Steve'sDigicams

jaynewithay · Jul 15, 2012, 11:24 AM

I am in a bit of a dilemma over my new camera choice. I have a Canon S3 I bought 6 years ago which has been getting less and less use mainly due to its size. So for my new camera I decided to go for something more pocketable. I definitely still want a good zoom and so being able to get 20x in a small camera is awesome but cannot decide between these 2 (it's a shame Steve hasn't reviewed the Panasonic yet). I am definitely far from a pro photographer but do use my camera for more than just holiday snaps (i.e. close-ups on the rocky shore, capturing sporting events) so would like a variety of good options (I do also take a lot of panoramas). I also like the option of GPS (I work with maps so being able to plot my photos would be fun) but mostly want a solid all-round camera offering me excellent picture quality in all situations.

I have been leaning towards the Panasonic but keep going round in circles and just can't decide particularly as I can get both for £250. Any thoughts or things to bear in mind would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jayne

SIMON40 · Jul 15, 2012, 11:58 AM

Here's a pretty detailed review of the SX240/260- with comparisons with the said Panny...
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Ca...HS/index.shtml

And here's the review of the TZ30...
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Pa...DMC_ZS20_TZ30/

For my 10 pence worth- I prefer the "feel" and build of the Panny' TZ/ZS range- plus,I prefer the integral flash on the Panny' as opposed to a "pop-up" variant.

pcake · Jul 15, 2012, 10:28 PM

SIMON40, do you have the zs20? i'm still trying to figure out if the one i got was a lemon - had very noisy pics over ISO400, and stabilization wasn't the best. i ended up with the sx260, which is pretty good, but i really liked the feel of the panasonic when using it - snappy with great controls, and definitely responsive touch screen.

SIMON40 · Jul 16, 2012, 3:37 AM

pcake- your assessment of the TZ30/ZS20 is just about right.
I don't own the TS30- but have other variants in the TZ range- and have owned SX canons.
The SX range will deliver cleaner shots than the Panny's as the iso increases- and if you're using the smart zoom in iA on the Panny- things get even worse..!
But if you're shooting more often than not in decent lighting- I'd still rather the Panasonic- just stick to standard Program/manual modes and switch off the digital zoom..!
IQ can also be improved with careful adjustments of noise reduction and sharpness settings...
Many have suggested that the TZ25/ZS15 delivers better IQ due to its 12mp sensor (as used in the FZ-150)- though you do lose some zoom (which might ease the stress on the stabiliser...) and only mono audio on the movies...

Jul 15, 2012, 11:24 AM	#1
jaynewithay Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 1	Canon SX260 or Panasonic ZS20 I am in a bit of a dilemma over my new camera choice. I have a Canon S3 I bought 6 years ago which has been getting less and less use mainly due to its size. So for my new camera I decided to go for something more pocketable. I definitely still want a good zoom and so being able to get 20x in a small camera is awesome but cannot decide between these 2 (it's a shame Steve hasn't reviewed the Panasonic yet). I am definitely far from a pro photographer but do use my camera for more than just holiday snaps (i.e. close-ups on the rocky shore, capturing sporting events) so would like a variety of good options (I do also take a lot of panoramas). I also like the option of GPS (I work with maps so being able to plot my photos would be fun) but mostly want a solid all-round camera offering me excellent picture quality in all situations. I have been leaning towards the Panasonic but keep going round in circles and just can't decide particularly as I can get both for £250. Any thoughts or things to bear in mind would be appreciated. Thanks, Jayne

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Jul 15, 2012, 11:58 AM	#2
SIMON40 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bangor,North Wales Posts: 2,674	Here's a pretty detailed review of the SX240/260- with comparisons with the said Panny... http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Ca...HS/index.shtml And here's the review of the TZ30... http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Pa...DMC_ZS20_TZ30/ For my 10 pence worth- I prefer the "feel" and build of the Panny' TZ/ZS range- plus,I prefer the integral flash on the Panny' as opposed to a "pop-up" variant.

Jul 15, 2012, 10:28 PM	#3
pcake Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 399	SIMON40, do you have the zs20? i'm still trying to figure out if the one i got was a lemon - had very noisy pics over ISO400, and stabilization wasn't the best. i ended up with the sx260, which is pretty good, but i really liked the feel of the panasonic when using it - snappy with great controls, and definitely responsive touch screen.

Jul 16, 2012, 3:37 AM	#4
SIMON40 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bangor,North Wales Posts: 2,674	pcake- your assessment of the TZ30/ZS20 is just about right. I don't own the TS30- but have other variants in the TZ range- and have owned SX canons. The SX range will deliver cleaner shots than the Panny's as the iso increases- and if you're using the smart zoom in iA on the Panny- things get even worse..! But if you're shooting more often than not in decent lighting- I'd still rather the Panasonic- just stick to standard Program/manual modes and switch off the digital zoom..! IQ can also be improved with careful adjustments of noise reduction and sharpness settings... Many have suggested that the TZ25/ZS15 delivers better IQ due to its 12mp sensor (as used in the FZ-150)- though you do lose some zoom (which might ease the stress on the stabiliser...) and only mono audio on the movies...