Fujifilm FinePix S4500 (Black)

Pros: 30x Optical Zoom
14MegaPixel
HD Video
Panorama mode
Better pictures than our small compact point and shoot
1/4 the cost of a mid-range dSLR
AA Battery powered (not proprietary rechargable)
Easier to switch from playback to shoot
Better zoom control

Cons: Battery ONLY (no power input)
Battery compartment on bottom (can't replace on tripod)
Data card located under camera with batteries (can't replace on tripod)
Viewer is eye or lcd only, not both
Error when powering up with lens cap on (restart!?!)

Summary: Very disappointed in this camera, compared to the Fujifilm S7000 I am replacing. Considering taking it back.

While there are some definite improvements over my old camera (better optical zoom, more megapixels, panorama mode, HD video), there are a ton of features missing and some really inconvenient features.

Because of the power zoom lens, the camera cannot start with the lens cap on. Well, it will turn on, but give you an error forcing you to turn it off and turn it back on.

The cameras battery compartment door is flimsy with an extra "trigger" to open. This makes it hard to open and close. It is also on the bottom of the camera, which means (since it has no a/c jack) you cannot change the batteries while using a tripod.

The SDHC data card is also located in the battery area, which means you can't replace the data card on a tripod.

While lighter, it seems more "plastic" than my old camera.

You cannot have the eye-view and LCD on at the same time.

I do prefer the more traditional zoom control and I like the ability to switch between playback and shoot with the new controls.

I am not a professional photographer, so I don't "need" a dSLR (although I was considering it). When I saw this new Fujifilm S4500 for about 1/4 the cost of a decent dSLR, and since I liked my old FujiFilm S7000 (10 years old - the viewer/sensor went bad in it), I decided to save the cash and just replace what I had that took great shots in the past.

Whoops! Little did I know how many features were missing from this newer model that I preferred on my last one. (data storage on the side, a/c jack). I don't like returning things, but I am afraid this one is going back.

Sorry, FujiFilm! I loved the S7000 since 2002. I wish this camera had been a better replacement for that one.