I think I've narrowed my choices. Need some help/advice.

[AngieInOH]

I posted a few days ago and since have done a little research. I'm in need of a point and shoot for Disney, and family use. Something with zoom, decent pics in low light, and WIFI.

I was originally looking at 30x zoom 1/2.3 Sensor (Canon SX710, Panasonic Lumix ZS50, and Nikon Coolpix S9900). I love how much zoom it has! And one of these would probably be my pick but research seems to point to poor pictures in low lighting.

So I think I'm down to either a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 w/ 1.7 Sensor http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...alSearch=yes&gclid=CJHzxeb208kCFY0XHwod0pIMQQ

or a Canon PowerShot G16 w/ 1.7 Sensor http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon+powershot+g16&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps

Will the 1.7 Sensor give me better pictures than the 1/2.3? Which of these would you choose?

 

[Frantasmic]

The Canon is slightly better spec-wise. that doesn't mean it is going to automatically produce better pictures. That really will depend on YOUR knowledge of photography skills. Both would be a great p and s camera to carry around at WDW. Canon has better zoom and a better resolution. If you are intending to set the camera in auto and just take what the camera gives you, I don't think you would see much difference in your pictures. In that case, save the $100 and get the Panasonic. If you want to attempt to learn more technique, the Canon gives you better tools, IMO.

 

[AngieInOH]

The Canon is slightly better spec-wise. that doesn't mean it is going to automatically produce better pictures. That really will depend on YOUR knowledge of photography skills. Both would be a great p and s camera to carry around at WDW. Canon has better zoom and a better resolution. If you are intending to set the camera in auto and just take what the camera gives you, I don't think you would see much difference in your pictures. In that case, save the $100 and get the Panasonic. If you want to attempt to learn more technique, the Canon gives you better tools, IMO.

Thanks! It will be in auto most of the time. I really know nothing about cameras and don't expect that I will try to learn much. However, I did like the fact that the Canon has a bit more zoom than the Panasonic. The more zoom the better for me.

 

[havoc315]

Yes, a 1/1.7 lens will give you slightly better performance in low light.
Even more importantly for low light -- the Panasonic has a wider aperture lens. The Panasonic lx7 will be a good amount better than the g16 in low light.

The zoom range is harder to compare. On the wide end, the lx7 is 24mm -- that's much much wider than the g16. Overall, the lx7 is a 3.75x zoom. So that's not a huge range, but it covers nice landscapes, to everything you need for people shots.
The g16 starts at 28mm, overall it's 5x. Not as good for breathtaking landscapes, but a bit more reach on the long end. Still not long enough for wildlife or sports, but a little extra versatility on the long end.

If it was me, I'd go with the lx7 for the wider landscape angles and for the superior low light performance over the g16.

 

[havoc315]

Actually, the lx7 has the better zoom on the wide side. The g16 has better zoom on the telephoto side.

The Canon is slightly better spec-wise. that doesn't mean it is going to automatically produce better pictures. That really will depend on YOUR knowledge of photography skills. Both would be a great p and s camera to carry around at WDW. Canon has better zoom and a better resolution. If you are intending to set the camera in auto and just take what the camera gives you, I don't think you would see much difference in your pictures. In that case, save the $100 and get the Panasonic. If you want to attempt to learn more technique, the Canon gives you better tools, IMO.

 

[AngieInOH]

Actually, the lx7 has the better zoom on the wide side. The g16 has better zoom on the telephoto side.

And I have no idea what this means!

 

[havoc315]

And I have no idea what this means!

Lenses zoom in and zoom out. They don't all start at the same point.

The lx7 starts from a wider angle.

Comparing 24mm to 28mm:

http://canonlensblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Viewin-angle-of-24mm-lens-vs-28mm1.jpg

 

[Frantasmic]

Both cameras that are on the short list have the 1/1.7 sensor. I had not considered the wide zoom, only the telephoto zoom. it seems the only real deciding factor is if you want a larger telephoto zoom AND if you want to pay the extra $75 or so for that zoom.