Wanted to stop in here and say hi, I have been a member since '99, I have was active with poser for awhile then took several years time off now I am back. I have never stopped in this forum before even though most of my work posted is photographs.  Photography has become a growing hobby of mine I am rarely anywhere with out a camera anymore.

Right now I use a Nikon Coolpix 5600 its ok IMO but I plan on getting a better camera soon as the nikon just isnt working for everything I want to do.

I am looking into either this

Canon - PowerShot 6.0MP Digital Camera

or

Fuji - FinePix 5.1MP Digital Camera

or any other idea's that someoene may have for me.

My price max price before sales tax is 499 , I would love a SLR but that is going to have to wait for a couple years.

Howdy and welcome back. It's always nice to see someone bitten with the photography bug. As for your quest...  Fuji has a newer FinePix model out and it's still under 500 bucks too (barely). Haven't really heard any reviews of it though. 500 dollars is really close to the entry DSLR level. I'd be tempted to hold out and save save save to go that route. Good luck!

the canon is right the one I bought recently as DSLR cam are way more expensive over here...and I am very lucks to have this one...its easy to handle, has a great macro, sveral programs as for stiching, colorreplacing and so on and you can adjust your setting in manual to what ever you like nevertheless...plus and this is the advantage for me...is handy enough to take it everywhere...just my two cents  

Gidday Viper,
Nice to see you in here. Specially after over hundred messages i sent. Thanks
Now for camera. Is it 500 american dollars? If would hangout for DSLR. Specially you could get a canon 300D maybe now for that price. Sometimes they come with two lenses. Just depends on what country your from?
Chris

Yeah that would be 500USD. I considered a SLR but so far I have been hard pressed to find one that comes with len9s) for under 800USD and for where I am at that is outs my price range atm. My paln was pick up one of these SLR styles that have a optical zoom of atleast 10 and that would hold me over for atleast the year next tax return season will be better for me this year is full of obligations. Oh and plan on a ton of questions from me.

Well welcome back 1999 must make you a founder member!!  I tend to agree with the guys on getting DSLR to sart with as if you buy a prosumer now you will have lost at least $250 by next year in its resale value You could get a 300D 2nd hand right now  with something like a 28-200 Zoom and any money you spend on that like on Compact flash cards will then be not wasted if you upgrade later, and have a secound body to use as well...