I've bought a fujifinepix f50 around christmas, and have just gotten round to printing some pictures out. The pictures look fine on the computer but the prints seem a little soft, and lack the crispness of my old ricoh camera. I've tried all the various iso settings and so on, but the pictures still lack the clarity I want.

So anyway, I'm going to try to change it, any recommendations?

I recommend mostly Canon. Avoid Sony as they break after a year or less. Also Sonys interface is counter intuitive.

A great site to look at is
http://www.dpreview.com

I own a Panasonic Lumix LX2. It can take great pictures, has a panaoramic super wide screen function and works great on manual too. My wife has a more professional one Canon 400D, it's superb in every way. The 450D is just out too! The Panasonic Lumix DMC has released a great new camera out (with 25mm wide angle without distortion), has a touch screen that you can click on to set what person you want to focus on and if the person moves (like kids usually) it will follow it automatically. Also has HD video.

You can do a side by side comparison of functions to any cameras too and the user reviews are very informative on the site with sample pictures from users.

I recently got a Canon Powershot SD870 IS.

Awesome camera.

I personally believe Canon's are nice, but overrated. Personally, I wouldn't mind too much if my digital equipment broke down more frequently so I would have an excuse to get new ones.

I love my Canon cause of the wide angle lens.
Makes it easier to take pics of large groups of toys.

i hope it's cool if i ask in here mondocoyote, saves making a new thread.

i turn 21 on may 2nd and i want a camera before i go to tokyo (may 10). for the first time in my life my parents have actually been able to afford and offered to buy me one which i really appreciate. i probably have up to $750 AUS to spend; any recommendations? i definately don't want to get anything sony, my current digi camera (which i got in 2003) is probably the worst camera in existence.

I suggest Canon and Nikon.

We've had great luck with our Canon Rebel XTi digital camera...well, aside from a cracked LCD...but that was because I'm an ox....

+1 this is the camera I bring with me to S7 and shows....

Canon all the way.

+1 on the Canon from me also!
The Powershots are a good price level for its quality.
I'm still using a SD400 from a few years ago, works Great!

I went back to the shop to have a good moan and change for a canon, and the girl there did a few test shots from my SD card. The pictures came out beautifully, much to my embarrassment. (A loving shot of 3 gatcha dokurocks). It seems my printer doesn't work too well with the new camera, so I think I'll have to upgrade.

But, thanks everyone for the help! My wife is after a camera too, so I'll take all your comments into consideration.

Brian

Well awhile back I asked the same question. And an old member drewproduces who is a photographer told me that the most important aspect of the camera is the lens. So when doing research focus (no pun intended) on the lens. Cannon has really good products so thats what I went with and have been very happy !

That's why I'm a fan of the Rebel XTi. I wanted an SLR digital. Lenses can get pricey, but it's fun.

There's been a price drop/quality so it's even better now.

i also own a Panasonic Lumix but the fx01, it has a wide angle lens made by leica. does 16x9 video.