Digital camera opinions?
I'm looking to upgrade my digital camera... there are a few events coming up wherein I might wish to have a nicer camera, and my Canon PS40 is getting a little long in the tooth anyway.
After having read some blog buzz article about how popular the Panasonic Lumix line is, I've been watching. They just came out with a new Lumix, the FZ7, which appears to fit right into the middle of my desires.
Here's what I like about it:
- Modest price for a 6mp that has huge optical zoom and good low-light/non-tripod characteristics.
- Appears to have some lens options, at least, based on an eBay auction I found which listed alternatives. It's not as high-end as they go, but I don't think I'm to that level yet anyway.
- Previous models get rave reviews.
So, since there are several folks out there who'll read this who know a lot more about the market than I do, I'm asking for feedback. Is this a bad idea? Should I get something smaller and lighter instead?
Technorati Tags: digitalphotography, lumix
Comments
I personally would nix from consideration the notion of getting additional lenses for this. IMHO, lenses are investments that extend beyond the life of the camera body they are attached to. The way you are discussing this camera, it seems to be a compromise between a point-and-shoot and an SLR, which doesn't seem to me to be a camera system you want to invest in.
That said, the reviews of the camera are good. dpreview knocks it for noise issues but otherwise says it's a great camera. (Note that poor noise performance should mean that it is not good in low-light). On the very positive side, dpreview also said, "Superb value for money," "small and light, but well built." Sounds like a winner.
Posted by: kwc | February 22, 2006 06:28 PM
Not to be a Canon pusher, but I just noticed that the Canon S3 IS was announced today. The Canon S2 had a highly recommended rating on dpreview. Funny that you're posting this with PMA 2006 approaching :)
Posted by: kwc | February 22, 2006 10:07 PM
The reviews on the Lumix FZ7 are really good. The 12x Optical Zoom is really nice, and it does the equivalent of 36mm to 432mm. With that kind of range, I don't think you really need more lenses, as the coverage should be pretty good.
This camera is going to be larger than your older PS40 -- I don't think the Lumix is going to be one of those cameras you just toss in your coat pocket.
If you want a point and shoot, get a point and shoot. If you want an SLR get an SLR, and if you want something in between, get this camera.
Posted by: M | February 22, 2006 10:17 PM
Hrm, yeah, thanks for the feedback guys. Perhaps I'll hang out and see how the reviews for the S3 IS come back - I'd mostly been tracking the Panasonic because of earlier reading. I don't think I'm going to go full SLR for a while, but a more carry-able camera with zoom and low-light features is kind of what I'm looking for. If the S3 IS gets good marks for shutter responsiveness and noise, it would be better (and I'm pretty happy with my current Canon, it's just, well, long in the tooth..).
Thanks for the advice guys.
Posted by: bp | February 22, 2006 11:36 PM
My vote is firmly with the LUMIX FX9. 6Megapixels, TV quality video (yes, really) and fits in my pocket! Many of my friends have bought one. All love it. :-)
Frode
www.hyperwords.net
Posted by: Frode Hegland | March 7, 2006 09:02 PM