Canon SX20IS or Panasonic FZ-35?

[joolz]

I'm about ready to upgrade my camera from an ultracompact, which I will still keep and use, to a larger, newer camera which I hope will take better photos.

I'm not a good enough photographer to even consider buying a dSLR, so I've sort of narrowed it down to the above two cameras. I've been on the 'net all day (literally) going from site to site, trying to get a better idea of which camera to buy. I'm still none the wiser.

I'll be taking indoor and outdoor photos, scenery and people. All things being equal, which they never are, I'd go for the camera which is lighter but photo quality is more important with this purchase. I also want a camera which is fast, so that I don't miss so many potentially good photos.

Oh, and zoom. Lots of it.

I think that's about it. The Canon or the Panasonic? Or is there something else out there which is better than either of those two?

Thanks in advance.

[Kjarn]

I really think that either of those would be great.

Good luck :)

[speaklightly]

I happen to disagree with, Kjarn-

Most recent purchasers of the SX-20 have image quality complaints. In fact it is acknowledged that the Canon SX-10 image quality is indeed better than the SX-10, due increased pixel density on the new SX-20.

In contrast, Panasonic FZ-35 users are almost all uniformly happy with their super zoom camera. Therefore, it were me making the decision, I would personally select the Panasonic FZ-35.

Sarah Joyce

[speaklightly]

I happen to disagree with, Kjarn-

Most recent purchasers of the SX-20 have image quality complaints. In fact it is acknowledged that the Canon SX-10 image quality is indeed better than the SX-10, due increased pixel density on the new SX-20.

In contrast, Panasonic FZ-35 users are almost all uniformly happy with their super zoom camera. Therefore, it were me making the decision, I would personally select the Panasonic FZ-35.

Sarah Joyce

[joolz]

Thanks Sarah Joyce. My heart tells me Canon. Both my digital cameras have been Canon, so I'm used to the look and feel of their menus etc. And my last 33mm camera was a Canon as well. I just can't quite get used to the idea of non-camera manufacturers (Panasonic, Sony etc) producing good cameras.

I'm not sure I'd be prepared to buy an older version of Canon. It seems a retrograde step somehow, so I guess I'm leaning a bit more towards the Panasonic now.

[jeff5897]

Here are photos taken by SX20 and FZ35 ,you can compare the photos's quality by review their original size photos.

SX20 IS
http://english.sellpower.net/modules/flickrorg/dslrlike_index.php?id=1&dc_model=19&iso1=0&iso2=0&exposure1=0&exposure2=0&num_focal_mm=0&num_focal_mm2=&shutter1=0&shutter2=0&B1=Query

FZ35
http://english.sellpower.net/modules/flickrorg/dslrlike_index.php?id=7&dc_model=590&iso1=0&iso2=0&exposure1=0&exposure2=0&num_focal_mm=0&num_focal_mm2=&shutter1=0&shutter2=0&B1=Query

[executioner28]

have the same troubles. Have to pick one of those two cameras.

[speaklightly]

This is a personal evaluation only. However, to my eyes, the Panasonic FZ-35/FZ-38 images look better than the images from the Canon SX-20.

Sarah Joyce

[joolz]

I ended up getting a Canon EOS 500. Now I just have to learn how to use it.

[speaklightly]

joolz-

Congratulations on your new Canon T-1. I am sure you will enjoy it a lot. Post some photos when you have a chance.

Sarah Joyce

[joolz]

I will, Sarah Joyce. Thank you.

I meant it when I said in my first post that I'm not a good enough photographer to even consider a dSLR but I bought one anyway. Now I'm almost too scared to use it. I've taken a few shots (just in Auto mode) around my place. I'm waiting until I can get a day off to take the camera out and find some decent sights to photograph. I've read the manual but need to read it again - at least twice more! - so it'll sink in. I know I need to play with the settings but this is all so new to me.

It's scary but exciting.

[speaklightly]

joolz-

Yes, I can recall when I purchased my first DSLR camera that I had some of those same feelings. Rather than the "Auto Mode," please give some serious consideration to using the "P" or Programed Auto Mode. That will give you much more flexibility. It works just like the Auto Mode but now you can mke changes and see what effect those changes make in your images.

Learning is adventure. Enjoy the experience.

Sarah Joyce

[joolz]

Thanks for the suggestion, Sarah Joyce. The "P" mode sounds like a good compromise at this point. Not too adventurous for my level of inexperience!

[AlexMonro]

Another suggestion. Try to take pictures as often as you can. I nearly wrote "as many pictures as you can", but you don't want to be just machine gunning in burst mode - each shot needs thought as to the composition.

At first, most of your pictures will probably be rubbish, but with luck, you'll have a few good ones. Look at them, think about what makes them good. Show them to friends and family, post them here and elsewhere asking for comments. Be prepared for harsh criticism, but hopefully you'll get some constructive comments too.

Get hold of some photography books, both displaying pictures and teaching techniques, and try to put in to practice what's shown. Don't be afraid to experiment.

There used to be a saying that a photographer took 1000 rolls of film (36,000 exposures) to learn the craft. So practice as much as you can.

[joolz]

Good advice, AlexMonro. I'm trying to find a spare day to go out and take photos of interesting views, people etc. I've taken a few around the house - NOT interesting at all! I agree that most will indeed be rubbish but that's the beauty of digital. You can see that they're rubbish a lot sooner than that seemingly interminable wait for film to be processed and if they are rubbish - well, they're a lot easier to dispose of as well.

I'll be back when I've taken some pictures and I'll probably also need advice on how to post them.