resolution giving me the option of printing larger pics...but in reality, 4X6s are probably what I would print most of the time.

The other issue is the 'un-availability' of the Olympus. Found one shop that had it, and they want retail ($499). Then again, I am thinking that with the Cannon, I will need to spend another $100 for the battery kit!

Anyone have any ideas, or experience with these particular models.

Thanks

Frank

-- Frank Bloomfield (75352.3655@compuserve.com), January 14, 2000

Answers

The S10 in my opinion is a lot better than the oly 450 or kodaks 200/210 you mentioned. It doesn't have much manual control, if you are into that. But it sure is easy to use. Image quality and small size are really great. The nikon 800 is very similar to the S10.

Also the S20 is coming out in a couple months, but it doesn't sound like you need the extra pixels it offers

-- benoit (foo@bar.com), January 14, 2000.