Kati J wrote:.

My needs are something not too big, norheavy, which will enable me to take QUICK shots of my kids (dogs),also with wide zoom, great picture quality..

Most cameras today will give you this..

My camera is very slowand I always miss that great pose etc. So speed is important..

P&S cameras are slower than DSLR, although with technology in the fast lane you may find one that is fast..

I dotake very close up of the dogs faces when they are asleep - sothere is a need for that too. Also I seem to be unable to keep thecamera perfectly stable at all times, I do have a stand but thedogs are always on the move so it is not often I can use that..

If this problem is with good lighting, then you need to improve your technique. If this problem is in low light, then you need a camera which will allow settings to provide a good picture with a faster shutter speed. Since you use AUTO MODE (Below) your camera is probably using a very slow shutter speed in low light..

Also I need much higher optical zoom then x3 say 10 or so. Mythoughts so far are Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ3 or the Olympus SP 550UZhowever I dont think these have face detection. By the wayalthough I have taken thousands of photos I am a real beginner whoalways uses AUTO mode, however, I am willing to put in the time tolearn if it enables me to capture those adorable dog photos, orthat dolphin in the Bay which is normally in the distance..

I assume your current camera has Scene Modes. Learn to use these at this time. If this requires more time and effort than you want to expend, then you may NOT want a DSLR. A DSLR will require even more time and effort to learn..

FINE PRINT: I reserve the right to be wrong. Should you prove me wrong, I reserve the right to change my mind...

First you seem to have identified a camera for yourself. My main objection to the Panasonic point and shoots is that they are noisy sensors..

Do you really need 10x zoom from a compact ? You limit your choices a lot with such a high number. Wide angle is also a tough one - few compacts have a really wide angle lens. In terms of getting that wide angle and long zoom in a really compact camera you have identified arguably the best contender yourself..

Perhaps a Canon model might suit - a powershot or an SD model with optical image stabilization might be your best bet ? Try some out in a shop..

Face detection is rather over-rated. As someone has pointed out, the scene modes will do a lot of work for you..

Perhaps an older model Sony ? The H2 or H5 ? They would also work well for you. The Canon S3 might be suitable. With the new Canon S5 arriving the S3 price should be dropping - perhaps a good choice..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

Bill, thank you for your advice - I will read the manual of my old Pentax as see if it has any scene settings.Regards Kati J..

Stephen G, thank you I will look at the cameras you suggested, and to answer your question I do need a good zoom as our house looks out over a bay and often I can not get a close enough shot of the dolphins when they come in. Also I do need a camera which does alot of the work itself (and fast) as often there are only seconds to grab that cut photo of something unusual that one of or all four of the kids are doing. Plus it can't be heavy as my hands can't cope with the weight.thanks again Kati J..

Consider Canon S3IS (6MP, 12x zoom with I.S.). It is not as big/heavy as it seems. Cheap too. IQ is good..

Kati J wrote:.

Stephen G, thank you I will look at the cameras you suggested, andto answer your question I do need a good zoom as our house looksout over a bay and often I can not get a close enough shot of thedolphins when they come in. Also I do need a camera which doesalot of the work itself (and fast) as often there are only secondsto grab that cut photo of something unusual that one of or all fourof the kids are doing. Plus it can't be heavy as my hands can'tcope with the weight.thanks again Kati J.

Regards, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..

Kati J wrote:.

Stephen G, thank you I will look at the cameras you suggested, andto answer your question I do need a good zoom as our house looksout over a bay and often I can not get a close enough shot of thedolphins when they come in. Also I do need a camera which doesalot of the work itself (and fast) as often there are only secondsto grab that cut photo of something unusual that one of or all fourof the kids are doing. Plus it can't be heavy as my hands can'tcope with the weight.thanks again Kati J.

Most any camera will provide you with the ability to have the camera make decisions for quick photography. A DSLR for example, provides this ability as well as the ability to "fine tune" if time and inclination permit..

I will point out one feature of a DLSR which I think contributes to taking "quick" pictures with good exposure. I have a Nikon D200 which provides for Auto ISO. When I do not have time to make many setting changes and the direction of my next picture is unknown, I use this feature. An example is when I was on a small ship photographing whales. The subjects were all around the boat but diving and surfacing very quickly. There was not time for changing settings.

Auto ISO made the necessary adjustments..

You must realize that the camera you purchase determines your potential for taking well exposed pictures. The photographer, based upon their knowledge of how to use the camera, determines the actual level of exposure captured by the camera..

A DSLR camera is not one that you can put in a drawer until you want to take a picture. You must use the camera and experiment with it. It should become an extension of yourself, much like using a knife and fork at the dinner table. If this is more effort than you want to expend, I suggest you not get a DSLR..

FINE PRINT: I reserve the right to be wrong. Should you prove me wrong, I reserve the right to change my mind...

Dolphins - Cool !.

How fast is fast ? You need to try some cameras in a shop and see how quickly the focus and how well they snap at the long end of the zoom. Also you need to be clear - do you need to shoot fast and continuous shots or simply take one or two shots quickly ? All these things affect your choice. Likewise do you need fast from turned-off to shooting or simply fast focus while already turned on ? .

Technique is also important - do you know the term pre-focus ? If you do not, you might benefit from a basic photography book before you make a camera choice..

You may find a bridge camera will do it for you, but I suspect a decent SLR might be the best choice in the long run. The Olympus E-400, E-410 and E-510 might be good..

Basically a DSLR is designed to be fast, reliable and precise. While some bridge cameras are OK, they are never going to match a DSLR and most are seriously compromised in some way or another. If you can afford a DSLR and your need for speed is that great look carefully at the DSLR models..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

And will be a breeze to use.The screen is excellent one of the best I used and this is from a person that has a Canon 30D,& had a Nikon D80.The screen can also be changed so it can be used at a high angle over your head.The picture quality is very good at low ISO's and no real noise is noticable unless you go above 400 ISO and pixel peep, that means looking at a image on a computer at 100%.Print quality up to 8x10 is great..

The TZ3 built quality surpasses many P&S, it has a solid feel.Like you said you wanted the TZ3 and it does start at a nice 28mm and gives you a 10x IS lens that can fit into your pocket.I like the O.S.I./IS it gives a good amount of feedback when taking a shoot.The 7mp on this camere is enough for most,unless you want 20x30 inche prints?Many scene modes are provided and it is just a switch on the dial and then choose which scene you want,not only that it has two settings so it's easier to jump from one scene to the next..

As for the noise issue I don't see that big of a difference from one P&S to the next.For me buying the camera was a no-brainer I wanted a pocketable camera with reach.Unless you are getting more serious about photography don't even think of DSLR.Form me it's my main hobby.So you now cameras don't take bad pictures people do.Just my thoughts about a camera you asked about.I hope I helped a little bit...

THANKS StenphenGYour asked - How fast is fast ? .

From the OFF position to on/auto focus and to then snap away, picture after focussed picture - fast. There seems to be such a lag time (with my Pentax Optio 330GS from the time of turn ON to it focus and snap then a delay before I can take another photo - all very slow..

I quess it is important that it shoots quickly - for instance the dolphins are in and out of the water very quickly, and my kids (four legged ones) are on the move too, So most of the time by the time the shot is taken I have the tail end of the original snap shot I wanted..

Also it is important that the camera not be too heavy as my hands can't take the weight. Plus I often take photos in the middle of the night when the kids are asleep (four legged) and even when I select the night scene the photos are very poor - so this is an area I would really like to improve on too..

The quality of the photo is important as I like to blow them up and frame them etc..

Thanks again for all your input. Regards Kati..

Thanks again Bill, I looked up that DLSR Nikon D200 which provides for Auto ISO, however that is very heavy. Unfortunately my hands can not take the weight on a regular basis so a big camera like this would not be an option for me. Keeping this in mind and my needs, for it to be fast from start up to point and shot and then take the next shot (with it auto focussing) and also to be able to take good night shots too - what are you thoughts??thank you Kati..

Thanks Jeff, I will go and have a feel of a TZ3 in a store near by - and see if there is a demo one I can try and snap some photos with to see how fast it is.Thanks again for your input Kati J..

In practice not much would fill the bill. You pretty much are asking for near instant startup on a non DSLR. Even DSLR's would be hard pressed in most cases..

A startup of 1sec is pretty good, and focus lock takes time, depending on subject range. Most, if not all, of the long zoom cameras will take significant time getting a focus lock on a object at the long end of the zoom. Fast focus lock is really the preserve of the DSLR..

Have a look at the timings for some long zoom bridge cameras in DPReview reviews. This will give you an idea what to expect..

I would also suggest you consider weight loaded with batteries. A pair of AA's is a significant weight. Four is typical for bridge cameras. Lithium-ion batteries will be better, I think..

I keep my Fuji S5200 for similar reasons - it's quite light for a long zoom and reasonably responsive for MY needs. I'm not recommending it to you, but simply illustrating that no camera is ideal, and some compromise will be needed. ( Also it's not worth trying to sell ! ). It's noisier than I'd like and only 5Mp..

Go to the camera shop. Try everything you like the look of. Read reviews of a shortlist and, if needed revise your list..

The lightest DSLR is the Olympus E-400 and E-410 ( same weight ). Worth a look..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

Kati J wrote:.

Thanks again Bill, I looked up that DLSR Nikon D200 which providesfor Auto ISO, however that is very heavy. Unfortunately my handscan not take the weight on a regular basis so a big camera likethis would not be an option for me. Keeping this in mind and myneeds, for it to be fast from start up to point and shot and thentake the next shot (with it auto focussing) and also to be able totake good night shots too - what are you thoughts??thank you Kati.

I am an amateur photographer and the only camera I know very much about is the D200. You might check on the Nikon D40 or D80 which I think are lighter and may have Auto ISO (not sure)..

Others on this forum can provide info on other cameras better than I can. Sorry..

FINE PRINT: I reserve the right to be wrong. Should you prove me wrong, I reserve the right to change my mind...

Stephen G, thanks again for taking the time to offer your advice. I definately will stick to cameras with a lithium battery to keep down the weight..

A few of my friends swear by Fuji and wont own anything esle, where as a couple of others have told me to stick to Canon are these two brands better than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3? Hope you don't mind me bugging you for more advice.Thanks again Kati J..

No brand is better than another brand. Your friends are simply very happy with their cameras - they suit their needs, as the Fuji's I have suit mine..

You have been swamped by advice and opinions from all of us, and I think if you're happy the Panny fill your needs better than anything else you can afford, then that's what counts. From reviews it is clear that the TZ3 has excellent optics and is built to a very high standard..

My only personal objection to the Panny's is that they seem to have very noisy sensors and the TZ3 seems to be no exception. However nothing else quite matches it in other areas, and if those are your priority areas, so be it. If I were not so obsessed with noise myself I would find the TZ3 quite an attractive camera. Bare in mind that noise may not be visible in your prints..

I think you need to try cameras out in a shop. Perhaps weight is not going to be as restrictive an issue as you think. Your ability to comfortably hold and use the camera is very important to you happiness with it..

Try and get the TZ3 on approval and play with it. Takes shot s with it and get some prints of them in the sizes you would like to use. A test drive is what you need now..

Good luck..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..