Kodak EasyShare Z712IS or Kodak EasyShare Z1275?

[Cich_lids]

I am looking to buy a camera in the $200 dollar range and I know nothing about cameras. I have narrowed it down to these two based on price and local availability. as far as I know these are the major differences in them

Kodak EasyShare Z1275
12 megapixles
5x optical zoom

Kodak EasyShare Z712IS
7.1 megapixles
12x optical zoom

so basically I am wondering whats is more important megapixles or the more zoom? I will be using the camera for normal photos and taking pictures of my fish. any suggestions would be great. also if anyone has any experience good or bad with either of these please feel free to share. thanks.

Brandon

 

[three-fingers]

If it's between those two I'd go for the Z712IS.

You don't really need 12 megapixels unless your making big poster size prints, and even then the quality of the 12 mp pics from that camera may not be up to it.

The Z1297 is a simple cheaper and more portable point and shoot camera, while the Z712IS seems to be a 'bridge'/'superzoom' model. Basically this means it will have more features, and likely a better lens and performance at the expense of being bulkier and more expensive.

You can compare the exact specs here though, I've not had a good look yet:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Kodak/kodak_z712.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Kodak/kodak_z1275.asp

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