Help on camera choice

[jamtarts]

Hi, I was looking for a bit help choosing a new camera, I'm a novice photographer,

I've had my Fuji A101 camera for a couple of years now, after having previously had another Fuji digital camera (which at the moment I can't remember the model),

anyway I feel I want to keep this camera as it is a very handy size for snaps etc, but I am looking for more from it now so my plan is to go for a better second camera,

having looked about I have narrowed it down to about 3 cameras that have suitable features in my price range,

the cameras are:-

Minolta Z1
Fuji S5000
Kodak DX6490

can anybody give me any advice on which camera to go for, or has anybody any similar priced/featured cameras that they can suggest,

thanks for your help

[gregoryd]

A side by side review http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare ... 1&show=all shows the Z1 as your best bet

[jamtarts]

A side by side review http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare ... 1&show=all shows the Z1 as your best bet

superb thanks for that, thats a great help, I'll start saving now

thanks again

[castledude]

superb thanks for that, thats a great help, I'll start saving now

Better hurry all three cameras you have listed are being replaced .. The prices now are low because of this.

[atindra]

I own a Kodak DX 6490 and it looks better than Fuji's equivalent, I dont know about Minolta Z1 much. The best thing is its rechargeable battery and its charging dock, if you are lucky you will get some very good deal.

[atindra]

I think Z1 is 3.2 MP camera and same is Fuji's s5000 but 6490 is 4 MP and it is really good. I feel trust user opinions than the reviews. Check on CNET, epinions and other sites.

[bobtrips]

Got to disagree with you about user opinions versus real reviews.

There are just way too many people who rave (or rant) about their particular camera and have no, or almost no, experience with other models.

I've seen people highly praise the quality of the 8"x12" prints that they made from their 2 meg 'whatever'. "Just as good as film!" Obviously they aren't either objective or knowledgeable.

Reviewers, the major ones, are fairly objective. To the extent that they have a bit of bias one can adjust the review accordingly. Consider the fact that they get dozens and dozens of different cameras to use for considerable periods of time.

And remember that they have to publicly defend their statements. It makes them fairly careful about what they say.

(Re: bias. Phil at http://www.dpreview.com is a city boy. He doesn't seem to go out and shoot in the wider world and tends to not value long zooms and light weight as much as I do. I simply read his reviews with that in mind.)