FZ20 compared to the upcoming Canon S2

[slitman]

As a current owner of the Panasonic FZ20, it sure seems like the upcoming S2 is what the S1 should have been to begin with. As a previous owner of the S1, which was nothing but a problem (lack of AF, unbelieveable) and sold it for a FZ20 which is an incredible camera. Only concern with the FZ20 is the overall size and weight.

Any thoughts on how the S2 will compare to the FZ5 or FZ20? BTW...Canon needs a homerun with this camera as they lost ALOT of business to Panasonic.

[g00ber]

I wouldn't say they lost alot of business with the S1 IS. For the price, the S1 IS is the best camera. I believe the S1 IS did alot better than the Panasonic in the numbers game.

Will the S2 IS match up to the Panasonic FZ20? Probably not, but it may come alot closer with some of these new features they are packing in.

My reason for not choosing the S1 IS was the lens, and I think that will keep me away from the S2 IS aswell.

Detail matters to me, but for most people, that isn't the main issue. Bang for the buck is what more people are after.

[slitman]

The S1 definitely did better than the Panasonic line mainly because consumer tend to go with what they know, even if it might not be the best value or product which is the case with Canon. Pansonic came out of no where an hit a homerun with their new line.

[slitman]

I posted this message several months ago, but now that the S2 is beginning to surface, is the FZ20 still the benchmark? Any major differences between the two?

[dev]

This is a 5-star thread?

[John_Reed]

I posted this message several months ago, but now that the S2 is beginning to surface, is the FZ20 still the benchmark? Any major differences between the two?Posted right on this site, under the "Reviews" section. Maybe that will appease your curiousity?

[slitman]

Yes, saw the review that is what made me think of posting this. So what are others finding? The review seems to still put the FZ20 ahead of the IS S2.

Posted right on this site, under the "Reviews" section. Maybe that will appease your curiousity?

[Anex]

Comes down to preference in the features you want (as it always does). If I were to buy a ultra zoom digi cam for the first time, I'd buy the S2 becuase it has a broader feature range, combines great photography with a very good movie mode (though they could've used a better compression - 8 - 9 minutes gets a a gig...that's not very long), making it a great family camera . If I were buying one strictly for myself and my general interest in photography, however, then I'd buy the FZ20. Jeff's summation in the S2 review in comparing the FZ20 and S2 hit the nail on the proverbial coffin I think:

I think the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 is more of a "photographers" camera with its sturdier construction, manual focus ring, and hot shoe, with the S2 being more of an all-around tool for still and video shooting.

[photosmarty]

Yep....I agree with the above.

I bought a kodak dx7440 for general use of shooting the kids in the house (taking photos, not literally shooting them ;) )and messing about stuff, I let the missus use it and the my kids, great cam but just more a camera for anyone. My FZ20 is MINE and needs permission to be used :D , great thing is they don't know how to use it and so just leave it alone, I love the FZ20!

[John_Reed]

Yes, saw the review that is what made me think of posting this. So what are others finding? The review seems to still put the FZ20 ahead of the IS S2.Reviewers are uniquely qualified to make comparisons between cameras, as nearly always, it's only they who have the opportunity to really compare cameras. No one else (as a rule) owns both cameras, so it's impossible for anyone except a reviewer or a very wealthy camera aficionado to be able to make such comparisons. So all other comparisons come from biased viewers of specifications.

[Anex]

lol

I tried to enforce that with my wife but she's actually become quite good at using the FZ20 and prefers using it over the s60 we have - which was bought specifically for her. I would never say this to her, but she often takes better pictures then me...and all she does is point and shoot in P mode...a testiment to how good the FZ20 really is I think.

[Anex]

Reviewers are uniquely qualified to make comparisons between cameras, as nearly always, it's only they who have the opportunity to really compare cameras. No one else (as a rule) owns both cameras, so it's impossible for anyone except a reviewer or a very wealthy camera aficionado to be able to make such comparisons. So all other comparisons come from biased viewers of specifications.

Very very true.

I actually bought the S2 this past weekend for my parents, it's a perfect camera for them. Keeps my mother happy in being relatively small and light, fairly simple to use, and does good pictures. It keeps my stepfather happy because it has manual controls, flip out screen, and a 12x zoom, giving him things to play with...you know, boys and their toys type of thing. Anyway, I'm hoping to take both cameras with me to Central Park in NY this weekend. I'll post some pics if I get the chance to test them both...

[dev]

I'll post some pics if I get the chance to test them both...

Ok, NOW we're talking 5 star thread.

[John_Reed]

What you do is buy a cheapie little cosmetic mirror about 2" square, and put it face down on the back of the camera over the LCD screen, and put a piece of sturdy tape over the bottom edge, overlapping to the camera body. When you tilt it out, PRESTO! A tilt-out screen! If you want it to tilt out from above, you might have to get a little more creative, so as not to cover up the 3 buttons above the LCD. And, you might have to get used to framing inverted images! ;)

[slitman]

Actually, reviewers as well as consumers help give a broad spectrum on both of these cameras. Reviewers typically focus on certain areas, while it is the consumers who actually matter in the end as we are the ones making the purchase and use the cameras in day to day life.

Seems like from the review the FZ20 is step above the FZ20...anyone actually gone to a store yet to see how they compare; feel, operation, etc.?

Reviewers are uniquely qualified to make comparisons between cameras, as nearly always, it's only they who have the opportunity to really compare cameras. No one else (as a rule) owns both cameras, so it's impossible for anyone except a reviewer or a very wealthy camera aficionado to be able to make such comparisons. So all other comparisons come from biased viewers of specifications.

[slitman]

Some interesting feedback:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=13883277