I have recently bought this model from Chennai after spending around 2 hours looking at the various models in this price range. It came with its own case. I bought extra batteries(LiMH) and charger along with a 512MB memory card. I am going to buy a bigger memory card(1GB) pretty soon. Some things that really struck me about this camera were
Tthe manual mode in which you can actually change shutter speeds etc for experimenting. This is not available in the Sony or the Kodak cameras in this range. I have not been able to experiment with these myself till now but will surely do so.
The number of modes that are available. Simply exhorbitant and the options in each mode are also pleasing. One thing that is a bit problematic is that it takes a little bit of time to understand each of these modes. I am still in the learning phase.
The speed with which the camera prepares itself for the next snap. At full battery and using flash, it took hardly any time which actually took me by surprise.
The weight of the camera is very less. does not look that way from the bulkiness of the camera but you hardly feel the weight.
The wide range of pics that can be taken from this camera is great and I will really recommend this camera for anyone who is planning to take on digital still photography as a hobby(though the movie clip option is also present but I am of the type who feels that movie clips should be taken from handicams which are made for that purpose. If my camera has that option then it is a good thing but the camera should be able to take proper pics for which it has been made primarily). I have started uploading pics on my bolg which I will suggest for anyone to see at https://falcontravels.blogspot.com
The camera has a lot to teach anyone.
A Must Buy.