Maybe I'm nuts, but how does the Fuji Finepix E550 sound?

[Deja Q]

For 6.3 MP with a customized CCD, and at $299 after a lot of rebates, I am actually considering the camera.

Not sure why... but I am. Maybe because it's fast, is 6.3MP, and lightweight. And because I could print fully detailed 11x14" pics (my current Sony Mavica starts showing annoying pixelization at 11x14")

I gather that it has a tendency to overcompress though.

What do y'all think? Is the E550 a good value? (I thought of the Kodak DX7630, 6MP for $350, but had read that the pics were considerably grainy and the overall quality was closer to 4x).

The Olympus C7000 and Canon G6 are nice (especially the G6) but cost waaaaaaaaaay too much, and the Olympus model has a very annoying barrel distortion effect at any zoom setting. :puke:

Or should I really wait and buy a parrot for the same amount of money? :D

[Touchdown]

1. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Some specs on it...

FinePix E550 Zoom Features:

6.3 million pixel Super CCD HR
12.3 million recorded pixels for an image size of 4048 x3040
4x optical zoom (32.5-130mm in 35mm equiv)
Ultra-Fast 1.2 Second start-up
Macro focus as close as 3.0 inches
Movie Mode; 30fps w/sound @ 640 x 480 or 320 x 240
2.0" color TFT LCD monitor, 154,000 pixels
Auto, Scene, Program AE, Aperture priority, Shutter-speed priority and Manual exposure modes
Multi, Average or Spot exposure metering
Adjustable ISO sensitivity, white balance, sharpness, color mode
3 - 1/2000 sec shutter speeds
Uses removable xD-Picture cards (16MB included)
Compact (4.1 x 2.5 x 1.4 inch) durable metal-front body
Very lightweight at just 7.1 oz. (excluding batteries)
Powered by two standard AA type batteries, two 2300MaH NiMH rechargeables and charger included
USB connectivity and PictBridge direct-print compatible
Optional Picture Cradle & rechargeable battery pack

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/fuji_e550.html


Since it says high resolution, I'm sure you can shoot in a RAW mode with it. I have the Nikon Coolpix 8700 ($800), and love it, but it was expensive. As long as it's got a zoom and intelligent metering, so you can get some variety, I think it would be a great camera!

Here's a pic...

[Deja Q]

2. That or the Canon G6, which is $300 more but is a great camera.

I'm thinking of trying the E550 first - apart from excessive JPEG compression on certain modes (and default contrast settings), it's HIGHLY recommended.

[Florida_Geek]

3. Well I just brought a D2H

:)I could have brought one of those and around 10 parrots :evilgrin:

No I really love my D2H.....