Good low light AND bigger zoom...does it exist?

[sweetdfan]

I've been using a digital camera for posed shots for years, but I've always stuck with my film camera for everything else because the digitals were just too slow! Of course things have changed in the past few years, and I recently thought it was time to check out digitals again.

I have only ended up frustrated that I still can't find what I want...which is this:

Excellent low light/natural light/no flash capability
Minimum 4x zoom, prefer 5x +
Compact to semi-compact
4mp +
$500 or less

From what I've seen, this doesn't exist!

I know about the F10 and the Stylus 800 and they sound great except for that zoom! I take a lot of pictures of my kids, at the park, at school, and much of the time I'm trying to catch the action from a distance. Then a few times a year I attend concerts and shows, which are very important to me. So in both cases you often end up with poor lighting and quick movement at a distance.

Now I know I'm asking a lot here of a digital camera, and I may stick with film for now if I can't come close. But if Pentax and Panasonic can fit a 5x zoom in a compact body, then why can't Fuji or Olympus combine that with their high ISOs?

Well enough ranting, if you've gotten this far, thank you! I would love to hear about any cameras I'm overlooking that might work for me. I've seen a few things on the HP 817 and the Samsung L55W that seem to have potential, but no real reviews yet, I guess they're too new. Anyone have one of those yet?

Any help would be so appreciated! I've got 3 of those precious concerts coming up in just two weeks!

Thank you!
Heather

[sweetdfan]

Still hoping someone might have a suggestion for me... :o

[JTL]

The only camera that will have a big zoom, great low-light performance (ISO 1600) and be under $500 is the Fuji S5200...it's not avaiable until October...the only thing is it isn't compact...but it meets your other criteria...I don't think you'll find anything else even close...for the next few months that is...

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=755

[sweetdfan]

Fuji S5200...it's not avaiable until October...

I was afraid you'd say that. :rolleyes: I think I'm going to have to resign myself to the fact that I won't get what I want from these concerts next week, and that within a couple months I'll find exactly what I needed.

If you HAD to choose something now though, highest priorities being 4x+ zoom and decent low light ability, what would it be?

Thanks!

[JTL]

I was afraid you'd say that. :rolleyes: I think I'm going to have to resign myself to the fact that I won't get what I want from these concerts next week, and that within a couple months I'll find exactly what I needed.

If you HAD to choose something now though, highest priorities being 4x+ zoom and decent low light ability, what would it be?

Thanks!
Well there are three cameras I like for this situation...

First, you can't ignore the Fuji F10, even though it only has a 3X zoom. In March, I bought a Canon SD500 and it lives in my pocket and I love it to death. But, if I had to make the decision today, it would be a lot tougher because the Fuji F10 is such a compelling camera. It is currently the best non-dSLR low-light performer out there...

Personally, I think the best camera you can get for your money right now would be the Panasonic FZ20. The price is falling rapidly and I've seen it for well under $500.00. With f/2.8 across the entire 12X zoom range, at tele, it's like having an extra f-stop. Add the image stabilization in there and it buys you at least another f-stop. So in the end, it's like having a camera that can go to ISO 1600 when comparing to other cameras. 12x zoom, image stabilization, 5MP, hot shoe...what's not to like? The pictures are pretty noisy at the ISO 400 setting, but can be cleaned up in Neat Image or Noise Ninja. BTW, I own the Canon S2 and love it, but the lens on the Pany has the Canon beat...

Also, a dark horse to ponder in this race would be the Canon G6. With a phenomenal f/2.0 lens (f/3.0 at tele), it also, depending on the situation, gives you another f-stop over most other cameras (like having ISO 800). It has a 4X zoom lens and there are conversion lens available. It is a 7MP camera that produces stunning images and has also fallen under $500.00. But at the end of the day, the Panasonic FZ20 might be the better value. For the sake of full discloser, I own a Canon G6 as well...

Neither the FZ20 or G6 will come close to fitting in a pocket, but they're both great photographic tools...

So, if it were me, I'd probaly go with the Fuji F10 and just try to get closer to the action...because when the perfect ultra zoom finally shows up, the Fuji F10 will become your pocket back-up/snapshot camera...it will always be a useful tool to have! At least that's how my brain works! :)

[EAP]

I just bought the FZ20 for work, and I LOVE IT! It's an awesome camera. It's a little big -- this one won't fit in any pocket or purse. But that's fine with me. Another thing, though; neither the LCD or the EVF are good in low light. At night you can't see what you are trying to take a picture of. You're basically shooting blind until you take the photo and look at it with the review function. On the other hand, the photos usually turn out very good (especially if you're tripod mounted. Turn off the image stabilization if you're on a tripod, though, or you'll get a fuzzy picture).

[sweetdfan]

Thanks so much, you've all been a big help!

[raven15]

I have been looking for the exact same thing. So far it seems ir doesn't exist, so I have camped out here until something with both good photo quality and good zoom and small size comes out. Funny, it seems like such simple thing, and yet no camera company has gotten around to it yet...