[sajo]

Experts, my friend is looking to buy a compact "zoom" camera and has shortlisted the Panasonic Lumix ZS3 and the Canon SX200. Both are quite similarly specced and are almost similarly priced.
Which one should he go for ? Would be buying this weekend or thereabouts.

PS : I am personally leaning towards the ZS3 purely because of the Canon's awkward popup flash. Are there any advantages/disadvantages of the same ?

[chevelle]

Originally Posted by navin

I am guessing from the above statements that you (like me) found "flash recycle time" (thanks for refreshing my memory) of cameras powered by Li-ion batters to be better than those powered by AA cells.

Yes, i did found that. Especially when i was shooting for birthday parties and indoor shots. During this time, i like sony's performance with flash recycle times and how fast they shoot pics during this occasion. Obviously discounting high end cams.

[navin]

Originally Posted by sajo

Experts, my friend is looking to buy a compact "zoom" camera and has shortlisted the Panasonic Lumix ZS3 and the Canon SX200.
PS : I am personally leaning towards the ZS3 purely because of the Canon's awkward popup flash. Are there any advantages/disadvantages of the same ?

I have a Canon S90 which has that same awkward pop up flash. You have to be careful not you hold the camera near the flash. I dont see any significant advantage of the pop up though.

Other than the ZS3 I would look at the recently released Sony HX5 or older TZ3.

[rajismine]

New launches form Olympus 30X zoom and Fuji with 30X zoom:

Olympus SP-800UZ megazoom 30X Zoom : $349.99
Olympus SP-600UZ megazoom 15X Zoom : $249.99
FinePix HS10 megazoom 30X Zoom : $499

[cyclops]

Originally Posted by amit_mechengg

aah exactly the same options which i had i had also added canon 120is. after a lot of research, reviews ,personal trials at various shops first we bought S2000HD. its true value for money with so many options and the 15X mega zoom. but if you want great picture quality you will be dismissed.
then when my cousin showed a lot of interest i sold it to him within 2 days.

then i came across the best in class Panasonic TZ11 and TZ15. just type google and search reviews. all impressive reviews. personally did some trials. this is the best camera with 10X zoom with the legendary LEICA lens and a whooping long list of functions with the intelligent auto mode.

at 13500rs TZ11 was the best bet for me. 4gb card with pouch and free scratch guard was the free icing over the cake.

Hey Amit,

I had almost finalized on S2000HD, but your post makes me re-think on the decision. Is the TZ11 remarkably better? Does it has some manual controls as well? Apereture/Shutter speed settings? And where in Pune do you shop for camera's?

[vivekiny2k]

Originally Posted by rajismine

New launches form Olympus 30X zoom and Fuji with 30X zoom:

Olympus SP-800UZ megazoom 30X Zoom : $349.99
Olympus SP-600UZ megazoom 15X Zoom : $249.99
FinePix HS10 megazoom 30X Zoom : $499

thanks rajiv, out goes the casio FH25, i am ordering finepix HS10 now.

[para_7k]

Originally Posted by cyclops

Hey Amit,

I had almost finalized on S2000HD, but your post makes me re-think on the decision. Is the TZ11 remarkably better? Does it has some manual controls as well? Apereture/Shutter speed settings? And where in Pune do you shop for camera's?

I doubt TZ11 has any manual control. I checked out TZ7 that was priced around 22K. All the modes it had was Auto, Video, Scene1 and Scene2.

It does allow you to choose 15, 30 and 60 secs shutter speed in Starry sky mode.

If you're looking for manual control, S2000 HD will be a better bet at its price but the auto mode is known to produce some disappointing photos.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by vivekiny2k

thanks rajiv, out goes the casio FH25, i am ordering finepix HS10 now.

This looks like a excellent camera. Waiting for reviews to come on dpreview etc.

It has a CMOS sensor, not sure how good/bad it would be as comapred to Fuji CCD sensor.

[navin]

Originally Posted by vivekiny2k

thanks rajiv, out goes the casio FH25, i am ordering finepix HS10 now.

I really wished they used the bigger 1/1.6" sensor used in the S200. Still is the HS-10 even available?

[Sahil]

Need a beginner slr camera. Was advised the Canon 1000d or 500d.
My knowledge in this is zilch so please advice which one to go for or any other brands/models I should consider.
The major difference to me of the two mentioned is that the 500d has video recording, which would come handy to us only if it is not too complicated to operate?
Also what is the pricing here? My father is currently in Singapore and intends to buy from there if it's cheaper.

[cyclops]

Originally Posted by para_7k

I doubt TZ11 has any manual control. I checked out TZ7 that was priced around 22K. All the modes it had was Auto, Video, Scene1 and Scene2.

It does allow you to choose 15, 30 and 60 secs shutter speed in Starry sky mode.

If you're looking for manual control, S2000 HD will be a better bet at its price but the auto mode is known to produce some disappointing photos.

Hey thanks for the clarification. Actually I need a camera with manual controls to brush up my skills as a budding photographer. And I am looking for an economical alternative as I am not sure whether this would be a serious hobby or hust a fad!

Keeping in mind these requirements, what do you suggest? As per my understanding, S2000HD proved the best bet. Can anyone confirm whether TZ11 has manual controls?

Also, there seems to be a short supply of this model, can anyone please suggest a place in Pune to buy this?

[Technocrat]

@Sahil - Get the 500D it shoots video in Full HD plus its one of the latest low-mid end DSLRs from Canon.

The 1000D is for beginners on tight budget.

[Machdar]

Need some advice!

I have been using a power shot series for sometime now. I recently borrowed my friends D200 and was amazed at the ease of using a proper DSLR rather than the point & shoot.

Now planning to pick up a D50 (new) or a used D40. I noticed that US sites quote a huge discount especially some packages on ebay are drool worthy. I was thinking of getting any friend travelling from US to bring it along.

Are they safe bets?
Can ebay vendors be fakes/cheats?
or should I stick to an used 40D from India? (used as new 50D is out of range on what I am willing to spend on a body)

[navin]

Originally Posted by Machdar

I recently borrowed my friends D200 and was amazed at the ease of using a proper DSLR rather than the point & shoot.
Now planning to pick up a D50 (new) or a used D40.
or should I stick to an used 40D from India? (used as new 50D is out of range on what I am willing to spend on a body)

The D200 is a Nikon as iis the older D40 and D50. The 40D and 50D are from Canon and are in a different league from the D50, D60 or even the newer D3000.

1. What do you want to spend on the system?
2. Keep in mind that bodies loose value much faster than lenses - it hence makes sense to invest in good lenses.
3. do not discount the micro 4/3rd system (Olyumpus and Panasonic) - while they are not as well represented in India, if you are buying from the US they are freely avaialble. The 4/3 sensor is about 3/4ths the size of the APS-C sensor and the bodies are still under 5M/cm2 (pixel density).

I have had good experience with both B&H Photo as well as Adorama. A friend of mine just got the D5000 (NIkon) from J&R in downtown NY for under $1000 (with the 18-55 and 55-200 lenses). The Canon 500D (Ti) is competes with the Nikon D5000 and to some extent with the Nikon D90 (about $100 more). I'd look at these 3 (Canon 500D, Nikon D5000 and D90) as the body of choice. For the lenses start maybe with the 18-105/18-135 and then add a 70-300 or 100-400 (if you need the range and can spend that much (3x) more).

[vivekiny2k]

Originally Posted by navin

I really wished they used the bigger 1/1.6" sensor used in the S200. Still is the HS-10 even available?

to be released in april. but I can wait (it will be a third camera), have pre ordered it already.

EDIT: I had the casio on pre order for a week but i guess all of them are going to be released in same timeframe, and I was concerned about buying a camera from a non camera company.