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Which super zoom point & shoot has the best Image Quality?

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cmw17

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Hi, new here. I'm sure this has been discussed many times, but I couldn't find the specific thread because the search form is limited.

My question : Of all the current Super Zoom point and shoot cameras, is their a clear winner as far as image quality goes?

I currently have the old Lumix TZ1 ( http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TZ1S-Compact-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B000EIVKPW/ref=sr_1_5?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1290616507&sr=1-5 ) but I'm not satisfied with the image quality. I'm looking for something wayyyy superior while having a good zoom. Hopefully better than this Lumix. Also looking for one that does HD video. But the main thing is getting better Image Quality results.

I read reviews on the Canon SX30IS and it basically says the features are great, but the image quality stinks. I read reviews on the Nikon P100 and based on reviews, the image quality may be better but that unit has a lot of problems in regards to freezing. So if I am looking for a point and shoot with a good zoom, which one has the best image quality?
 
Have you done any research on the Canon S95...a lovely Leica f2 lens and all the frills and fancies you could think of..

As to image quality.. well..the Leica lenses are usually no slouches...but IQ is a very personal thing..What YOU may think good... others may not...and vice versa...

On pure specs.. it's difficult to find one of the kind that would in theory beat the S95... but I've always had reservations myself..I have the LX3 and frankly I just see no reason at all to buy the LX5 as any replacement...if the LX3 is used rightly I just don't see any worth in paying a fair bit to uplift to an LX5.. so you see.. people vary...

But YOU check out the S95...you may find it what you like..and the pedigree is faultless.

--
eric-UK

 
Thank you very much for the suggestion, and it sounds like the image quality is quite good on that one based on your review and some others I just read. However, it only has a 3.8x optical zoom :( I'm looking for more zoom. I'm trying to find the perfect combo of a point and shoot that has terrific zoom and awesome image and HD video quality.
ericN2 said:
Have you done any research on the Canon S95...a lovely Leica f2 lens and all the frills and fancies you could think of..

As to image quality.. well..the Leica lenses are usually no slouches...but IQ is a very personal thing..What YOU may think good... others may not...and vice versa...

On pure specs.. it's difficult to find one of the kind that would in theory beat the S95... but I've always had reservations myself..I have the LX3 and frankly I just see no reason at all to buy the LX5 as any replacement...if the LX3 is used rightly I just don't see any worth in paying a fair bit to uplift to an LX5.. so you see.. people vary...

But YOU check out the S95...you may find it what you like..and the pedigree is faultless.

--
eric-UK

Click to expand...
 
Tom C said:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/a_superzoom_shootout.shtml
--
Tom
When my bones turn to dust,
and if my CD's didn't rust,
future generations will see my photos
and think that I was nuts.
Click to expand...
I've actually seen that before, thanks. That review favors the Lumix FZ100 because of a few better features, but the image quality based on that review is pretty even, while the Canon's zoom is better. Are these the top 2 contenders as far as Point and shoot cameras with great zoom and superior image quality?
 
By the way, I just checked out this comparison of point and shoots in the 10 - 12x zoom category (even though I'd prefer bigger) : http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q209grouplongzoom/

and after comparing the pictures taken, I like the SONY CYBER-SHOT DSC-H20 the best. Great clarity and color. It is a discontinued model but available on Amazon marketplace and eBay. It's replacement/upgrade model is the DSC-H55 which is smaller in size and also has a panoramic shot feature but based on reviews, the picture quality is much worse than the H20. Ironically, the New H55 is almost half the price as the H20! Any insight on these 2 cameras?

I wish I could find a camera that has more zoom than the H20 but has the same Image/Video quality. Would anyone know of such a camera?
 
cmw17 said:
I currently have the old Lumix TZ1 . . . but I'm not satisfied with the image quality. I'm looking for something wayyyy superior while having a good zoom.
Click to expand...
Just curious in what way you're finding the TZ1 unsatisfying. A friend of mine has used one to win several photography awards and has her work hanging in a few local art galleries. I'm sure there are better cameras than the TZ1, but she turns out exceptional work with hers. Earlier this year, desiring a camera with a viewfinder option other than the lcd, she bought the Panasonic DMC-FZ35. I think it's been superceded by a new model, but it was highly regarded in this group review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q110superzoomgroup/page8.asp
 
It seems that the Fuji S200exr has better image quality than the others (and good light sensitivity), because it has a good 30,5 to 436mm lens - not too wide and not too much zoom, and a big sensor.

It lacks HD video though, not even "half" HD is present...

Havent had the cam - but would definitely go for it myself if it was photo quality only.
(But the burst speed of 1.8fps at full res. is too slow for my use)

:-) Peter
 
PFRANKS said:
It seems that the Fuji S200exr has better image quality than the others . . .
Click to expand...
I hope that's true, since I just ordered one a few hours ago. I think I'll like the manual zoom ring and control flexibility, and have high hopes that the D-Range priority setting will help avoid too many clipped highlights. I know the electronic viewfinder won't be like looking through even an entry-level DSLR, but at least it shows 100% of the view (DSLR's I've owned with the typical 95% coverage give me too many surprises around the edges that I later need to crop out), and sensor dust shouldn't be an issue.
 
jrtrent said:
cmw17 said:
I currently have the old Lumix TZ1 . . . but I'm not satisfied with the image quality. I'm looking for something wayyyy superior while having a good zoom.
Click to expand...
Just curious in what way you're finding the TZ1 unsatisfying. A friend of mine has used one to win several photography awards and has her work hanging in a few local art galleries. I'm sure there are better cameras than the TZ1, but she turns out exceptional work with hers. Earlier this year, desiring a camera with a viewfinder option other than the lcd, she bought the Panasonic DMC-FZ35. I think it's been superceded by a new model, but it was highly regarded in this group review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q110superzoomgroup/page8.asp
Click to expand...
The image quality is poor on the TZ1, not clear or sharp pictures at all. the image stabilization doesn't do anything - many pictures turn out very blurry. I am considering the Lumix DMC-FZ100 or even 35 which is supposed to have better image quality, but only if it's a big improvement over my TZ1. Thats the only reason i am looking to get something new.

I just need the best combo of great zoom/superior image quality/HD Video. I've seen many reviews of cameras with great zooms, many with great image quality, but rarely have I seen a review that says both are great.
 
While not exactly an expert on the subject, it appears to me that compromises are being made in all the P&S cameras in several areas. The drive for HD video seems to be one area where IQ is being compromised for stills in order to get the HD performance. Another factor is the desire for ever longer and wider zooms lenses, and higher and higher pixel counts.

The net result is that the latest cameras do OK at low ISO; but start to have problems when higer ISO is wanted.

I have owned a bunch of these things over the years, starting with the Canon S3IS. That camera does very well with only 6 MP and a 36-432 mm equivalent lens. Next came an S5IS at 8 MP. Not quite as good IQ as the S3IS, and more problems with chromatic aberration; but it has more features including a larger flip out LCD and a hot shoe. After that I tried an FZ28. Looking back, this might have been the best of the bunch. AF was slower than the S5IS and IS was not as good; but IQ was high, noise was low, it corrected chromatic aberration in-camera, and it did remarkably well at high ISO. It had 10 MP, and lacked a hot shoe and flip out LCD; but had some nice features. Its drawbacks were slower AF and weaker IS than the Canons.

The FZ28 was replaced by another S5IS, and that was replaced by the FZ35. The FZ35 has the AF speed of the S5IS and much inproved IS. IQ is very good at low ISO; but on one-color areas at higher ISO it produces artifacts which are referred to as frog spawn.

After the FZ35, I went to the Canon SX10IS. It gives arguably sharper images than the SX20IS, does quite well at ISO 800, has a hot shoe and flip out LCD and goes to an equivalent 560 mm; but has no provision for using a tele extender lens - which all the previous models could use. CA is less than the S5IS and is restricted to the edges and corners; where the S5IS had it all across the frame. However, I don't think the IQ is one bit better than the S3IS I started with.

I have avoided going to the SX30IS because of lower IQ, especially in smearing fine detail, and fairly strong CA. The FZ100 has lower IQ. I think both these cameras have pushed the envelope too far in terms of pixel count and lens focal length range. Overall, my vote for Best in Class IQ goes to the FZ18 or FZ28 with the SX10IS a very close second, but having some important features lacking in the FZ's.

You need to temper my comments with the fact that I do not use RAW in these cameras, and I do not use video.

--
Jerry
 
Based on the studio scene comparison here : http://dpreview.com/previews/panasonicdmcfz100/

I think the FZ35 clearly has the best image quality of any point and shoot camera featuring an optical zoom of at least 18x and also offering HD video. I've put in all sorts of different cameras into that comparison, and I definitely think the FZ35 wins.

Do you guys think that tool is the best there is to compare image quality? cause if it its, I think I found my winner.

Can anyone here argue that the FZ35 is NOT the best point and shoot camera that features at least 18x optical zoom and HD video? I couldn't find any that came close in that studio scene comparison...
 
I would be more than happy with the Powershot SX30. I still use my S1 quite frequently. It's hard to take a bad picture with it. I don't think I'd use more than 8 megapixels if I had the new Canon, though. Simply no need for more than that with any camera, in my estimation, unless your earning a living through photography.
 
cmw17 said:
Based on the studio scene comparison here : http://dpreview.com/previews/panasonicdmcfz100/

I think the FZ35 clearly has the best image quality of any point and shoot camera featuring an optical zoom of at least 18x and also offering HD video. I've put in all sorts of different cameras into that comparison, and I definitely think the FZ35 wins.

Do you guys think that tool is the best there is to compare image quality? cause if it its, I think I found my winner.

Can anyone here argue that the FZ35 is NOT the best point and shoot camera that features at least 18x optical zoom and HD video? I couldn't find any that came close in that studio scene comparison...
Click to expand...
I dont think that one could argue why the FZ100 should be better in IQ, lensewise, as it has better wideangle and more zoom, so physics will say it is not as good in low light/high ISO.
Although, another sensor also.

I would say that above studio scene comparison can NOT be used, as (I assume) it uses the default (or iA) settings, which has way too aggressive NR for the FZ100 for most uses and likings, amongst others.

So dont discard the FZ100, based on the studio comparison - that would be very wrong !

In this very case it will be misleading, and only show the studio comparison with that very lens/cam, with its "off" default settings, as I see it - and not very comparable.

(I havent purchased one myself yet, but I am going to now)

Kindly, Peter Frank
 
I would argue, based on experience, that using that studio scene can be misleading. The cameras are used at their default settings for sharpening, contrast, saturation and noise reduction. Some cameras use more sharpening at default than others. Same is true for the other parameters. The result is that the camera with the higest default sharpening, contrast and saturation and the lowest NR looks the best.

I do use those studio scenes from Imaging Resource; but not on screen. I download the ISO 100 and ISO 400 images (and sometimes ISO 800 and 1600), post process them for what I consider to be the optimum sharpening, contrast, and saturation, and then print them as a borderless 8.5" x 11" print, as that is how i will use the camera, and it shows me what the camera is capable of when tweaked up. Then, I compare them. In a print that size, there is very little difference to be seen at ISO 100, even with a 1.5x reading glass. However, at ISO 400 differences in detail resolution and noise begin to emerge, although in most cases, hard to see with the naked eye.

I also rely on the Imaging Resource comments on print quality and largest print size Vs ISO setting, although even there, the light levels under which the shots are taken does have some influence on the artifacts you see. The FZ35's "frog spawn" artifacts don't show up on ISO 400 shots in good light; but they sure did on some indoor shots of a flower arrangement.
--
Jerry
 
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