FZ18 or G9?

I've been going back in forth between P&S and dslr's and decided to look in the middle with super zooms. Very good reviews on the FZ18 and just wondering if anyone has experience with both the FZ18 and the Canon G9. What I'm trying to learn is mainly image quality, ISO noise, which works better indoors?

Its a toss up for all the other features, I can go either way. Just want the best pics at the end of the day.

Thanks

There have been loads of discussions about these two camera's but let's look at the facts.
1) 8 megapixels is plenty to get prints at A3 size.

2) canon's ccd at 1/1.7 size with 12,1 megapixels has about 23600 pixels per square mm.

fz18's ccd at 2/2,5 size wıth 8,1 megapixels has about 23560 pixels per square mm.
Ergo: both sensors will have about the sam noise and dynamics problems.

3) Dynamics and noise problems are best solved outside of the camera and there are a number of programs that do an excellent job.
4) Both camera's can deliver raw data if requested.
5) Both camera's have excellent electonics.

So in this case probably the one with the better lens is the best camera.

6) The fz18 definitely has the better lens.

My choice has been the fz18 because of this and I'm not dısappointed at all.

7) The most decisive factor, withe regrads to image quality, has always been and will always be the photographer.

Regards Peter

d12bn said:

Its a toss up for all the other features, I can go either way. Just
want the best pics at the end of the day.

Click to expand...

I think a wide angle and stabilized 18x zoom gives you much more than just low light performance.

on the other hand, if portability is what you are looking for.. then g9 is more appropiate.

And truthfully, when it comes to image quality, low light performance and such - they are on par. Canon and Panasonic have different "default" images (out of the camera on factory settings) but both have a good number of in camera adjustments that can be made, both can shoot RAW and both can be post processed.

If I had to nitpick the g9 probably has a tiny bit less noise a low ISOs in particular lighting conditions - but honestly, you'd be hard pressed to find it at 100% or in standard size prints. They are both pretty bad over ISO 400.

There are really just 3 factors that differentiate the cameras:

1) Form factor - I recently traveled with the FZ18 and wished it was smaller. On the other hand, the G9 is heavier.

2) Focal length - 28-504mm is nothing to scoff at. The G9 is 35-210mm. In practice, I used the 28mm a bit on vacation and used 300+mm very little. Next vacation I will probably take the G9.

3) Flash Hotshoe... G9 has it, FZ18 doesn't. This only matters if you want an on camera external flash. You can always trigger an optical slave from the FZ18 though...

When all is said and done #1 and #2 are the factors you should decide on. For me, if I had to choose - it would be the G9. Why? I own 3 other canon cameras and find the G9 more intuitive and fun to shoot with. I like it's heft and it's chunky design. That's it and it's 100% subjective.

BUT!

I have frequently struggled with the thought of selling the FZ18 but can't bring myself to do it. It's just way to versatile a tool in a (reasonably) portable package. I don't use it every day like I do the G9, but I DO use it for shots the G9 couldn't get.

Both cameras have their limitations - neither is a DSLR in terms of it's output, but they are both more then capable of producing outstanding images.

Factors:

G9 is smaller but not at all pocket sized (can be carried on belt though)
28(!) mm to 504 mm vs. 34 mm to 210 mm or so
EVF is a usable eye-level viewfinder; G9's OVF is usable, but just barely
I will not use an external flash .. but have a Canon HF-DC1 slave if needed
Ultra zoom give so much shooting flexibility.

G9 is a great camera in many ways; but I have no regrets in selling it. Decided to buy the FZ18 later (after considering upgrading my 20D to a 40D). I'm very happy with that decision.

--
Phil .. Panny FZ18, Canon S3 IS, SD700IS, 300D & EOS 20D; Fuji F20 & F31fd.
http://www.pbase.com/phil_wheeler
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phil_ox/

How fast does the FZ18 focus in low light?

I read all the reviews on both before buying the FZ18. At the end of the day, it was about the feature-set for me. With regard to IQ, my sense of the reviews was that the Canon was slightly better, but you still have to watch ISO in both.

Peter F.

I agree with Peter. And definitely, the most compelling point Peter made was an obvious one, but the point still needed to be stated. Peter:

7) The most decisive factor, withe regrads to image quality, has always been and will always be the photographer.

Regards Peter

I went with FZ18 and I never looked back.

David

Your message sounds like what I was writing a week or so ago. I was trying to decide between the G9 and the FZ18, but I also was comparing a third choice, a Canon Powershot S5-IS.

After a week of examination, I finally narrowed my choices down to the Canon S5-IS and the Pansonic FZ18. (In part because I read several reports about faulty G9's with dead pixels but I also wanted a camera with a greater focal range than the 35-210 of the G9.)

It took a few more days of deliberation to decide between the S5-IS and the FZ18, but I finally decided on the Pansonic Lumix DMC-FZ18K.

Many of the folks who have written to you, influenced my decision. They seem to be knowledgeable and no one who had bought the FZ18 seemed unhappy with their choice. I can't say that about the others who had bought a G9 or the S5-IS. Many of them sounded as if they were remorseful and wished they had a FZ18.

But now that I'm convinced, I'm finding the problem is the availability of the FZ18K (black).

I've ordered twice from what turned out to be shady on-line dealers. (That's another story - although I will warn you that if you buy on line you need to check a site like http://www.resellerratings.com and don't go with the "lowest price" from one of those "comparison sites.")

Cosco has good prices, but there's no store close enough allow me to buy from them. I'm therefore planning to order a FZ18 tomorrow from Amazon, but it seems 3/4's of the sites I've checked are out of this model/color. (I hope Amazon still has them.) It's obvious that even Panasonic was unprepared for the popularity of this camera.

Maybe I'm following the herd, but I feel when a mass goes a direction, it's usually for a reason. Therefore, although I don't have my FZ18 yet, I'm sure it's the proper choice for me.

Sharon Skaryd
dulcimers.com

I need to put a FZ18 in my hands to make a final decision. The problem is the closest one is 3 hours drive. Next Friday I plan on making the drive to look at one and maybe a new laptop while I'm there. Until then I'm still reading about both the G9 and FZ18.

Costco (not costco.com, but the store) seems to have a good stock of the black FZ18

I just placed an order for my FZ18K through Amazon. Today the on-line price dropped to $307.94 and, if you don't mind signing up for an Amazon credit card (which you only need to use once and then you can cancel, if you wish), you can get another $30 off the price. That means my FZ18K will cost me $277.94 with FREE shipping.

I can understand wanting to "feel the camera in your hands," and, I've never held one. But after reading all the posts I can find on the FZ18, no one has been anything but more impressed than they expected when they got their camera. I'm sure I'll feel the same way.

Sharon Skaryd
dulcimers.com

dulcimers said:

I just placed an order for my FZ18K through Amazon. Today the
on-line price dropped to $307.94 and, if you don't mind signing up
for an Amazon credit card (which you only need to use once and then
you can cancel, if you wish), you can get another $30 off the price.
That means my FZ18K will cost me $277.94 with FREE shipping.

I can understand wanting to "feel the camera in your hands," and,
I've never held one. But after reading all the posts I can find on
the FZ18, no one has been anything but more impressed than they
expected when they got their camera. I'm sure I'll feel the same way.

Sharon Skaryd
dulcimers.com

Click to expand...

It's actually $249 at Amazon today, but hurry, only 1 left

Right now there appear to be 136 left. 30 seconds ago, it was 138. lol I wonder how fast they will sell out.

--
Stujoe - Camera User
http://www.DigitalPhotoPeople.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stujoe/

.

I didn't want to buy from one of the sub-companies that are listed by Amazon. I bought directly from Amazon. (If you look at the lower priced listing you'll see it "Ships from and sold by Vanns." That's NOT Amazon. ) After being burned twice by lowest priced sites, I'm not about to be taken in again.

I read the reviews on http://resellerratings.com and found Vann's had some less than perfect reports so I opted to buy directly from Amazon.com.

You have to look carefully to see if it's Amazon or a sub-company that you are looking at. According to some reviews, Amazon leaves you on your own to deal with these sub-companies. I'd prefer to deal directly with Amazon.

Sharon Skaryd
dulcimers.com

Best Pics technically: G9

Your favourite photos, straight out of the box: FZ18

The FZ18 can't compete with the G9 if you go pixel peeping, unlike the FZ50, which gives it a run for it money. But the Panasonics, including the FZ18, have better colour and white balance control. Yes you can do all this with RAW, but The FZ18, like my 50, can be set to deliver photos you like straight out of the camer. Great when you take hundreds!

One review I read has the Fz18 better than the G9 in color, manual noise, auto noise, and dynamic. G9 better at resolution, w balance and lowlight.

With the Fz18 on sale for $249 I had to go with the lumix

Ordered mine from Vann's a few weeks back. No problems, first class service all the way. I wouldn't be surprised to get an Xmas email from them.

fotophool

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7131002@N05/

Someone let me know when Costco gets the Oly E-3 in.

lol

fotophool

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7131002@N05/

Solid choice. And the G9 WB is only better than the FZ18 factory set WB. Once you set the 18 WB up (every WB preset is adjustable!), it'll blow the G9 away.

Happy shooting.