round-here.net

TZ3? F40fd? A710IS?...Experienced Feedback Needed!!
I am about to purchase my first digital camera. It's about time...I feel like the only person who hasn't owned one for years (and believe it or not, I still even have dial-up on my computer at home!). I've been shooting with my old Minolta-X570 SLR for years...and I'm just getting too old and lazy to lug that around everywhere...especially when a flash is in order..

I have been trying to research as best I can through online resources (such as DPReview!), Consumer Reports, friends, etc. And I have found one answer, which all probably know already...there is no ONE perfect camera. I am hoping, however, to get one that I'm pretty darned happy with overall..

Here's what I am looking for/how I shoot:1. Small enough to put in my purse.

2. Good overall image qualityI shoot in multiple conditions from outdoor scenes (went to the Russian River last year) to indoor evening birthday parties. Concerned everytime I see the word "NOISE"3. Don't usually enlarge any prints to more than a 5"x7". Usually go with 4x6..

4. "Sturdy" design (as sturdy as the compact/subcompacts come these days).

5. Wouldn't mind Image Stablization.

6. Don't do a lot of manual settings (even on the ole' X570), but would like some control over the ISO in certain situations..

7. Do not mind using flash in lower light situations as long as IQ is pretty good..

I think I've found several cameras that I may be very interested in.....

*Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3*Fuji Finepix F40fd (or should I go for the F31fd??)*Canon A710IS*Canon DS700/800IS.

Panasonic sounds fab...but I'm worried about indoor shots. Is there only a noise issue if working without the flash at higher ISOs?.

Fuji has reputation for good indoor shots with the big sensor...but is the F40 a step backwards? Also the lack of REAL image stablization...problematic?.

Canon have a good rep overall for the consumer digitals and I like that they have Image Stablization. But haven't even been able to physically find these 2 models to pick up and hold yet (working on that!).

Any comments, big fans/pluses, warnings? Which models would you prefer? I know this is a broad question, but I have searched the forum archives and there is just nothing like the wonderful feedback provided here by people who have actually shot with the cameras. I am blown away!.

Thanks so very very much for the help. If I could bake you all some banana bread in advance for the help, I would!!!.

Rowjo..

Comments (12)

You didn't mention this, but is the amount of optical zoom an issue? If so, the Panasonic is 10x... could be useful for those outdoor shots...

Comment #1

A greater zoom range would be a nice "extra"...but it is not a must (I never used a zoom on my old Minolta SLR)I'm willing to go with the more standard 3X zoom, if the IQ on the TZ3 is considerably less than the other contenders or very problematic for indoor shots..

Cbono2000 wrote:.

You didn't mention this, but is the amount of optical zoom anissue? If so, the Panasonic is 10x... could be useful for thoseoutdoor shots...

Comment #2

A710IS is best bang for bucks. (7MP, 6x zoom with I.S., Manual Modes, good IQ at higher ISOs). Next is A570IS (7MP, 4x zoom with I.S.).If manual modes is not a priority than Canon A550.All above have OVF..

Consider Fuji F31fd only if you shoot mostly indoors. It lacks I.S., OVF, has less zoom and uses proprietary battery..

Rowjo wrote:.

A greater zoom range would be a nice "extra"...but it is not a must(I never used a zoom on my old Minolta SLR)I'm willing to gowith the more standard 3X zoom, if the IQ on the TZ3 isconsiderably less than the other contenders or very problematic forindoor shots..

Cbono2000 wrote:.

You didn't mention this, but is the amount of optical zoom anissue? If so, the Panasonic is 10x... could be useful for thoseoutdoor shots..

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

Comment #3

I own each of the four cameras (or a similar variant) on your list. Please don't ask me why, I just do  :.

1. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ32. Fujifilm FinePix F303. Canon SD 700 IS.

4. Canon PowerShot G7 (considered by many to be the "big brother" of the Canon A710IS)..

I find them all to be great point-and-shoot cameras with very good image quality. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. The TZ3 and SD 700 IS are essentially fully automatic. The F30 and G7 have manual controls, especially the G7. The F30 is especially good in low light (though I wish it had IS). The two Canons have optical viewfinders, which I like a lot..

However, my overall favorite of the lot is the TZ3. I just prefer the vivid, true-to-life colors that the camera produces in daylight and the wide 28 - 280mm (35-mm equivalent) zoom range - from wide angle to telephoto. And with a little post-processing in Photoshop Elements 5.0, I think it's low-light quality is pretty good also. Now I may not be sufficiently critical or sufficiently advanced as an amateur photographer, but I've just not noticed or been bothered by the widely discussed 'noise" and in-camera processing issues with the Panasonic sensors on my TZ3. I also really just like the feel of the camera. It's weakest point to me, common to all P&S's without some type of viewfinder, is the sun reflection/glare on the LCD in bright sunlight.



Anyway, those are my thoughts. I hope it helps..

Regards,Ralph..

Comment #4

Ajay0612 wrote:.

A710IS is best bang for bucks. (7MP, 6x zoom with I.S., ManualModes, good IQ at higher ISOs). Next is A570IS (7MP, 4x zoom withI.S.).If manual modes is not a priority than Canon A550.All above have OVF.Consider Fuji F31fd only if you shoot mostly indoors. It lacksI.S., OVF, has less zoom and uses proprietary battery..

Thanks so much. I was leaning to Panasonic/Fuji I think because I've actually been able to pick up similiar cameras to get a feel for them (TZ1, F45fd...Ritz Camera's "custom" color F40fd). Haven't handled the Canons yet...that's on the agenda tomorrow at Samy's Camera in L.A. Really liked the feel of the Panasonic/Fuji...maybe I'll feel the same about the Canons tomorrow!.

Keep hearing that the Canons are great...used my brother's old Canon digital (don't recall the model) last summer and enjoyed it...mostly outdoors in good lighting conditions. How do you feel about flash recharge time? IQ for indoor shooting? Is the focus fairly fast (I think the 700is is one of the better rated ones?).

Just wish I could get all these and test run them for a week!.

Thanks so very much!rowjo..

Comment #5

Rspafford wrote:.

I own each of the four cameras (or a similar variant) on your list.Please don't ask me why, I just do  :.

1. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ32. Fujifilm FinePix F303. Canon SD 700 IS4. Canon PowerShot G7 (considered by many to be the "big brother"of the Canon A710IS)..

I wish I had the resources for a couple of cameras, but (big sigh), I've got to choose one! I've had the same SLR (Minolta X-570) since 1984...just going digital is a big, but necessary step for me..

They all have their strengths and weaknesses. The TZ3 and SD 700 IS >are essentially fully automatic. The F30 and G7have manual controls, >especially the G7..

Manual controls not essential for me...on my SLR I was on "automatic" most of the time with manual focus..

The F30 is especially good in low light (though I wish it had IS)..

The lack of IS is a big concern for me...the more I read, the more it just sounds like a good idea. Also, I always hear about the low-light capabilities of the Fuji...but not nearly as much about shooting under other conditions. Makes me wonder if the Fuji I as versatile as I would like..

However, my overall favorite of the lot is the TZ3. I just preferthe vivid, true-to-life colors that the camera produces in daylightand the wide 28 - 280mm (35-mm equivalent) zoom range - from wideangle to telephoto. And with a little post-processing in PhotoshopElements 5.0, I think it's low-light quality is pretty good also..

I think the TZ3 could be a slam-dunk for me except for my concerns about low-light quality and some of the info I'm reading about macro shooting being tricky. I don't do any PP now...is software pricey and learning curve cumberson? I'm looking to un-burden myself from lugging around the SLR but don't want to replace it with the burden of having to tweak all my photos..

Also, perhaps a naive question, is the complaints re: noise at higher ISOs when shooting with available light? I don't mind using a flash for social group photos, portraits, etc....are many of the problems avoided in low-light simply by using flash with a low ISO?.

Also, is macro shooting a big hassle with the TZ3?.

The info is SOOO appreciated. I too like the feel of the TZ3...feels like a REAL camera! Just wondering if I'm taking on too much with the need to PP if I pick this one up....

Thanks!rowjo..

Comment #6

Focusing time is dependant on light condition, subject contrast, subject movement. Canons do adequate job at it. (0.5-0.7 sec in indoor lights). Fuji's are a little faster (0.3-0.5sec). Casio's are fastest. (0.2-0.3 sec).Flash re-cycle time range is 5-7 sec.



Canon IQ is good at higher ISO. Only Fuji's better it on that (but FujiF31/40 have no I.S., OVF, proprietary batt, less zoom)..

Rowjo wrote:.

Keep hearing that the Canons are great...used my brother's oldCanon digital (don't recall the model) last summer and enjoyedit...mostly outdoors in good lighting conditions. How do you feelabout flash recharge time? IQ for indoor shooting? Is the focusfairly fast (I think the 700is is one of the better rated ones?).

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

Comment #7

Yes, use the flash if you are out to dinner and don't mind it! A lot of people that talk about low light don't want to use the flash..

Macros are only tricky in the sense that fully zoomed in you need to be about 1 meter away from the subject and generally when you think macro you think about getting really close. That is only at the longest point in the zoom. When you do go to the longest part of the zoom you can then also isolate the subject and get a very nice blurred background like this.

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window.

On the other hand you can simply use macro on wide angle and get as close to about 2 inches from the subject. The difference being at wide angle the background will all be in focus..

I was one of the people that found macros tricky at first but now it is pretty easy..

If you shoot in natural mode you will want to do some post production work but it is mainly sharpening and you really don't need any expensive software to do that. If you don't want to touch the shots out of the camera people use the vivid mode which has more sharpening as well as more intense color..

See my post on the Canon forum and have a look at my London and Central Park galleries they are both from the TZ3terryhttp://tbanet.zenfolio.com/..

Comment #8

Here's a quick sample comparing the F31 to the TZ3 from someone who won't use manual operations and minimal PP..

Inside shot was at ISO800 and sitting on a desk. The only light was through 1 window in the late afternoon on a cloudy day. As expected there is FAR more detail in F31 at low light. Look at the color of the wall (it is a light olive) and the detail in the plant. The Fuji is spot on. Not sure why the Fuji looks so soft in this shot, but I don't have time to re-shoot now.The Fuji is first followed by the TZ..

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window.

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window.

Out of the window shot was handheld with elbows braced and at ISO200. A storm just passed through so it is overcast and a funky yellow outside. The Fuji is was too blue and the TZ too yellow (but closer) compared to actual so I adjusted that a bit in iPhoto (but very very little). I used a 2x zoom for the first shot..

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window.

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window.

Again, Fuji then the TZ but this time at 3x zoom. Notice the lack of sharpness in the brick/grass with the Fuji as the zoom increases. I re-shot the photo again with the same results. There was no PP in these two (I wasn't shooting towards the sun)..

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window.

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window.

So... Fuji best in low light, TZ best in zoom. Though both seem like really really cameras...

Comment #9

Thanks so much for the comparisons! Nice to see the two together. Big help....

Rowjo..

Comment #10

I greatly appreciate all the help..

I just ordered the Panasonic TZ3...really liked what I saw in person. Felt great in my hands, excellent menus...it "spoke to me"! Opted out of the Fuji because of no IS...Canons didn't feel as good in my hands..

Also, the low-light examples I found online did not bother me as much as I thought...all a matter of learning how to deal with those limitations..

Yeah Me!.

I'm sure I'll have some questions/feedback once I receive it and get to use it. Thanks so much!.

Rowjo..

Comment #11

Congratulations! Enjoy the camera and the friendly help on the Panny Forumterryhttp://tbanet.zenfolio.com/..

Comment #12


This question was taken from a support group/message board and re-posted here so others can learn from it.

 

 

 

 

Categories: Home | Beginners Group | Canon Cameras | Casio Cameras |

Fuji Cameras | Beginner Questions | Camera Tips | Buying a Camera |

Camera Shopping Tips | Camera Recommendations |

 

(C) Copyright 2010 All rights reserved.