Please help validate my F10 vs. Panasonic FX9 shootout

[lbcheng]

Hi folks,

After doing my homework on a ultra/semiultra compact DC, I settled on 2 models:
* Panasonic Lumix FX9
* Fuji F10

My priorities were:
1. Compactness and ergonomics (useability and physical)
2. Optical Zoom and ability to stabilize
3. Low light sensitivity
4. Availability of H20 housing
5. Speed

I've been testing the Panasonic and the Fuji for the past two weeks and really wish there was a clear winner, but they seem to both excel in mutually exclusive areas. I've posted this here and on dpreview in hopes that actual owners can validate my findings. I'd love to find out, for instance, that some of the cons I've found can be addressed by correctly setting features, etc.

So here's what I've found:

Panasonic Pro's:
* 4x zoom in certain resolutions that I find makes a big difference vs. 3x
* Size and "sexiness" -- I love the feel of this camera in my hand
* Excellent fast photo capabilities (3 fps, unlimited)
* Image stabilization really works
* Screen pixel resolution (I preview and share many photos directly from cam)
* Compact battery charger
* Great menus and ease of changing settings quickly

Panasonic Con's:
* No waterproof housing known (please, someone tell me there is one or plans for one, as this would be the deal closer)
* Simply cannot focus lock on some objects in low light conditions like the F10 can
* Short batt life (compared to F10)
* Zooming up from 1x-3x is a little slow

Fuji Pro's:
* Low light performance is astounding. I spent a lot of time doing side by side comparisons of the two and the F10 blows away the FX9 when using the same ISO. See the comparison photo's I've attached
* Battery life. Unbelievable. I've charged it once and have shot probably 600 shots and it's still 2/3 full
* H20 stock case - low light should be especially useful to avoid backscatter due to flash
* Continuous focus feature allows faster non-prefocused shutter time
* Not really a pro, but although the Fuji does not have image stab, I did not notice this to be an issue in most of the photos I took

Fuji Con's:
* Physical design is undistinguished -- feels blocky and chunky next to the svelte and rounded Panasonic
* Menus suck compared to the Panasonic and often require more steps
* High speed action shot capabilities only capture 1st or last 3 frames -- the infinite continuous only captures at 1/sec. Have I got this wrong, or is there a way to capture more than 3 at the 3fps speed?
* Flash doesn't seem to fill as well as the Panasonic. Hard to explain, but if I'm taking indoor photos, the Panasonic does a better job "filling" the space between the subject and camera if there are intermediate objects around.
* Playback zoom is limited at all except the highest resolutions (very annoying)
* Really stupid cord system (what were they thinking?) (although this is mitigated by the length of the battery life and if I get a xD card reader)
* Cost of xD proprietary memory (though this also contributes to the speed and low battery drain)

I'd really appreciate any of your confirmation or disagreements. I realize that what is a pet peeve to me will be different than yours -- I'm looking for actual information that contradicts any of the capability limitations I've observed above. Thanks so much -- I have another week before one of these has to go home.

Louie

[sjseto]

Louie,

I have never used the Panasonic, but I own the F10, so I can only comment on that camera.

Fuji Pro's:
* Low light performance is astounding. I spent a lot of time doing side by side comparisons of the two and the F10 blows away the FX9 when using the same ISO. See the comparison photo's I've attached
* Battery life. Unbelievable. I've charged it once and have shot probably 600 shots and it's still 2/3 full
* H20 stock case - low light should be especially useful to avoid backscatter due to flash
* Continuous focus feature allows faster non-prefocused shutter time
* Not really a pro, but although the Fuji does not have image stab, I did not notice this to be an issue in most of the photos I took
I can vouch for everything except for the H2O case and the continuous focus feature, since I've never used it. I am very impressed by its low light performance at higher ISO's and the battery life.

Fuji Con's:
* Physical design is undistinguished -- feels blocky and chunky next to the svelte and rounded Panasonic
Probably not the sexiest camera out there, but I don't mind its looks at all, and it feels good in my hands; not too small, and enough of a grip to hold it comfortably, yet its profile is slim enough to fit easily into a purse. Besides, the pictures matter more to me.

* Menus suck compared to the Panasonic and often require more steps
I've heard other users say that, compared to other digicams, it takes more button presses to access certain options on the F10. Being used to a Nikon F80 SLR, I experienced some frustration at first, having to deal with menus at all. But I got used to the F10's menu system, and I'm pretty quick at navigating it now.

* High speed action shot capabilities only capture 1st or last 3 frames -- the infinite continuous only captures at 1/sec. Have I got this wrong, or is there a way to capture more than 3 at the 3fps speed?
As far as I can tell, this is correct. If continuous shooting is very important to you, this isn't your camera. Then again, if it is important to you, it's also better to have a camera with an optical viewfinder.

* Flash doesn't seem to fill as well as the Panasonic. Hard to explain, but if I'm taking indoor photos, the Panasonic does a better job "filling" the space between the subject and camera if there are intermediate objects around.
I've found that the flash is quite limited in range at ISO 80 and 100. If my subject is further than about 4 feet away, I use 200 or 400. If the person is 8 feet away or more I up it to 800. Fortunately the F10 is very good at controlling noise.

* Playback zoom is limited at all except the highest resolutions (very annoying)
I actually didn't realize that, because I never shoot at anything but the highest resolution. If I need a smaller picture, I downsize it later in an image editor. I'd rather have an original at the highest resolution, just in case.

* Really stupid cord system (what were they thinking?) (although this is mitigated by the length of the battery life and if I get a xD card reader)
You're not the first person to mention this. Really, the terminal adapter system isn't that big of a deal to me. The cords all stay attached to my computer so I don't even think about them. When I travel, it's slightly more to carry, but nothing compared to what else I typically travel with! I suppose if you often connect your camera to the TV when you visit friends and relatives, having to carry the terminal adapter with you can be a hassle. But it's not something I've ever done.

* Cost of xD proprietary memory (though this also contributes to the speed and low battery drain)
Again, I've read a lot of complaints about this, and I really don't see it as that big of a deal. The last time I checked the Adorama and B&H Web sites, there was a $15 difference between a 1GB xD card and the least expensive 1GB SD card. I don't consider that to be a significant amount when the camera costs a few hundred dollars. I have a 1GB FujiFilm xD card that cost me $130 CAN from Henry's, and on their website I can't even find a 1GB SD card that costs less.

If you have other devices that use SD cards, then, yeah, I can see how you'd be reluctant to buy a whole new type of memory card just for this one camera. I only have one other digicam, a 5-year-old Olympus that uses the now defunct Smart Media cards, so having to buy xD wasn't a concern.

I'd really appreciate any of your confirmation or disagreements. I realize that what is a pet peeve to me will be different than yours -- I'm looking for actual information that contradicts any of the capability limitations I've observed above. Thanks so much -- I have another week before one of these has to go home.

Louie

I hope you'll let us know which one you decided to keep and why. Keep us posted!

Stephanie

[lbcheng]

Stephanie,

I've decided to wait up to Jan for reviews on the Ricoh Caplio R3 (tiny, with low light shooting capability and 7x optical zoom). Barring rave reviews, I'll go for an F11, which is going for a little over $300 US right now, and addresses the screen pixel count shortcoming somewhat.

Thanks for your thoughts!