Nikon P100/Panasonic FZ35/Fuji S200EXR/Canon SX20 IS????

[teriyaki]

I've read reviews :surfweb:, but just wondering if anyone has used any of these. Need zoom for travel, Disney, concerts/auditoriums, but also need something that's good with low light without carrying a tripod wherever I go. Oh, and it can't be so heavy that I don't want to walk around with it all day. Oh, and it needs to be fairly intuitive so that I don't miss things while trying to figure out the camera!:confused3

Also, does anyone know what has replaced the Fuji S200 EXR, and if the Panasonic Fz40 is comparable in image quality to the FZ35?:confused:

Thanks.
Laurie

[VVFF]

I've read reviews :surfweb:, but just wondering if anyone has used any of these. Need zoom for travel, Disney, concerts/auditoriums, but also need something that's good with low light without carrying a tripod wherever I go. Oh, and it can't be so heavy that I don't want to walk around with it all day. Oh, and it needs to be fairly intuitive so that I don't miss things while trying to figure out the camera!:confused3

Also, does anyone know what has replaced the Fuji S200 EXR, and if the Panasonic Fz40 is comparable in image quality to the FZ35?:confused:

Thanks.
Laurie

As is common with cameras you can't have everything in one camera...otherwise we would all just have P&S's.

The larger the sensor...the better the low light ability(typically). Obviously DSLRs and micro 4/3's cameras are better in this regard.

Superzooms are typically weak here because to fit in that giant 30x zoom, they often use a tiny sensor to make the lens smaller. Superzooms aren't known for their low light ability.

There are pocket cameras that are decent in low light though. The Canon S95 and the Panasonic LX5 are two examples that come to mind. These typically don't have much more than a 3x zoom though and are only best on the zoomed out side of things.

There is the Canon G series which is targeted at photographers on the go. It has a larger sensor and larger zoom range but not quite as good in low light as the S95/LX5.

Tripods have a purpose. Even if you can get the shot without using one, the shot is often better done with one. Fireworks are a common example that everyone wants to shoot with a P&S but don't want to carry a tripod...well...until Image stabilization gets to be able to handhold for seconds there is no other option.

So, sorry if this depresses you but you'll have to make a sacrifice somewhere. Personally, I find zoom is overrated unless you shoot wildlife/birds/sports. Other things are often better if you avoid using the zoom and get closer to the subject.

So...decide what's most important for you. Perhaps check out something like the Sony NEX line...a fairly compact body with a DSLR-like sensor.

[teriyaki]

Thank you so much. I am depressed, however!