"Image stabilized (IS) mega-zoom digicams are currently one of the hottest products in the high tech marketplace.  Kodak's first foray in this highly competitive arena, the Kodak Easyshare Z612, was designed to compete directly with Canon's S3 IS, Sony's H5, and Panasonic's FZ7.  All four cameras share remarkably similar features -- compact SLR like bodies, good ergonomics, long zooms, and a broad range (Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes) of exposure options.  The Z612, like its competition, tries to balance point-and-shoot convenience and enhanced usability with prosumer level flexibility and creative control." You can read the full article here