Panasonic FZ7 vs Fuji S5200

[bpl323]

Hi all--

I'm very close to getting an FZ7, but couldn't over look the S5200 from Fuji which is about $70 cheaper. I've found the FZ7 for $310 and the S5200 for $240.

***I'm also open to similarly priced and featured models.

I'm going to use the camera for a little bit of everything (got rid of a Kodak zoom-er because it didn't have enough features), so I need a good all around camera.

My concern about the S5200 is that it doesn't have image stabilization. Will that be a big deal (I've never had IS before, but do get my share of blurry pics) or does their whatever-it's-called technology work well enough?

I also really like the fact that the FZ7 is compact and quite lightweight, but the S5200 uses AA's. Manual controls are a must. I wish the FZ7 had RAW (that's a big plus for the S5200). I'll probably be blowing two or three images a year up to at 16x20-ish size (so I realize the FZ7's ISO problems will be annoying).

Just for reference:
-I don't really like the Canon S2 because it is heavy (no, I haven't held the S5200) compared to the FZ7 and has no uncompressed format.
-I don't have any complaints about the Sony H2, but I can't find it for under $330/350.

So-- sound off... I'd love opinions on which I should get.

Thanks

[AlexMonro]

I have the larger Fuji S9500, which also doesn't have IS. I haven't missed it, and haven't found much need to wind up the ISO sensitivity to get faster shutter speeds to reduce camera shake either (which is all Fuji's fancily named "anti blur technology" does anyway).

If you do a lot of shots at full zoom (and IIRC the FZ7 zooms in further, to 432mm equiv, than the S5200's 380mm equiv) of static subjects, then the IS might be useful. If you use full zoom for action shots of moving subjects (sports etc.) then you're going to need fast shutter speeds to freeze the action anyway, so the Fuji's higher sensitivity will be useful, as it will for any shots in lower light conditions.

[bpl323]

I would say more of my fully zoomed shots are action shots vs static. I do like that the FZ7 has 12x zoom and their extended zooming could be useful from time to time... but I'm sure a 5MP/10x lens would be fine for all but one or two shots.

I really do like the FZ7's size... but the more I think about it the more I would like a non-extending a little (easier for filters and such), but an extending zoom lens and push on lens cap makes removing the lens cap easy.

I'm so torn!!

Thanks for your help-- keep it coming please.