The final three: S2, H1, and FZ20 (FZ5)?

[mike62]

I have read all the good things about each one of these and folks could argue back and forth all day long. With that said is there one of these I don't want? I don't care about movie mode, the biggest needs are:

ZOOM
SHUTTER SPEED
IMAGE STABILIZATION

My pics are casual, hobbiest in nature but this will be my primary replacing an older Minolta. I don't think you could go wrong with any of these 3 but is there something overwhelming I have missed?

Thanks.

[van_city]

I have read all the good things about each one of these and folks could argue back and forth all day long. With that said is there one of these I don't want? I don't care about movie mode, the biggest needs are:

ZOOM
SHUTTER SPEED
IMAGE STABILIZATION

My pics are casual, hobbiest in nature but this will be my primary replacing an older Minolta. I don't think you could go wrong with any of these 3 but is there something overwhelming I have missed?

Thanks.

I would say either the H1 or the FZ5 if movie mode isn't an issue...If it were an issue I would go with the S2 as it provides quality video with OPTICAL zoom...Personally, I went with the Sony for various reasons but I don't think you can go wrong with the FZ5...It all comes down to personal preference so I would go take a look at both cameras in person before you decide...

[Guybrush]

I'm also thinking about these three (maybe also KM Z5).
I think the two Panasonics are best in picture quality. Personally, I would get the FZ5 or FZ20 if it only would take AA's. On vacation I often can't charge the batteries for days, so I need a cam that I can run with alkalines.
What scares me off the S2 and the H1 is the pretty bad purple fringing.
I'll wait for the S2 review...

[van_city]

I'm also thinking about these three (maybe also KM Z5).
I think the two Panasonics are best in picture quality. Personally, I would get the FZ5 or FZ20 if it only would take AA's. On vacation I often can't charge the batteries for days, so I need a cam that I can run with alkalines.
What scares me off the S2 and the H1 is the pretty bad purple fringing.
I'll wait for the S2 review...

I don't think the purple-fringing is THAT bad unless you are going to print posters, which most of us aren't going to do, and if we were I think a DSLR would be a better option...The KM Z5 is BY FAR the worst 12x camera of the bunch...It feels extremely cheap, has VERY poor auto-focus/image stabilization and it's navigation menu looks as though a 12-year old designed it...

[mike62]

The appeal of the AA's is a big factor for me.

[jessie25]

Ultra-zooms that take AA include:

-Canon S1/S2
-Kodak Z740
-Olympus C740/C750
-Sony H1

Just to name a few.

Check out the reviews on some of those, just for fun.

[lynchbird]

I've been looking at these three models, too. I was leaning heavily towards the FZ20, but after seeing some of the pictures in the S2 gallery I think the S2 is a bit better on color accuracy and is less grainy. So today I went to Best Buy to look a bit. They don't have the FZ20, but did have an S2 and a H1. Just from a hands on perspective (no opportunity to upload pics to a PC for viewing), I will say that I'm disappointed in the 1.8" LCD on the S2. The 2.5" LCD on the Sony is a big plus for me. The sales guy said that he thought the Sony had better recovery time between pictures than the Canon, too. The fact that both of them use AA batteries vs. the Panasonic's custome battery is somewhat important to me ... possibly enough to give up the additional apperature range on the FZ20.

I'm still torn, though. If the Canon had a bigger LCD I would buy it today. As it is, I'm going to have to think for awhile longer.

[Graham]

Yes I'm having a similar debate regarding the FZ5 and the S2.
I'll have to wait for the S2 review too, but generally does anyone have an opionon on which is the better of the two?

I favour the FZ5 for size and the all-important (for me) l-ion battery, but am concerned about its focusing & LCD performance in low light conditions. Is the lack of manual focus a big issue with digital cameras (I'm only used to broadcast video where autofocus is the work of the devil :))
How do these focus presets perform?

Any help at all would be much appreciated!

Thank you.

[John_Reed]

Yes I'm having a similar debate regarding the FZ5 and the S2.
I'll have to wait for the S2 review too, but generally does anyone have an opionon on which is the better of the two?

I favour the FZ5 for size and the all-important (for me) l-ion battery, but am concerned about its focusing & LCD performance in low light conditions. Is the lack of manual focus a big issue with digital cameras (I'm only used to broadcast video where autofocus is the work of the devil :))
How do these focus presets perform?

Any help at all would be much appreciated!

Thank you.I was at the San Diego Zoo yesterday, and there were several instances when I tried to focus on a monkey or a bird behind cage wires, where the autofocus picked up the wires, and blurred the desired subject. So, using my Panasonic FZ15, I switched to manual focus, and just dialed in the subject for sharpness. Many times, I've focused on flowers with great depth; with the manual setting, I can choose which part of the flower I want to have in focus. Just my two bits.

[Graham]

Thanks John.

Well this is it isn't it - you often need manual focus, because, well, you need to manually focus!

Because I'm only used to video and traditional 35mm SLRs, the concept of autofocus is completely alien to me.
Do stills cameras for whatever reason perform better in the autofucus stakes than video cameras do?
Or are there preset manual focus stages on the FZ5 that are of help?

Were it not for this issue, I'd go out and buy this camera in the morning.
It's the only reson why the S2 is still in the running as it is superior in the focus stakes.

[John_Reed]

Were it not for this issue, I'd go out and buy this camera in the morning.
It's the only reson why the S2 is still in the running as it is superior in the focus stakes.Well, I'd temper that a bit, and give the "manual focus" crown to the FZ15/20 cameras, whose manual focus ring, concentric with the lens barrel, along with "MF focus assist," which magnifies the center part of the image for precise focusing, sets them apart from the cameras like the S2, whose manual focus is obtained by electronic switchcraft. But you may not like the size of the FZ20? It's probably smaller than any other 35mm SLR you've ever had, but some people complain about its girth.

[Graham]

Yes the FZ20 certainly has appeal with the focus ring, and as you say the manual assist looks very handy for focusing on a feckity little LCD screen - esp outdoors. Also the weight and general SLR ergonomics are great.

Just the price really throws it out for me - more than I'm willing to spend unfortunately. And it's a shame because the FZ20 really doesn't improve on the FZ5 in many areas, indeed it features many of the existing faults like the screen not gaining up etc. I'd really just want the focus ring, but have to pay $100 extra for the privilege!

Suppose I'll live with the autofocus on the FZ5 - though at this rate I may be living without any camera at all as I can't find a single moderately priced store that ships internationally! :(

Thanks for you help John.

[Zane-O]

Hey Graham - if you find a well priced store that ships internationally, lemme know. I'm in NZ, and would like to weigh up the cost of getting an S2 or H1 from the states.

Cheers.

[Graham]

I'm still looking! I have the advantage suppose of a relative who lives there that may be able to order it and post it via USPS, but I'm still searching all the same...

Not only are the international shippers the expensive stores in terms of price, but they also charge a small fortune for shipping - $50, $75...any more?! :eek:

[John_Reed]

I'm still looking! I have the advantage suppose of a relative who lives there that may be able to order it and post it via USPS, but I'm still searching all the same...

Not only are the international shippers the expensive stores in terms of price, but they also charge a small fortune for shipping - $50, $75...any more?! :eek:Shipped it, and it was received in 5 days, via the U.S. Postal Service, for US$38. Not a fortune, could've done it for US$33 on a more relaxed schedule.

[ajay67]

"All-in-all I really like the PowerShot S2 and it gets my highest recommendation. 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. Close behind are the Panasonic FZ5 and Sony DSC-H1, and neither of these cameras should be overlooked. The best thing to do is get yourself to a camera store and try them all out to see which you prefer. Whichever of those four you choose you'll still end up with a great ultra zoom camera"

couldn't agree more with his conclusion

[Graham]

Yes, it does seem to be a well-rounded summary of the 'super zooms'.
Though as is perhaps suggested there, if you take away the video mode and the rather clunky manual focus of the S2, it is equivalent to the FZ5 on pretty much all other grounds.

As for shipping, yes John USPS does seem to be very reasonable, was looking there and a 500g/18oz parcel only costs about $9.00 to Ireland for a 5 day delivery.
Still like to buy direct though so I'm still looking - with difficulty :(

[Zane-O]

Graham (sorry I called you John B4) - I asked a friend of mine who has got some camera stuff from the states.

bhphoto.com is where he got stuff from. Check 'em out.

[John_Reed]

B&H Photo (http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1914.html) gets an excellent 8.77 user rating at resellerratings.com.

[Nino van Hooff]

I'm also thinking about these three (maybe also KM Z5).
I think the two Panasonics are best in picture quality. Personally, I would get the FZ5 or FZ20 if it only would take AA's. On vacation I often can't charge the batteries for days, so I need a cam that I can run with alkalines.
What scares me off the S2 and the H1 is the pretty bad purple fringing.
I'll wait for the S2 review...

review can be found here: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s2-review/index.shtml

quote from review: They were generally well-exposed (though a few shots were slightly overexposed) with good color and reasonable purple fringing levels (for an ultra zoom). Everything was very sharp -- perhaps too much so. If you agree with my assessment then you can soften things up by using the Low Sharpening photo effect. The S2 captures a lot of detail without any of the "muddiness" sometimes seen on digital cameras. Noise levels were about average for a camera in this class.

[Nino van Hooff]

Yes, it does seem to be a well-rounded summary of the 'super zooms'.
Though as is perhaps suggested there, if you take away the video mode and the rather clunky manual focus of the S2, it is equivalent to the FZ5 on pretty much all other grounds.

As for shipping, yes John USPS does seem to be very reasonable, was looking there and a 500g/18oz parcel only costs about $9.00 to Ireland for a 5 day delivery.
Still like to buy direct though so I'm still looking - with difficulty :(

I don't care so much about the video mode. My priority's are:
-Speed: auto focus, shutter, start up etc
-image quality

I regret it that the FZ5 runs on accu's but I think I can live with it.
Does this mean that FZ5 is the camera for me?

[mike62]

What about shutter lag between the H1 and S2 is there a significant difference? I read one place where the S2 is better and another where the H1 is better, is it marginal do you think? Not using a burst mode just pushing the shutter release button I would like to take as fast shots as possible when I need to.

[Graham]

Thanks Zane-O and John for your help - that link proved to be by far the cheapest priced international shipper, though they do charge over $40 for postage...

In the end though I ordered it for $374 with Buydig.com, and am having it posted over by a relative. Probably for the best anyway because if the full value was printed on the parcel directly by a seller, it'd incur 21% VAT coming into Dublin!