Panasonic or Canon

I've owned a Minolta Freedom Zoom 35mm point and shoot camera for about 15 years but it finally took it's last picture earlier this year; it was a good camera; a good full size camera.

Now everyone is going digital; there are so many brands out there; I've asked several people which digital camera I should buy for my first digital camera; two names come up; Canon and Panasonic.

I notice many of Panasonic's models have image stabilization; some of Canon's do as well but the Canon models with image stabilization seem to be the higher end models. Could I get by with a new digital camera without image stabilization or should I definitely consider purchasing a camera with that feature?

Also some of the cameras come with viewfinders; others don't. Never having owned a digital camera will I eventually get use to using a digital camera without a viewfinder or should I also consider a digital camera with one? I've also noticed in reading the specs that many of the new cameras are small, compact size.

My old Minolta 35mm camera was a good size camera. Without having to look at any SLR cameras since most are way out of my price range; can anyone recommend a good entry level digital camera with image stabilization; with a viewfinder; and a pretty good size as well?

I'm not interested in anything small enough to fit in my shirt pocket. Finally many of Panasonic's new cameras state their body is made out of plastic. Should I stay away from cameras made out of plastic? Are any of Canon's cameras made out of plastic? Feedback would be appreciated.

Big Steve
10/08/06

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the wonderfull world of digital camera where mfgs cripple some camera features on some cameras as not to comprise the entire product line. They need to, having so many models.

"But the Canon models with image stabilization seem to be the higher end models"

The Powershot A710IS is more middle of the road. It does have image stabilization. It might be just what you need.

I think you will find that Panasonic's CCDs show more noise than Canon's but their cameras usually have more bells and whistles. Almost every Panasonic has Image Stabilization, but it seems like Canon will be including IS on many more models now. Both brands seem to have excellent build quality. I currently own both Panasonic's and Canon's and like them both. Your best bet is probably to go to a store that has a good selection and try out different models for their feel and features.

I've been looking at Panasonic's DMC-LZ3 except it doesn't have a viewfinder and another model I'm considering is Panasonic's DMC-FZ7 which looks very much like my old Minolta Freedom Zoom 90 35mm camera. Would the Panasonic DMC-FZ7 be overkill for someone wanting to purchase their first digital camera to replace an old 35mm camera?

From reading the specs on the DMC-LZ3; that camera seems to be a very small camera which I might not like. I'll have to go look at some models; my area is still recovering from a major hurricane which impacted here last year and the brick and mortar stores are; how shall I put it; still in the process of rebuilding which is why I rely on information in forums like this one to get most of my information. There is an Office Depot near my house which just reopened last month but they have a very limited selection of digital cameras at this time. Thank you for your post.

Big Steve
Biloxi, Mississippi
10/08/06

Fz7 could seem very bulky coming from that 35mm camera (I checked what it looks like, it's a P&S not SLR). And the FZ7 uses EVF, not optical viewfinder like the Minolta Freedom 90.

I went from a SLR to the Canon G2 and liked the change. I used the optical viewfinder alot at first, still do sometimes. The size and weight is substantial, just not the same as my previous SLR(s).

If you get anything like the FZ7 you won't be putting it in a pocket, and there's also the pop-up style flash to consider. If you want something for easy carry-around and P&S then you might want to check on the compact-- yet not ultra compact-- cameras. That Minolta has a formfactor similar to many digicams so you shouldn't have trouble with adjusting to the size and weight. Just be sure you can press the shutter button and use the controls okay.
--

I would like to purchase a digital camera which pretty much has the feel and weight of my old Minolta Freedom Zoom 90 35mm point and shoot camera but if that limits my selections to the digital SLR cameras I guess I'll have to consider one of the non SLR cameras because the digital SLR cameras first of all are way out of my price range; second; most of them come equipped with more bells and whistles than I will ever need; and third; I personally don't feel the need for having to purchase a digital SLR camera.

I've read many good reviews about several models by Canon; most don't come with image stabilization or a viewfinder unless you're willing to purchase one of Canon's higher end models; several of Panasonic's models do come with image stabilization; some have viewfinders; some don't but most of the Panasonic models are also compact models unless you do consider something like Panasonic's DMC-FZ7; I'd be happy with a lower priced model; with or without a viewfinder; but big enough for me to be able to operate with ease because I have large hands.

That's what I liked about my old Minolta camera; it had a good feel to it when I used it. I'm sure the small cameras; many by Canon take excellent pictures but at the same time I don't want something so small that I have trouble with the buttons; dials; and other features necessary to operate it. If Minolta still made the Freedom Zoom 90 I'd probably buy another one except for the fact that I wouldn't be able to connect it to my computer to send or store my pics. Thanks for your post.

Big Steve
Biloxi, Mississippi
10/08/06

Hi Steve,

You might want to check out the Fuji S6500fd. Has the low-light capability that is the envy of the industry right now, with low noise/hi-iso photos as well as a 28-300 mm (35mm equivalent). No IS, but a higher shutter speed, which this camera is more than capable of, can overcome that objection. Has not been reviewed on this site yet (wish that would happen), but the specs are listed on this site. Price should be right too and there are already photos from this camera posted on the Fuji talk forum.

I wish you the best in whatever direction you choose.

Best regards,
Mike

What kind of pictures do you usually take? Scenery or do you like to zoom a lot? I think that can also help you to pick the one for you. I don't know how your Minolta Freedom look like, but if you want something mid size/standard like 35mm camera, there's some model on the Canon n also Panasonic for that.

Image stabilation is mostly important if you often use it for nightshot or your digicam has a long zoom. Or if you have the tendency to shake the camera when pressing the button. It's usually not viewable on film camera coz of their higher speed, but could happen in digital camera. You might want to check it first in the store and see the result. Some digital camera that I know(like Sony n Kodak, which is not relevant for you) use slower speed at 1/40 that could easily make picture blurry coz of hand shake.

You might also want to see the photo samples both on Canon and Panasonic, to see which one suits your taste. Canon give a smooth result which for some people think, it tends to be soft, while Panasonic is generally sharper but for some people it looks a bit overdone and has more noise.

Viewfinder, depending on your style.. with digital camera, it's very easy to compose picture just by looking at the LCD display. Though, until now people is still complaining with the LCD quality when taking picture outdoor under the sun, so viewfinder on this case might be handy for outdoor use.

I dunno about Panasonic, but for Canon you can buy A630/A640 4x zoom with swivel LCD display which can be handy for certain shot, uses 4AA for faster recycle shot and it is heavier also easier to grip which can be handy for you. Or A710IS 6x zoom with Image Stabilation, uses 2AA so it is lighter and smaller, but 2AA takes a longer time from shot-to-shot(6-10seconds). If you want something bigger you can go for S3IS, 12x zoom, swivel LCD, Image Stabilation, also better video performance with optical zoom n stereo sound.

--
Denny - A620 A70 FinePixA110
http://majestixblue.fotopic.net/

Big Steve0655 said:

I've been looking at Panasonic's DMC-LZ3 except it doesn't have a
viewfinder and another model I'm considering is Panasonic's DMC-FZ7
which looks very much like my old Minolta Freedom Zoom 90 35mm
camera. Would the Panasonic DMC-FZ7 be overkill for someone
wanting to purchase their first digital camera to replace an old
35mm camera?

Click to expand...

I don't think so.
I own one,and love it.Quick,great lens,decent 2.5" LCD.etc.

Here's a few shots,from my FZ7:

Iris



Gorilla



Peacock



Full zoom plus full digital zoom 48X zoom total!!



ANAYV

Some very nice pics featured on that photo website although I do believe I noticed one spelling error which you might want to check out. You have the word "potrait" listed several times on the site. Do you mean to say "portrait" instead of "potrait"? I thought I'd let you know. If I'm wrong I stand corrected. Thanks for your post.

Big Steve
Biloxi, Mississippi
10/08/06

I took lots of landscape shots; mostly during bright sunlight and at Christmas I'd go out and take light display shots which I'd have to do right before sunset otherwise those pics would never turn out. A photographer with our local newspaper suggested that I do that and it seemed to work. Last year my father and I were forced to evacuate from our hometown and head north the day before Hurricane Katrina struck on Monday; August 29, 2005 and literally devastated my town.

We ended up evacuating north about 100 miles inland where we rode out the storm then were forced to evacuate again; this time to Katy, Texas which is located near Houston, Texas where we stayed in a nice hotel for 29 days and finally were able to return to my hometown of Biloxi, Mississippi on October 01, 2005.

The following week the National Guard who was already here in full force allowed us to get on the beach road and with my old Minolta camera hidden at the time I was able to take pictures of some of the destruction; many of the pics required me to use my zoom; all turned out very good but I hope to never see another hurricane as bad as Katrina. Our area still has a long way to go before we make a full recover but we'll do it because we've done it before.

I managed to take 240 35mm pics in about 2 weeks time but if the National Guard or members of the Indiana State Police who were also down here at that time assisting in law enforcement caught you with a camera in hand or even stopping to use a camera they'd come up to you with their lights flashing and tell you to stop taking pictures but once I showed them my state DL; they backed off just a bit; allowed me to take a few pics but would quickly tell me to get back in my car and keep moving. Those 240 35mm pics were the last pics my old Minolta 35mm camera took.

My father who evacuated with me last year died this past February 2006; I used that same Minolta camera to take pics at his funeral; not one of those pics came out; not a one but there were others there with digital cameras in hand who took pics; one guy was nice enough to load his pics on a picture CD for me which I thought was nice. I've been shopping for a new camera since that time but I can't make up my mind on which model to buy; which brand to choose; too many choices; too many conflicting reviews I've read on the Internet which has made my decision much more difficult.

Big Steve
Biloxi, Mississippi
10/08/06

Since you are new to digital, and coming from a fairly simple P&S film camera, I think you will be pleased with any of the models you are considering.

Image stabilization is a great feature but it's useful mostly on high magnification telephoto shots. If you are at lower magnification (such as 3x zoom), it's less important.

Plastic is OK. I think both brands are well-constructed.

Nearly all digital cameras have more "bells and whistles" than you need. They put them in because they can. But you don't need to use them unless you want to.

One suggestion... look at the "cameras by rating" section on this web site, at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/default.asp?view=rating . Any camera that's listed as "Highly Recommended" or "Recommended" is bound to be very good. From there, choose the Canons and Panasonics that are in your price range, and read some of the in-depth reviews. These give you a good idea of the camera's handling and usage, and should also help you decide what's important to you in a digital camera.

Finally, don't sweat it too much... get one soon and start enjoying it! Good luck.

I'll check out that link and thanks for your post.

Big Steve
Biloxi, Mississippi
10/08/06

nanequate said:

If you get anything like the FZ7 you won't be putting it in a
pocket, and there's also the pop-up style flash to consider. If you
want something for easy carry-around and P&S then you might want to
check on the compact-- yet not ultra compact-- cameras. That
Minolta has a formfactor similar to many digicams so you shouldn't
have trouble with adjusting to the size and weight. Just be sure
you can press the shutter button and use the controls okay.

Click to expand...

I think that reviewss are unanimous that the Canon S3IS is preferrable to the FZ27. In some respects, the FZ50 meets the challenge of the S3IS.

Did you say the Panasonic DMC-FZ27?

End Of Message
10/09/06

Steve,

Here's another point of view.

Digital cameras in general give such good image quality for typical users that perhaps you should not compare one brand against another (like Panasonic vs Canon or Nikon vs Sony) but rather, once you decide which feature set is right for you, I suggest you judge cameras by ergonomics, price, battery type and available accessories.

I say this because everyone has a different opinion of what feels good in the hands (depending on hand size, dexterity, left-vs-right handedness, etc) and in the end ergonomics will have a huge impact on your photo taking.

Also the cameras that use AA batteries have a very significant advantage over those with proprietary batteries in terms of long term cost of ownership, convenience, etc. I know this well because the charger for my Nikon CoolPix 4500 is now in a suitcase that got lost by Air France during a recent trip and I'm staring at a 50 Euro bill to replace it. If the camera used AA's, I wouldn't be facing this problem, nor would I have to cough up a large amount of money for new proprietary batteries to replace the one's that I bought 4 years ago.

And above all, don't get suckered into the argument that "more pixels is better" like you might hear from some uninformed (or predatory) sales person at your local electronics shop. That simply is not true. The 5 MP and 6 MP sensors now used in many cameras are incredibly good while many of the higher MP sensors suffer from more noise at higher sensitivity settings and under many conditions (tricky light for example) actually give worse results than a 5 MP or 6MP camera. (Now that's something a salesperson will never tell you!)

So, for example, if a big zoom and articulated screen are important to you, then the Fuji 6500fd (as suggested earlier) or the Canon S3IS would be good choices. If an articulated screen is not so important and you have small hands, then the Sony H2 or H5 might be right for you. If a big zoom is not critical, then a smaller-sized camera like the Canon A710 or one of the fully automatic Panasonic cameras might make sense.

Hope this helps.

Steve
Strazeele, France

The build quality of the Panasonic Cams is excellent.
Their lens is excellent.
Their Processor and Sensors aren't.

Get a Canon A710 IS, best compact cam out there,
unfortunately without RAW which is on the decline in compacts.
--

• Mr Ralf -

Sounds to me like you're pretty serious about your photography. I'm considering purchasing a Panasonic DMC-FZ7S digital camera because it looks very much like my old Minolta Freedom Zoom 90 point and shoot 35mm camera which I've had for years and I've also read several good reviews about that model by Panasonic which is a good brand of electronics since I've owned several Panasonic fax machines and also have owned and still own a multi-handset cordless phone system by Panasonic. I have had no experience with owning any cameras by Panasonic but I have read quite a lot on the web about them and about a few models by Canon. Thanks for your post.

Big Steve
Biloxi, Mississippi
10/09/06

If you enjoyed your old Minolta Freedom Zoom 90 for 15 years (Mine only lasted for 6 yrs) without IS then you would be fine with a cam without IS now. If you choose a camera that has good high ISO output then you will notice you will have better output from the digicam at ISO 800 that you did from the Minolta with Kodak 800 Gold. ;-)

Fuji would be another good option as well for you to look at. The Panasonic you are looking at is not an exact fit for the on Minolta as the lens is alot more bulky, but close. Fuji's E900 is another you might add to your list. The Fuji also allows you to shoot in RAW giving you more flexiblity with your photo editing.

Darrin
--
'I aim to misbehave'

Big Steve0655 said:

Did you say the Panasonic DMC-FZ27?

Click to expand...

Yes, I did. In various forums there are excellent reviews of superzoom cameras. Plus, I have physically evaluated the Panasonic camera and its price reflects its build. It feels a lot more plastic and flimsy than the S3