Panasonic Lumix TZ3 or Canon SD800?
795505
The Canon is a bit smaller, it can get a little closer in macro mode, and you can zoom (so-so focus) in movie mode. Those are the only advantages that I'm aware of for the Canon SD800/850. None of these issues were significant enough to stop me from switching. The TZ3 has a bunch of benefits above and beyond the Canon. I have owned 3 Canon SD's (110, 210, 400) and the next feature I wanted was zoom, but I didn't want to give up size. The Lumix is has a 10x zoom and is only a little bit larger. It is still small enough to carry in my pocket. (I carry it with me all the time.) The zoom is fantastic. The Optical Image Stabilization is excellent. The screen is big and has a super bright mode for bright daylight situations. The movie mode, macro mode, the wide angle, and the battery are all great. I can't say enough about this camera.
1217457
Thanks for the response. I have seen many negative reviews regarding the lens on the sd800is, especially regarding corner softening. Can you remark on that? Also, how would you rate the sd800is' performance in low light situations?
1134718
I went with the Panasonic. The price was right, I liked the zoom ratio over the Canon and the fact I could carry it in a pocket of my jacket. I took it to Disney and alsmost lost it on the monorail as it slipped out of that convenient jacket pocket. It took beautiful pictures outdoors and acceptable in dark indoors. The sound quality was fine. However, I noticed that the on-board light casts a greenish-blue hue to skintone. I point at something white, let it adjust and it's fine. So, for the money and family videos, I think it's great. The bonus of the still camera is nice as well.
1455354
I think you should get the Panasonic TZ5 (or TZ4 if you don't care about HD video). The TZ's will jump to an Optical 16.7x@ 3MEGAPIXELS, and will be in the $200- 230 area vs. the much more expensive 12x...I have both the TZ5 and SX110. They are both GREAT cameras. The TZ5 is lighter and smaller, and you can take video with optical vs digital zoom (clearer video). I bought the SX 110 , because there is a CHDK modification available for it (Google CHDK). You can do timelapse, RAW format, extend the shutter speed to 64 seconds....but if you are using the camera for the day, I would go with the TZ4 or 5, but you better hurry- all of these cameras are discontinued!
658929
Thank You so much for taking the time to post! In fact, I ended up with the Lumix ZS3 and have found it to be pretty quick. There is also a Burst mode which is quite good and works well as long as you have plenty of light, daylight is best. Now, I'll have to explore the 4/3 cameras too - just for fun.
1217456
Dpreview.com has some interesting comparison of the SD700 vs the 800. By the picture and the review, it looks like the 700IS beats the 800 hands-down on quality. I have the 700IS and the only complaint I have is that the movie mode uses up way too much filespace (ie, the movies are too big). Other than that, this is a great camera.
1563172
Check out reviews and sample photos/videos of the sx200, zs3 and tz5 at cameralabs online. The zs3 is worth the difference in price over the sx200 and tz5 due to better lens, image quality, video compression and the Venus HD processor built into it. The zs3 is also smaller, lighter and has longer battery life than the sx200 and tz5. Search youtube for "zs3" or "tz7" (as it is known in europe) and you'll find a lot of sample video showing what can be done with it. Oh, and search youtube for "tz7 night restaurant" for a very well done commercial quality video done on a tz7/zs3. The video capability of the zs3 is amazing. Check out reviews and sample photos/videos of the sx200, zs3 and tz5 at cameralabs online. The zs3 is worth the difference in price over the sx200 and tz5 due to better lens, image quality, video compression and the Venus HD processor built into it. The zs3 is also smaller, lighter and has longer battery life than the sx200 and tz5. Search youtube for "zs3" or "tz7" (as it is known in europe) and you'll find a lot of sample video showing what can be done with it. Oh, and search youtube for "tz7 night restaurant" for a very well done commercial quality video... » Read More Check out reviews and sample photos/videos of the sx200, zs3 and tz5 at cameralabs online. The zs3 is worth the difference in price over the sx200 and tz5 due to better lens, image quality, video compression and the Venus HD processor built into it. The zs3 is also smaller, lighter and has longer battery life than the sx200 and tz5. Search youtube for "zs3" or "tz7" (as it is known in europe) and you'll find a lot of sample video showing what can be done with it. Oh, and search youtube for "tz7 night restaurant" for a very well done commercial quality video done on a tz7/zs3. The video capability of the zs3 is amazing. « Show Less
193099
Another good way to answer your questions is to Google "Panasonic sz3 manual". Then you can use the index to see all camera functions and options.
2194809
Hard to say for sure since neither is out and picture quality has not been compared, but there are differences in their features that may help you decide. The ZS3's biggest advantage is that it allows optical zooming during video recording. The SX200 only allows digital zooming during video recording. In addition, the ZS3's 25mm equivalent wide angle lens will let you get more in your picture without having to back up. Three other things that ZS3 has over the Sx200 is stereo sound recording, a more powerful flash, and a higher resolution LCD screen. To Canon's advantage, the SX200 has more manual controls, allowing one to choose aperture priority, shutter priority, or full manual in addition to the automatic and scene modes. The Canon also has blink detection, and is priced $50 less. Both cameras have had very good preliminary reviews.
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.
695085
I have the SD1300IS, the Panasonic TZ5, TZ7, and FZ35. In general, all my Panasonics take better pictures that the SD1300. The SD1300 takes good pics, but the reason I keep it is for its small size, not its PQ. I don't have the FH25, but I highly doubt its picture quality is noticeably worse than the SD1300.
719551
I have the Kodak zi8. I took it to Macchu-Pichu and performed beautifully well, spite being banged a few times. I am not sure the Panasonic would stand the roughness, even though it performs well. And the Kodak has a larger screen, so you can see what you are filming.
1869221
The best way around that idiotic "photo pass" requirement would be to buy a used Leica M8.2, but that's a very different beast from either a P&S; or a DSLR.The GF1 should definitely do better than a TZ5, though it won't be up to DSLR standards. You might also consider the Olympus E-P1, which is very similar to the GF1 but has in-body image stabilization.
2258900
CNET just reviewed the new 890, and they seem to prefer the 850. http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd890-is/4505-6501_7-32896596.html?tag=prod.txt.1 I was at the same point as you, and will be interested to hear what others think.
371610
i haven't used a canon t3i so i can't compare the two. i love the sony nex-vg10, it takes gorgeous video, the lens zooms and focuses flawlessly. but it is very expensive, but to me worth it.
844345
I wouldn't say the SX200 has better build quality than the Panasonic. I have a TZ5 and when comparing it to the SX200, the TZ5 wins hands down with build quality. If the ZS3 maintains this quality, it wipes the floor with the SX200.
965660
Upon the advice of a fellow amazon shopper, I looked at SD800 IS and really liked the wide angle feature and hence bought that over the SD850.It is really confusing isn't it. I hope this helps. Goodluck.