Does anyone on the board own or have an opinion about...

[MooksterL1]

Canon S90
Sony DSC-HX5V
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

I really do not want to drag my DSLR along on this trip with all the lenses while trying to keep up with two 9 year olds and a 4 year old in a crowded park. I want basically a P&S with high image quality (especially low light) and good video capture that I can pass off to someone else to snap a few pics in auto setting and not be disappointed. I've narrowed my list (for now) down to these three and would really appreciate any reviews or opinions.

 

[Frantasmic]

I don't have any of them, but I am in the same boat as you as to wanting a better point and shoot. When my current one dies, I would be looking at exactly the 3 you have on your list.

Based on the reviews, I think I'd lean toward the Sony. If I recall, it has better zoom, a good HD video, and geo-tagging, if that is important. The S90 is good, but it seems a bit expensive still to me.

 

[MooksterL1]

I'm going to buy one of the 3 in the next few weeks so I can share a review of at least one.

It's so difficult to decide. I've read so many reviews that they are blurring together. I'm leaning ever so slightly towards the Panasonic because it has a Leica lens.

 

[MOmousefan]

I have the FZ35 and have enjoyed it so far. I am still figuring out all of the features it has. Here is my post on the camera....http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2311287

 

[MooksterL1]

Thanks MOmousefan! Have you taken video in low light yet? I still haven't purchased a camera since we have rescheduled our trip for July. It gives me extra time to flop back and forth between brands. LOL

 

[boBQuincy]

I have a Canon G11 which shares the sensor with the S90 so image quality should be similar. It does well in good light but in low light it is nowhere near a dSLR for image quality. These two Canons can take RAW and that helps some.

I have not tried video yet but it does not take HD video so that may be a minus if video is important to you.

 

[zackiedawg]

Canon S90
Sony DSC-HX5V
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
I want basically a P&S with high image quality (especially low light) and good video capture that I can pass off to someone else to snap a few pics in auto setting and not be disappointed.

Here's just some opinion, based on my own research, and time spent on camera boards being the camera nerd I am and researching all the new products to keep track of what's what today. It isn't anything firm, and I don't own any of them - some things will always be up to you, like the feel, certain features, or price. But maybe my opinion and research might help a bit.

Canon S90 is the best of the three for daylight image quality, and high ISO image quality using normal settings. It has the most user control for manual settings. It is more limited on lens range. Rumor seems to be that it is really better used in more manual, user-set modes rather than all-auto.

Sony HX5 is decent in daylight, probably not the best of the three. It holds up well in a recent travel camera test. It's quick, and very well featured, though without much in the way of manual controls (very basic manual mode, and manual WB, not much else is customizable). Normal high ISO would be 2nd behind the S90, though using trick HHT and AMB modes, it can yield by far the best results at higher ISOs - though without much user control. Video is very high spec, and reviews well, with the only slight comment about it usually pertaining to being not quite as clean during low light video as some competitors.

Panasonic FZ35 has probably the best overall lens, and the most versatile range...daylight IQ probably very close to S90. Decently fast, decent manual settings and controls. Normal high ISO is probably either slightly behind or tied with the HX5, but will fall behind the Sony's stacked HHT mode. Video spec seems solid and Panny video is usually well regarded. Not quite as many trick toys and modes, and bulkier compared to the other two - not pocketable. Battery should last a bit longer though.

Hope that helps a bit!

 

[MOmousefan]

MooksterL1 - Here is some raw footage I took at the Atlanta Aquarium...

This is the first non-Canon camera I have owned and I really like it. My wife bought a Canon Rebel EOS 1000D last week(our first DSLR) and while it is a lot of fun to use, I still grab the FZ35 when I need a quick shot. I still don't know how to use all of the functions yet.

 

[TigerLaw]

I bought the FZ35 aa couple months ago after have a panasonic tizzy P&S for years and LOVE IT! here is a link to my ongoing trip report that shows off lots fo my FZ35 pics (not the pics were post-processed w. paint shop pro however). I got many pics I never could have gotten before (my spectro pics for example)

I would be happy to answer any questions!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2476436&page=14

p.s. I think this link below offered a good comparsion of the camera as well

http://www.cameralabs.com/buyers_guide/superzooms_and_premium_compacts/best_high_end_compact_camera.shtml

 

[MooksterL1]

Thanks to everyone for the additional posts and info.

Tigerlaw, I'm looking through your trip report thread and loving all the photos! I'm really impressed by the low light/night pics. Did you use a preset mode?

 

[TigerLaw]

Thanks to everyone for the additional posts and info.

Tigerlaw, I'm looking through your trip report thread and loving all the photos! I'm really impressed by the low light/night pics. Did you use a preset mode?

just to be safe, want to give out the link to the trip report that includes my FZ35 pics in case you are looking at one of my older TRs:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2476435

As far as the mode question, all my low light/night pics were w. the camera's intelligent auto mode - I simply don't have the knowledge yet to go all in in terms of the camera's manual controls.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I wouldn't put the 3 of those in the same class. Wouldn't the Sony HX1 and Canon SX1 be a better comparisons to the Panasonic FZ35?

I have a coworker (he produces videos at my office so he's more than a casual photographer) who was encoraging me to consider the Panasonic FZ35. He has the prior model and has shown me some great photos. He also has Nikon dSLRs but sometimes you don't want to drag the dSLR around.

I have a Nikon D90 and small Sony point & shoot W120 that I bought over a year ago for under $100. I am having foot surgery just after my July Disney trip. I have decided NOT to bring my Nikon to Disney this time. I know getting around will be a challenge enough without the weight of the Nikon. I wanted something better than my little Sony with a longer zoom but still wanted it to fit in my pocket. I had seriously considered the Sony HX5V but just bought the Panasonic ZS7. It hasn't come yet so I hope I love it.

I too read a TON of conflicting reviews on all the cameras I considered. I know that a small point & shoot won't give me the results I get with my dSLR but I also know I'm not up for the dSLR this time around. I think if you're willing to go with a camera the size of the Panasonic FZ35 you would be happiest with that of the 3 you're considering.

I do have to share with you the deal I got on this camera. I had been checking reviews and online prices daily (or more) for a few weeks. Finally Amazon sent me an email and said if I would buy the Panasonic ZS7 that day they would give me $50 off. Maybe you should try adding and deleting the Panasonic FZ35 from a shopping cart on Amazon.