F10 vs. TZ1. I am a first time DC buyer, and need one good (inexpensive, amateur)

[Tim39]

Think you'll find yourself well-served by the 5200. Strengths are that it's VERY fast in operation--startup (almost instant), shot-to-shot lag, etc., great battery life with universally available AA batteries (get thenew 2500 mah rechargeables), incredible feel (like the best SLR you ever held), light weight, viewfinder (a good one), high IQ, excellent high ISO, takes wide-angle and tele converters screwed directly on lens, and is priced incredibly low for the features and performance offered.

Godd luck with whatever you choose, stay in touch and post us some pix.
--
Tim

 

[Unda Covalava]

Wow, that was quite a turnaround. Good for you that you have both.

Ya, I was planning on replacing the F10 with the TZ1. It's so much more versatile, the main thing being the 10X image stabilized zoom. I was underwhelmed with the image quality. Then when I looked back at my F10 photos - there's just no comparing the two! The F10 isn't perfect either. The worst things are the occasional cyan colors in skies (require PS correction) and the camera's algorithm of heavily favoring fast shutter speed with wide-open aperture while ramping up the iso too quickly. The TZ1 does far better in this respect, doing a more balanced job of adjusting aperture and shutter speed before ISO.

I ended up deciding based on image quality, andthe very nice indoor
pictures without flash that people have been posting on here - I
never used High-ISO film before, but these photos are just
stunning, and I would like to be able to do that. So, I decided on
the F10.

With the F10 I always prefer not to use the flash if possible. I just don't like it. There's far too much red-eye. Every once in a while, though, an iso800 with flash in an indoor environment (party) I'll get a keeper with very accurate color that could not have come from another camera.

Unfortunately, I tried to get the F10, but it isn't available locally.

They are hard to find, even online. Try Sam's club too.

I think I am going to go to Ritz Cameras where they sell the S5200
which Tim (above) recommends. It is a compromise camera, with not
quite as good low-light capabilities, but with 10x zoom (but no IS).

I read the user reviews, it sounds like there are too many compromises. What's your limiting factor? Is it size? Cost? There are far better cameras out there.

 

[amcc]

It is great to hear your personal experience with the F10 and the TZ1, very informative.

My main limiting factor is cost: I would by a dSLR if I could. But, I have to get the best in the under-400 range. Even cheaper is better.

So, I would go for the F10 now (I actually bought it but it hasn't shipped yet so I have to get one in-store, fast!)) except that after looking at the S5200 that Tim has and what I thought were pretty good reviews, it seems like I could get close to approaching the image quality of the F10, but have the optical zoom as well.

I am tempted to get the "best in a class" like the F10, but, that means giving up on zoom.

So, I am now leaning toward the S5200 because it would compromise the features needed for all-around, indoor, outdoor, event photographing on the cheap.

But to be honest I still haven't decided. I will tomorrow. I found the F10 at a walmart for 225, the s5200 for 299 at a Ritz. And I have to buy it tomorrow, the day before I leave!

So, with the price limitation, do you still think there are better cameras?

 

[amcc]

Thanks for your help, I almost cried when I saw your recommendation for the S5200 and had just purchased the F10. Now I get a second chance, since Adorama didn't send me the F10 in time. Still not positive, but it helps to have good options.

I will post pics, but nothing like y'alls. Maybe I will have to ask for help. I suspect, and have read, that the great camera won't necessarily make the pictures good, so i will be practicing.

 

[Unda Covalava]

The price is a bit limiting for the latest superzooms.

Have you considered the Canon A700? 6x zoom in a compact body and only ~ $300. Excellent reviews at the major review sites. Problem is you need it tomorrow and I've never actually seen one in-store. I get the feeling that you want zoom, and you'll be disappointed without it.

It is great to hear your personal experience with the F10 and the
TZ1, very informative.

My main limiting factor is cost: I would by a dSLR if I could.
But, I have to get the best in the under-400 range. Even cheaper is
better.

So, I would go for the F10 now (I actually bought it but it hasn't
shipped yet so I have to get one in-store, fast!)) except that
after looking at the S5200 that Tim has and what I thought were
pretty good reviews, it seems like I could get close to approaching
the image quality of the F10, but have the optical zoom as well.

I am tempted to get the "best in a class" like the F10, but, that
means giving up on zoom.

So, I am now leaning toward the S5200 because it would compromise
the features needed for all-around, indoor, outdoor, event
photographing on the cheap.

But to be honest I still haven't decided. I will tomorrow. I
found the F10 at a walmart for 225, the s5200 for 299 at a Ritz.
And I have to buy it tomorrow, the day before I leave!

So, with the price limitation, do you still think there are better
cameras?

 

[lisitsa]

Good luck for tomoz. I am getting an F10 soon as well.

 

[Tim39]

I am tempted to get the "best in a class" like the F10, but, that
means giving up on zoom.

I would argue the 5200 IS a best in class. Show me another long zoom that matches its low light capability, plus excellent video, in such a compact package -- regardless of price.

--
Tim

 

[paul613]

I think the 5200 is too old to use XD cards larger than 512MB.

On the other hand, you want the functionality of a DLSR, and with the 5200, you could add a wide-angle adapter lens.
--
Paul S. in Maryland

 

[Tim39]

Not to beat this to death (we all want you to choose what will make you happy), but I'm struck by a semantic issue -- namely, the word compromise.

I would suggest every camera represents a compromise -- DSLRs, with their size, weight, lenses, cost, and video; the F10/11/30 with their short zoom; the TZ1 with its low light limitations and lack of manual control.

So, in my mind, the question is not will you compromise, but on what.
--
Tim

 

[Kim Letkeman]

It is great to hear your personal experience with the F10 and the
TZ1, very informative.

My main limiting factor is cost: I would by a dSLR if I could.
But, I have to get the best in the under-400 range. Even cheaper is
better.

I have the F10 (my son's actually), F11 and a dSLR. Although the 5200 is much smaller than a dSLR, the shooting style is similar and very different from that of a compact.

You need to think very carefully about what you want to shoot pictures of. The 5200 is unlikely to be with you at every moment of the day (I could be wrong about that depending on your level of dedication to carrying it and what you do during the day) ... while the F10 can be carried in a belt case or in a purse all the time.

If you like to shoot urban stuff, people and buildings in low light, that kind of thing, then the F10 would give you better image quality overall. But if you want to shoot wildlife now and again, at the zoo for example, and you only occasionally go to 800 ot 1600 ISO, then the 5200 is a no brainer. It has superb image quality below 800 and is decent at the higher ISOs (just not in the F10's class.)

But the carrying aspect must be taken into account in your decision. There is no reason to ever be separated from a compact camera. While the larger cameras need larger cases and cannot be carried at all times.

I am tempted to get the "best in a class" like the F10, but, that
means giving up on zoom.

Yes ... that and truly excellent high ISO. The 5200 is good, but the F10 is awesome. Choosing the 5200 means giving up on carrying everywhere without thinking about it.

So, with the price limitation, do you still think there are better
cameras?

These are the cream of the crop for their prices.

--
http://letkeman.net/Photos

 

[Tim39]

amcc,

Hope you read Kim's post. He not only one of our most gifted practitioners, but best analysts. His thoughts carry a lot of weight with me, and I hope they will for you, too.

Sometimes it's easier to judge a camera than it is how it will work in practice for a given individual. And, needlessly to say, the best camera out there won't make you very happy if it's not the best camera for your real needs.
--
Tim

 

[panini98]

Camera. The two cameras that look good to me, based on readings
reviews of cameras in my price range, are the FugiFilm Finepix F10
(DP review recommends) and the Panasonic DMC-TZ1 (NYTimes
recommends).

But honestly, I can’t figure out how to decide between these two
cameras, since they have different strengths.

Does anybody have any opinions on comparing these two and choosing?
Anything would help.

Thanks in advance

Here's a low-light camparison test and sample gallery between Fuji and Panasonic:

http://www.pbase.com/dineshperera/f10vsfx7

 

[Tim39]

Interesting images, but grossly flawed comparison. What's so hard about taking same shot with same ISO's to make a real comparison? The car cockpit shot actually made the Panny shot appear good, compared to what it would have looked like if shot at ISO 800, as F10 was.

http://www.pbase.com/dineshperera/f10vsfx7

--
Tim