This is quick and dirty, sorry...
For the
Kancamagus trip, which was my first attempt, I used the Nikon 5600 (the one I gave to Terry). It is only 5 megapixel, has usual slow shutter response. Focus is fine, most of my pics are in focus if I just take the milisecond to focus before I shoot. It is small enough to hold easily and sticks in a pocket.
The Vermont trip was a combo of Nikon 4800 and Nikon D70. The Nikon 4800 has the same delayed shutter response and it's only 4 meg. It has an 8x zoom - I don't find the zoom very useful on the bike, by the time you see something and react it's gone. Focus is fast. The camera is a bit thicker than the 5600, so it doesn't fit in a pocket as easily. If I had a choice between the 5600 and the 4800 I would bring the 5600. Aside from the shutter delay it is perfect.
The Panasonic DMC-FZ7 6MP Digital Camera with 12x zoom - the one I got last fall before the one I sold to Cheryl - I loved the pix but it was soooo slow. Even the LCD responded slower than the Nikon 4800 - hold them side by side and move them, the Panasonic was way slow to respond. Not suitable for shooting off a moving bike.
The D70 is heavy but oh so quick, and the zoom is more usable. Disadvantage is that you have to have it up to your eye all the time so you miss the trip itself - or you can point and shoot if you have good aim. Focus is instantaneous, never have to worry about that. Basically "youseeityoushootit". The digicams are nice if you can use the LCD, which is difficult in the sun (and who takes pictures in the rain...!) I usually just hold the camera up and shoot blind (can you tell?)
If you are planning to make big blowups, like 16 x 20 inches the 5600 and 4800 won't do the trick. But if you are planning to display your shots on the web they are perfect, and that is what most of these pics are good for. Color is adequate, I don't have it turned up but I could.
Battery life on all 4 cameras was fine, never ran out of juice before I filled the 256 meg card.
I would like the same package as the 5600 with faster shutter response and more pixels.
