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Buying Help - Canon S2 IS or Panasonic Lumix FZ5 ?

M

Midnight Rambler

Diamond Member
I'm trying to find a decent digital camera w/zoom and have narrowed it to these two candidates.

I like the Panasonic's picture "color" better, but the S2 wins in the resolution charts, IMHO. I came to these conclusions based on the example photos at dpreview.com.

The FZ5 can be had for $350, while the S2 is $450 or more. Tough call ...
 
The panasonic. Alot of Canon fanboys here so watch out, most have only used the A or SD series though. Don't get me wrong, S2 is an awsome camera but not worth $100 more.
 
I have the S2 and while I love it the low light focusing is non-existent. Thats the only problem I've really had with it so far.

Wanted to add that I use the video function a lot so thats one of the reasons I got it.
 
Thanx for all the replies so far !

The Panasonic cams use Leica lenses (for those who didn't know). Definitely a drawing point to me, as I own (2) old Leica cameras + a ton of accessories that I inherited from my grandfather. I'll shoot film as long as it's around, but I want something digital too, for the convenience mostly.

One remaining concern I have is that in most reviews, the Canon handles low lighting better.

Still, hard to justify an xtra $100 for the Canon ...
 
Originally posted by: SithSolo1
I have the S2 and while I love it the low light focusing is non-existent. Thats the only problem I've really had with it so far.

Wanted to add that I use the video function a lot so thats one of the reasons I got it.
Click to expand...

I have teh S1, but i am planning to upgrade to teh S2 soon. In the S1 it does not have low light focusing, the S2 has the assist light, are you sure you got that on?

The S1 focuses good, lens is good, but be ware of the focusing issue in lower light, it takes a while. I dont know how the S2 does in real life!
 
I work for Panasonic. Get the Panasonic trust me. Everyone loves their cameras because of the leica lens takes such good pictures. As well as the optical image stabilizer is the best out on the market for that price range right now
 
Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
Originally posted by: SithSolo1
I have the S2 and while I love it the low light focusing is non-existent. Thats the only problem I've really had with it so far.

Wanted to add that I use the video function a lot so thats one of the reasons I got it.
Click to expand...

I have teh S1, but i am planning to upgrade to teh S2 soon. In the S1 it does not have low light focusing, the S2 has the assist light, are you sure you got that on?

The S1 focuses good, lens is good, but be ware of the focusing issue in lower light, it takes a while. I dont know how the S2 does in real life!
Click to expand...


The assist light does help some inside but most of my low light shots are outside at night with half to full zoom. I realize thats probably asking too much from the camera but I don't do too many of them so all is well.
 
The Lumix FZ5 is very nice, but if you have $450 to spend you can find a used Digtal Rebel for that price.

Lubomir
 
Originally posted by: Midnight Rambler
Which Digital Rebel ? And where.

Also, I think I found an Panasonic FZ20 for $390. That makes things real interesting !
Click to expand...

i think he means digital rebel 300d, for around that price. probably with kit lens too. check ebay?
 
You should be able to find the FZ20 for well under $400, now that the FZ30 has been out for a while..

I purchased my FZ20 for $409 about three months ago...

 
I went with the FZ5 over the S2 for three reasons:

1. The FZ5 has less image noise and grain.
2. The FZ5 has better shutter response.
3. The FZ5 was less expensive.

Overall, both cameras are pretty much equal where it counts. The S2 has slightly better color, and the movie mode is better on the S2, neither of which were important enough to me to go with the S2.

I recommend checking out this site for comparitive reviewing if you can't get your hands on both of the cameras, to try them out.
 
Panasonic is the best kept secret in digital cameras. I bought three LC33s several years ago for the wife and kids. They love them; great pictures, easy to carry, low cost, easy to operate. Also, has Leica lens. Get the Panasonic. It will serve you well.
 
I was in the same predicament earlier this year between the FZ20 and the S2 IS. I was 99% sure I was going to get the FZ20, but I went to Circuit City and played with both of them. Turns out my hands had to contort weirdly to use the panasonic. It also didn't have the fit and finish that the S2 has, the battery was proprietary, and the movie mode was lacking. All in all I am definitely glad that I actually played around with both camera's and am very pleased with my S2.
 
blah, who buys a camera for movies.. grr. heh. anyway... i don't think you'll go wrong w/ either one. go to dpreview.com and do the side by side comparison... they both have pluses and minuses. As much as I favor canon, I'd lean towards the panasonic because the images seemed a tad sharper, unprocessed. but the canon has continous shooting it seemed, unlimited. and it *looks* to hold better in your hands.. and has a swivel LCD.
 
I love my s2 IS. I don't regret what I paid for it, I bought it the day it was released in stores. I would do it again if I had to.
 
I went through the same decision a couple of weeks ago when looking for a camera for my wife. I was see-sawing back and forth for a couple of days, but in the end I decided on the FZ5. It was the price, most of all, that won me over. For the cost of the S2, I was able to get the FZ5, a 1Gb SD memory card, a couple of spare rechargeable batteries (thanks to Ebay), and almost had enough left to cover the carrying case for the camera.
 
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