littlelump20
06-30-2006, 11:45 AM
Here is a little bit of a different comparison for you. I'm having a heck of a time choosing between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 and the Fujifilm Finepix F30. I know they are both in different classes, and I would love to just get both, but the budget is not really allowing that to happen at this time. Anyway, here's what I'm looking for:
Budget
Ultimately I am looking to get a camera for free, but since that is unlikely to happen, I am looking for something priced between $250-$400 total including memory.
Size
I am looking for a compact or ultra-compact camera that is easy to carry around and fits in a pocket
Features
I'm looking for at least 5MP. My main concern though is image quality. I am looking for a camera that will allow me to take excellent quality photos within its parameters. Obviously the more flexibility in zoom the better, but I will be able to get by with a 3x optical zoom
Image quality is a 10 for me; though I realize I will have to live with some trade-offs.
I would prefer manual controls, but as long as there are sufficient workarounds I can live without them.
General Usage
I will generally be looking for something I can take out with me to parties and clubs with friends, but also am looking for a fairly good walkaround camera so I don't have to tote my 20D all the time. I like to print big (upwards of 20x30 sometimes), so I would like to get something that has the most potential to do so. I know image quality is sacrificed in blowing up pictures that large, but I have had some reasonable results off of my 3MP Canon Powershot S1. (Though they're not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, I am looking for a camera that will preserve the most detail while limiting noise, or that has a very uniformed noise that is easy to clean up in PS.)
That said, I would really like the ability to have a 10x (or 12x at 3MP) image stabilized lens with the Panasonic Tizzy but am concerned about the noise. I do shoot sports sometimes and gettin in really tight is helpful especially with the image stabilization and superior continuous shooting. (From what I've read, it sounds like it might focus faster as well.)
I would also enjoy the high iso capabilities of the fuji f30; however, I am concerned about the method of noise reduction and concerned that it will detract for the detail of images. As I mentioned I shoot a lot at night, so noise is a big concern. I would also like to be able to shoot pics while just hangin out indoors with friends, so the high iso would seem ideal. And obviously the 500-580 photos per charge is a strong advantage in terms of battery life, so I'm trying to weigh that in too, against the extra cost of the more expensive XD-picture memory.
I know the image stabilization is a huge tool, but also understand how much I could gain from usable ISOs up to 3200. I just want to know which of these two cameras would be the best balance in terms of overall image quality, flexibility, and cost. Where will I be able to get the best ratio of detail to noise? Which of these two will be the most useful if I were to planning to print exclusively at sizes of 8x10 or larger?
Thanks a lot, and I hope someone can help me out with some insight.
Budget
Ultimately I am looking to get a camera for free, but since that is unlikely to happen, I am looking for something priced between $250-$400 total including memory.
Size
I am looking for a compact or ultra-compact camera that is easy to carry around and fits in a pocket
Features
I'm looking for at least 5MP. My main concern though is image quality. I am looking for a camera that will allow me to take excellent quality photos within its parameters. Obviously the more flexibility in zoom the better, but I will be able to get by with a 3x optical zoom
Image quality is a 10 for me; though I realize I will have to live with some trade-offs.
I would prefer manual controls, but as long as there are sufficient workarounds I can live without them.
General Usage
I will generally be looking for something I can take out with me to parties and clubs with friends, but also am looking for a fairly good walkaround camera so I don't have to tote my 20D all the time. I like to print big (upwards of 20x30 sometimes), so I would like to get something that has the most potential to do so. I know image quality is sacrificed in blowing up pictures that large, but I have had some reasonable results off of my 3MP Canon Powershot S1. (Though they're not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, I am looking for a camera that will preserve the most detail while limiting noise, or that has a very uniformed noise that is easy to clean up in PS.)
That said, I would really like the ability to have a 10x (or 12x at 3MP) image stabilized lens with the Panasonic Tizzy but am concerned about the noise. I do shoot sports sometimes and gettin in really tight is helpful especially with the image stabilization and superior continuous shooting. (From what I've read, it sounds like it might focus faster as well.)
I would also enjoy the high iso capabilities of the fuji f30; however, I am concerned about the method of noise reduction and concerned that it will detract for the detail of images. As I mentioned I shoot a lot at night, so noise is a big concern. I would also like to be able to shoot pics while just hangin out indoors with friends, so the high iso would seem ideal. And obviously the 500-580 photos per charge is a strong advantage in terms of battery life, so I'm trying to weigh that in too, against the extra cost of the more expensive XD-picture memory.
I know the image stabilization is a huge tool, but also understand how much I could gain from usable ISOs up to 3200. I just want to know which of these two cameras would be the best balance in terms of overall image quality, flexibility, and cost. Where will I be able to get the best ratio of detail to noise? Which of these two will be the most useful if I were to planning to print exclusively at sizes of 8x10 or larger?
Thanks a lot, and I hope someone can help me out with some insight.