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View Full Version : FZ5 vs Z740 and others?



Brian11176
01-03-2006, 01:23 PM
I'm looking to buy a new digital camera and would appreciate some advice.

Budget - $1,000 or less. Size is not overly important. Megapixels are not important. Image quality is very important.

I'll be taking pictures mostly of friends, family, pets, vacation shots, indoor and outdoor, etc.

I want the camera to be easy to use, good quality pictures, and it has to have a certain cool factor. :cool: I like the bigger screens - 2.5 inches.

I like the Kodak Z740 because it is easy to use and it looks cool to me. I like the way it feels. I don't like the somewhat smaller screen and no image stabilization - how important is that image stabilization?

I like the Panasonic FZ5 because it is also easy to use. It doesn't look as cool as the Kodak to me and it has a small screen. But, from what I'm told, it has a really good lens (Leica) and from the reviews I've read, seems to be the best choice. By the way, has anyone heard whether Panasonic may come out with an FZ6 or FZ7 anytime soon? It might be wise for me to wait on that and hopefully they will make it with a bigger screen.

I've also looked at the Canon S80, Nikon S4, and several Sony's. The Canon S80 seems very nice, but probably harder to use; but I did like the bigger screen. The Nikon seems nice, I like the big screen, but most of the reviews I've read put this one at the bottom of my list. And I'm not too thrilled with the Sony's.

Any help?

Brian

speaklightly
01-03-2006, 07:22 PM
Brian-

You might want to take look at the Kodak P-850 which has that LARGE LCD+ Image Stabilization, as well as 12X optical zoom.

Speaklightly

TampaJim
01-03-2006, 09:24 PM
I also recommend you look at the Canon S2 - a terrific all-around performer.

You should take a look at the Panasonic FZ-20 as well - possibly the best value for the dollar today at $389.88. A highly advanced P&S camera with some truly great features.

Brian11176
01-04-2006, 10:12 AM
Thanks guys. I have looked at the P850 and S2. The are both a little bigger than I want to go. Has anyone seen the new Panasonic DMC-LZ5? I just found it on dpreview.com. Looks like it might be worth waiting for.

Brian