Which is best - choice of 4

[Kiwi]

Hi
I am looking at getting a new point and shoot digital camera.

I mainly shoot photos of my daughters (2yrs & 6 wks) and family/friends gatherings.

I want a camera that delivers beautiful clear pics (even indoors with low light). Image stabilisation and quick capture would be a bonus too.

I have been advised on the following 4 but would like your opinion on which one is the best:
Sony Cybershot DSC-W 290
Canon Ixus 120
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Fuji Finepix F70EXR

I basically just want a great point and shoot.

Thanks for your help.
Kind regards
Melanie

[KCook]

All of those are great cameras. The differences are not great, mostly splitting hairs:

Sony W290 - quick, lens is not the sharpest here (matters only for blow-ups of landscapes)

Canon IXUS 120 - arguably the most pleasing color, no real weaknesses (except the high price)

Panny ZR1 - quick, wonderful zoom, but colors can be a bit on the quiet side and it is the weakest pick here for low light shooting

Fuji F70EXR - nice zoom, easily the top pick for low light, numerous control choices can be overwhelming for a novice

Different strokes for different folks.

Kelly Cook

[Kiwi]

Thanks Kelly.

The Fuji says that it has a 10x optical zoom and the Canon only has a 4x optical zoom - what does this mean and does it make any real difference?

Cheers
Melanie

[David Metsky]

Yes, zoom makes a big difference but it's best not to look at the multiplier (4x, 10x) but look at the actual focal lengths. They are how close the camera takes you to the subject (telephoto) or how far back they take you to allow you to take in more subject (wide angle). Look at the images at the bottom of this page (http://www.cameras.co.uk/html/digital-camera-zoom.cfm) to get an idea what the numbers mean.

The Canon has a lens that goes from 28mm to 112mm, the Fuji from 27 to 270mm. The Fuji has far more "reach" getting you closer to the subject. This comes at the cost of being a bit bigger, requiring a bit more light, and being a little "softer" focusing.

[Kiwi]

Thanks David. When you say that the Fuji will need 'a bit more light' - does that mean it isn't very good in low light? And re: the focusing being 'a little "softer"', does that mean the pictures will be slightly blurrier than the canon camera? If so, is the blurriness very noticeable to the average person?

Which do you think is the better camera between the canon ixus 120 and Fuji F70EXR?

Also, which is better: Dual IS or Optical IS?

Thanks.

[KCook]

The reference to the F70EXR about "requiring a bit more light, and being a little softer focusing" is limited to its far telephoto zoom settings. Which is a general rule for all superzoom lenses. At the more modest zoom settings that the Canon provides, these characteristics for the F70EXR will be the same as for the Canon. In fact, due to its advanced sensor and processing, the F70EXR is easily superior for low light to the other cameras, including the IXUS 120.

If you can use the builtin flash in low light situations, that will let the Canon get by (at least within the distance that the flash can cover). The IXUS 120 is generally generally easier to live with than the more advanced F70EXR.

Dual IS works better for action subjects (can provide high shutter speeds). Optical IS has a higher success rate with still subjects, but is beneficial only at lower shutter speeds. Short version - both work - I wouldn't fret about the differences.

Kelly