Fuji S6000fd or Panasonic TZ3???

[BabyGirl06]

I mentioned Canon A710 with IS, not A700. If you don't like that one and want a VF what about Pan FZ8 or FZ18? They are almost as small and light as TZ3 but have more zoom and a VF.

How does the A710 IS perform indoors? I'll look at the FZ8 and FZ18. Thanks!

[tim11]

From my own experience, small kids and large cameras don't mix too well. FZ18 is about the same as S5 size I think. I compare S5 because you also considered it in other thread.
FZ18 dimensions:
Dimensions (W x H x D): 116.8 x 76.2 x 88.9 mm / 4.6 x 3.0 x 3.5 in
Weight (empty): 360 g / 12.7 oz

S5 dimensions:
Dimensions (W x H x D): 116.8 x 81.3 x 78.7 mm / 4.6 x 3.2 x 3.1 in
Weight (empty): 450 g / 15.9 oz

It's hard to decide because there are so many candidates.
For indoors shots, I doubt if you need to use such long zoom but I see you will use the camera for outdoors as well. The wide angle of TZ3 will be very handy for confined space though.
Bascom points out that A710 has better image quality which is true if you view the image in full size but if you make mostly small prints any differences won't be much visible.
I personally prefer VF although I made compromise with my F30 since it is an exceptional camera, but that's a different story.... There are many happy TZ owners but if VF is must why not looking at A710 IS? It is certainly small enough and decent zoom.

[tim11]

I have a couple more questions. Is it difficult using a camera that doesn't have a viewfinder?? Also, how do you determine how much zoom is REALLY needed?? Is there a big difference between a 6X zoom and 10X zoom??

I never knew picking a camera would be soooo confusing!

12x and over is great for wild life photography and it certainly can be fun at the zoo. I used the zoom lever alot when I first go my FZ20 (12x zoom) but after the novelty wore off I find myself using wide more often and not more than 6x zoom. That also applies when taking pictures of the kids.

What do you mean by how A710 IS perform indoors? In term of image quality, flash cycle between shots or something else? If you use flash I don't think its IQ is lesser than any other camera but for flash cycle can be slow; especially when the batteries run low. But again, that's to be expected when you are using flash on a compact.

[BabyGirl06]

[QUOTE=tim11;242703]What do you mean by how A710 IS perform indoors?[QUOTE]

Meaning image quality. Alot of my pictures are taken indoors, not all, but most of them. I just want a good all around camera.

[tim11]

BabyGirl06,

I answered your zoom and A710 questions in my last 2 posts in this thread.

People can pick the pros and cons from both cameras and go on discussing/arguing to eternity but for your requirement I think either A710 or TZ3 will do well. Both are more kids friendly than bulkier ones such as S6000 and S5, so for an all rounder family camera they are perfect candidates.
Personally, I prefer A710 IS built and look but that's just me. I think you should have both in your hands and let your heart decides.

[tompbl]

Sort of a silly feature, but the TZ3 has two baby modes that let you enter the child's birth date. I assume it then records the child's age in the EXIF file (and maybe as an option on the display). Note that the child must be born after 1/1/2000 to use this - which ruled out my 12 year old.

Overall, I love my TZ3. The wide angle end is great for scenery and group protraits. The long end is good for zoos and kid sports (up to a point). Outdoor image quality is very good and indoor is decent if you keep the ISO low (meaning use flash if the light gets too low).

I wouldn't even think about buying a camera without IS these days. Even with IS, you have to stabilize the TZ3 when you use it at full zoom. At first I did miss the eyepiece somewhat, but it's pretty easy to get used to using just the screen. And that screen is gorgeous - a great feature for a family camera. Kids always love to see the pictures right after you've taken them, and it's a great ice-breaker when you travel.

I'd highly recommend getting something pocket sized, which the TZ3 is. Child rearing is already highly paraphanelia intensive without adding a camera bag to sling over your shoulder.

If you buy the TZ3 get a couple of 2.0 or 4.0 GB SDHC cards to take best advantage of the movie mode + a back-up battery (generic is fine).

Good luck - with the kid and the camera!

[BabyGirl06]

Sort of a silly feature, but the TZ3 has two baby modes that let you enter the child's birth date. I assume it then records the child's age in the EXIF file (and maybe as an option on the display). Note that the child must be born after 1/1/2000 to use this - which ruled out my 12 year old.

Overall, I love my TZ3. The wide angle end is great for scenery and group protraits. The long end is good for zoos and kid sports (up to a point). Outdoor image quality is very good and indoor is decent if you keep the ISO low (meaning use flash if the light gets too low).

I wouldn't even think about buying a camera without IS these days. Even with IS, you have to stabilize the TZ3 when you use it at full zoom. At first I did miss the eyepiece somewhat, but it's pretty easy to get used to using just the screen. And that screen is gorgeous - a great feature for a family camera. Kids always love to see the pictures right after you've taken them, and it's a great ice-breaker when you travel.

I'd highly recommend getting something pocket sized, which the TZ3 is. Child rearing is already highly paraphanelia intensive without adding a camera bag to sling over your shoulder.

If you buy the TZ3 get a couple of 2.0 or 4.0 GB SDHC cards to take best advantage of the movie mode + a back-up battery (generic is fine).

Good luck - with the kid and the camera!

Thanks for the help! After looking at some pictures taken with the TZ3 and reading what everyone has to say about it, i've decided to go for the TZ3. I plan to get 2.0GB SDHC card at the same time as I buy my camera. Not having a VF shouldn't be a problem for me because I wear glasses and it's kind of hard to use a VF with them on anyways. If I notice I can't see the screen too well in the sun i'll get one of these http://delkin.com/products/popupshades/mini/ (I saw it mentioned by someone in another thread). Thanks for all the help.