Cannon SX110 or Panasonic TZ5? Any thoughts or guidance?
1023637
I have been going back and forth with the same question. I have read all the reviews and opinions I can find on both. After going to the local store and playing with the TZ5 and the 100 (since the 110 is not out yet) I did not find many major difference from the point of view of a novice user. The two main difference I noted were 1) the TZ5 is more compact and I really liked that, however 2) when I zoomed in with the canon on a small sign the image was crystal clear, when I did the same with the TZ% the same sign was very blurry, not even close to readable. This decided it for me. I went with canon.
262287
Without a doubt the Panasonic is a better deal and camera for the money ,I have both the G12 and the LX5 and the Panasonic wins hands down in almost all aspects. Just My op of course.
644657
The S5 has better pictures, a better menu and interface, better sensor, bigger LCD and a hotshoe. If battery life amnd weight is a issue but you still want a mega-zoom camera wait for the Powershot SX100 to come out.
876664
Brad - I don't think you can go wrong with either camera. Add to for your consideration the Sony HX5 - it's on a par with these two. I looked long and hard at all 3 of these, researching specs and comments, as well as trying them out in camera stores, etc. I finally chose the S8100, although only coming out in September the amount of reviews is sparse - but even compared to the S8000 earlier model the improved S8100 proves to be a great camera. One thing I really like is the heft and feel of the camera, as well as the professional and high quality look and detail of the camera. It's a joy to take photos with this camera. The photos from it are stunning.
889908
I think I will buy the Panasonic Lumix ZS3 hybrid camera when more positive reviews are available, probably in April. It has stereo sound recording, usable zoom while taking video and 3" 460K resolution LCD. The only minor drawback with it is it does not support manual mode. There is no RAW mode too at this time, but that's software and they can easily add that later in new firmware. It also costs about $50 more than the SX200. Of course the SX1 IS is better, but that is a different class of camera and too bulky for light traveling.
348784
I too am torn between the Canon SX10 and this Nikon. I was 90% sure I was going to go with the Canon as it gets nothing but stellar reviews, but I tried them out side by side today and I have to say - the Nikon seemed more intuitive to use! My kids started going off the deep end before I could make a final decision, but I'll be watching this post to see how others chime in :)
883521
I've never owned a Panny FZ70, but I did own a Panny FZ40 and I will say the FZ40 is a fine camera with excellent image quality. That being said, I love the image quality on the X-S1 and overall I think it is a better camera. I don't know about anybody else, but I had a problem with dust and dirt getting inside of the FZ40 camera's lens and it made the camera unusable. The X-S1 is an amazing camera and it is built very solid with many metal fittings instead of plastic pieces that you find on a lot of cameras. I love the manual zoom as well, it's got a pro-camera feel about it, I wouldn't trade my X-S1 camera for any other out there. The filter size is 62mm which I highly recommend getting to protect your lens. I bought a Fujicon clear UV filter lens and a Sigma polarized lens as well for bright sunlight days. I couldn't be happier with my X-S1 camera.
152152
Hey Julie- I too had this same question so I went out and purchased the Lumix DMC-TZ5. I found the camera to be very good in the zoom department and video was nice as well. The reason I returned this camera was because of the picture quality. Panasonic seems to me, to have yellow pictures. Even though there is IS, I still had many shots that turned out to be blurry. I owned a Pansasonic in the past and had the same issues on that camera. I now own the Olympus Stylus 1010 for about 2 weeks. I had a mid-size camera for years and loved it but wanted a pocket size camera that would do justice. I am very picky and have bought and returned 4 different point and shoot cameras. The Olympus 1010 is the first camera that I have fell in love with. Very fast, very small, and the image quality is awesome! I have a very difficult shooting base but this camera far exceeds any other camera I have purchased or spent many hours playing with. I am so very satisfied with my purchase and Olympus really has come through with this camera. Hope this helps!
391686
I think I will buy the Panasonic Lumix ZS3 hybrid camera when more positive reviews are available, probably in April. It has stereo sound recording, usable zoom while taking video and 3" 460K resolution LCD. The only minor drawback with it is it does not support manual mode. There is no RAW mode too at this time, but that's software and they can easily add that later in new firmware. It also costs about $50 more than the SX200.Of course the SX1 IS is better, but that is a different class of camera and too bulky for light traveling.
288589
I have just ordered an FZ35. I was previously holding out for the FZ40, but after reading the reviews on the FZ100, I have concluded that the FZ35 is a BETTER product than the FZ40 will be! According to many FZ35 owners who have purchased an FZ100 (which has the same lens, zoom, and CCD chip as the FZ40) the image quality is NOT as good on the FZ100 as it is on the FZ35. This is attributed to the increased Megapixels that are jammed onto a SMALLER CCD chip. In order to add the increased zoom, Panasonic had to shrink the size of the CCD chip, and at the same time they jammed in more pixels. Consequence: loss of image quality. Low light photos on the FZ100 are apparently grainier on the FZ100 than on the FZ35 as well. Add to that the fact that the FZ40 will only accept microchipped Panasonic batteries (at 3-4 times the price of aftermarket batteries) and the choice is clear! Stop waiting! Buy an FZ35. I just did myself!
1407636
Better yet, if you swing it, get a used S95 or an S100. Any issue with the S100 return it and get a new one. A slightly larger camera (and better camera) is the Panasonic LX5. Great lens, larger sensor, better video (even if it's not 1080).
940342
Since you like the Canon S95, you should REALLY like the little S120. But I returned it to consider the Sony RX100, but more moola for it! My DSLR kit is Canon T5i and 3 lenses, but we all need a little "pocket-rocket" also. I am also considering the little Coolpix P330.
461241
Didn't get but one answer. Bought the Panasonic TZ 3 and i am VERY happy with it so far. No regrets about the choice. Very good quality of 8x10 enlargements even without any corrections. Sturdier than the Cannon i think. Two other friends just bought it also.
1338311
I second the TL500. I've owned the S90, LX3, and LX5. The LX3 & LX5 have color & WB issues (they don't even have a florescent WB setting). The S90 was great except for the previously mentioned blown highlights & 28mm. All these cameras look great on their own, but if you can compare them to a good DSLR and you'll see all their strengths and weaknesses. Good luck.
346434
I recommend the Panasonic DMC-TZ5 or the older model TZ4 - these are point & shoot cameras with 10X optical zoom - and you can't go wrong with a camera made in Japan, not China.
1721984
The FZ28 is a really nice camera -- arguably slightly better than the Canon on image quality and IS and almost certainly better on the UI, where Canon just does a terrible job in some ways. (Who came up with the rotating wheel on the SX10? It drives me crazy every time I have to use it.)The make-or-break feature for me, though, and the reason I went with the Canon, is that the Lumix lacks a hotshoe for external flash. A good off-camera flash gives you so much more versatility in what, when, and how you shoot.
490818
I am also looking at these two cameras. My needs are a good low light performance as well as action sport shots. I had purchased the Panasonic FZ8 but have returned it because the inside low light pictures were very noisy and grainy. It took great outside pictures and was responsibly fast. I'm currently wanting to try the Sony but don't like the idea of having to buy a memory stick for it, I have a few sd cards that the Canon takes.