I wanted more zoom and more pictures. I considered a DSLR but couldn't justify the $$$ for the number of shots I don't take. I was almost intimidated by the P80 due to negative reviews about image quality, excessive latency, etc. This camera is all I need. hoped for more. I agree with other readers that you should read the manual. Before I did that, a few sample photos I took looked crappy, but after looking at the manual for 5-10 minutes I'm getting consistently great shots now. Shutter lag, fantastic zoom, etc. I even found the 13fps sports mode takes great shots, and when combined with the 18x zoom, I can get close-up sports shots that I've been missing before. Advanced photographer, then perhaps a little more critical consideration is required. However, if you're a beginner, don't be fooled by critical reviews comparing this camera to much more expensive DSLRs. I've found this camera to offer most of the features of a DSLR at a much lower price, allowing me to take fantastic photos.
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