How is the build quality? In terms of features, the Panasonic DMC LZ7 is very similar to the Canon Powershot A570IS. But, many of the reviews for the Canon mention the iffy build--plastic and somewhat fragile. How is the build for the Panasonic? How is the build quality? In terms of features, the Panasonic DMC LZ7 is very similar to the Canon Powershot A570IS. But, many of the reviews for the Canon mention the iffy build--plastic and... » Read More How is the build quality? In terms of features, the Panasonic DMC LZ7 is very similar to the Canon Powershot A570IS. But, many of the reviews for the Canon mention the iffy build--plastic and somewhat fragile. How is the build for the Panasonic? « Show Less
1359819
We took one with us to the Congo as a back up camera and something to use when we didn't want to risk our main digital SLRs. Low and behold, the one SLR died and I finished the trip with this camera for about 10 days. We were on the worst roads imaginable, in dug out canoes, high humidity and general dusty conditions. The camera never faltered and has been a solid performer. We have since purchased 2 more as gifts. I would have no problem recommending it. My wife has used a Panasonic 10x version for about 4 years without problems. They are light but durable.
1359820
I just got back from South Dakota where I dropped the camera onto the snowy ground from about 2-3 feet. I wiped off the snow but some of it melted on the camera and I was very worried. However, there were no problems. I carry the camera around in a pocket in my knapsack where it gets bounced around a lot---no problems so far.--Max Molinaro
294075
Take a look at the Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch inch LCD Sometimes it's just a pain to carry my gear around, even if it's a light pack (1 body and a couple lens), so I wanted to find a lightweight and compact solution to this problem. My initial research found that the general consensus for quality point-n-shoot was between the Canon PowerShot S95 and Panasonic Lumix LX-5. After debating and more reseach, I chose the S95 based on my needs. The S95 is smaller than the LX-5, so I could easily carry it in my pocket. I also like some of it's other features: F/2.0 @ 28mm, shoots in RAW, and my guilty pleasure - tilt-shift effect. Needless to say, both cameras have solid picture quality, but of course, not as good as your DSLR. There are plenty of reviews on both cameras. I'd suggest the S95, but I'm sure you can't go wrong with either one!
71835
No still camera digital can produce HD of the same quality as a dedicated camcorder. BTW, if you are going the digital still camera route, the Panasonic TZ5, Panasonic FZ28 and the Panasonic LX3 are all very different, but excellent choices that do HD movies.
274307
The Panasonic DMC-TZ3 has an amazing lens with not 6 but 10x zoom that starts at 28mm !However enlargements, especially at ISO over 100 have lower image quality on the Canon than the SD870 (I tried both cameras).For indoors/low light the Canon is better, however for outdoors with good light the Panasonic is your best choice if you have a need for the big zoom(to capture birds and such)
257215
I wholly agree with the FZ 150 camera assessments on this forum. I have been shooting with a Nikon D90 and an Olympus EPL-2. Two months ago I got this Panasonic and sold the EPL-2 because it is basically a smaller and lighter version of the APS-C SLRs. Whereas the FZ150 is not only packed with features and produces great but not professional images, it does have a built-in zoom and that's what I wanted outside of an SLR. After using it on my Beijing vacation for the past 8 days averaging about 200 images a day, the one wish list I have is for an extended battery grip. This camera is so useful it is with me all the time, so the grip will play a big part in ergonomic comfort where portraits and the handling will be easier. As is, I do find the camera grip to be too small for comfort. Obviously this is my personal opinion since outside of SLR's this thing is not physically small relatively speaking. If anyone knows of such a grip, please share. Finally though sometimes I really do miss the high quality images only an SLR could achieve with the right fast lens. When I hiked 2 hours up, and then 2 hours down, the Great Wall of China, I did not miss the extra weight a bit. :)
158700
I'm somewhat new to this too, but I'll try to be accurate. First, this is a "Micro 4/3", not a dslr. Call it a point and shoot that "thinks" it's a dslr. As a user, "you" decide which you want it to be. The 14-45 lense included is 28-90mm in 35mm terms. This is comparable to a typical P&S compact with a 3x zoom. Most dslr user's would consider this a "walkaround" lens. Very useful and versatile for the type of shots common with a simple compact or entry level dslr. This camera has a unique feature called Extended Zoom (EZ) that allows an increase in "zoom" if you find the need on occassion. The camera has a functional pop-up flash as well as a "hot shoe" for using a specialized flash unit if you prefer. You must open the flash when needed, it doesn't pop-up automatically. Amazon has a 30 day return policy I think, and I think the warranty is 1 year, but check Panasonic.com to be sure. In years, most cameras will last indefinitely. In "shutter clicks" that is probably an unknown at this time. "I" am assuming that 50,000 clicks is certain and expect 100,000 or I will be sorely disappointed. At my rate of 2000 per month that buys me 2 to 4 years, but for most people that is a lot. That is roughly the range of a good dslr. That's probably 10 years for someone "normal".
1014701
This camera is made in Japan by Panasonic. It is branded Leica but basically a Panasonic DMC LX7K. All specs are the same, the body is almost a clone. The major difference is the superior finish and material feel of the Leica, the Leica name, and the software suite which is more extensive. I bought the Leica because I wanted the Leica name and software but bought the optional Panasonic branded electronic rangefinder eye piece. Save over $100 from the exact same piece with the Leica name on it. Ether way, whether you go whole hog for the Leica or save money with the Panasonic, its a terrific camera with an exquisite lens.
213863
Hi Ginett.The camera is pretty light, but does have a little bit of a "solid" feel to it. If weight is a concern, you could also consider a Panasonic model, which I bought for my wife to keep in her purse. It is a little smaller and lighter but includes a wide angle lens, long lasting battery and a (slightly less powerful, but still very adequate) 10X Zoom. This one is a Panasonic Lumix Model DMC-ZS02. It has most of the features of the larger one and costs around $50 less. Either camera will easily fit in a shirt pocket. Hope this helps.
1702539
It is the same camera. From the review by Gordon Laing, March 2010." Panasonic's Lumix DMC-TZ10 (or ZS7 as it's known in North America) is the latest model in the company's enormously popular travel zoom series. Announced in January 2010, one year after the best-selling Lumix TZ7 / ZS3, the new model inherits the same 12x optical zoom, compact body and detailed 3in screen of its predecessor, along with its 720p HD movie modes with the choice of AVCHD Lite or Motion JPEG encoding formats." My camera is named the ZS7.
209420
I really like the Panasonic ZS30. I do not have the Fuji f900, although I've heard nice things about it. Google www.dpreview.com. I think they have professional reviews of both cameras. Might also try www.whatdigitalcamera.com. Another good place for professional reviews is www.cameralabs.com. If you go to www.whatdigitalcamera.com, it is a British magazine, and the ZS30 is known as the TZ40 in Europe - same camera. Both the Fuji and the Panasonic are highly rated.Another option to consider - Panasonic has announced that the ZS40 - next upgrade - will be coming out in March. It will have a 30X zoom, RAW shooting, and EVF, and several other new features. Might want to check that one out if you can wait a bit. I really like the Panasonic ZS30. I do not have the Fuji f900, although I've heard nice things about it. Google www.dpreview.com. I think they have professional reviews of both cameras. Might also try www.whatdigitalcamera.com. Another good place for professional reviews is www.cameralabs.com. If you go to www.whatdigitalcamera.com, it is a British magazine, and the ZS30 is known as the TZ40 in Europe - same camera. Both the Fuji and the Panasonic are highly rated.Another option to consider - Panasonic has announced that the ZS40 - next upgrade - will be coming out in March. It... » Read More I really like the Panasonic ZS30. I do not have the Fuji f900, although I've heard nice things about it. Google www.dpreview.com. I think they have professional reviews of both cameras. Might also try www.whatdigitalcamera.com. Another good place for professional reviews is www.cameralabs.com. If you go to www.whatdigitalcamera.com, it is a British magazine, and the ZS30 is known as the TZ40 in Europe - same camera. Both the Fuji and the Panasonic are highly rated.Another option to consider - Panasonic has announced that the ZS40 - next upgrade - will be coming out in March. It will have a 30X zoom, RAW shooting, and EVF, and several other new features. Might want to check that one out if you can wait a bit. « Show Less
1355667
Size is a big difference for me. The A710IS is a bit larger. Also, the top ISO for the A710IS is only 800. Also, I believe the A570IS has video capability while the A710IS does not.I was debating between the A570IS, A710IS, and SD750, and finally settled on buying the A570IS because of it's size, performance, relative ease of use, cost, and batteries.
1943433
I did a lot of research between these two cameras before I bought mine (the Panasonic FZ35) and the most helpful website was cameralabs.com. They have side by side comparisons of pictures and video footage so you can see for yourself the difference in image quality.
792517
Same question for me. Most reviews seem to prefer the Canon for picture quality, but I'm concerned about the ease of use.
2009523
thanks for answering! a friend has an older lumix of the same series [FZ7?]. i really like it [performs well] except the body is plastic and feels cheap. how about the FZ50 in this regard? anyone know if the lumix and the leica are different or similar in this regard?
599132
I bought that for a friend last year in another state, however, I never got any feedback in regards to that camera. I did buy a different camera for another friend - Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS25 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 8x Intelligent Zoom. She told me that she loved it (and it did take great pics and videos). However, the only thing that was missing was a charger for the battery. I guess that had to be purchased separately.
1726682
"Falling apart" is rather vague but I'm on my third "130", the first eventually two developing lens problems - not opening up fully, not zooming out fully. This is what happens when one uses a camera a lot in the outdoors, especially with fine dust and salt air (I live on the CA coast) being almost constant factors. But I have liked this camera so much - with its two AA battery set-up - that I have ordered, through Amazon, two "like new" replacements (both in the $75-$100 range, about the same cost, or less even, as a cleaning/repair these days). You could buy one of the newer models in this series as I believe a "150" and a "170" came out more recently. You could look at the specs to see any differences - no doubt the newer models have more megapixel at the highest setting, like maybe 16mp instead of max of 12mp with the "130". (I have done most of my shooting at the much lower M2 setting, which is 2mp, 1600x1200 to conserve my Rayovac rechargeable batteries and because I only email phos and do digital album folders, no large prints.) By the way, I believe the "170" (or maybe "160"?) switched from two AAs to the more common flat rechargeable. Finally, if you find that you have to keep resetting the date/time, that is because your separate little battery, the CR1220, that powers that function, needs replacing. I have seen that question/problem with this camera come up on this Amazon forum before. (You can get a replacement at Walmart, some jewelry stores, some camera stores for about $5.) I love both the Canon Elph series and the PowerShot series but heavily used cameras of any brand develop problems. Consider buying an extended warranty on the next Canon, if you, buy new! Good luck with your photography....
1807178
Anonymous is right, the SD1100is is being phased out because the SD1200is is replacing it. Don't get me wrong the 1100is is a great camera, I've had mine since October of last year and I love it, zero problems. The pros of the SD1200is are that it's cheap and takes great pictures. A bit more responsive than the 1100is. However, one con is that it's made in China, the 1100is was made in Japan. Forget about the 770, consider the 780, which is the newer model. Pros: very small, comes in many colors (4), tough metal body, made in Japan, and takes very nice pics and decent movie clips. Don't really know much about the 990 though. It is much bigger than the 1100, 1200, 770 and 780. What are you looking for in a point and shoot? Might help narrow down the choice for you. Hope this helps.