which of these is the best one overall, experts only please?
I want to buy a digital camera that I can be sure will be worth it. I have the following options. Also I would like to know which of these has replaceable lenses. Another thing I would like to know is which camera has a webcam function so I can use it while instant messaging. Based on these give me the best option. The cameras are:
Panasonic Lumix TZ3
Canon Powershot S3 IS
Panasonic Lumix FZ8
Olympus SP-510
Canon Powershot A640
I would like to know which of these would be the best buy possible so that I am proud of purchasing it.
I wrote the names of these cameras because they are in my opinion the best ones available for less than $300 so that’s why I am not looking up for any other cams.
None have interchangeable lenses and non can be used as a web cam.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_a640%2Ccanon_s3is%2Coly_sp510uz%2Cpanasonic_dmctz3%2Cpanasonic_dmcfz8&show=all
Users rate the Panasonic FZ8 highest, but they rate the image quality of the Canon A640 higher than the others. Since it is the only one with a larger sensor, I am not surprised. It’s also a 10 MP camera and the others are either 6 or 7 MP. If I was buying one of this group, I’d buy the A640, but you are giving up the super-zoom capability of the other cameras if you do. I’m just not so impressed by that feature when it means to have to use a tiny little sensor to achieve those effective focal lengths, because the image quality suffers. This is not exactly a fair test, but here is a shot showing a 10 MP Canon 1/1.8″ sensor next to a 6 MP Canon 1/2.5″ sensor. View this full size and look at the huge difference in detail.
I think the super-zooms are fun and would suggest the Canon S3-IS or maybe the Panasonic FZ8, but I think you would be the most proud of the pictures you get with the A640.
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Canon Powershot S3-IS vs. A630, A640
See
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_a630%2Ccanon_s3is%2Ccanon_a640&show=all
Click on “Read Owner Opinions” and “In-Depth Review.”
The A-series cameras have a sensor that is about twice as big as the S3-IS and this translates into generally better image quality. They both have more pixels than the S3-IS, which isn’t “everything” in image quality, but it is certainly worth considering.
The ONLY thing the S3-IS has going for it is the tremendous zoom range. Yeah, it has image stablization, but without that huge zoom, you will not need it. The A-series cameras are somewhat smaller and easier to carry around in a bag or coat pocket, too.
Personally, I think I’d choose either the A630 or A640 over the S3-IS. I’m sure others will have a different opinion. My son has an A620 and my daughter has an S2-IS and they both love their cameras.
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Canon Powershot S3-IS vs. Panasonic DMC-FZ8
Check out this comparison page. Click on “In-depth review” and “Read Owner Opinions” for each camera. Be sure to note that the reviews are many pages long so you don’t stop after page one. Check the sample images, also. You can enlarge these to full size images if you click on the file name shown below the picture. You will have to then put your cursor in the white space to the right of the picture and click once. After that, you can pass your cursor over the image and it will turn into a magnifier. Click it as a magnifier once and the image will go to full size and you can really examine the detail or look for artifacts like fringing or noise.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_s3is%2Cpanasonic_dmcfz8&show=all
The Panasonic still has some noise problems. Simon Joinson at dpreview.com says, “I’d urge you to check out the sample images – and decide if you’re prepared to shoot raw when it matters and to stick to ISO 100 whenever possible – before deciding.”
The Canon LCD pops out and swivels, which opens up a lot of photographic opportunities. See: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons3is/page14.asp
My adult daughter has a Canon S2 IS and just loves the camera, to add a personal spin to this answer.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/s3is.html
Steve does not have the FZ8 review posted yet, but this might be of some interest as the dpreview makes several comparisons to the FZ7:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/fz7.html
Panasonic DMC FZ8
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