Pretty good for the price
I received this camera as a gift, approximately April of 2008. I'm still impressed that, despite its age (at least for a technology item), its features still compete well with new models. Indeed, this camera has quite a few features, especially for the price, and thus can be as hard or as easy to use as you want it to be. Easy because it features several automatic settings, even one that is so automatic, it could be used by a child. In fact, setting the camera to this setting makes it so that you cannot change many options at all. That is, flash and red-eye reduction cannot be turned off, no change can be made to shutter speed, etc. The normal auto mode allows for more changes, and the manual mode allows you to change any settings you'd like. Additionally, the camera "remembers" the settings you use in manual mode, so if you have a set up you like, you don't have to keep making adjustments. I appreciate this. There are several scenes available, which are supposed to optimize the settings for your particular situation - i.e. portraits, snow shots, landscapes, etc. I haven't found them to be that exciting, though, so it's not an especially great selling point. I do like the auto face-finder, the availability of manual shutter speed settings, and the option to take pictures in a variety of colors (vivid, sepia, B&W) and resolutions (standard - for web usage, up to superfine - for enlargements and the like; superfine makes each pic 2-3 mgs). Another great feature, especially for a camera of this price, is the video capabilities. It shoots decent video, with sound, for as long as you have memory. My biggest complaint with this camera is that the shutter is pretty slow, even set to its fastest speed. It's always giving me the "low light/shaky camera" warning when inside, even when I've got pretty good natural light. Although I often get clear enough shots anyway, they're never crisp when that warning is on. Also, I frequently get blurry shots in low-light situations. Certainly this is to be expected, but I feel I did get better clarity with my old 2 MP Nikon Coolpix. Of course, the battery life is much better when compared to the Nikon, so there are tradeoffs. Overall, for the price, it's a pretty good camera with a lot of features. I'd recommend it, especially if you're doing a lot of outside shooting or are in places with a good amount of lighting.
knitt
Tyler, TX