Weak flash, poor parts quality, pretty good pictures

First of all, the pros. The camera takes really good pictures when there is enough natural light to make the flash unnecessary. I have produced some stunning macro shots of individual flowers, and the color balance seems to be excellent. The user interface is easy to use, and the autofocus and exposure are excellent.

The cons: 1. My battery door broke 5 months after I got it, even though I hadn't used it roughly at all. I attribute this to a weak design and recommend that you be VERY VERY gentle with your doors and buttons and such. They seem to be weak.

2. The user interface, though it is easy, gives entirely too little control. I realize that this is a point-and-shoot camera, but I should not have to go through 3 menus just to set the exposure up a few stops to get a decent picture of a sunset (which I don't have yet.) Anybody who knows how to use a camera which has adjustable aperture and shutter speed will soon regret the point-and-shoot interface.

3. THE FLASH IS TERRIBLE. The camera has no provision for an external flash, and its flash is not at all bright enough to provide decent exposure. Even at full wide angle, I have to be within 5-8 feet of my subject to get a decent flash. Also, the camera's flash doesn't recharge in less than about 10 seconds once you've fired it, but the camera doesn't know it. I shoot 3 pictures which had a half-flash or no flash to ever 1 that flashed brightly, and the camera doesn't keep you from trying or even warn you.

If you do a lot of outdoor vacation stuff and are gentle with the parts, it is an excellent shooting camera. My main grudges against it are its weak flash and its flimsy design and its lack of manual control.

PLEASE email me if you have a different experience. Michaelsalley@bellsouth.net