Are the lens equal?

[NicholeMarie77]

Does the Panasonic Fz5 have a better lens than the Canon S2 1S?

[TenD]

In general Leica cameras and glass are reguarded very highly in the photographic world. Canon lenses are highly requarded also. The Panny lens is a Leica designed lens, not an actual Leica, although I am not sure exactly what that means. The Canon lens is just that: a Canon lens, designed and manufactured by Canon.
How's that for ambiguity? I really don't know, they are both fine cameras and I think you will be happy with either one. The S2 has two advantages: movie mode and better high ISO performance. There have been some reports of picture quality(horizontal banding, meter too hot)problems with the S2 however.

[Balrog]

hmmm...in terms of aperture, the FZ5 lens is a teeny bit slower at wideangle, and a teeny bit faster at the long end (FZ5 = f2.8-f3.3, S2 = f2.7-f3.5).. not really a significant difference. From the pictures i've seen, the FZ5 lens does seem to be better at controlling chromatic aberrations (purple fringing). I'd probably give a (very slight) nod in lens quality to the FZ5, but for me personally, the features on the S2 more than make up for it ...

[NicholeMarie77]

Thanks TenD and Balrog...I have the FZ5 and am debating on returning it because the display is very dark in low light basically useless. does the S2 have that problem. i am happy with the pic tho. I have seen some nice pics of the S2, some say they perfer the pics from the FZ5. In your opinion are the s2 pics as good in quality? I need to decide quick I only have 3 days to return this. I kno being the S2 is so new people are all over every lil detail about it. I do desire the large zoom, vivid real color and sharpness. I do appreciate your views ty

[Balrog]

The S2 LCD automatically gains up in low light to remain visible ( that's one of the features on it that make me like it more than the FZ5 :) ).
In terms of picture quality, I've seen stunning pictures with both cameras, so I don't think i'd be disappointed with either one. That said, I'm not the most critical person when it comes to photo quality, so YMMV...