Best Product for the Price

Author's Rating:

Pros: 10.7x zoom lens, 9.1 MP, XD and Compact Flash Cards, Tilt LCD, 4 AA batteries.

Cons: Included 16MB XD is a joke. Poor quality after ISO 200. Weak flash. Battery life.

The Bottom Line: 
Buy this camera if you are not completely positive that you will be into photography forever or if you simply can't afford to spend $1000 on a good SLR.

Author's Review
I purchased this camera as someone who had become very interested in photography, yet wasn't sure how long the hobby would last. Shortly after receiving this camera in the mail I took an upper-level digital photography class and from the very beginning, with this camera, I was able to out perform many students with cameras which cost twice as much as mine. I've now taken over 6000 pictures with it, most of which were print quality, and have loved it from the beginning. If you can't afford a SLR with lenses starting at $1000 and up, this is the camera for you. The features rival that of a lower end SLR, only at a much lower price. My friend knocked mine off of a table onto concrete, and it has taken a few thousand pictures since then. One benefit is that it is not the newest model, yet the specs are still almost as high, so this really helps keep the price down. This camera allows you ample control over the shutter speed with a decent range of aperture. However, if you are wanting to shoot in Manual, it is somewhat cumbersome to adjust both as you must change mode to adjust the aperture.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this camera for anyone who is serious about learning the ins and outs of photography. If you really become good, you will surpass the capabilities of this camera, but it will take quite a while.