Please help...Panasonic LX5 or Zs7 or other?

<p>Hi. I would love some insight on this topic. I'm looking to (mega) upgrade from a little Fuji Finepix. The main purpose of this camera will be for my three month trip to France and Germany, beginning this April. I'm in no way a pro, and will be mostly shooting in auto-mode... but I'm still an artistic person and I want a camera with excellent photo quality, AND I intend to blow-up several of the pictures to poster size. <br /><br />I love the 12x zoom on the Zs7... but it seems so many of features on the LX5 stand out: wider aperture for better low light, larger sensor, RAW ability, etc. However, it has such a small optical zoom! It's barely more than my ole Fuji. Is this very important? Is a 3.8 optical zoom enough for my trip?<br /><br />I'm completely open to suggestions for camera purchases that are NOT these two models. I will buy any brand; I just want whatever will best meet my needs. I'm looking to spend $350 or less (but that can be used off of Amazon or E-bay.)<br /><br />Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated. <img src="http://www.cnet.com/i/mb/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" alt="wink" /><br /><br />Thank you!<br /><br />Jaclyn</p>

Hard to say, Jaclyn. The LX5 would be good in dark churches, of which there are too many in Europe. I strongly advise against the ZS7, which is extremely poor in low light, and the long zoom is more for occasional wildlife than for tourism. You might want to consider the Nikon P7000, which has 28-200 zoom and would be sweet for travel. It has slow menus, however. I think it's between these two. The Canon S95 is small but has only a bit more zoom than the LX5. The Canon G12 is similar to the P7000 but with less telephoto and zoomless video. Faster menus, though.

 

So if you like to take pictures in dark places: LX5. If you like to zoom in for detail, P7000. Both take good video.

<p>I agree with Bill. The LX5 is probably a good bet. Most people compare the LX5 against the Canon S95, and/or Canon G11. If size is a concern, I would go with the S95. If not, then I would stick with the LX5. The LX5 allows for focusing and zooming with in video mode (if that is important to you), has a 24mm wide-angle lens (Canon is 28mm), and the aperture is a little wider.</p>

<p>You might also want to check out the the newer Olympus XZ-1, it has a 28-122mm equiv., F1.8-2.5 lens. But, it is newer, not sure if all the bugs have been worked out yet.</p>

<p>I'm currently trying to choose P&S, for the days that I don't want to carry my Digital SLR. It is between the Canon S95 or the LX5. LX5 is not very pocketable... but I love the specs. I love the wider 24mm perspective when I shoot... your style might be different. Also, I kind of want a decent video feature (I have a toddler), it would be nice for a casual video clip of the kid. The fact that the LX5 zooms while recording is a big thing, especially when you have a baby/kids that are always moving around.</p>

<p>Hi jaclyn. I too, agree with Bill. I think you'll be more pleased with the image quality of the LX5 compared to the ZS7. The Canon S95, G12, and nikon P7000 are also good. However, IMHO, some of the best image quality from a "small" camera comes from the Micro 4/3 realm, i.e, Panasonic GF2, G1, GH1, G10, G2, or Olympus EP-1, etc. These systems eclipse any "Point and Shoot" models, however, they are quite a bit more than your $350 max, but also much more flexible with the interchangeable lens options. Everything's a compromise, isn't it? Good luck and have fun!</p>

<p>Thank you all so much. I'm looking into some of the new suggestions that you posted. I really appreciate the advice.</p>

<p>Okay so...the plot thickens. After reading all of your fine advice (and advice from another forum I posted to), I've added two more cameras to the mix. So now, my decision involves these four:<br /><br />Panasonic LX5<br />Panasonic Zs7<br />Nikon P7000<br />Fuji 200/500<br /><br />My major question is this (and I forgot to mention this the first time around, so I apologize): which of these cameras offers the best quality photos when shooting in Auto mode? <br /><br />I'm ready to buy!<br /><br />Thank you again to everyone.</p>

Panasonic ZS7 is just an older version of the ZS10. Quite frankly the ZS line (TZ in Europe) has been going downhill since the ZS3. But all produce excellent video.

 

All the cameras you list have good auto mode. Panasonic iA (intelligent Auto) is well respected, though people complain about Panasonic skin tones. The P7000 has an optical viewfinder, if you care.

 

I love my Fuji F200EXR, though it is a difficult to use camera. I plan to buy an F550EXR as soon as it becomes available, which was supposed to be late March until the earthquake and tsunami hit. The F200 in P/M/DR mode is about as good for image quality as older DSLRs such as the Nikon D40. Instead of stupid Canon features like color substitution, it has Velvia/Astia/Provia film emulation, etc.

<p>If the conditions are right for auto to work I doubt if there will be any difference betwen the cameras but some may offer you manual over-rides to help in difficult situations. I would like to have reach for those times when you see something far away that you would like to have a record of so if they are in your budget I would look at the Pany FZ's ... there are two general kinds ... the 'big FZ's 10/20/30/50 and the smaller models which have other numbers .... 3/5/8/18/28/35/40 and probably others if you include the second-hand market. <br>

I have the FZ50 and all the big FZ's are out of production now, so I am sad when I wonder how I would replace my 50 if it breaks down or other fate. I took it on my last 2.5 month visit to my Stateside family and also the UK. It might be a bit heavy for you as it is only a bit smaller than the small DSLRs.<br>

I'd suggest you also look at the Slick 8555 min-tripod for when the light is low and you want to help the camera take good sharp pictures with a long[er] exposure. I simply sit it on some firm object or else hold it against a post or wall. An extra good thing is to use the ten second delay release and leave the camera untouched [ firmly holding tripod against post/wall] during the count down and exposure.<br>

There is the attraction of a small compact which slips in the pocket or purse but I prefer the larger camera and carry it in a 'belly-bag'. The smaller the camera the more careful you have to be how you make exposures without some weight to steady it. My wife has a 'ski-pole' kind of walking stick on which to rest her camera on and help her walk ... though I don't think I would want that when travelling unless it was telescopic to fit in my luggage ... which kind of defeats the purpose of having it. </p>

<p>Hi Bill, I've been looking at the Fuji 200... and you say it's a difficult to use camera. What do you mean by that? Also, do you ever use it with an add-on viewfinder? Thanks ;)</p>

<p>I've been enjoying my new Nikon P7000 very much. It has a wonderful zoom, 28-200mm equivalent range. The rear LCD screen is super high res, makes the photos look great. And the high ISO performance is superb, up to ISO 1600 is completely useable. Has a decent viewfinder if you want to turn the LCD screen off, and the battery life is excellent. Video mode works well too, and the sound quality while shooting video is very good, unlike a lot of other small digital cameras. Check it out!</p>

Once you get the settings correct on the F200EXR, you can leave 'em and just make sure the control wheel doesn't get bumped into the wrong position. Set correctly, it produces out-of-camera results that require less postprocessing than most other cameras. DR 400% reduces highlight clipping so you get really great cloud images.

 

I find the LCD just fine for composition, with grid lines enabled to help keep the horizon straight. If you want a viewfinder, sounds like the P7000 is your camera. Its viewfinder is more accurate than the G12's.

 

I agree with JC that the FZ series is superb. The FZ35 still sells new for about $90 less than its replacement FZ40, which is not worth the premium. I would avoid the FZ100. The FZ35 is probably the best in series since the old FZ50 that JC still uses, however all recent FZ models are really awful in low light.

Hi Jaclyn.

FYI, if you like Fuji equipment, there is a Fuji S100FS 11 Mpixel camera with lots of accessories on craigslist. It may

do what you require.

Good luck! Steve

<p>Thanks again to everyone. I'm absolutely not a pro, which is why I'm so particular about ease of use/auto mode. I'm going to look around for some pricing info online, and then make a final decision. This forum has been most friendly and useful. ;)</p>

<p><a href="http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_FZ40_FZ45/outdoor_resolution_vs_FZ38_FZ35.shtml">http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_FZ40_FZ45/outdoor_resolution_vs_FZ38_FZ35.shtml</a></p>

<p>The LX5 is probably the best of that batch in all respects except for telephoto reach. The LX5 and P7000 are more enthusiast-oriented--they have larger sensors, shoot RAW, have more external controls, and offer hotshoes. The P7000 is a little less polished than the LX5 in some regards like autofocus & speed, but does offer the longer (and slower) lens, a (crappy/inaccurate) optical viewfinder, also a larger/heavier and probably slightly more substantial build. The LX5 has the wider & faster lens, and an available accessory electronic viewfinder. </p>

<p>I own a LX5, the 24-85 lens is a highly useful range covering the angle of view for most general-purpose photography. For me, I wanted the better low-light and wider angle capabilities that i expected I would use more. The only cameras in this premium compact category that are actually pocketable are the Canon S90/S95 but I disqualified them because they didn't have a hotshoe and preferred the lens on the LX5...also, the S90 lacked HD video -- a drawback vs. the LX5 but was corrected in the S95. I know that for vacation photography, the hotshoe might be of less interest but for general-purpose family/friend event photography indoors, flash capability is perhaps the biggest differentiator between DSLRs and compacts--you can take some very high-quality images with an LX5 at IS0 400 and bounced accessory flash. (Cameras in this category offer very good ISO 800, while the smaller sensored compacts have significant quality dropoff after ISO 400).</p>

The F200EXR has the same size sensor as the LX5 and other premium compacts, but it is a relatively old model, so its ISO 800 is not quite as good. Early samples of the F550EXR and HS20 seem to indicate that small CMOS-EXR sensors can produce high-ISO results superior to the LX5.