Now I am confused - canon S3 or Panasonic FZ50

[wendyp]

I keep changing my mind and will end up with nothing... I own a DSLR canon rebel 6MP - its great but with 3 kids - 8, 5 and 1 and a lot of travelling from Mozambique to UK and family in Peru - weight restrictions etc I simply cannot lug my DSLR and its lenses (own 28-300). dont think a compact digital will keep me happy and the thought of a hybrid digital camera with a mega zoom appeals plus it takes video. I never take my video along its just been too much bulk. I live in hot climate and 40mins away from kruger so big optical zoom is a must plus quick focussing. I am torn between the canon S3 and panasonic FZ50...If just one of them had a bigger LCD screen that would help but both are miserly in this dept. I have never used a forum of this kind and hope someone out there will choose for me - I dont have the luxury of testing these cameras as I wont find them in Mozambique! I am in USA for 2 days (sis lives here) and circuit city didnt have the FZ50... so cant choose by physically holding these cameras... help!

[ecap]

I have held both and like both, but the canon has a swivel screen in the back and i dont care for those. have seen them break or wear out over time. i would buy the panasonic myself.

[msantos]

My choice is Panasonic. They have swivel LCD. The LCD (and EVF) although small, has one of the best reolutions I have ever seen.

Now my question is... Why not carry your Rebel DSLR + 18-200 lens ? They are almost the same size; probably 400g more.

[wendyp]

Hi thanks - i really wanted the mega zoom 35-430mm as we visit the kruger national park quite often. Also rebel camera is very heavy even with a smaller 18-22mm it takes up space in my wheelie which also has to carry all the baby stuff. Plus I wanted a camera that also had a video option... I never carry our video cos its just another piece of equipment. If I am at a school play handling a baby and then the rebel with big lens pus a video recorder its a nightmare... how much bigger is the FZ50 to previous models - i have only seen the FZ7 havent been able to get hands opn FZ50... is video capability of FZ50 as good as the canons? i dont intend to use camera primarily for this but would be useful to capture odd video clip eg when kids got to touch a baby giraff in a reserve I only had my rebelhandy thanks Wendy

[mtclimber]

My suggestion would be to look at the Sony H-2 or H-5. I have used the Panasonic FZ-10, 15, & 30, plus the Canon S-2 and S-3, and there output cannot compare with the photos from my Sony H-5.

Proof is in the photo, so I have attached an example photo for you as well. This photo was taken without flash at ISO 400, a shutter spped of 1/30th at F2.8, and I was 75 feet away, as well.

MT

[wendyp]

thanks for info will look at sony H5 !

[bobbyz]

MT - you should look carefully at your exif data before posting numbers. I know everyone can make mistakes but I have seen lots of wrong exif data in your posts.

BTW - The image you posted shows aperture of f3.5 and ss of 1/60sec. The exposure comp is -1.2EV. I don't think H5 can do f2.8 at the long end. I would like to see the unprocessed shot as at -1.2ev, the shot should be under-exposed.

[BenjaminXYZ]

I wonder why the girl's (golden)hair looks artifact(s) like? :? (It is a resized image isn't it; artifacts usually gets hidden wellin resized photos...)

BTW, details are all smudgy looking as well...