New camera query

[pjp]

Well my trusty old Fuji S602Z just went belly up (I stupidly broke it)
so time for a new camera ... yippie an excuse :)

I was very happy with the old camera except for a couple of shortcomings
I wish to correct this time around.

Wish list ...

Point & shoot with at least 30x zoom and fast auto-focus.

Complete manual control including speed and aperture priority, iso
settings, focus "type", color balance etc. etc.

Includes standard "stupidity? options, scene, portrait, night etc.
settings. As well does bracketed, continuous shooting etc. ISO must be
high enough to give decent night pics and useable without creating
?other? limitations, e.g. high iso = less res (which is what S602Z does)

Allows zoom and manual focus when doing video recording.

BIG DEAL FOR ME ... camera can be connected to a pc and all features
directly controlled thru software using the pc. This is so camera can be
out window by birdfeeder (as an example) while I can be 20? away
deciding when to take a pic.

I?m looking at another Fuji but it appears they don?t provide the ?use
pc to control? item and I know my S602Z couldn?t do anything in video
mode either. It seems impossible to find out if their models are more
full featured now.

I believe Canon might be a better choice.

Guidance appreciated.

[r***@optonline.net]

Post by pjp
Well my trusty old Fuji S602Z just went belly up (I stupidly broke it)
so time for a new camera ... yippie an excuse :)
I was very happy with the old camera except for a couple of shortcomings
I wish to correct this time around.
Wish list ...
Point & shoot with at least 30x zoom and fast auto-focus.
Complete manual control including speed and aperture priority, iso
settings, focus "type", color balance etc. etc.
Includes standard "stupidity? options, scene, portrait, night etc.
settings. As well does bracketed, continuous shooting etc. ISO must be
high enough to give decent night pics and useable without creating
?other? limitations, e.g. high iso = less res (which is what S602Z does)
Allows zoom and manual focus when doing video recording.
BIG DEAL FOR ME ... camera can be connected to a pc and all features
directly controlled thru software using the pc. This is so camera can be
out window by birdfeeder (as an example) while I can be 20? away
deciding when to take a pic.
I?m looking at another Fuji but it appears they don?t provide the ?use
pc to control? item and I know my S602Z couldn?t do anything in video
mode either. It seems impossible to find out if their models are more
full featured now.
I believe Canon might be a better choice.
Guidance appreciated.

I have a Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR which I'm very happy with.

[pjp]

In article <***@4ax.com>, rfdjr1
@optonline.net says...

Post by r***@optonline.net

Post by pjp
Well my trusty old Fuji S602Z just went belly up (I stupidly broke it)
so time for a new camera ... yippie an excuse :)
I was very happy with the old camera except for a couple of shortcomings
I wish to correct this time around.
Wish list ...
Point & shoot with at least 30x zoom and fast auto-focus.
Complete manual control including speed and aperture priority, iso
settings, focus "type", color balance etc. etc.
Includes standard "stupidity? options, scene, portrait, night etc.
settings. As well does bracketed, continuous shooting etc. ISO must be
high enough to give decent night pics and useable without creating
?other? limitations, e.g. high iso = less res (which is what S602Z does)
Allows zoom and manual focus when doing video recording.
BIG DEAL FOR ME ... camera can be connected to a pc and all features
directly controlled thru software using the pc. This is so camera can be
out window by birdfeeder (as an example) while I can be 20? away
deciding when to take a pic.
I?m looking at another Fuji but it appears they don?t provide the ?use
pc to control? item and I know my S602Z couldn?t do anything in video
mode either. It seems impossible to find out if their models are more
full featured now.
I believe Canon might be a better choice.
Guidance appreciated.

I have a Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR which I'm very happy with.

That's nice but how does that answer any of the questions I asked?

As I said I like Fuji based upon my S602 except for couple of issues. No
zoom during video capture was one with other being no control of camera
when connected to pc via usb. It becomes nothing more than a stupid
webcam and doesn't even allow contrast or brightness control.

I believe Fuji's now have zoom during video but still lack being able to
control it via usb cable on attached pc. Canon I believe does give you
this feature on at least some models.

Neither company has responded to a query to "Presales ..." asking
questions.

I want a camera I can add a usb extension cable to so it reaches outside
a window for taking closeups of hummingbirds etc. where I can sit inside
unseen and take a pic when I wish.