newbie question... lumix gf3 or nikon 1j????

real newbie.... looking for a decent all around camera... i want better quality then a p&s and want to take pictures of my daughter playing soccer...... i have a chance to purchase a used gf3 from bhphoto for $380.00 or a new nikon 1j for $409.00.... which is a better deal? which camera will take good outdoor sports pics? good indoor pics of kids? just a general good camera for vacations, etc....thank you

Which one have you held in your hand? Which one has the best controls, ease of use and accessories for you?
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The J1 might be better for outdoor sports in good light because of it's incredibly fast burst mode and fast focus. Outdoor shots will not require a high ISO so you wouldn't have to worry about noise. The GF3 with its larger sensor would be better indoors in low light. If I had a choice, I would get a GF3 for it's all around flexibility and better lens selection. For outdoor sports you might want to invest in the Nikon 30-110mm zoom or the 45-200mm Panasonic lens.

i have never held the gf3... i have held the nikon and found i had a blast shooting it in the store....right now i can only get the kit lens.. i have to save up for another lens..

how about a nex3? i have a chance to pick up a used nex3 for $350.00 w/kit lens..just wondering how these compare? and will this take decent soccer shots?

The NEX-3 will have the best low light capabilities as it uses the same sensor an SLR. The nex has fast continuous shooting compared to most cameras at 7fps (should be plenty), but the J1 is still much faster in its fastest mode and focuses faster. Although the NEX is faster using single shot mode. The NEX long zoom lens is 55-210mm and is about $330. If you were going to use it only outside in good light for sports, I like the J1. As an all around camera, I like the NEX.

My personal preference would be the GF3; although I'd take an Olympus PEN over the Panasonic.

The Nikon will be best for sports shots in good light. That's more-or-less all it's good for -- fast focus and fast framerate -- it's kind of a niche camera.

The Olympus, Panasonic, and Sony will all give better image quality. Sony will be the best of the three. Sony does have a somewhat limited lens and accessory selection in E-mount, and the company is not very friendly to work with (If you can go a little bit larger, Sony dSLTs are a pretty good choice too). Panasonic and Olympus are both great. Overall, I prefer Olympus ergonomics, as well as that it has image stabilization in the body.

Unfortunately I do not think that any of the options you have suggested will take very good soccer shots.

I think you need a telephoto lens equivalent to 250mm or more in 35mm terms to get reasonable soccer shots. Others may recommend something different. Your first decision should be on what focal length suits you. Have a look on Flickr and see what focal lengths others are using for your type of shots.

The kit lenses you have suggested are limited to about 85mm in 35mm terms, which is only a third of what I think you should be looking for.

yankeeslover said:

real newbie.... looking for a decent all around camera... i want better quality then a p&s and want to take pictures of my daughter playing soccer...... i have a chance to purchase a used gf3 from bhphoto for $380.00 or a new nikon 1j for $409.00.... which is a better deal? which camera will take good outdoor sports pics? good indoor pics of kids? just a general good camera for vacations, etc....thank you

Click to expand...

Neither is really good for sports. Neither have good sports lenses. The Sony NEX you mentioned is no better.
None of them are all that great at low-light shots either.

I would take an Olympus PEN over the Panasonic GF3 due to in body stabilization. The Panasonic relies on in lens stabilization. Which is a little better when it is present but not all lenses have it.

If I was forced to choose between the ones you listed, it would depend on your ability to get additional lenses. With out additional lenses I'd get the Nikon j1 since it will go the best of the 3 at sports (in decent light). If you can plan on a longer / faster lens, then the Gf3 (or Oly Pen).

Really what you need is a small DSLR and learning to use it (a quick class will give you the basics and result in much better photos). You can get an older used one for relatively cheap.

For example a couple of year old Nikon d90 or d5000 (more basic, and not as fun long term, but same sensor and cheaper) paired with Nikon 70-300vr for good light or a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 for any kind of light will give you such better photos which you will prize for years long after the soccer play has stopped.

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