Panasonic TZ1 vs Canon S3 vs Sony H5 for beginner

[anniewest]

I'm a relative newcomer to digital photography. I have recently inherited an old Nikon FM2 and would love to learn how to use it. In the meantime, it is time to upgrade our ancient digital camera. Most of the photographs I'll be taking will be of my kids, so I was thinking a long zoom w a good image stabilizer would be good.

I've been doing my research and it looks like the TZ1 would suit me to the ground. I have heard some complain of image noise over 100?

I am also drawn to the S3 I suppose by its popularity. I think it would take me a while to work out how to get the best of it, but I'm wondering would I learn more about photography from a more manual camera. Could it teach me how to use an SLR, like the Nikon?

The Sony H5 took my attention too. Any opinion on which is better, the S3 or the H5?

Many thanks,

Annie

[speaklightly]

Annie-

I own the Panasonic TZ-1 and the Sony H-5. Naturally, they are both somewhat different. The TZ-1 is smaller and more automatic. The H-5 is somewhat larger and has manual and auto functions.

The TZ-1 will show noise above ISO 100 or 200 and you have much less control over it. On the otherhand the H-5 still fits nicely in my purse and does very well (little or no noise) at and below ISO 400. I find that I use the H-5 a lot more than the TZ-1 and have better photos to show from the H-5 than the TZ-1. The 3.0" LCD screen on the H-5 is an added bonus and the lens is very sharp. The flash is quite powerful and can be used at 25 to 30 feet without any problems by adding ISO increases.

I have attached a sample no flash photo taken at ISO 400 from the H-5 from a recent Hawaiian trip for you.

Sarah

[Riley]

yes they are really different cameras
while the TZ1 is a nice camera, its more of a compact
really the Panasonic FZ7 is a better match to S3is and Sony H5, the three being more like bridging cameras, (bridge between compacts and dSLRs)

Riley