Little advice with advanced compact camera please

clg123

Hi all


I have decided that it is time to upgrade my digital camera and am just looking for some advice. And it is my birthday Thurs so Im going to be naughty and treat myself.
I currently have a Konica Minolta Z10, which although it is a few years old now it still a fantastic camera with takes superb shots BUT I find just slightly too large to be able to carry around everywhere (about the same same as a bridge camera, I like to have the camera constantly to hand so for a weedy girl I find it a little weighty at times around the neck). Most likely my boyfriend will use it as we constantly argue over who can take the shots!

So - Id like a more compact digital camera (not necessarily tiny, just so it can fit in my handbag) which can also take fantastic shots. I take a variety of pictures most mostly of landscapes and nature, and of my cats. I have had a go at macro photography before which is brill, however do any compact digitals really have the abilty to do this? Well, at least in my price range I fairly sure not.

I am looking to spend as litlle as poss (ha ha) - around £200., ish. a fraction more for the right product. Perhaps more if I ask boyfriend if he wants to chip in

- Excellent photos
- Optical zoom of 10 plus
- At least 5 Megapixels (people get too hung up on the MP)
- I could not care less if it had video
- I also do not care about GPS being built in. This gobbles up battery.
- My current minolta has an additional viewfinder (think thats the right word) which is especially handy when its v sunny and you cant use the LCD screen. This would be good bonus. Failing that to be able to see the screen when its sunny.
- I enjoy printing large prints on canvas so if the pictures can look stunning on this that would be great. Bonus though.


Having done some reasearch, the main contender(s) seem to be one of the Panasonic Lumix range - namely:

Lumix TZ6 - Seems decent enough, have read that the dial is easily moved by accident though. The TZ7 is slighty better.

Lumix TZ65 - Can not work out if its more like the TZ6 or TZ7. If the pics are as good as TZ7 may go for this.

Lumix TZ7 - Better photos than TZ6? Higher price as has HD Video (which I dont want to pay extra for)


A few others I have thought about but not read as much on are:

Canon Powershot SX200 IS

Fuji 70EXR

Nikon coolpix S8000


I also note the Panasonic Lumix TZ8 and TZ10 are out shortly. I they are good enough I would consider saving up more and waiting fpr them..

Any advice much appreciated. Thanks.
:T

enigma52

Samsung wb500 is pretty good, and in price range

BillScarab

I've got a TZ3 which is one of the predecessors of the TZ6/7. It's an excellent camera and I doubit if you'd be disappointed with either the TZ6 or TZ7. I doubt if the TZ7 takes noticeably better pictures. It does have face recognition though so it depends on how useful that would be to you.

mchale

70EXR would get my vote

robins66

Don't choose Samsung. Just had mine repaired under warranty. Sent a Pink and silver camera too them came back pink, silver AND BLUE. Complained this morning received a phone message saying that Samsung are not responsible for the colour of the parts used by THEIR repairers and as the camera is now working there is nothing they can do.
The camera stopped working after5 5 months.

clg123

Hi All!

Thanks for all advice, i did look into all suggestions and almost went for the Samsung HOWEVER today I put an order in for a TZ8 at just under £200, so hopefully it will live up to its reviews and expectations.:D

Although I wasnt looking for this, someone reccomended the Panasonic Lumix GF1. I almost went for the GF1 however decided to be sensible and get the TZ8 for now.

I am thinking though is it worth saving up for a couple of months and get the GF1 as well (if the features and pictures it can take are much better than TZ8?. Will the GF1 and TZ8 compliment each other enough to warrant this?

clg123

:cool:BUMP

(Re the GF1 and TZ8 complimenting each other??)

GT60

check out on these

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/

I was going to get a lumix at new year but ended up with a canon sx 120is very good camera and a better choice.
I think it was the optic's that push the canon to me oh and the fact it was in my price range after cashback and a discount code for jessops.

I was a Nikon SLR man untill i got this canon.