canon sx20 is or panny lumix dmc-fz35

[starkillers]

Hi all, looking for a great overall camera with a good zoom that is a step above a compact point and shoot. I have narrowed it down to either the canon sx20 is or the panasonic lumix dmc-fz35. Is one any better than the other? Are there any other cameras I should look at? Trying to stay around the $400 mark. Thanks so much

[Steve McDonald]

Hi all, looking for a great overall camera with a good zoom that is a step above a compact point and shoot. I have narrowed it down to either the canon sx20 is or the panasonic lumix dmc-fz35. Is one any better than the other? Are there any other cameras I should look at? Trying to stay around the $400 mark. Thanks so much

Grab a Canon SX10 while there are still a few available. Both the SX20 and FZ35 have been dumbed-down with the increase to 12-MP on their sensors. Their performance is weak and noisy, compared to the SX10. If you want HD video in a low-cost photo camera, look at the Sony HX1, which has a very good 720p mode and a 1080p mode that is not as sharp.

Steve McDonald