[h@r$h@l]

Originally Posted by k_ajay

Not really, unless you're getting it shipped from sites like Amazon.com, directly to India. If you are aware of someone travelling back to India from US, you could request favour of carrying it over for you [preferably someone who isn't travelling for the 1st/2nd time, as they're expected to bring back a lot for themselves. Overloading will also attract some type of duty, with customs at the Airport].

The FF HS10 costs $499.99 which when converted is about Rs.22350/-. In B'lore, the HS10 is available for 26500/- with B&W and some package [free card, battery charger types]. That's a saving of about 4K+ when bought from the US. But only by someone bringing it over for you and not by direct shipping from US.

Thanks for your input. INR 26500 is not a bad price for HS10. I thought it was around 30K here. I am so confused now. FF HS10, Canon SX20 IS, Nikon P100.

What i need to know from you guys is, How is Fuji as a digital camera company? Please excuse my question as i am not much of a photographer, been using a 4.1 MP Sony Cyber Shot for last 5-6 years. Now i have decided not to look at more alternatives and pick any one from the above THREE.


P.S.: these are my new updated choices now from the previous post. Skipped the panasonic and the sony HX.

[cyclops]

Originally Posted by h@r$h@l

Thanks for your input. INR 26500 is not a bad price for HS10. I thought it was around 30K here. I am so confused now. FF HS10, Canon SX20 IS, Nikon P100.


P.S.: these are my new updated choices now from the previous post. Skipped the panasonic and the sony HX.

Go for Panasonic FZ35 if you like it. Its available at a great price of around 16K on smartshoppers.in. I got one from ebay at 18K just 2 weeks back..

P.S. I hope I have added more fuel to your confusion..!

[navin]

Originally Posted by h@r$h@l

Thanks for your input. INR 26500 is not a bad price for HS10. I thought it was around 30K here. I am so confused now. FF HS10, Canon SX20 IS, Nikon P100.

of the 3 I'd eliminate the SX20 and choose between the P100 and HS10. That said there is a Olympus with a 30x zoom (I am quite sure someone has the model number but if I remember right the zoom was 28-840 or something like that) that I read about.

Please understand that with these long zoom cameras you are going to suffer from
a. barrel and pincushion distortion - come one guys think about this.
b. shake (at 800mm even the best IS/VR wont help you at shutters of 1/60 or slower).
c. purple fringing given the number of lens elements involved this has to be a problem.

I'll leave more detailed explanation to the techies like TSK and IT inspector. I just rely on plain old common sense.

If it were me and totally based on the few papaer specs I'd get the much hyped HS10 only becuase it has the lowest pixel density of the 3. I really wish they employed 1/6" sensors (like that of the G11/S90) in these cameras then if they did getting to 600mm (leave alone 700 or 800mm) and controling distortion would be a real challenge!

[Technocrat]

Navin, Any particular reason to rule out the SX20 IS?

[navin]

Techno, The SX10 is a far better buy if you want Canon or better still now that the SSX1 prices are rational why not a SX1?

[tsk1979]

I was seriously contemplating the HS10
However HS10 will cost around 7-8K more than FZ35.
Moreover, HS10 has no manual controls in video recording, and there is lot of clicking noise while focusing in video.
FZ35 videos are a lot more silent as compared to HS10
Since the DSLR companion camera is to be used like a camcorder, I guess I will forgo the ultra zoom.

[h@r$h@l]

Guys,

Thanks a lot for your inputs. I think i wont be going in much details of photogrpahy as discussed by a few here ( Dont know much about it yet) . I think i will take a pick soon in next few days and update you guys. SO far i have only seen and read about these online. Will go store hopping soon and experience them in person to get an idea about them.

I feel panasonic under 20K is a good deal and Nikon between 20-25 is also a decent spec. I would go for Nikon personally over Panasonic. please dont ask me "WHY", its just my thinking and i dont think i have an answer to that.

Fuji has some very good features and that extra zoom, but i dont know if i can stretech my budget from 18-22k TO 28K. lets see.

Thanks once again. Will update you all once the deal is done.

[Technocrat]

Navin, I already have SX 20, just wanted to know why you are ruling it out

[vivekiny2k]

HS10 firmware update 1.01 has been released to resolve noise reduction (and other) issues. I still have to apply it on my cam.

[navin]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I was seriously contemplating the HS10. FZ35 videos are a lot more silent as compared to HS10

If you have a DSLR why not get a dedicated video camera like the Panny SD, Sony CX or Canon HF series?

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Navin, I already have SX 20, just wanted to know why you are ruling it out

Sorry. I much prefer the handling of the SX1.

A friend came over today with his 550D. Killer cam. I liked it's display and also it's video capabilties. That said the 40D still has the buttons in all the right places. I found the 550D too small for my fingers.

[Zenster]

Originally Posted by k_ajay

The FF HS10 costs $499.99 which when converted is about Rs.22350/-. In B'lore, the HS10 is available for 26500/- with B&W and some package [free card, battery charger types]. That's a saving of about 4K+ when bought from the US. But only by someone bringing it over for you and not by direct shipping from US.

Ajay, you've mentioned 26500/- with B&W, what warranty is this - dealer or Fuji India? Also where in bangalore did you find this quote? Any idea on the lowest FZ35 prices with Panny India Warranty in Bangalore?

Originally Posted by cyclops

Go for Panasonic FZ35 if you like it. Its available at a great price of around 16K on smartshoppers.in. I got one from ebay at 18K just 2 weeks back..

smartshoppers is giving dealers warranty. Did u get any warranty from EBAY? I can find FZ35 on ebay for around 20k with 3 year Panny warranty and some goodies.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by navin

If you have a DSLR why not get a dedicated video camera like the Panny SD, Sony CX or Canon HF series?

1. No wide angle coverage
2. Very expensive(40K minimum for a HD camcorder which can do some low light).
Moreover, we want a decent still image capability. DSLR will go dedicated 10-24mm wide angle and 50mm potrait stuff.
For everything else, this bridge cam will do. Right now it looks to be the Panny FZ35

[k_ajay]

Originally Posted by navin

of the 3 I'd eliminate the SX20 and choose between the P100 and HS10. That said there is a Olympus with a 30x zoom (I am quite sure someone has the model number but if I remember right the zoom was 28-840 or something like that) that I read about.

Navinji, I remember that Olympus model number very well. It's Oly SP 800UZ. It was mentioned almost everywhere the FF HS10 was previewed/reviewed [since it's the only other 30x zoom bridge cam available to date].

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I was seriously contemplating the HS10
However HS10 will cost around 7-8K more than FZ35.
Moreover, HS10 has no manual controls in video recording, and there is lot of clicking noise while focusing in video.
FZ35 videos are a lot more silent as compared to HS10
Since the DSLR companion camera is to be used like a camcorder, I guess I will forgo the ultra zoom.

Tanveer, but isn't the18x zoom a bit less? I know the FZ38 Panny is one of the top bridge cam out there to date, but how about something like Nikon CoolPix P90 which has about 24x zoom? Not too heavy [30x] nor too light [18x]. Of course, I haven't read reviews or CoolPix P90 so not sure of it's pic quality. Your comments plz..

Originally Posted by h@r$h@l

I would go for Nikon personally over Panasonic. please dont ask me "WHY", its just my thinking and i dont think i have an answer to that.

Harshal, sure, some people are attached to their favourite brands, but are you willing to forgo Panny without checking it's pros and cons against Nikon?

Originally Posted by navin

A friend came over today with his 550D. Killer cam. I liked it's display and also it's video capabilties.

Phew! The words I wanted to hear from this man, too.

Originally Posted by Zenster

Ajay, you've mentioned 26500/- with B&W, what warranty is this - dealer or Fuji India? Also where in bangalore did you find this quote? Any idea on the lowest FZ35 prices with Panny India Warranty in Bangalore?

Zenster, the price I share is quoted/supported by a retailer called Foto Circle, in Bangalore. The warranty is from Fuji India, not dealer. No idea about Panny prices. You can try txting to this number for B'lore prices. Jayesh Mehta: +919845022654.

[jkdas]

Please suggest a camera within 150$; Nikon would be ideal

[navin]

Originally Posted by k_ajay

Phew! The words I wanted to hear from this man, too.

Why me? i am not Rudra-da, Samurai, Ajay, IT inspector (where is he nowadays), etc.. I shoot for fun.

Originally Posted by jkdas

Please suggest a camera within 150$; Nikon would be ideal

Why Nikon? I'd look at the Canon 3100 in this price range.