Fuji S6000fd or Panasonic TZ3???

[BabyGirl06]

I'm trying to decide on a digital camera and can't decide between the S6000 and the TZ3. I'll be using the camera to take indoor pictures and outdoor pictures of my daughter, also on vacations and possibly weddings (outdoor). I will be printing the pictures, mostly 4x6 photos, but if I get a really good shot then I will blow it up to an 8x10, but never any bigger. Which camera would be the best choice? Does the TZ3 produce good quality photos in low lighting and outdoors? I like the TZ3 because of the size, but will it produce good quality low light photos (for 4x6 prints, sometimes 8x10)??. Thanks for your help! I've been reading review after review after review and just getting more and more confused.

[genece]

To find a camera that takes good indoor photos is not that difficult, but to do that with no flash the Fuji F series cameras seem to be near the top of the list.
Now to add good outdoor photos and some zoom and a small size.....the TZ3 may be near the top of that list......but there have been some serious compromises made to try and get one camera to do everything.
As long as you understand that part.... 4X 6's are not much of a challenge and 8 X 10's should have a reasonably good quality. A lot depends on how fussy you are about the quality.
Most cameras today, take photos that look good full screen on a monitor or TV or in a 8 X 10 print.

IMHO,To take photos of kids playing indoors, without a flash.....I am not so sure anything less than a DSLR with a low light lens will give near perfect results.
But most of us are willing to settle for much less than perfect.

[BabyGirl06]

To find a camera that takes good indoor photos is not that difficult, but to do that with no flash the Fuji F series cameras seem to be near the top of the list.
Now to add good outdoor photos and some zoom and a small size.....the TZ3 may be near the top of that list......but there have been some serious compromises made to try and get one camera to do everything.
As long as you understand that part.... 4X 6's are not much of a challenge and 8 X 10's should have a reasonably good quality. A lot depends on how fussy you are about the quality.
Most cameras today, take photos that look good full screen on a monitor or TV or in a 8 X 10 print.

IMHO,To take photos of kids playing indoors, without a flash.....I am not so sure anything less than a DSLR with a low light lens will give near perfect results.
But most of us are willing to settle for much less than perfect.

I will be using the flash indoors when needed, I forgot to mention that in my original post. I'm really not that picky with photo quality, just as long as the 4x6's look good and the occasional 8x10.

[genece]

If your willing to use the flash I would not be hesitant to buy the TZ3 or one of the FZ cameras.

[bascom]

What happened the Canon S5 you were considering?

[BabyGirl06]

What happened the Canon S5 you were considering?

I'm not sure if it'll be too big to carry around for everyday use, to take with me on vacations or even to amusement parks for the day. It's still an option, i'm just trying to figure out which camera will be the best choice for me.

[bascom]

if S5 is too big, why are you thinking of the Fuji S6000? It's huge.

[BabyGirl06]

if S5 is too big, why are you thinking of the Fuji S6000? It's huge.

Yeah, I thought about that. I didn't really think about the size factor at first, but then I started thinking that i'll want to bring the camera with me (just about) everyday and on vacations. Plus, with having a little one we'll be going to amusement parks and such and i'm not so sure if i'll wanna lug around a big camera. I went looking at cameras yesterday (mainly looking for the S6000) and I saw the TZ3 and it looked like a decent camera, small in size and still had the 7.2 MP and 10X zoom.

[genece]

The TZ3 has gone over very big at the dpreview forum and all the owners seem very happy.......you could do much worse.

[tim11]

If you don't mind using the flash, want a small size with long zoom, make mostly small prints and not too fussy about image quality; TZ is the one.

[bascom]

If you...are not too fussy about image quality; TZ is the one.
That's a big if.

There is a TZ3 and Canon A710 comparison from someone who owns both here: http://www.imaging-resource.com/IRNEWS/
Do a search on TZ3 to find it.

[John_Reed]

Here's my TZ3 Gallery (http://john-reed.smugmug.com/gallery/2762845) link; the photos I've got in there cover pretty much the gamut from outdoor sunny shots to indoor flash/no flash shots, low and high ISO, not to mention some fireworks shots. If that image range and quality isn't good enough for the OP, so be it, but the Canon 710 certainly doesn't have the wideangle (28mm) in all 3 aspect ratios, nor does it have the 280 mm zoom reach. So maybe NOT such a big IF? Especially when one knows that in Japan and France, the TZ3 is the top-selling digital camera, it can't be all bad? ;)

[BabyGirl06]

Here's my TZ3 Gallery (http://john-reed.smugmug.com/gallery/2762845) link; the photos I've got in there cover pretty much the gamut from outdoor sunny shots to indoor flash/no flash shots, low and high ISO, not to mention some fireworks shots. If that image range and quality isn't good enough for the OP, so be it, but the Canon 710 certainly doesn't have the wideangle (28mm) in all 3 aspect ratios, nor does it have the 280 mm zoom reach. So maybe NOT such a big IF? Especially when one knows that in Japan and France, the TZ3 is the top-selling digital camera, it can't be all bad? ;)

I looked through your gallery and your pictures look great. I especially love the firework shots!

[John_Reed]

Kind compliments cheerfully accepted, and always appreciated! I hope you enjoy using your new camera, whichever one you choose.

[tim11]

That's a big if.

There is a TZ3 and Canon A710 comparison from someone who owns both here: http://www.imaging-resource.com/IRNEWS/
Do a search on TZ3 to find it.

A710 was never mentioned by OP. It's a good all round camera though.

[BabyGirl06]

A710 was never mentioned by OP. It's a good all round camera though.

I have a couple more questions. Is it difficult using a camera that doesn't have a viewfinder?? Also, how do you determine how much zoom is REALLY needed?? Is there a big difference between a 6X zoom and 10X zoom??

I never knew picking a camera would be soooo confusing!

[genece]

The difference between 6 and 10 X zoom can be huge but those numbers can be very confusing.....what matters is the mm you end up at.....for instance if you have a camera that starts at 28mm a 10X zoom will take you to 280mm or just a little less power than a 6X pair of binoculars....while a camera that the wide end is 36mm at 10 X zoom is 360mm or just a little more powerful than a pair of 7X binoculars.
The eye sees at somewhere near 50mm so binoculars that are rated at 6X the 50mm the eye sees or 300mm but cameras are rated against what the WA view is.
So it is 6 X 28mm (168mm) or 6 X 36mm (219mm), as you can see the 6X thing is misleading, if you do not understand what they are comparing.

About the lack of a viewfinder.....it makes a camera almost useless to me, while others find no problem at all.
I have an extremely hard time seeing a LCD outdoors, plus the camera is very hard for me to hold steady if I can not support it against my eye.

[BabyGirl06]

What camera would you recommend based on what i'm going to use it for? I want a compact that I can throw in a diaper bag and bring with me all the time, I will be taking indoor shots of my daughter, along with outdoor shots. I will bring it with me on vacations and mini trips to amusement parks, etc. I would like at least a 6x+ zoom, as long a 6x zoom will get decent far away shots (not too far though). I'm kinda iffy about not having a viewfinder, I don't have a problem with not having a viewfinder indoors, but outdoors in the sun might be a problem for me.

Thanks for all your help!

[genece]

I can help with some of the points of various camers but picking a compact is not something I have spent much time considering.......just not my type of camera......... Someone suggested the A700 but it has no IS and is not much better above ISO 100 than any other camera.
Over at dpreview much has been said about the LCD of the TZ3 being better than any other LCDs available......Perhaps John Reed can help with that.... Wanting the zoom leaves out the F series Fujis and the small size seems to about eliminate a viewfinder and point to the TZ3.......see if you can try one at a store.

[bascom]

I mentioned Canon A710 with IS, not A700. If you don't like that one and want a VF what about Pan FZ8 or FZ18? They are almost as small and light as TZ3 but have more zoom and a VF.

[BabyGirl06]

I mentioned Canon A710 with IS, not A700. If you don't like that one and want a VF what about Pan FZ8 or FZ18? They are almost as small and light as TZ3 but have more zoom and a VF.

How does the A710 IS perform indoors? I'll look at the FZ8 and FZ18. Thanks!

[tim11]

From my own experience, small kids and large cameras don't mix too well. FZ18 is about the same as S5 size I think. I compare S5 because you also considered it in other thread.
FZ18 dimensions:
Dimensions (W x H x D): 116.8 x 76.2 x 88.9 mm / 4.6 x 3.0 x 3.5 in
Weight (empty): 360 g / 12.7 oz

S5 dimensions:
Dimensions (W x H x D): 116.8 x 81.3 x 78.7 mm / 4.6 x 3.2 x 3.1 in
Weight (empty): 450 g / 15.9 oz

It's hard to decide because there are so many candidates.
For indoors shots, I doubt if you need to use such long zoom but I see you will use the camera for outdoors as well. The wide angle of TZ3 will be very handy for confined space though.
Bascom points out that A710 has better image quality which is true if you view the image in full size but if you make mostly small prints any differences won't be much visible.
I personally prefer VF although I made compromise with my F30 since it is an exceptional camera, but that's a different story.... There are many happy TZ owners but if VF is must why not looking at A710 IS? It is certainly small enough and decent zoom.

[tim11]

I have a couple more questions. Is it difficult using a camera that doesn't have a viewfinder?? Also, how do you determine how much zoom is REALLY needed?? Is there a big difference between a 6X zoom and 10X zoom??

I never knew picking a camera would be soooo confusing!

12x and over is great for wild life photography and it certainly can be fun at the zoo. I used the zoom lever alot when I first go my FZ20 (12x zoom) but after the novelty wore off I find myself using wide more often and not more than 6x zoom. That also applies when taking pictures of the kids.

What do you mean by how A710 IS perform indoors? In term of image quality, flash cycle between shots or something else? If you use flash I don't think its IQ is lesser than any other camera but for flash cycle can be slow; especially when the batteries run low. But again, that's to be expected when you are using flash on a compact.

[BabyGirl06]

[QUOTE=tim11;242703]What do you mean by how A710 IS perform indoors?[QUOTE]

Meaning image quality. Alot of my pictures are taken indoors, not all, but most of them. I just want a good all around camera.

[tim11]

BabyGirl06,

I answered your zoom and A710 questions in my last 2 posts in this thread.

People can pick the pros and cons from both cameras and go on discussing/arguing to eternity but for your requirement I think either A710 or TZ3 will do well. Both are more kids friendly than bulkier ones such as S6000 and S5, so for an all rounder family camera they are perfect candidates.
Personally, I prefer A710 IS built and look but that's just me. I think you should have both in your hands and let your heart decides.

[tompbl]

Sort of a silly feature, but the TZ3 has two baby modes that let you enter the child's birth date. I assume it then records the child's age in the EXIF file (and maybe as an option on the display). Note that the child must be born after 1/1/2000 to use this - which ruled out my 12 year old.

Overall, I love my TZ3. The wide angle end is great for scenery and group protraits. The long end is good for zoos and kid sports (up to a point). Outdoor image quality is very good and indoor is decent if you keep the ISO low (meaning use flash if the light gets too low).

I wouldn't even think about buying a camera without IS these days. Even with IS, you have to stabilize the TZ3 when you use it at full zoom. At first I did miss the eyepiece somewhat, but it's pretty easy to get used to using just the screen. And that screen is gorgeous - a great feature for a family camera. Kids always love to see the pictures right after you've taken them, and it's a great ice-breaker when you travel.

I'd highly recommend getting something pocket sized, which the TZ3 is. Child rearing is already highly paraphanelia intensive without adding a camera bag to sling over your shoulder.

If you buy the TZ3 get a couple of 2.0 or 4.0 GB SDHC cards to take best advantage of the movie mode + a back-up battery (generic is fine).

Good luck - with the kid and the camera!

[BabyGirl06]

Sort of a silly feature, but the TZ3 has two baby modes that let you enter the child's birth date. I assume it then records the child's age in the EXIF file (and maybe as an option on the display). Note that the child must be born after 1/1/2000 to use this - which ruled out my 12 year old.

Overall, I love my TZ3. The wide angle end is great for scenery and group protraits. The long end is good for zoos and kid sports (up to a point). Outdoor image quality is very good and indoor is decent if you keep the ISO low (meaning use flash if the light gets too low).

I wouldn't even think about buying a camera without IS these days. Even with IS, you have to stabilize the TZ3 when you use it at full zoom. At first I did miss the eyepiece somewhat, but it's pretty easy to get used to using just the screen. And that screen is gorgeous - a great feature for a family camera. Kids always love to see the pictures right after you've taken them, and it's a great ice-breaker when you travel.

I'd highly recommend getting something pocket sized, which the TZ3 is. Child rearing is already highly paraphanelia intensive without adding a camera bag to sling over your shoulder.

If you buy the TZ3 get a couple of 2.0 or 4.0 GB SDHC cards to take best advantage of the movie mode + a back-up battery (generic is fine).

Good luck - with the kid and the camera!

Thanks for the help! After looking at some pictures taken with the TZ3 and reading what everyone has to say about it, i've decided to go for the TZ3. I plan to get 2.0GB SDHC card at the same time as I buy my camera. Not having a VF shouldn't be a problem for me because I wear glasses and it's kind of hard to use a VF with them on anyways. If I notice I can't see the screen too well in the sun i'll get one of these http://delkin.com/products/popupshades/mini/ (I saw it mentioned by someone in another thread). Thanks for all the help.:o