Looking/Waiting For The New Panasonic ZS7 and Sony HX5V - Thoughts?

[palermo22]

I wanted a very good P&S with video - with the P&S being perhaps one step below a DSLR and the video in the same league as a HD video camera - when I saw the new cameras arriving in 2010 I felt it was time to sell my Canon XSI - for the complete camera that would fit in my pocket. It looks like the Sony HX5V and the Panasonic ZS7 (and possibly the Casio FH100) might all fit my requirements. I knowthey haven't been released yet and that they all look good on paper - but was wondering if anyone thus far has looked at the pros and cons of each?

Also, on another subject (but related) - I have a couple 8 GB Sandisk SDHC Extreme lll - class 6 (30 MB/s) - where I read that some people have had trouble using them in the current Panasonic ZS3. Just wondering if that problem has been corrected and whether I should be concerned using them in either of these cameras?

Thanks

[Phill D]

I'd be carefull and try some of the current compact cameras out in a store before deciding to replace the the XSI with a compact. If you've been used to the capability & functionality of a dslr then going back to only a compact needs carefull thought on what you are willing to compromise on for that compact lightweight camera. Unless you really have to sell it to fund the change I'd suggest keeping the XSI as well or maybe micro 4/3s would be a way forward for you.

[davidbrown8181]

just wait for the Panasonic ZS7!

[KCook]

... the P&S being perhaps one step below a DSLR ... I think that will never be possible without a G11 size price tag. Or was the XSi that big of a disappointment?

confused Kelly

[palermo22]

I think that will never be possible without a G11 size price tag. Or was the XSi that big of a disappointment?

confused Kelly

I never would have been better than a P&S camera person (the XSI was fine - it was more me being lazy and usually using P or automatic most of the time). I sold the camera for a good price in anticipation of getting one of the new cameras coming out. These were the factors involved with this decision:

1) I am convinced after researching this that these new cameras will give me just about the same photo I got with the XSI using P.

2) The new cameras are small enough to stick in a pocket - I will be traveling to some places that someone using a DSLR will stick out for would-be thiefs!

3) Not only do these new cameras take quality photos but also do HD 1080i video - that's a huge plus for traveling.

[TenD]

1) I am convinced after researching this that these new cameras will give me just about the same photo I got with the XSI using P.
The photo quality of a point and shoot will be very good at low ISO, but as soon as you turn up sensor sensitivity the noise will creep in. Panasonic has a tendency to smudge details with their noise reduction. That being said the performance of these small camera is pretty good up to about ISO 400.


2) The new cameras are small enough to stick in a pocket - I will be traveling to some places that someone using a DSLR will stick out for would-be thiefs! True. The ZS7 is going to be my next compact. I'll use it for snapshots and to carry along skiing. Having the range and movie mode in a compact package is exactly what I am looking for.


3) Not only do these new cameras take quality photos but also do HD 1080i video - that's a huge plus for traveling.
Yep having HD video with a lens that zooms during movies is a big selling point for me.

[KCook]

I never would have been better than a P&S camera person (the XSI was fine - it was more me being lazy and usually using P or automatic most of the time). I'm still confused. Does this mean any camera giving good P&S results is tops? The XSi is either fine or it isn't. Automatic mode may be problematic, especially if this includes auto ISO. But there is no reason at all that P mode should not give top quality results. My guess is that your were expecting attractive results straight out of the camera. A DSLR gives better "quality" results, but you have to then PP that image to get it to an "attractive" result. Without the benefit of PP the DSLR result may not match a good P&S for an attractive picture.

Kelly

[palermo22]

Kelly - not trying to make this confusing - based on my reasoning above I felt the new P&S cameras (whether it might be the Panasonic or Sony) would be good enough for me. My XSI took great shots and I know my next camera might be a step below that - but what I give up there I gain in having a small camera to stick in my pocket - plus the huge thing for me is HD video. And, who knows, perhaps the Sony or Panasonic might just take a great photo!

[KCook]

I certainly have my fingers crossed for both. Both Panny and Sony have already provided us with some great compacts.

Kelly

[Gintaras]

I never would have been better than a P&S camera person (the XSI was fine - it was more me being lazy and usually using P or automatic most of the time). I sold the camera for a good price in anticipation of getting one of the new cameras coming out. These were the factors involved with this decision:

1) I am convinced after researching this that these new cameras will give me just about the same photo I got with the XSI using P.

2) The new cameras are small enough to stick in a pocket - I will be traveling to some places that someone using a DSLR will stick out for would-be thiefs!

3) Not only do these new cameras take quality photos but also do HD 1080i video - that's a huge plus for traveling.

you did not invest your time in learning DSLR, because Xsi or Xti can give you far better photo quality than any digital camera. using P-mode on DSLR does not automatically improve your images. in fact you advised to use Manual mode and experiment with shutter and apperture combinations to understand how do that works.

as for digital cameras I would recommend wait for CMOS sensor compacts to hit the market and try them in store. i would be sceptical of CCD sensor cameras for obvious reasons. plus CMOS always gives some better low light performance.

you might also want to check newer digital with CMOS for so called high dynamic range feature which lets camera combine two shots with different exposure to produce brighter in shadows and better exposed images.

but think twice IF you really need to sell your XSi cause I am sure no digital will match DSLR image quality.

[Gintaras]

for Video I always recommend a proper full HD movie camera with enough built-in memory or HDD. i never cared to use video mode on any of my prior digital cameras, and i doubt HD movie on DSLR will excite me.

[Gintaras]

hey, of newer models coming to the market i find the most interesting are these:

FUJI FinePix HS10 super zoom
# 10.3 Megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor (this thing really gets around) promises better high ISO / low light photos
# F2.8-5.6, 30X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 24 - 720 mm

NIKON Coolpix P100
* 10.3 Megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, which promises better low light photos than traditional CCDs
* F2.8-5.0, 26X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 26 - 678 mm

SONY Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V
* 10.2 Megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, which provides better low light shooting than conventional sensors
* F3.5-5.5, 10X optical zoom "Sony G" lens, equivalent to 25 - 250 mm

All three have CMOS backlit sensor, first two are super zooms which means flex, all them offer wide angle, plus tons of features and auto modes, plus some manual controls.

as concerns Panasonic they offer only CCD sensor models and I never liked Pana for incamera image processing, really never liked them.

BUT mind you, the most interesting new CCD cameras IMO are these:

PANASONIC Lumix DMC-ZS5
Known as the DMC-TZ8 in some countries
* 12.1 Megapixel CCD
* F3.3-4.9, 12X optical zoom Leica lens, equivalent to 25 - 300 mm

PANASONIC Lumix DMC-ZS7
Known as the DMC-TZ10 in some countries
* 12.1 Megapixel CCD
* F3.3-4.9, 12X optical zoom Leica lens, equivalent to 25 - 300 mm


CANON PowerShot SX210 IS
* 14.1 Megapixel CCD
* F3.1-5.9, 14X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 392 mm

all three offer enough zoom, plenty auto modes, image stabilization, etc etc... I am very curious to see how SX210 will compare to Panasonic. Canon quality was usually superb but previous SX200 was blamed for poorer images.

[Gintaras]

ah... and I nearly forgot. you also want to check FUJI F80EXR 10x zoom Super CCD camera. Traditionally Fuji digital compact cameras were highly rated for low light image results and little noise compared to competition. F80 succeeds the older F70 model.

NB: do not trust the word, try the cameras you want before buying in a shop.
personally I lean to Sony HX5V but Fuji HS10 is so tempting if not its size which excludes it from being a pocket camera. I plan buying one of those new CMOS long zooms for my daughter.

[KCook]

The superzoom market has certainly exploded since the success of the TZ4. But I'm still not comfortable with that much telephoto without the benefit of a viewfinder. Less obvious are the trends for in-camera JPG processing. Looking forward to reviews to get some clues there.

Kelly

[Eztarget]

The NikonP100, Olympus SP-800UZ and Fuji HS-10 all look good:

See link for an early review here. (http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39005881,45197453p,00.htm#mainreview)

Here is a chart of the three new cameras:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f342/eztarget33/newcams.jpg

The two backlit sensors are supposed to take really good pics. The Fuji really has my attention and I'm hoping the real reviews match their early hype. I'm on the fence between a hybrid and a full DSLR. The Fuji is $499 which is still a lot cheaper than an entry level DSLR (w/lense). I want to get a camera that I can slowly learn manual controls but also that my wife can pick up, set to auto and take great pics of our 2 year old.

[KCook]

Fuji is $499 which is still a lot cheaper than an entry level DSLR (w/lense) Not true in the USA market, if you include closeout deals. I paid a lot less than that for my Sony A200.

Kelly

[Eztarget]

Not true in the USA market, if you include closeout deals. I paid a lot less than that for my Sony A200.

Kelly

I'm talking new camera.

[Gintaras]

i have not heard of a digital being able to replace DSLR. but I am very curious about results of newer CMOS cameras, especially Fuji and Sony. Fuji was highly acclaimed for low light performance in compacts, while Sony has superb processing and lenses. I am also curious about Nikon. Never liked Panasonic results, nor Leica DLux4 results. I am also curious about the ability to shoot RAW on HS10 which gives it a clear egde assuming other things more or less equal.

Sony HX5 is interesting because this is compact compared to H10, but in the end H10 gives more zoom, manual and Raw, which can be a deal maker. In the end my daughter has to decide.

and you have to look at Nikon P100 which comes about the same as H10, offers full manual and super zoom and much more.

this will be a tough choice between P100 and H10, while Sony HX5 falls into compact category with limited manual controls and no Raw.
For me personally no way back to digital, only DSLR.

[KCook]

Sony CMOS compact experience has been a mixed bag. See reviews of the WX1.

Kelly

[palermo22]

i have not heard of a digital being able to replace DSLR. but I am very curious about results of newer CMOS cameras, especially Fuji and Sony.

this will be a tough choice between P100 and H10, while Sony HX5 falls into compact category with limited manual controls and no Raw.
For me personally no way back to digital, only DSLR.

I will be looking at every new compact camera that will be hitting the market in the next few months. Granted, none of these cameras can touch a DSLR, however, what you might give up in that "perfect photo" (but still taking what would be considered a very good photo) - you gain in portability as well as a video camera that shoots full HD. Seems to me - for travel that is the perfect combination!

[KCook]

Dunno. I'm leaning more toward the new M4/3 types as the ideal travel cam. Too bad they are so high priced. It sure would be nice to see Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony jump into the M4/3 pool.

Kelly

[palermo22]

Dunno. I'm leaning more toward the new M4/3 types as the ideal travel cam. Too bad they are so high priced. It sure would be nice to see Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony jump into the M4/3 pool.

Kelly

Could you elaborate - I'm not sure what you mean by "M4/3"

[KCook]

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/e_pl1-review

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_gf1-review

[Phill D]

Looks like you've gone full circle now in recommendations back to my first post micro 4/3 comment. Jeff bought a GF1 recently perhaps it's time he gave us some of his own user experience.