Canon S3 vs Panasonic FZ7

[MSchreuder]

Hi

I am looking to buy a Ultra zoom camera. The main uses will be general family, holiday and general pictures. So far I have narrowed it down to the S3 and the FZ7.

From what I have read, the S3 has got a better CCD with better low light potential, while the FZ7 has better optics. At the moment I am leaning towards the S3 as I am sure a lot of my pictures will be indoors where I will prefer a low noise picture, and I am not sure I will be able to pick up the difference in the lenses if I tried. The other issue is the outdoor light with fringing. Which is going to give me the best overall family picures.

Another thing, would it be better to get a Wide Angle lense to go with an UltaZoon camera to help with those landscape and vacation pictures, or is the standard usually more than enough?

Regards
Michael

[scupking]

One problem with Panasonic cameras is that the pictures are noticeably noisier then other brands. I would go with the S3 or S2. I was in the same boat as you a month a go and I went with the S2 and have been extremely happy with the camera.

[BowerR64]

Ide rather have the S3 for a few reasons. 1. ide rather use AA batteries as i have 3 sets and i can rob the batteries from other devises or to power other devices in a pinch. Im always doing somthing with electronics and need power for somthing. 2. ide rather have a fold out screen ive found i used it more then i thought i would. The S3 has a better screen then the S2, its larger and more detailed. Smaller dot pitch i think. One thing i miss about the A510 i had was the screen was amazing.

[SteelyKen]

The LCD is larger (2.00" vs. 1.8") on the S3, but the pixel count is unchanged (115,000). This makes the S3 LCD screen resolution slightly worse.

[BowerR64]

really? is it the same one as the A510? that one is good. I would love to have that LCD on my S2. I cant see them using older crappy LCDs then what the A510 has that camera came out before the S3. Could it be possible they made an error on the pixel count? who would put a large LCD in a new camera with the same pixel count as the original? that would be a little stupid.

[MSchreuder]

Thanks!

Another Question, is the extra price premium of the Canon over the Pana worth it? Both the S3 and the FZ7 have the same specs, yet the S3 costs the same as the FZ30. Is the quality, after sales and images that much better. Bear in mind that I live in South Africa.

Thanks
Michael

[scupking]

One thing to remember is that canon didn't change much between the S2 and S3. You can pick up an S2 at a very good price. I don't think the S3 is worth the price jump over the S2.

[JTL]

Yawnnnnnnnn......