Coolpix 8400 vs Panasonic FZ 20 ?

[Tyler1]

Hello

I need some advice to choose between this two cameras.
I can have them for almost the same price, but i dont know witch to choose.

If i choose the 8400, with 8 megapixels, will i really see the difference ?
The quality is that better than the fz20 ?
My pb with the 8400 is the zoom, only 3.5x...

Maybe the FZ20 is a better choice ...

I need a camera to take pictures of:
landscapes, macros (fishes, insects, flowers...), but also partys and peoples ...

What would be YOUR choice ?

THank you

[speaklightly]

Tyler-

This is just my personal opinion, so please don't be offended. The Nikon 8400 is a great wide angle camera with a 24mm equivalent lens. They don't get any wider than that in a fixed lens digicam. At the long end of the zoom it is 85mm or a bit short, I believe, of the 4X optical zoom mark.

On the other hand, the Panasonic FZ-20 is a great long zoom (up to 432mm) that sits in a class be itself. The wideangle on the FZ-20 is 36mm, no where near as wide as the 24mm lens on the Nikon 8400.

To me it does not seem fair to attempt to compare these two cameras side by side. Perhaps you have to better define the features you really want in your dream camera, I'm not sure.

Sarah Joyce

[kornhauser]

Tyler,

This forum is great for getting ideas and trying new things. However; as a word of caution; do not come to this forum to ask advise between two different cameras.

Everyone in here becomes instant polititians. Meaning, you'll get lot's of information on everything but what you asked about. They'll tell you what camera they have and what works for them. They'll push their agenda onto you and make you feel bad for not being able to afford or agree with what they do.

My suggestion? Go with the pretty one. :D :eek: :)


And for God's sake, don't ask for any comparision between point and shoot cameras and DSLR cameras... :(

[Tyler1]

Ok

i understand, sorry ...

I need a camera for everyday pictures (partys, objects etc...) and also for my travels (landscapes etc ...) and to take pictures of smal fishes, insects and flowers.

I can't afford to buy 2 specialized cameras.
So i'm looking for a good compromise.
I was asking what was the best "compromise" choice between this 2 cameras.
I'm not trying to compre them side by side, but only looking for a suggestion of the best choice...

Some told me that for the same price the best is the dimage a1 (a bit old ?) or the sony f717 ...

thanx

[TheObiJuan]

8mp vs 5mp at small print is not a big deal.
the excellent f2.8 lens on the fz20 should be the deal breaker.
an optional wideangle lense could be purchased later on if need be for it.

edit: i think the fz20 is the prettier one anyways. :D

[Tyler1]

Thank you

somebody told me that for my needs the following cameras are better choice thant the 8400 or the fz20 :
Minolta dimage a1
Sony 717
Coolpix 5700
or Oly C5060...

it's really hard to choose now !
:p

[John_Reed]

Thank you

somebody told me that for my needs the following cameras are better choice thant the 8400 or the fz20 :
Minolta dimage a1
Sony 717
Coolpix 5700
or Oly C5060...

it's really hard to choose now !
:pBecause they advised you to buy from a list of cameras whose out-dated features are surpassed by both of your original choices. If you want to compare the FZ20 and the 8400, try this comparison (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=nikon_cp8400%2Cpanasonic_dmcfz20&show=all) between the two cameras - I'd suggest you pay particular attention to the "samples gallieries," and decide which kinds of pictures suit your particular taste in photography. Also look at the galleries posted by Jeff on this site, and look through the Panasonic and Nikon threads on this forum to see individual users comments and pictures. Remember that neither camera will really be a bad choice; buy either and you won't be unhappy. The 8400 gives you more wideangle for landscape scenery shots, and though the FZ20 gives you less wideangle, its faster f2.8, much longer zoom lens will give you distant people shots, animals, wildlife, etc. that would be too far out for the 8400 to capture. Which is best for you can be decided only by you, so you might as well make a choice, buy one or the other, and don't look back! :o

[Tyler1]

THank you

no that somebody was not a salesperson.
I argued that the cameras he mentioned are a bit old, but he said they are still better than the 8400 or the fz20...

Yes i don't want to look back, thats why its so difficult.
I definitly need much longer zoom for wild life for exemple.
The 8400 seems to be eliminated.

maybe the 5700, the dimage a1 (or a2) or the fz20 ...
:confused:

[brucegarrett]

Hi Tyler

One way of making an informed decision is to read the in-depth reviews of the cameras that interest you.

You will often find comparisons with other models within these reviews as well as other Forums like this one on the same site with evaluations by actual real world users of the camera(s) in question.

As kornhauser pointed out, it can be misleading to ask opinions of two different cameras on a dedicated Forum because invariably the comments on that Forum will be biased. What works for us won't necessarily work for you.

If you widen your research you will get a more balanced overall picture of what you are looking for.

You might start at imaging-resource.com or dpreview.com or steves-digicams.com among others.

Good luck and happy shooting.

Bruce

[Tyler1]

Thank you

my choice seems to go to the nikon 5700
i'll see one tomorow ...
:)

[Rex914]

It strikes me odd to see you comparing the 8400 to the Panasonic. They are two completely different cameras. The 8400 is wide-angle and it for taking pictures where you field of view is very large. The Panasonic is telescopic and has the super zoom. Perhaps you meant to compare the Coolpix 8800 to the Panasonic?

[Rhys]

And for God's sake, don't ask for any comparision between point and shoot cameras and DSLR cameras... :(


Exactly - no comparison. All-in-one's are far superior. The SLR has had its day.

[dwig]

The running trend of recommendations seems to show a misunderstanding of what the 8400 is. There is a very good reason that Nikon offers two distinct versions of this camera, the 8400 and the 8800. Both are basically the same camera with the exception of the lens.

If you need a wide-angle for landscapes, as my particular shooting style demands, the choice is the 8400 with its 24mm equivalent wide angle. Its 85mm equiv tele is limiting for some use but is quite long enough for good portraits.