Panasonic FZ3 or Canon S1 IS???

[fffun1]

Hi!
I have a bit of a problem, and hope you all could help! After a lot of reading and lurking when choosing a camera to buy, I finally decided on the FZ3, which is on order and arriving any day now. BUT...yesterday my husband and I were out browsing cameras and he fell in love with the look, feel, and flip out screen of the S1 IS! Now we're unsure of our decision. I know the FZ3 has some features (AF assist for example) that the Canon doesn't have, but the Canon has manual focus and a lot of accessories available.

Is the FZ3 such a better camera that we're better off getting it? Or are the differences small enough that it doesn't matter? Price isn't an issue, they're almost the same, and I don't plan on using the movie mode much. Also, we don't mind the feel or look of the FZ3, it's just that the Canon looks and feels better!
Thanks for any help!

[fffun1]

anyone?????

[Dave Dilks]

anyone?????

Well, if no one will weigh in with an informed opion, I'll be happy to give you mine. :D

I was in a similar position as you last summer, and narrowed my choices down to the same two cameras. My recollection of the primary differences between the two were:

FZ3: Wider zoom range, wider aperture at full zoom, better resolution (at the expense of more noise at higher ISO), AF assist, proprietary battery, SD memory.

S1: Better movie mode, manual focus, tilt-and-swivel LCD, AA batteries, compact flash.

The relative merits of the two cameras seemed close me. I picked the FZ3 because I planned on a fair amount telephoto work in moderate lighting, and the wider aperture at full zoom was therefore an important feature. However, if you really prefer the feel of the S1, and the areas where the FZ3 is superior aren't that important to you, you likely are better off with the S1.

[fffun1]

Thanks for your opinion, it's very helpful! The fact that the FZ3 is better at low light is probably going to be the final selling point for me, my house never seems to have enough light, and the walls are dark, and as that's where probably half my pictures will be taken (kids, etc), I really should keep that in mind. Thanks again!

[propwash]

If you can find a store where you can compare both cameras side by side, it might help you decide. Tha's what I did and I chose the FZ3. I have not regretted the choice for one second. Its low light capabilities are really good.