How is the build quality? In terms of features, the Panasonic DMC LZ7 is very similar to the Canon Powershot A570IS. But, many of the reviews for the Canon mention the iffy build--plastic and somewhat fragile. How is the build for the Panasonic? How is the build quality? In terms of features, the Panasonic DMC LZ7 is very similar to the Canon Powershot A570IS. But, many of the reviews for the Canon mention the iffy build--plastic and... » Read More How is the build quality? In terms of features, the Panasonic DMC LZ7 is very similar to the Canon Powershot A570IS. But, many of the reviews for the Canon mention the iffy build--plastic and somewhat fragile. How is the build for the Panasonic? « Show Less
1359819
We took one with us to the Congo as a back up camera and something to use when we didn't want to risk our main digital SLRs. Low and behold, the one SLR died and I finished the trip with this camera for about 10 days. We were on the worst roads imaginable, in dug out canoes, high humidity and general dusty conditions. The camera never faltered and has been a solid performer. We have since purchased 2 more as gifts. I would have no problem recommending it. My wife has used a Panasonic 10x version for about 4 years without problems. They are light but durable.
1359820
I just got back from South Dakota where I dropped the camera onto the snowy ground from about 2-3 feet. I wiped off the snow but some of it melted on the camera and I was very worried. However, there were no problems. I carry the camera around in a pocket in my knapsack where it gets bounced around a lot---no problems so far.--Max Molinaro
182601
Jake,I wanted a camera that I could put in my pocket instead of lugging around my SLR equipment. I had the canon s95 before this which was slightly smaller took great shots but has a small zoom. This camera for its flexibility as far as manual controls, great picture quality, more than adequate video and of course 20x optical is a as good as it gets for the price. Depends on what you are looking for however. There are many times I cant tell the difference between the shots I have taken with my more advanced equipment and this one. Very pleased with my purchase. Feel free to ask me any other questions .Milt Jake,I wanted a camera that I could put in my pocket instead of lugging around my SLR equipment. I had the canon s95 before this which was slightly smaller took great shots but has a small zoom. This camera for its flexibility as far as manual controls, great picture quality, more than adequate video and of course 20x optical is a as good as it gets for the price. Depends on what you are looking for however. There are many times I cant tell the difference between the shots I have taken with my more advanced equipment and this one. Very pleased with my purchase. Feel free to ask me any... » Read More Jake,I wanted a camera that I could put in my pocket instead of lugging around my SLR equipment. I had the canon s95 before this which was slightly smaller took great shots but has a small zoom. This camera for its flexibility as far as manual controls, great picture quality, more than adequate video and of course 20x optical is a as good as it gets for the price. Depends on what you are looking for however. There are many times I cant tell the difference between the shots I have taken with my more advanced equipment and this one. Very pleased with my purchase. Feel free to ask me any other questions .Milt « Show Less
1864375
I have a 720 mju and I love it. I was also looking at the Pentax WP10... but I went with the 720mju for several reasons -There's a higher ISO sensativity. -Digital image stabilization(this feature is niiiice... no accidental blurry photos!) -Overall build quality. It just feels rock-solid which is good for me because I do lots of hiking/climbing and stuff. I know I'll manage to drop this thing on the ground eventually... the shock-proof feature is nice. I personally don't have a problem with the button sizing. It seems a bit small, but they're spaced far enough apart so you don't hit things accidently. Cheers.
1941252
Everyone has their own version of "low light." Note that even so-called low-light cameras have built-in flash units. In the category of pocketable, long zoom cameras, it compares favorably with the Canon SX230 and is a notch better than either the Panasonic ZS-10 or the new ZS-20. The DMC-ZS15 has the same sensor as the FZ-150. As for how it has done, take a look: http://randywakeman.com/A2012LookatCompactDigitalCameras.htm . You can get better ISO 1600 results with the Fuji FinePix F660, but you won't like the Fuji's video attempt. The BSI-illuminated dinky sensors are better, yet in no way comparable to larger, bulkier, full-sized DSLR's with APS-C sensors.
1748284
I am partial to Canon and am excited to see they are introducing a model in the rugged, waterproof class. I previously used the first generation waterproof Olympus Stylus and after it broke moved to the Pentax Optio W series. It has been a good camera as far as durability, but it just doesn't produce photos like our Canon Powershot SD1000. As far as the post question, I can't wait to see some product reviews/comparisons. Based on my previous experience with the Stylus line, I am ruling out the Olympus. Although right now I am leaning towards the Canon based on previous experience with their products and superior photos. However, the Panasonic offering higher video quality in HD format is enticing. I am partial to Canon and am excited to see they are introducing a model in the rugged, waterproof class. I previously used the first generation waterproof Olympus Stylus and after it broke moved to the Pentax Optio W series. It has been a good camera as far as durability, but it just doesn't produce photos like our Canon Powershot SD1000. As far as the post question, I can't wait to see some product reviews/comparisons. Based on my previous experience with the Stylus line, I am ruling out the Olympus. Although right now I am leaning towards the Canon based on previous... » Read More I am partial to Canon and am excited to see they are introducing a model in the rugged, waterproof class. I previously used the first generation waterproof Olympus Stylus and after it broke moved to the Pentax Optio W series. It has been a good camera as far as durability, but it just doesn't produce photos like our Canon Powershot SD1000. As far as the post question, I can't wait to see some product reviews/comparisons. Based on my previous experience with the Stylus line, I am ruling out the Olympus. Although right now I am leaning towards the Canon based on previous experience with their products and superior photos. However, the Panasonic offering higher video quality in HD format is enticing. « Show Less
1563170
Ok. I ended up trying both Canon SX200 and Panasonic ZS1. I didn't get the ZS3 because the price is much more for functions that aren't important to me. I decided that I am still better off with a point and shoot so I returned SX200 and kept ZS1. Although some of the shots came out great from the SX200 after doing some manual adjusting, I can't afford to take that much time for every shot on my trips. The auto function of Canon is very poor and that makes it rather inconvenient. ZS1 quality is similar but easier to use when there isn't enough time to take pictures. I like it so far.
1893354
Hello Amy. I see that you've not gotten a reply yet for a few days. I own the Canon SX130is camera that is nearly identical to that of the next version, the SX150is. I even owned the previous model of mine now, SX120is. THe only reason for the upgrade was to get HD video and stereo sound. Other than that, I loved that camera too. I've not studied the others you are deciding on but just looked them over. THere's not a "night & day" major difference between them. Differences of 2x zoom power is not major IMHO. Frames per second in burst mode shooting is. Size may be a factor too. But I can tell you why I like my camera. A manual flip up flash allows unmistakeable control over the flash and keeps the camera from waisting power charging for a flash that you didn't need for that shot. The option of complete manual settings is a must. And the advantage of using AA batteries gives you limitless flexibility of power. Don't let the negative reviews tell you that you cannot take lots of photos with this camera. If you get some high capacity rechargable batteries and enough for an extra set, you'll be good. Several here have recommended Sanyo Eneloop brand cells. That they come precharged and hold that charge for extended periods of storage time. A friend of mine used them and swears by them. I use Ansmann 2850 mAh batteries (which are higher capacity) and they give me nearly 200 more shots in my Canon SX20is than what is rated in the camera manual.
872975
I haven't tried the A720IS (I assume that's the one you're looking at) but a quick glance at the specs and photos leads me to believe the Powershot SX100IS is easier to control, i.e. it's easier to use manual settings and control the flash. (I always had problems with compact cameras where the flash would go off when I didn't want it, and when I thought I had it turned off. With the SX100IS the flash doesn't go off unless you actually lift it up, so there is no problem with accidental flash. This suits my needs, but might not be important to you.) Both cameras have a similar sensor, both use SD cards, both use 2 AA batteries, and the size and weight are not all that different. Both have face detection and image stabilization, though it's important to consider how important these features are and how easy they are to turn on/off when you need them. Both cameras have a 2.5" screen. The biggest difference I can see, aside from the layout of the controls, is the zoom, and this is a pretty big deal to many people. The A270IS has a 6x zoom, which is already twice the zoom of an average compact camera, but the SX100IS has a 10x zoom which really makes a difference. My dad uses this camera and on a recent family trip he was getting similar shots using the 10x zoom as I was getting on my DSLR with a 300mm lens! So you get a lot more freedom from the longer zoom, and it is ideal for shooting wildlife. I believe the only thing the A720IS can do that the SX100IS cannot is use lens adapters. If this is a concern for you, then you'll want to stick with the A720IS. Otherwise, I highly recommend the SX100IS, but try to test both cameras at your local store even if you plan on purchasing them from Amazon (which I also recommend).
1943433
I did a lot of research between these two cameras before I bought mine (the Panasonic FZ35) and the most helpful website was cameralabs.com. They have side by side comparisons of pictures and video footage so you can see for yourself the difference in image quality.
984181
Thanks for the replies. After playing around with the TS2 for a few weeks I decided to exchange it for a Lumix DMC-ZS7. It's not rugged but it's a great camera. Thanks again.
209419
I really like the Panasonic ZS30. I do not have the Fuji f900, although I've heard nice things about it. Google www.dpreview.com. I think they have professional reviews of both cameras. Might also try www.whatdigitalcamera.com. Another good place for professional reviews is www.cameralabs.com. If you go to www.whatdigitalcamera.com, it is a British magazine, and the ZS30 is known as the TZ40 in Europe - same camera. Both the Fuji and the Panasonic are highly rated. Another option to consider - Panasonic has announced that the ZS40 - next upgrade - will be coming out in March. It will have a 30X zoom, RAW shooting, and EVF, and several other new features. Might want to check that one out if you can wait a bit.
490820
I am in the same boat as you. My camera needs are the same as yours and I have been researching these two cameras as well as the Panasonic DMC-FZ8. Right now I am leaning towards the Panasonic. The Panasonic requires a battery pack instead of AA batteries but Amazon offers the battery packs for $15 - $20. In addition the Panasonic is about $50 cheaper than the Sony and the Canon. My old Olympus has problems with severe shutter lag and poor quality pics on indoor & low light situations.
132872
Well, I'm now reading about another option: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20/B 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization.This one compares to the Panasonic ZS3 and both sell for approximately the same price. I guess I'm still stuck in wanting to figure out which one of these models (DSC-H20, ZS3, DSC-W350, W370) can do all of the things they promised but at a faster speed.
152152
Hey Julie- I too had this same question so I went out and purchased the Lumix DMC-TZ5. I found the camera to be very good in the zoom department and video was nice as well. The reason I returned this camera was because of the picture quality. Panasonic seems to me, to have yellow pictures. Even though there is IS, I still had many shots that turned out to be blurry. I owned a Pansasonic in the past and had the same issues on that camera. I now own the Olympus Stylus 1010 for about 2 weeks. I had a mid-size camera for years and loved it but wanted a pocket size camera that would do justice. I am very picky and have bought and returned 4 different point and shoot cameras. The Olympus 1010 is the first camera that I have fell in love with. Very fast, very small, and the image quality is awesome! I have a very difficult shooting base but this camera far exceeds any other camera I have purchased or spent many hours playing with. I am so very satisfied with my purchase and Olympus really has come through with this camera. Hope this helps!
1358222
I've always liked the image quality of the Canons. I know a couple of people with the TZ5 and its predecessor, the TZ3, and a common complaint from both them and many online reviewers is that it's just horrible in low-light conditions - and that often, they have to try several times to get a shot that looks good, or they have to play around with the exposure and white-balance settings themselves. Which is all well and good if you've got the time and luxury to do that, but if you're trying to capture a moment quickly, you need the "automatic" settings to be pretty close to perfect every time. I've always liked the image quality of the Canons. I know a couple of people with the TZ5 and its predecessor, the TZ3, and a common complaint from both them and many online reviewers is that it's just horrible in low-light conditions - and that often, they have to try several times to get a shot that looks good, or they have to play around with the exposure and white-balance settings themselves. Which is all well and good if you've got the time and luxury to do that, but if you're trying to capture a moment quickly, you need the "automatic" settings to be pretty close to perfect... » Read More I've always liked the image quality of the Canons. I know a couple of people with the TZ5 and its predecessor, the TZ3, and a common complaint from both them and many online reviewers is that it's just horrible in low-light conditions - and that often, they have to try several times to get a shot that looks good, or they have to play around with the exposure and white-balance settings themselves. Which is all well and good if you've got the time and luxury to do that, but if you're trying to capture a moment quickly, you need the "automatic" settings to be pretty close to perfect every time. « Show Less
1950936
Your responses have been very helpful! I have always used Sony cameras and when looking to upgrade to a good zoom, I find Sony does not have a date stamp on any of their higher end cameras :-( so I'm looking to Panasonic. My question to you is - will this Panasonic FZ18 do well when just set to automatic when used for zooming? I like GOOD pictures...but don't like fiddling with the camera and losing the "moment." Also, what is the difference between OPTICAL zoom and DIGITAL zoom? Thank you.
1148632
Here is one more review on the Panasonic from cnet:http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs10/4505-6501_7-34505713.html?tag=mncol;lstcameralabs.com has posted some test photos as well.. not their full review yet though.