Canon IS 2S, Panasonic FZ20, and Kodak P850

[KennyJr]

aztec506,

I can't comment on the other cameras, but as for the P850 I've taken shots as low as 1/8th of a second without blur. Let me add that I was sitting, resting my elbows on my legs to help keep my hands steady. I've shot as low as 1/15th of a second standing and hand held. For me I decided against the Cannon because of the lack of a hot shoe.

armadilloshield,

The P850 only goes to ISO400 at 5.0mp and the noise isn't bad.At ISO800 it drops to 1.2mp and in my opinion the noise is excessive. It does have 3:2 aspect ratio, but I prefer to shot at the highest resolution and crop myself as needed.

[amarko5]

here are 1 or 2 shots from my s2is which i think is prety darn good for the money

and here

A link to the last one as its 1.9 meg in size http://www.mark.davidson.dsl.pipex.com/pics/view2.jpg

and another
http://www.mark.davidson.dsl.pipex.com/pics/bird1.jpg

I have heard the lumix are good cameras but for versatility the s2is is way out there especially the video quality, as an all round take anywhere it excel's.

hope this helps

Mark

[mtclimber]

Now this is just a personal opinion, but I agree with Mark, as I said in my very first post, the Canon S2 is my first choice, followed by the Kodak P-850. If you MUST have a hot shoe, then go with the P-850.

MT

[armadilloshield]

amarko5 wrote:

here are 1 or 2 shots from my s2is which i think is prety darn good for the money

and here

A link to the last one as its 1.9 meg in size http://www.mark.davidson.dsl.pipex.com/pics/view2.jpg

and another
http://www.mark.davidson.dsl.pipex.com/pics/bird1.jpg

I have heard the lumix are good cameras but for versatility the s2is is way out there especially the video quality, as an all round take anywhere it excel's.

hope this helps

Mark

Amarko5, that is very nice shots, I like the thunder shot, wonderful
I like IS2S, only thing don't have AR 3:2, can cut my time to crop it.

[aztec506]

Hey guys (and gals)

Thanks for your help and input.

I tried out all three cameras locally and have narrowed my choice to either the Kodak P850 or the Panasonic FZ20.

Most of the images I took with the Canon IS 2S at zoom were pretty blurry and it is unable to do any uncompressed formats. Same shots with the Panasonic were perfectly clear. At the time I hadnt been able to read a professional review on the P850, so I didnt play with it much. I notice that Steve has completed his review of the P850 though, so Ill be taking a better look at that camera. His review is favorable for the P850.

So at least I am down to two choices instead of three. :}