Canon SX10 IS vs Panasonic Lumix FZ28 - help please!

Hi guys,

I went to the shopping centre last night and popped into Jessops who only had one of the cameras I was interested in... I tried out their Canon SX10 IS and then went upstairs to Currys where they had some more.

The chap there was very helpful and after handling the Sony Alpha 200 I decided I definitely want a bridge and not a SLR (not ready yet for an SLR!). So... he showed me the ones I'd asked about and then brought out the Panasonic Lumix FZ28.

Now I'm stuck between the two. In many respects I prefer the Lumix - it appeared to take better photos on full zoom (18x) although I was being instructed how to use it whereas Jessops left me to it with the Canon. It was a little smaller and much lighter although that didn't really bother me, but it also has a lithium battery and I can just plug it into charge whereas the Canon takes 4xAA batteries (don't like that idea as much).

The canon had a bigger zoom (20x) but I'm not sure I need that as much and I wasn't as impressed with the image quality - the assistant in Jessops explained I had it on a lower shutter speed and got a better photo but it still didn't appear as clear as the Lumix had done upstairs. (Possibly due to different lighting conditions but I don't know). The canon was certainly more SLR like, whilst the Lumix felt like a large (but not heavy) and more advanced compact.
I was told that it's a Leica lens in the Lumix (which apparently is a very good thing?) and perhaps that's why the quality was better?

The only thing that's really making my decision more difficult is the Canon had a swivel screen which not only protects the LCD when not in use but also means that with my limited mobility, I can still get low down shots which always produce better pictures of the dogs in action!

So am I going to really miss the swivel? I don't know how easy the Canon is in comparison with the Lumix (although I'll learn, I know) because the assistant in Currys really helped me with the Lumix whereas I had very little instruction with the Canon.

I think both will be just as good for learning to use the manuals... so now I'm stuck!

I can get the Canon much cheaper than it should be at the moment as throughout May they're offering £50 back on it, but the Lumix is cheaper anyway - both are pretty much the same, I think I can get the Lumix £20 cheaper but that's not really an issue.

I've attached links to both so if someone could please take a look and see if there's anything in the spec that would put them off of either or sway them towards one as opposed to the other I'd be very grateful!

Thanks!

Panasonic Lumix FZ28: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...ic_dmcfz28.asp

Canon SX10 IS: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...non_sx10is.asp

Personally Id have the Canon, a friend of mine had a Lumix, he wasnt impressed with it, it did nice enough landscapes etc.. but was very slow focusing and the image quality was reasonable but not really too good, it was only a 6MP one though I think, he only kept it 12mths or so. he has since had a Canon G7 which he loves and has ordered a Canon SX10 IS.

I have had two Panasonic Lumix cameras, and I love them,I think the image quality is great for a P&S, and some of fave shots have been taken with them.

The FZ50
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz50/ I bought it before I had my Oly, and now it is the family camera, but it is good camera.

Here are a few shots, bear in mind I really had no clue what I was doing, so these could probably be improved in photoshop

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It's a tricky choice,

I have an SX-10, and the image preview you get on the LCD is not very representative of what you seen on your PC screen, I would take some shots in the shops on your own memory card and then take that home.

The Canon has IS so you should not have issues with camera shake, unless it is really dark.

As for batteries, using AAs is very nice, all my SLRs use custom canon batteries, that are rather expensive. It is nice knowing that if you run out of batteries you can walk in to almost any shop and buy 4xAA. Also, get some rechargables, they are cheap as chips and you can have 4 in the camera and 4 on charge.

It is nice to turn the swivel screen around so it cant get scratched, but I rarely use the screen away from the body.

To be honest, I seriously doubt there will be much between the two in terms of performance, so just go for the one you feel the most happy with

Alan.

Lottie I meant to say , the battery life is very good on the Panasonics, just charge the battery before a day out, and it will be fine

Thinking the pics I showed you might of actually been taken with the older FZ20, I have some bird of prey pics somewhere with the more recent model..

I really had no idea what I was doing, I had only just really thought about taking pics, and I think they are okay.














Whichever of the two cameras you choose, you will have tons of fun, and be warned it gets addictive XXX

It's a tough choice as they both have excellent reputations.

Personally I would prefer a Lithium battery, but AA batteries can be helpful if your on hols etc as they're easy to pick up.

Thanks guys... so I'm still stuck!

I just know that whichever I choose, I'll think 'oh I should've had that one!'

I was told to look for f-numbers and the lower the number the better. The panasonic is lower but IIRC it's only a case of Canon: max 5.7 and Panasonic max 4.4 is this anything important?

Give us a list of all the things you like about both as that may help you decide

Personally for that Money I'd still get a D40 or D60

She didn't like the DSLRS's she looked at though Azz

Lottie, they are bo0th great cameras you will not be disappointed in either one xx

Azz... are you trying to confuse me!

Okay, long post coming up.

I think I'd struggle with an SLR... having tried the alpha 200 I think an SLR will be too big... think, pulling it out of my bag to grab a shot of the dogs etc.

Also - the Nikon looks to be more expensive, especially by the time you've bought lenses...

What I like about the Canon:
The Canon has the tilting screen for getting low down shots (always better way of catching the dogs) as I have limited mobility this may be of some use.
It also has movie feature with stereo sound recording (I haven't compared it's movie feature to that of the Panasonic)
20x zoom as opposed to 18x (not major)
Ease of changing batteries when required (4xAA)
Quite bulky, very SLR like to handle - good to learn from?
Automatically focused when zooming in whereas I had to depress the capture button halfway to focus the lumix after zooming (this could've been the settings?)

What I like about the Lumix:
The seemingly better quality picture at full zoom (could be lack of instruction with the Canon though)
Lighter and more compact (again not major)
Seemingly easy to use (had lots of instruction)
The LCD screen didn't go black for a few moments after taking the image like with the Canon (I think it displayed the image for a few moments)
Very accessible buttons
Lithium battery - seems easier for charging but not changing if it runs out


Both had every feature I required, neither had any noticeable shutter lag and the max aperture on Lumix is 4.4 I think, whereas on the Canon it's 5.7 (I think).

I like the look of the Canon, and the way it feels but it didn't seem as easy to hold in some ways as the Lumix because there were buttons in the way of the grip on the Canon.

I want to get the best for my money but am really unsure which would suit me best out of the two. I'm trying to find a shop that has both so that I can compare them both properly!