I'm looking at the


Canon PowerShot Pro Series S3 IS 6MP with 12x Image Stabilized Zoom
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41C6GT3223L._AA280_.jpg

and the

Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mCrb1SG9L._AA280_.jpg

maybe also

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18K 8.1MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31OvwrVQSBL._AA280_.jpg
or

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41d-B%2BQi4YL._AA280_.jpg

Feedback?

Thank you so much.

I also would like to know on this one

I would go with the FZ18k. Better lens, good image stablization, good reach, good feel in the hands, and good controls.

Z

The Canon S5 IS will have the best image quality. I think the controls on the Panasonics are a little more user friendly. I don't think the Panasonic has a better lens. It's longer. But that's not necessarily better. It depends on what you want the camera for, how much you want to spend, and what's most important to you. As for image stabilization - all of these cameras have it. And if you're looking at these, you should also look at the Olympus SP-560 UZ. It also has an 18x zoom lens with image stabilization. I'm just about ready to post a pro review for it. Should be up tonight or tomorrow.

For me, it comes down to lens vs image quality. The S3 IS will be a less expensive alternative because it's older. The S5 IS will have the best image quality, unless Panasonic has had something magic happen to their cameras. I'm not saying their image quality is bad, though. It's just not as good as Canon's. So do you want the 18x zoom, or do you want the best image quality? If you want the 18x zoom, I think I'd go with the Olympus over the Panasonic. But to be fair, I haven't had a chance to use the Panasonic and I have used the Olympus. So I'm a little biased towards the SP-560 UZ right now.

I ordered the FZ18 and will receive it on monday I realized the cannon has better image quality but in the end I chose the pany for the high speed shooting that it has (relatively) cannon is also cheaper than the panny, I also didnt like the flip out lcd screen, altough had the cannon had a faster shooting mode I would have chose that in the end over the panny as the picture quality looks slightly better and their Image cleanup is less intrusive so it retains more of the detail something the panny doesnt do by softening the image too much

Here is a review of the Panasonic and comparisons regarding shutter lag. I sure wouldn't want anything any slower than the Panny. Unfortunately, the Panasonic is by far the fastest. http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz18/4505-6501_7-32517173.html?tag=prod.txt.2