Which digital camera - panasonic lumic ?

zackkilmer

Hi

I have £270 to spend on a new digi camera . I already own nikon coolpix 5200 5MP which is ok but video mode is very very poor and alot of the pictures are slightly noisy + I want a better zoom . Two models the panasonic lumix dmc fz5 and the newer lumix fz7 seem good value , especially as I can use my old sd card and comes with battery charger . However reviews seem to suggest than the fz5 provides better piccys even though its 5mp and not 6mp , but suffers from poor video .
My current sd card is not fast - sppeed - could this be causingg poor quality video - grainy pictures etc
Or can anyone recommend a digi camera that they think would fit the bill

Thanks

wolfman

The Ixus 800 is definitely worth a look. Similar specification the the Panasonic's. I'm looking myself, although don't think I'll stretch to the £284 it costs. I'll probably go for the Ixus 60 to replace my Ixus v3 (always been impressed by the Ixus range).

durain

check out the ricoh R4. got wide angle lens (28mm), anti-shake/blur and a pocket size. it's pretty fast too.

Doonhamer

If you want good video try a Canon S2 IS, but get a faster SD card. I think it can do 30fps at 640x480. It has been replaced by the S3 which is not much different so you should pick up a bargain.

Have a look at http://www.dpreview.com/ and http://www.dcresource.com/

[Deleted User]

I love my panasonic FZ5.. its just too cool. No need for a tripod with it, the zoom is amazing, Check out my Lemur at the zoo photo:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=54025315&size=o

Here's a whole load of engagement party photos I took with it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paul-and-jo-engagement/

Yes, the video sucks - go buy a video camera if you need one, but this is a top class camera. The image stabilisation is quite amazing, even at 12x optical zoom.

I got mine for 290 quid 12 months ago from Jessops, its fun haggling there, just print out an internet price and see if they'll match it (they'll normally match amazon with no hassles). Then see if they'll drop their price a bit more and give you a discounted case.

cloud_dog

Just to add my two-penny worth.................

To meet my requirements (a while ago) the main criteria were:

* at least 4Mp (this would probaby be 5/6Mp now)
* small enough to comfortable fit in my pocket (wanted to carry it around and capture those precious moments)
* and fast response / lag times

The camera I came up with was the Casio Exilim Z50. I know, I know, its a Casio, well really it isnt, its a Pentax. Anyway back to my point........ shutter lag (for me) was and is a deal breaker and the Casio is supreb.

So to help you identify speedy shutter digital cameras follow the below link:

http://www.cameras.co.uk/html/shutter-lag-comparisons.cfm?sort=ShutterLag

It all depends on how you're gonna use the camera, etc (as I'm sure you know).

Edit: Obviously a decent picture comes into the equation :-)

cloud_dog

Ted_Hutchinson

Be a little wary of the Panasonic Lumix See thread here about the troubles people have been having with the screens breaking all in the same manner