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Canon S1 or Panasonic FZ20
- Thread starter sunny8
- Start date
lowkl
Active member
... that the price difference between these two cameras is something like 40%? A quick check showed something like USD$ 474 for the FZ20 and USD$ 336 for the S1.
Kinda unfair, don't ya think?
There are quite a few reviews of both of these cameras, so check out some reputable sites such as... this one!!
Also, http://www.dcresource.com/
My pick... the S1 (of course... since I use one!)
Kinda unfair, don't ya think?
There are quite a few reviews of both of these cameras, so check out some reputable sites such as... this one!!
Also, http://www.dcresource.com/
My pick... the S1 (of course... since I use one!)
NeoteriX
Forum Enthusiast
Like was pointed out, the FZ20 is a bit more expensive than the S1, and it shows. It's still missing some nice features like a swivel LCD, it uses SD instead of CF which is a little more standard for high end cameras, etc. Overall it is a quite complete camera and might vie for the best all around long zoom on the market right now. If it was between the FZ20 and S1, I'd take the Panasonic.
The FZ3 is priced and featured more competitively with the S1, it is a bit of a toss up depending on your preferences. Do a search for one of the numerous thread on this topic. In this case, I would take the S1.
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Anthony Nguyen
http://www.pbase.com/neoterix/
Thanks for the replies. I have read many threads and also have viewed so many impressive pictures taken by the S1 (specially by NeoteriX). I understand that the FZ20 is more expensive than the S1. All I want at this point is to be able to take clear pictures of those swimmers while they are in action. However, I am lack of the knowledge and skills (and I am willing to learn). Thus, I am wondering which camera will be a better choice for a newbie to achieve that goal.
lowkl
Active member
... when you are a newbie, get the cheaper camera.
This way, if the photos don't turn out good, you can always blame the equipment!!
This way, if the photos don't turn out good, you can always blame the equipment!!
michael liu
Well-known member
I heard the Canon S1 AF is slow (is this a problem for most Canon lowerer end cameras?). If you are going to take a lot of action and indoor pictures, this will work against you, as the AF system will be even slower in dimmer light.
Michael
Michael
... when you are a newbie, get the cheaper camera.
This way, if the photos don't turn out good, you can always blame
the equipment!!
hi there.
i tried both the fz3 and s1, and ended up with the s1
me reasons based on the handling of the s1 and the final image quality. the s1 follows the typical canon layout and functional control layout, and is much more in keeping with the balance of their line. many regularly used features are simply quicker to access + it offers one custom function setting where it will retain all camera settings (even the zoom setting) when the selected. this was important to me. under high magnification, i think the fz3 images might have a very slight sharpness edge, but they are noticeably noisier. this site states that the fz3 is much sharper, but i find these findings to be somewhat misleading if you shoot anything in the real world besides lens test charts. that leica lens is great, but i don't find any issue with the canon lens, and i think it is less flare prone than the leica one when stray light falls across the front element. the panasonic comes with a lens hood, but mine kept falling off. this leads to overall build quality, and i think the canon just feels more robust (especially when loaded with batteries). with those critical elements in mind, the clear choice for me was the s1. i also preferred the media format of the s1 (as i own plenty of CF cards), and i find the viewfinder much easier to use. also like the swivel LCD (closed most of the time, but there when i need it). i also think the focus is more accurate and the IS system slightly more effective.
i will absolutely give the fz3 the nod in regards to its shot-to-shot speeds, max shots per second speed. also, the image display will show you a current view through the multi shot action. i know i'm talking the fz3, but hope this info can also be helpful in regards to the fz20. i would say if action is your main need, the lean would be toward the panasonic. not that the canon is bad, but clearly not the leader in this area, at least not for multiple shots. single shots, i would give it to canon (for the aforementioned focus accuracy and speed to lock). once you shoot a sequence, the panasonic is really kind of amazing. it will blaze away like a machine gun, and you can see what you are shooting.
i tried both the fz3 and s1, and ended up with the s1
me reasons based on the handling of the s1 and the final image quality. the s1 follows the typical canon layout and functional control layout, and is much more in keeping with the balance of their line. many regularly used features are simply quicker to access + it offers one custom function setting where it will retain all camera settings (even the zoom setting) when the selected. this was important to me. under high magnification, i think the fz3 images might have a very slight sharpness edge, but they are noticeably noisier. this site states that the fz3 is much sharper, but i find these findings to be somewhat misleading if you shoot anything in the real world besides lens test charts. that leica lens is great, but i don't find any issue with the canon lens, and i think it is less flare prone than the leica one when stray light falls across the front element. the panasonic comes with a lens hood, but mine kept falling off. this leads to overall build quality, and i think the canon just feels more robust (especially when loaded with batteries). with those critical elements in mind, the clear choice for me was the s1. i also preferred the media format of the s1 (as i own plenty of CF cards), and i find the viewfinder much easier to use. also like the swivel LCD (closed most of the time, but there when i need it). i also think the focus is more accurate and the IS system slightly more effective.
i will absolutely give the fz3 the nod in regards to its shot-to-shot speeds, max shots per second speed. also, the image display will show you a current view through the multi shot action. i know i'm talking the fz3, but hope this info can also be helpful in regards to the fz20. i would say if action is your main need, the lean would be toward the panasonic. not that the canon is bad, but clearly not the leader in this area, at least not for multiple shots. single shots, i would give it to canon (for the aforementioned focus accuracy and speed to lock). once you shoot a sequence, the panasonic is really kind of amazing. it will blaze away like a machine gun, and you can see what you are shooting.
Works with and without flash. On the Canon S1 with review OFF as long as you keep your finger half pressed on the shutter you can shoot as many pictures as you want when you want without having to refocus. Beats burst mode and there's no delay.
For the OP, I took great pictures with my FZ1v2 at waterpolo games and swim meets. Never tried with the S1 but I wish I had the Canon S1 great videos for these events back then.
For concerts well after seeing this post http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=11171050 and followed the basketball link of shots taken at 400 ISO without a tripod and just cleaned up with noise ninja, I guess everything is possible....
............
For the OP, I took great pictures with my FZ1v2 at waterpolo games and swim meets. Never tried with the S1 but I wish I had the Canon S1 great videos for these events back then.
For concerts well after seeing this post http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=11171050 and followed the basketball link of shots taken at 400 ISO without a tripod and just cleaned up with noise ninja, I guess everything is possible....
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