canon110is or panny tz5

[flipflopmom]

Budget 300, for camera and accessories. Don't want to go SLR. Need the 10x zoom for HOKIE football and DD gymnastics. Also like video. Have a toddler and a 9 year old, so action is a plus. Read ALL the reviews, looked at aLL the pics, no camera store nearby, NEED help. Both have IS, same mp, same zoom. These are my thoughts.....

A. Canon uses AA - seems like a plus for availability, is it a minus? I know it can burn them fast.

B. Canon flash has to be popped up, a plus in gymnastics meets where no flash is allowed. I know neither will do really great in low light.

C. Canon has macro, and more manual features. Since I don't know what I am doing yet, this seems like a plus for later?

D. Yet, I keep going back to pics I've seen on here from Panny and love them. However, I know they are downsized and full size pic may not be as clear....

E. Sounds like I am going with Canon 110... Any reasons not to that I haven't considered????

Thank you!!!!

 

[RCDisneyFan]

Prior to having my DSLR, I had Canon P&S cameras, and I now have the TZ3 as a pocket camera.

Generally, I highly recommend Canons as P&S cameras. I like the output of Canon's pictures better - they tend to be "consumer friendly" pictures with somewhat punchier colors. I hate stupid proprietary batteries - it is MUCH cheaper to buy rechargeable AA batteries. And, if your battery dies in the middle of the day - easy to find replacements. That said, AAs will make the camera weigh more than a camera with a proprietary lithium battery. I'll tell you why I picked a TZ3 over the 110IS:

1. I felt like the camera body on the 110IS was a bit plasticky and I was looking for something I would just chuck in my bag and go. The Panasonic TZs feel extraordinarily solid.

2. The TZ cameras are smaller than the 110IS and have a little bit more of a grip shape on the right side.

3. I think Canon is good at IS, but I think Panasonic is a little better

I'll say this about the drawbacks... the TZ3 is a little slow and Panasonic P&S cameras have visibly (no pixel peeping required) more noise than Canon's. For me, it was a choice based on my needs - and I had to sacrifice some options.

I don't think you'll be unhappy either way. Good luck!

 

[flipflopmom]

Thanks for your input, I'm still stuck. DH wants the canon, just b/c it's a canon and we had a 35mm rebel that we LOVED! I like the idea of burst on the panny, would be great in gymnastics meets, but if the pictures don't come out well.... I'll just have 10 pics taken poorly in fast succession. AAAAAH I really want to have this camera soon so we can play with it and get comfortable with it... I agree that the panny seems more durable, which is definitely a plus in this house.

 

[RCDisneyFan]

On the compact P&S, I would say the image quality is generally going to be better than Panasonic. I like what comes out of the Canon better than Panasonic. If the 110IS had a metal casing, it would've been a no-brainer for me. Also, the Canon starts with a wider aperture (2.8, as opposed to 3.3) so it will use available light slightly better to begin with.

I know you said your budget was $300...but...the SX10 IS is going for about $340 now - and that would be a great investment. Cameras in that line are sturdy in my experience (I had an S2 IS way back when.) They're not SLRs, though they look like them, and they have lots of features and functionality. The best part to me if the rotating / swing out LCD - if you ever need to take shots over people's heads or at awkward angles, it really gives you a leg up. Of course, it IS more expensive and at least twice the size of the other two.

 

[KCmike]

I would never have thought a Panasonic Camera would be good but they are. I really like Canon as well. I have several point and shoots - Nikon, Sony, and a very old HP. Sony is my favorite of the ones I own but if I was to get another it would be a Panasonic lumix series. That being said I made the jump to the Rebel SLR's.

 

[Floydian]

Ok, I know you said you'd like to have the camera soon, so these may not be options. However, I was looking at the same models you mentioned, and since I have no immediate need, am waiting for their replacements due out within the next several weeks.

Canon SX110 replacement - Canon PowerShot SX200 IS

Panasonic TZ5 replacement - Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3

I almost bought that SX110 until i held it in a store, and it wasn't ergonomically pleasing to me (plastic body, bigger than I wanted). The new SX200 looks to have a metal body, and be about the size and shape of the TZ5. However, as new releases, both will probably sell at their $350-400 msrp for a while.

Just a thought...