"fz8 v powershot s3"

I'm upgrading from a basic casio point and shoot number to a compact digi.

After hours of research on pages like this, I think I've narrowed it down to 2 cameras. The Canon powershot S3 IS, and the Panasonic DMC FZ8. I was hoping someone out there could help me make up my mind by answering a couple of technical queries. There are two things that keep cropping up; the Canon doesn't have RAW mode, and also the issue on both cameras about "noise". I'm learning quickly but am still unsure at to whether these will matter to a relative amateur like me. I will be taking the camera whilst traveling around Canada, and I am interested in the macro mode and experimenting generally with the various features. When would I use RAW mode, and is this noise thing really so bad. Plus I know this is the Panasonic page, but what camera would I be best with, or should I be considering any others? Apologies for going on too long.

If you are using the camera outdoors and in good light the noise isn't really an issue. If you are making prints that aren't huge there shouldn't be a problem either. RAW does give extra flexibility in dealing with the in camera processing better. To date (until this past week) I've been shooting all jpegs so if you look on my galleries in Zenfolio everything except one shot is a jpeg. I've printed some of the flower macros a 16x20! and they look great.

Here is my biggest piece of adivce....since your screen name has "girl" in it. Go and hold the S3. I am also a woman and ergonomically that camera just didn't work for me. There are a couple of other women who really like the way the FZ8 fits in their hand.

I'm sure you will get good shots from both. I love my FZ8.
--
terry
http://tbanet.zenfolio.com/

Thanks for the advice. I am leaning towards the FZ8 to be honest for various reasons. I went to one camera store today but they had neither camera in stock and weren't very helpful. I'm hoping to go camera hunting at the weekend, can't wait!

It might also be worth mentioning that the FZ8 is much lighter than the S3.