Canon SD800 versus Panny TZ3? - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

12/03/2007 01:04:29 PM · #1

I want to buy my wife a compact [with occasional use by me ;)]. I'm torn between these two cameras.

I like the Panny zoom better; neither unfortunately is perfect. The SD800 has fuzzy corners at wide and medium focal lengths; the Panny has noise reduction smearing at all but the lowest ISO (and even visible noise reduction at the lowest ISO).

Both are around $239. I really want to have 28mm on any new cameras we buy; 35 just doesn't seem wide enough.

Anyone with practical hands on experience with these two cameras, or anyone who wants to offer an opinion, is welcome to leave one.

I guess I'm leaning towards the Canon for it's smaller size, but the Panny for better image quality. However, if the panny sucks indoors, then that's a deal killer.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Jimbo_for_life

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

12/03/2007 01:10:10 PM · #2

get a camera from the olympus SW series!!! there compact, drop proof like up to 10 feet, can go underwater up to 30feet i think, crush proof up to 300 pounds.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

12/04/2007 11:14:01 AM · #3

Anyone with real experience or advice about these two particularl cameras?

undieyatch

Olympus E-10

12/04/2007 11:40:49 AM · #4

no extensive experience w/the tiny TZ3 - but looked at it in a camera store. It has some great reviews and would be my pick between the two. No raw, no optical viewfinder - I find the extreme zoom extravagant, but has interesting & possibly better, desirable wide format features. I think a few more dollars for a g9 may be a better investment.

BeckyT

Nikon D300s

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/04/2007 12:17:34 PM · #5

My friend

robinssong has the TZ3 and loves it. She carries it where ever she goes. The image quality looks real good. That is definately one I would get. PM her for more detailed info. She won't mind. She has had for 2 - 3 months. Hope that helps.

Message edited by author 2007-12-04 12:18:05.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/04/2007 01:36:41 PM · #6

Thanks--I pm'd her. But Hanukkah starts tonight, so I need to order soon!

Anyone else?

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

12/04/2007 01:48:52 PM · #7

I've been looking at the TZ3, too. 28mm, lotsa zoom and stabilization... woo! I hadn't heard about the noise reduction smudging before, but it doesn't appear to be all THAT bad. My ideal pocket cam would be the Fuji Finepix F40fd... with the TZ3 lens and stabilization. Is that too much to ask?

12/04/2007 01:56:08 PM · #8

love my SD800is

12/04/2007 02:08:10 PM · #9

Originally posted by scalvert:

I bought my daughter the Fuji 40D, and she HATES it. It doesn't focus well. Lots of throwaway shots. Perhaps hers is defective. But she's unhappy. And the low light performance isn't what I expected. I think Fuji took a sharp left turn with these over the 30 series.

Nick, the reviews complained about the SD800's corner sharpness and overall sharpness, compared to the SD700 at least. Have you been happy with the sharpness? The noise? Are the shots good enough for 8x10's (not that she'd be enlarging much, but I think that's pretty little to ask of a camera).

12/04/2007 04:43:45 PM · #10

Originally posted by nshapiro:

...
Nick, the reviews complained about the SD800's corner sharpness and overall sharpness, compared to the SD700 at least. Have you been happy with the sharpness? The noise? Are the shots good enough for 8x10's (not that she'd be enlarging much, but I think that's pretty little to ask of a camera).

Overall I'm very happy with it. As you said at 28mm just a bit in each corner is soft. It is fine if you zoom in a bit. Of couse point of 28mm is to shoot at it. I don't think it is a big deas but it is there. As far as prints, I did 11x14 that I'm happy with.

I took the camera to Florida GTG and used it together with my D70. Later I did a photobook where I mixed photos from both cameras. There is no way to tell the difference unless shot is at high ISO.

High ISO noise is bad. I think it is like any P&S.

Keep in mind it is not SLR.

If you want, PM me your email address and I'll send you some photos to look at.

Nick

12/04/2007 05:33:06 PM · #11

Nick,

What's the highest usable ISO on the SD800 in your opinion? (For a 8x10 for the sake of argument)

12/04/2007 05:33:31 PM · #12

Photos with SD800is:
//nikolaipozdniakov.com/WebGalleriesTrips/2007-06%20-%20Evening%20at%20the%20Beach/
//nikolaipozdniakov.com/WebGalleriesTrips/2007-07%20-%20Trip%20to%20Philly/
//nikolaipozdniakov.com/WebGalleriesTrips/2007-04%20-%20Zion%20SD800/

Mixed D70 and SD800. Can you tell the difference?
//nikolaipozdniakov.com/WebGalleriesTrips/2007-10%20-%20Keys%20GTG%202007/

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

12/04/2007 05:34:19 PM · #13

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Nick,

What's the highest usable ISO on the SD800 in your opinion? (For a 8x10 for the sake of argument)

I would guess 400.

edit to add: this is very subjective. I can send you sample if you'd like

Message edited by author 2007-12-04 17:35:22.

robinssong

Canon EOS-7D

12/04/2007 11:14:49 PM · #14

Hi.
I have the Panasonic DMC-TZ3. I love it! The wide angle is great and the zoom range is wonderful, although don't expect DSLR crispness. I mostly use it for creative fun, snapshots and composition studies. The more I use it the better I like it. I am still learning some of the presets and limitations, but overall I am happy. I carry it in my purse at all times and have it in a little $5.00 "Case Logic" case. It's light and built very well. Indoors you will see some grain without the flash depending on the lighting. Not bad. I miss the viewfinder outdoors, but I love just holding it high and low and snap to see what I get. I have such fun with it and it keeps the creativity flowing when I don't have my DSLR. I have some photos. They are not great, but they will give you an idea. All of the indoor shots were without flash, hand-held and all the shots here are straight from the camera.

From a commercial airplane

Hope this helps! :)