Bluepoole From South Africa, joined Jan 2005, 51 posts, RR: 3 Posted (8 years 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2531 times:
I want to upgrade to a better camera, but because of budget restraints, cannot afford a digital SLR. After browsing on the internet and visiting shops, I have narrowed down my choices to two cameras: the Canon Powershot S1, and the Panasonic Lumix FZ20 (according to budget, personal taste, etc)
I have difficulty choosing between the two. I've read all the threads on a.net discussing these two models. I've read the reviews on both of them, on various websites, including DPReview. Price is not a deciding factor, because I can get them for the same price.
I like the Canon more, in terms of looks, and of course I trust the Canon name when it comes to imaging. But I suppose one has to look at functionality, and not looks! The Panasonic is also good quality and the Leica name comes a long way.
- The Panasonic has more megapixels (5.0 vs 3.2) - but wouldn't 3.2 Mp be enough for my purposes (private collection and posting them on a.net, I don't want to enlarge photos)
- The Canon supplies a 32Mb card, the Panasonic only 16Mb (but one would need to buy a bigger card in any case)
- The Panasonic has slightly more zoom (but both cameras have Image Stabilization)
- Both can adapt converter lenses for more zoom
- The Canon has a swivel LCD screen
- The Panasonic supports higher fps when shooting continuously
So I need advice - performance wise the Panasonic is better, but I just like the Canon more. Would I be stupid to take the Canon over the Panasonic? Or would the extra performance of the Panasonic be hardly noticable (in which case I could take the Canon for its better looks?)
Flygmolinafmly From Brazil, joined Jan 2004, 107 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (8 years 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 2513 times:
I will go ahead and give you my quick review of my camera... the Panasonic FZ20. I have never used or seen the Canon so I will not try to compare the two...
I absolutly love my camera. I used to own a Sony 3.2 MP and there is an amazing difference in quality when I upgraded. What do I like about the FZ20?
- It looks great and feels good/sturdy
- The Leica lens has always been looked upon as an excellent lens
- 12x Optical is amazing. The type of spotting I do, pretty much requires a more powerful zoom
- 5 MP creates great crisp pictures
- IS works great too, especially while using the zoom on a low lit day
- Any review you read highly recommends the camera... one reason I purchased it
- I couldn't afford DSLR and I felt like this was the next closest thing
- True 16mb card is nothing but like you mentioned you will have to purchase another one anyways. I have a 128mb and 512mb
- Good flash for indoors
- Very versatile
- Large LCD
If you're going to purchase a camera, why get a camera that has only 3.2 MP because it is already older technology.
SignalOne From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (8 years 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 2473 times:
I have a Panasonic DMC-FZ5, similar near enough to the DMC-FZ20 (12x Zoom, 5 mega-pixels, IS) as you may know. I strongly recommend the Panasonic, and even though I have no experience with the Canon, I can recommend it. It is well known online for being an amazing piece of kit, for Photography and being durable and producing excellent pictures. Many people seem to prefer the Panasonic products to the Konica Minolta's. I had a choice between an Olympus and the Panasonic, and I am glad I got the Panasonic.
I was also looking at the Canon model you have stated, and being as though the Panasonic and the Canon where near-enough the same price, I went for the Panasonic for the extra pixels, and, the general reviews online made the Panasonic sound like the better buy as it sounded from the reviews like a better camera.
I would go for the Panasonic, but first I would wait for some opinions on people who can compare the two cameras.
Kukkudrill From Malta, joined Dec 2004, 1122 posts, RR: 5 Reply 4, posted (8 years 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 2455 times:
I've seen reviews of the FZ20 which left me with the impression that it tends to produce noisy images. Gabriel what's your view about this?
I got to play with a Canon Powershot S1 for an all too brief period, though I didn't take any airplane pics, and images seemed fairly clean. If my impressions are correct I'd go for the S1 in spite of the lower pixel count. The FZ20's extra pixels could be useful, but noise in photos means putting in a lot of extra time at the PC to try to get each one to a.net standards. I'd rather spend that time taking photos.
Make the most of the available light ... a lesson of photography that applies to life
TACAA320 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (8 years 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 2449 times:
Quoting Kukkudrill (Reply 4): I got to play with a Canon Powershot S1 for an all too brief period, though I didn't take any airplane pics, and images seemed fairly clean. If my impressions are correct I'd go for the S1 in spite of the lower pixel count.
I just bought one. Didn't take any pic yet.
May I have your general impression about the Pro 1?
SignalOne From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (8 years 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 2443 times:
In all the reviews I read, I found high noise levels on the FZ-5 never mentioned. It seemed the Konica Minolta's where subject to the high noise levels. On my FZ-5, I cannot report any high noise levels.
On this one, I edited the noise (Click for larger image):
This one has not been edited at all (Sorry, no enlargement , you can put it in word and expand it if you want):
As you can see there is hardly any differences regarding noise. Also, the amount of noise depends on different situations, so you can expect some Photos with noticable noise. The Panasonic has a good noise selection menu which really helps!
FlygMolinaFmly From Brazil, joined Jan 2004, 107 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (8 years 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 2440 times:
I agree with Ryan about the noise. I do not have big problems with noise with my FZ20. Yes with certain circumstances noise may show such as in poor lighting or weird lighting. But there is a noise reducing option under the menu and by choosing a small ISO both can jointly very well minimize noise. I have had some days where I notice a good amount of noise - especially on the undercarriage of planes - but other days the photos come out great.
Hope this helps,
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have bee
GPHOTO From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2004, 818 posts, RR: 27 Reply 8, posted (8 years 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 2433 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW DATABASE EDITOR
Remember that there has been a tendency for 5 MP cameras to show more noise than 3 MP cameras, partly due to cramming in many more sensors in a similar sized detector. The individual detectors are therefore both smaller and closer together which can increase the noise. Seeing more noise with a 5 MP than a 3MP camera has been a surprse to many, but is generally not as bad as it is sometimes made out to be. If you want truly low noise, you'll have to buy a 'real' digital camera
Anyway I have a Panasonic FZ-20 and love it. Good quality pictures straight out of the camera (for a compact, non-DSLR type, anyway), and good detail capture allow you to apply some noise reduction without smudging out details.
If you are serious about uploading to Airliners.net, I would consider more than 3 MP, whatever you choose. I have had photos successfully uploaded here in the last 12 months (it's nearly my A.net first birthday!) using 2, 3, 4 and 5 MP cameras. What that would lead me to say is that a high MP count is very helpful in giving you that extra edge, especially comparing a 3 MP to a 5 MP. The extra size of the image will allow you more freedom to crop, rotate and downsize your images while retaining detail (and the Panasonic is good for detail capture as I said).
So although the reviews of the S1 are good (I have never used one), I couldn't recommend it over the FZ-20.
If it helps you decide, I also still have my old Fuji S602Z and while this is a superb 3MP camera (with excellently low noise now I look back at it) with which I achieved a number of Airliners.net shots, I wouldn't swap it for my FZ-20.
If you are really set on a Canon, get a 4 MP or 5 MP rather than a 3 MP. If I was choosing between the two you have mentioned, it would be the Panasonic, although it is a big lensed beast.
I really enjoy using my Panasonic, the only drawback is that I can't blame the camera for the quality of the shots anymore .
One other point you may want to consider, the Panasonic uses it's own Lithium-Ion batteries, so you won't be able to nip to the corner shop for more in a tight spot.
Whatever camera you decide to get in the end, enjoy using it and don't regret your choice. I chose between my Panasonic FZ-20 and a Canon 300D with L glass lens. The Panasonic won - no regrets from me. Sure it is not as good, but I was not (and still am not) at the point in my hobby where I wish to upgrade to DSLR. Saved some money too! I am able to produce images I am happy with and judging by the e-mails I receive, so are other people.
You are obviously looking to go DSLR at some point, but the Panasonic should serve to fill the gap in the meantime.
PS Have a look at some of my FZ-20 shots, all my 2005 shots have been with this camera:
Syarif From Malaysia, joined Jul 2004, 29 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (7 years 12 months 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 2382 times:
Canon just launched a Powershot S2 IS, whcih is the replacement for the S1. It look nearly identical to the S1 but comes with 12x zoom (36-432mm which is the same with the FZ20), and it is now 5.0Megapixel. It will however be available in stores only in June 2005 (here in Malaysia though).
I'm having a hard time too between the Canon S2 and the Pana FZ20. But I like the FZ20 looks much more (FZ20 looks like a DSLR, feels like one too). I'll wait for the S2 to be available in stores before making the decision. But then I heard a Panasonic FZ30 coming in the not too distance time!!!