multi-purpose travel zoom

[david66]

I want to purchase a new camera this fall (by Christmas). I am replacing a 7+ yr old kodak 6490 (still good in good light, never been useful in lower light). I prefer something pocketable. I do fairly often use the zoom outdoors (10x). I want 10x or better zoom; ability to take pics (non-flash) of my kids awards banquets (in a 200 seat school auditorium with pretty good lighting) that will look good on my 17 inch laptop screen and in 4x6 prints, maybe occasional 5x7 or 8x10; good outdoor pics. I have basically came down to: sony hx5v, fuji f300exr, panny zs7, canon sx200is. Anyone have any suggestions? I have posted questions on some of these individual cameras on their forums & got some good feedback (indoor non-flash shot examples) on the sony. Has anyone used more than one of these that could give me some comparison? I'll eventually purchase one & give it a "test drive" but would like to make as good a 1st choice as possible. Thanks,

David

 

[beshannon]

My wife uses the Panasonic Z%7 and we have been pleased with it
--
http://brianshannon.smugmug.com/
http://brianshannonphotography.blogspot.com/

 

[david66]

Can you comment on indoor no-flash pics? I like the zs-7's features a lot, but most "official" reviews rate it lower in low light. I don't need pixel-peeping quality, just the ability to get a decent 4x6 print at ISO 400-800. Thanks,

David

 

[david66]

I forgot to list the nikon s8000 (& possibly s8100) to my "short list"

 

[beshannon]

Can you comment on indoor no-flash pics? I like the zs-7's features a lot, but most "official" reviews rate it lower in low light. I don't need pixel-peeping quality, just the ability to get a decent 4x6 print at ISO 400-800. Thanks,

David

No I cannot, sorry. I have neve used it in that manner
--
http://brianshannon.smugmug.com/
http://brianshannonphotography.blogspot.com/

 

[david66]

& possibly canon sx4500is

 

[Cy Cheze]

Your initial list was inclusive enough. The models listed are comparable. Based on your described needs, and the survival of the Kodak after 5+ years, suggest you could hardly go wrong with any one of them.

Low light performance should be better, but just don't expect low light miracles. If that matters a lot, look for a model with a larger sensor or aperture setting of F 2.5 or lower (larger).

 

[systemBuilder]

The "official" reviews complain about the zs-7 in low light ONLY BECAUSE THE zs-3 WAS MARGINALLY BETTER. On the other hand, compared to all other compact cameras, the zs-7 is VERY VERY GOOD. It took me a while to figure that out, you can see for yourself by doing some side-by-side comparisons on this website :

http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

Take a look at ISO1600 and the gram scale and blow up the photos. There are no compacts that allow you to read the 2 paragraphs of lettering on the scale, but the zs-7 allows you to read at least the first 4 words, unlike ALL OTHER COMPACT CAMERAS.

Note that the metering for "night time" shots is low by 1EV (it said as much in the dpreview), so you have to compensate for "night time" shots, but indoor shots in normal room lighting are very very good for a 1/2.3 or even 1/1.7 compact camera - look at the pictures and you'll see for yourself !