Canon SX100IS vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3

[dm_4u]

I am about to make my first Digital Camera purchase and have narrowed my thinking to the compact-superzooms:

Canon SX100IS or the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3.

Does anyone have any real world experience or suggestions about either of these cameras?

A list of the Pros and Cons of each would really help.

I do realize that the Canon just came out this month, but I'm sure someone must have played with one already.

Thanks in advance.

[filmore]

I can only speak for the TZ3 as my wife has used this camera for a few months now. First of all it is compact. You can fit a 10x zoom camera in your pocket, from what I can see about the canon you can't.

The great thing about the Panasonic is the lens range, the equivalent 35mm range of 28-280mm is great. With the canon 36-360mm is great for the long end but really lacking on the wide angle. The difference of 8mm does not sound like much but it really makes a big difference for scenery, landscape and group shots. It allows you to get closer to your subjects which is very often better for the composition of your photograph.

The lens quality is nothing short of incredible. For something that small the barrel distortion and chromatic aberration is almost non existent. Outdoor picture quality is quite good but indoor performance and low light is so-so at best.

There are some well known deficiencies with Panasonic cameras and one of them is noise. Anything above ISO200 is basically unusable, but if you know that going in and use the camera accordingly it isn't that big of a problem. Most point and shoots suffer this problem to some extent and don't imagine the Canon is whole bunch better.

My biggest issue with the TZ3 is the small flash, it is quite ineffective for anything beyond a few feet and useless for using at the long end of the lens. But that again is a general problem for these tiny point and shoot cameras.

The image stabilization is OK, I don't think it's great but I am used to my IS lenses for my 30D which are stellar (and should be for the price), so that is probably not the best judgment.

Every small camera has its pluses and minuses. The TZ3 when used within its limitations is a fantastic little camera with nice image quality (all the nitpicky professional reviews aside there aren't too many cameras that won't take a nice picture at 4x6 size). However, this camera used without thought to its cons and a little reading of the manual and really understanding it may cause some frustration. Personally I would never purchase another camera that isn't at least 28mm on the wide angle side, that range is just too useful on a day to day basis.

[dm_4u]

Filmore...what are the indoor shots like...without an additional flash?

Also, is there a way to protect the LCD, or is a case good enough?

[filmore]

We don't have a problem with the LCD, just keep it in a small case, it is big though and quite nice. One of the features my wife really likes is that after displaying the photo just captured the camera will display an 8x zoom of the image centre so you can see right away if you have focus.

Indoor shots in bright light are no problem, but as it gets darker your shutter speed gets slower and you have to rely on the IS. Using the Intelligent ISO mode on the camera that pumps up ISO in darker conditions just isn't worth using, too much noise.

Like I said before, with the wideangle lens you can get closer to your subject which means the flash is more effective.

[David Susilo]

if you're into indoor shoots, the only camera you can get is the Fuji. They are notorious with (lack of) reliability but they are great camera. PAnasonic, as previously mentioned, tend to have unuseable ISO 200 or higher. Canon is not that great in range (although they have lots of pocket camera that starts at 28mm if that's your shooting style.

Because I don't like to compromise between range, high ISO capability and reliability (and not to forget my insanity to be included in the equation), I opt for a full blown dSLR

[digidoit]

I have been looking at that Panasonic as well. A couple of days ago in FutureShop the salesman tried to steer me to the Cannon, so I went home to do some research.

The Cannon is a little bit bigger I think (con), has a 2.5"lcd vs 3" (con), and its zoom does not go down to the wide-angle 28mm equivalent (con). The salesman did say something about the sensor being different (pro) but I can't remember what it is. Also I think the lens on the Panasonic actually has something to do with Leica and is not just a licensing agreement to use the name (pro Panasonic). I believe other Panasonic cameras have nothing to do with Leica although the name appears on the camera (I could be wrong there though).

So I am going to go with the Panasonic. My only question is where do I buy it. You can get it on sale/price matching at London Drugs for about $370 cdn, or buy on-line from the US for about US$260 + shipping etc. Or I will wait for the manufacurer to lower their CDN MSP. Sooner or later they have to right?

[57]

FS have the same Canadian price currently. In the US, using a search engine, I was able to find pricing $40 less than you stated. I'm also currently looking for the TZ3, but I'm in no rush.

[NickL]

is currently selling at Amazon.com for $219 and Circuit City for for $229. I dont think you are able to purchase at either tho without a US credit card. I am likely headed there this weekend and hope to pu.

[okanagankool]

I have bought 2 Panasonic cameras, both online from the US in the last 3 years. B&H Camera out of NewYork and one from another online company whos name escapes me at the moment.

Just keep in mind that any panasonic camera purchased in the US has to be warranty serviced in the US