Need opnions/suggestions for a digital camera

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Krioni

Golden Member
Feb 4, 2000
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Here's my criteria:
<$200
Would prefer SD memory
6MP or higher
3x optical zoom at least
Would *like* to have some kind of image stabilization since I have kinda shaky hands.

I'm primarily concerned with getting good quality pictures... just everyday stuff. Taking indoor and outdoor pics of my family, etc.

I currently have a POS old samsung 4MP that just sucks on indoor pics.

Here's a link to one on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16830180092

All opinions and comments are appreciated!
 
T

ttown

Platinum Member
Oct 27, 2003
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I have an older panasonic dmc-fz2 (hacked!) that i still think is great -- so I'd definately put panasonic on a list of brands to consider.

The only complaints i have about mine are: 1) special battery; 2) too big to fit in my pocket.

I think the one you're considering can use standard AA's, and is MUCH smaller than mine -- so it looks like a good choice.

I'd also consider a Canon.
I haven't done research in a while, so I don't know if they have an IS, big-zoom, pocketable model at a decent price. My daughter has an A510, and it seems very good to me.

I'd also agree that Image Stabilization is a requirement (for me).
 
K

Krioni

Golden Member
Feb 4, 2000
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Thanks for the input. Does your panasonic take good indoor/low light pics? Indoor and lowlight are where my current camera really falls flat, so having good quality in those situations is a big plus for me.

Thanks again.
 
T

ttown

Platinum Member
Oct 27, 2003
2,412
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Originally posted by: Krioni
Thanks for the input. Does your panasonic take good indoor/low light pics? Indoor and lowlight are where my current camera really falls flat, so having good quality in those situations is a big plus for me.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
I don't think mine is very good at low-light pics.
The flash is sufficient for close things -- like 10ish feet or so. For big rooms the flash is weak -- which is dissapointing when I want a pic of my kid in a low-light auditorium during a play or something.

My normal use is outside in daylight or overcast light, so I usually have it rigged with a UV filter and lens-shade.
I always have to remember to take the shade off for indoor pics, or else it casts a big shadow.

My camera is several years old, so I would hope they fixed the low-light problem by now.

dpreview press release indicates low-light noise is dramatically improved. But that's what panasonic says.
Personally, I'd wait for a review of this camera before I bought -- for exactly the reasons you're concerned about.

Something interesting about the specs of the DMC-LZ7 is that video playback is wide-aspect vga 848x480 -- so it'll look decent on a 16x9 tv.

Whatever you end up buying, post your low-light/flash results -- as i'm also interested in getting a good camera for indoor pics.
 
K

Krioni

Golden Member
Feb 4, 2000
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Those pics from the fuji are pretty nice looking... thanks for the post. Pocket size isn't too much of a priority, just a normal point and shoot size is fine for me.

Yeah, the reviews on this panasonic are really good, but i've yet to find very many reviews or any sample pics.

Does anyone have experience w/ this particular camera or another thats similar by Panasonic?

Thanks again to all who have posted.
 
K

Krioni

Golden Member
Feb 4, 2000
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As a note, when I'm talking about indoor/low light pics, I'm mostly speaking of stuff like taking pictures of family gatherings (Christmas, Easter, etc.)

 
P

PG

Diamond Member
Oct 25, 1999
3,426
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Certain Fuji point and shoot cameras have best sensors short of digital SLRs. They have unmatched low light capabilities because of this. Pictures using ISO 1600 can look great.

These Fuji cameras don't have IS and take XD cards, but the great sensor outweighs these small short comings and make them the best choice anyway.

To be specific, the ones I am talking about are the F20, F30, and F31fd.

The F20 is the cheapest of these and is just missing a few features from the F30.
The F20 can be found for about $150 online and Frys.com has a 2 GB XD card for about $30 right now. Then go to Target or Walmart and get a small and cheap Case Logic soft case for about $4 and you are set.

If you search the Fuji forums at dpreview.com you will find that everyone there thinks the F20 is the best camera under $200. It used to be much more expensive but seems to be discontinued now so get one fast.


Here is a review of the F30. Keep in mind the F20 has the same sensor and lens. It is just missing the scene wheel at the top and some other features you don't really need.


http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf30/page16.asp


The FinePix F30 offers a tantalizing glimpse of how very different compact cameras would be if all manufacturers put as much effort into developing sensor and processing technology as they do into designing and marketing pretty cameras with features no one ever asked for. Our tests show that the F30's sensor gives you at least a two-stop advantage over the best that conventional CCD technology can offer, and in many cases a three-stop advantage, with ISO 800 output that can rival some cameras at ISO 200.






 
C

Compton

Platinum Member
Feb 18, 2000
2,522
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I buy Panasonic electronics more than any other brand, but after the FX7/8/9 cracked lcd screen fiasco I would be hesitant to buy any of their cameras.

Here's a link to some discussion about it.
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00ENhV

It looks like they may have fixed the problem on the model you're looking at by keeping the lcd screen further away from the buttons. But its still hard to get those pics of cracked lcds out of my mind.
 
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