We are booked for a safari in late spring and we need a new digital camera as mine is 5 yrs old. I'm still a novice but have several months to practice, so PLEASE help with some suggestions. What do we have to spend in order to get close ups and action shots without a lot of bulky equipment? Thanks for your advice!

You didnt mention whether you are up for a digical SLR or not. If you want to take only one camera, have it light and wide angle to zoom, I would recommend the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 which is 35-400 zoom and you can get it for around $550.

If you want to take a DSLR, you have choices and I can make recommendations there also, however your costs (and quality go up). If I was to take only 1 dslr Camera or lens, it would be the Canon digital rebel or 20D. The lens I would use is a Canon 100-400. This will provide you with excellent flexibilty. 90% or more of my shots in Africa animal are shots with that lens. However now you are talking $2000.

Mike

Mairseydotes,

Here are some past lengthy discussions on cameras

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34728425

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34689483

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34721762

And this one is 255 posts or something!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34562663

I have read through many of these and have decided to get the Panasonic FZ25 or FZ30. That seems to be a favorite on this board. Mytmoss agrees.

mairseydotes:
atravelynn has given you the previous threads to read. Here is my comment.
We upgraded our "point and shot" digital for this trip and after reading the great posts here chose the FZ30. The thing that I learned by going to the camera shops that I could not learn by reading here or elsewhere was that it mattered to us how the camera "felt" in our hands. So we researched here and ultimately purchased on-line, but it was essential to go to camera stores and pick them up and handle them.

Mairseydotes-

The links people gave should familiarize you with the major issues. One update that probably isn't reflected in that Panasonic has announced the successor to the Fz5. The Fz7 incorporates a few of the Fz30 enhancements and you can click on my name to see my recent post with some details. I wouldn't buy until some the the big camera sites have reviewed it, but I think there would still be time to purchase one and practice before your trip.

-Matt