Digital Cameras for the Holidays
by Wesley Fink on November 27, 2008 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
Superzooms
When point-and-shoot was king of the digital market and the Digital SLR was only in the hands of the pros, there were all kinds of sub-segments in the point-and-shoot market. However, today the lines have become so compressed with DSLR prices dropping that there are really just two P&S categories. There is the entry, or all-around, point-and-shoot and the superzooms, with very wide optical zoom lenses.
Our strong opinion is that it is ludicrous to spend more than around $250 for a point-and-shoot camera today, with the prices of the much more versatile DSLR and the new category interchangeable lens digital starting at $400 to $500. That still leaves a hole from about $250 to around $600 that we think will get quickly filled with large sensor point-and-shoots using micro 4/3 and interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras based on similar large sensor technology.
For those reasons, we have held our top picks for superzooms to around $250. You can certainly spend more if you want that 18X Leica zoom on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ18, but you won't find that camera in our superzoom picks.
Panasonic has developed a well-deserved reputation as a premier provider of superzoom P&S cameras. The Panasonic Lumix LMC-TZ5 is a great successor to the best-selling LMC-TZ4. It features the same superb Leica 10X (28-280mm) true wide-angle zoom as the TZ4, and resolution has been upped a bit to 9.1MP. Every feature Panasonic could think up has been lavished on the TZ5, including Mega OIS stabilization, 3" 460,000 pixel LCD, a very wide 100-6400 ISO range, and a 720p (1280x720) movie recording option.
The TZ5 has a wide range of Auto and Scene modes for excellent flexibility. However, like the previous models, Panasonic has not included Manual controls, so the TZ5 is clearly aimed at the point-and-shoot crowd only. We doubt that many will object. The TZ5 has no viewfinder and does everything on the LCD, which may or may not matter to you. For a little less money, you can find the capable TZ4 with 8MP or a little more money will get you the 18x 10MP TZ28.
Canon point-and-shoot cameras have a reputation for very good image quality, and the Canon SX110 IS won't disappoint you. This update to Canon's SX100 IS ups the resolution to 9MP and the screen from 2.5" to 3". The 10X zoom goes longer than the Panasonic at 36-360mm, but it is missing the true wide-angle that is very useful for shooting indoors. Where the Canon shines, however, is in control, where it offers P, S, A, and Manual options and everything you need to control the camera when you choose.
The Image Stabilization is particularly effective on the SX110 IS, which is a good thing because you will need it to handhold 360mm. You can usually find the SX110 IS a little cheaper than the Panasonic DMC-LZ5, so if lowest price is a huge factor the SX110 IS can save you a few dollars.
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gaston1 - Friday, November 28, 2008 - link
I totally agree about the Pentax part. How can one mention Canon 40d and 50d and totally miss to mention the 14.6 Megapixel K20D which is currently selling for less than $750 and is actually loaded with pro features!DragonzFx - Thursday, November 27, 2008 - link
I own a Fuji S100FS and for the price I paid ($720cdn tax incl). Thatis a lot of camera for the money in my opinion. It would have been nice to see this camera reviewed in your article as it is a great bridge camera. It is so feature rich and gives you the equivalent of a camera having anywhere from 35mm equivalent of 50mm Wide Angle all the way up to400mm Telephoto due to the 14x optical zoom. You can shoot fully manual or auto. In Jpeg or Raw, this camera does it all without the need to change a lense. And it uses a Li-on battery not AA's lol. Just my 2cents
Johnmcl7 - Thursday, November 27, 2008 - link
"If you are an Olympus fan, you will need to wait for a couple of months. Olympus has announced the new 12MP E30 that brings most of the great E1 features, including its super fast AF module, down to a lower prosumer price point."I assume you're referring to the E-3 rather than the E-1 and it's geriatric AF.
John
Wesley Fink - Thursday, November 27, 2008 - link
Yes, you correctly point out the E-3 is the Zippy AF master with 11 double-croos AF points (44 segments). I have corrected the typo.Dennis Travis - Thursday, November 27, 2008 - link
I just purchased the Canon A590 IS because I did not have a lot of $$$. It totally blows away my way more expensive Digi. It's an amazing little camera for the price and in spite of the price also. I took it to the opening of the Apple Store in my city and every picture was first rate and even though it was very crowded in there and I was in a hurry to get some shots, the IS did it's job. Not one bad pic in the lot and I took over 100.So many great features also with both aperture and Shutter Priority which is amazing at that price point. Canon did an excellent job with the A590 IS. I highly recommend it to anyone on a budget that wants a lot of control over your pictures.
brokensoul - Thursday, November 27, 2008 - link
No word of DxOMark ? new website, quite handy to judge pure Raw quality of sensors, but it could do with some explanations.. :-PNice work though, quite a broad coverage of the camera market
dani31 - Thursday, November 27, 2008 - link
Where is Panasonic DMC-LX3, probably the best compact in the world?zzzxtreme - Monday, December 1, 2008 - link
I agree, Panasonic DMC-LX3 is one of the best compact. It is what reviewers claim, almost like a $5000 Leica compact.Wesley Fink - Thursday, November 27, 2008 - link
We do agree the DMC-LX3 is a terrific Point-and-Shoot, but at $500 it is more than we can justify for a compact in today's market. As we stated in the review it is very hard to justify spending more than $250 to $300 in today's market with DSLR's starting at $400.The Panasonic G1 interchangeable lens large sensor - which was selected as the best entry large-sensor - is significantly better and more flexible than the LX3. With some selling it for $649 and special promotions getting the price below $500 in some cases the G1 is the camera we sould buy in this price class - or the Sony A200 2-lens kit or the Canon XS kit.
PrinceGaz - Thursday, November 27, 2008 - link
If you've got $500 to spend on a camera, and it's a choice between a quality compact you can slip into your pocket for everyday use, or an SLR which will normally be left at home, I'd spend the $500 on a compact.Whilst the SLR can no doubt take better pictures, that's of no value whatsoever unless you actually have it with you. The SLR won't be taking any pictures when it was left at home, while the compact is always ready to be used at a moments notice.