289 replies to this topic

[omnivorette]

I have a Canon 620 but we want something smaller to take to Europe next week. Also, I love the Canon in daylight but I don't like how it performs with a flash, or in low light without the flash. I don't think it has image stabilization. And I'd like a more powerful zoom.

Any ideas? I'd like to spend in the $300 range.

http://www.nytimes.c...o...eras&st=nyt

[porkwah]

the Fujifilm FinePix F50fd looks interesting, but i haven't tried it.

i have a tiny canon sd550 and like it quite a bit. i carry it in my pocket frequently. it certainly does perform badly in low light however. the flash looks awful but you have no choice but to use it.

[Lippy]

I'm considering the Panasonic DMC-FX 55 for my next camera. It is one of the few small cameras with a wide angle equivalent of 28mm. The downside is that the telephoto is shorter than that of my A610. There is another Panasonic model with a very long telephoto, but it may be a bigger camera. (I'll look for it and post a link.)

edit: The Panasonic DMZ-TZ3 is the one I had in mind. It is quite small.

[Carolyn Tillie]

Thanks for this thread -- I, too, will be interested in getting a smaller "travel" camera before my European trip next month.

[Lippy]

Also, Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ2 and TZ3

Amazon has it listed at well under $300.
I'm going to look at this camera again. I really need 28mm at the wide end and I like a long telephoto for fun.

[omnivorette]

Lippy, do the comparion on dp preview - the Fuji that Porkwah listed might be the better choice. 35 vs the 28 you mentioned.

http://www.dpreview....o...z2&show=all

[Lippy]

The image quality seems to be better, on the level of pixel-peeping, but for my needs, the 28mm is more important than the very minuscule difference in quality that would be detectable in real life photography. I'm still very happy with my A610. When it comes time to switch, I won't consider anything w/o the 28mm lens. I very often need to photograph an entire New York City block in one frame for context. I need a 28mm lens to do it properly. Everyone's requirements are different.
The Fuji has only a 105mm telephoto. This is not long enough for me. Your Canon has 140mm. You said you wanted a more powerful zoom. The Fuji doesn't have it.

[omnivorette]

Thanks thanks. Not an easy choice. The Fuji is lighter and smaller, but you're right, I can't go down in zoom capacity.

[Lippy]

I wish Canon would produce something like the Panasonic. I hate switching manufacturers and having to learn a whole new set of controls.

[Cathy]

Roy has an earlier version of this Sony Cyber-shot, and I love it. Great bang for the buck and for the size.

[TheMatt]

One word of caution with Fuji cameras. While they often have the best image quality, most of the older models only accept the Fuji XD cards for memory (much like Sonys take Memory Sticks only). I think the F50fd is one of the newer ones that actually does SD, but double-check to be sure.

Also, in re the Panny TZ3, there may or may not be specials appearing soon on it. It all depends on how Panasonic is going to handle its retirement. In a few months, the TZ4 and TZ5 will be released. They, like the TZ3, are compact super-zooms with a 28mm equiv. lens.

But, for those who want more compactness in their wider lenses, the Panasonic FX35 is also coming. This is a small 4x zoom camera that has a 25-100mm equiv setup.

[rancho_gordo]

I have a Canon 620 but we want something smaller to take to Europe next week. Also, I love the Canon in daylight but I don't like how it performs with a flash, or in low light without the flash. I don't think it has image stabilization. And I'd like a more powerful zoom.

The 620 at night is pretty amazing for me. I never use a flash! I do use a tripod, mostly. But it is a tad big for travel. I never use the zoom.

[porkwah]

I wish Canon would produce something like the Panasonic. I hate switching manufacturers and having to learn a whole new set of controls.

for me it's not just the controls -- it's the colors and optics and just the feel of it..
but i might need to pick up the fuji and see.

[Lippy]

Also, in re the Panny TZ3, there may or may not be specials appearing soon on it. It all depends on how Panasonic is going to handle its retirement. In a few months, the TZ4 and TZ5 will be released.

The price is around $235 -250 right now, but the upcoming ones sound even better, even at $100 more.

[Peter Creasey]

Sony Cyber-shot, and I love it. Great bang for the buck and for the size.

I also offer a STRONG recommendation of the Sony CyberShot series with the Carl Zeiss lens.

I have had good luck buying a camera on eBay.