Canon Vs Panasonic

[JTF]

I am looking at buying my first camera for outdoor zoom shots.I have it narrowed down to just two at this point. The Canon PS SI 1S & the Panasonic FZ-3, both which have an image stabilizer. The reviews have the main problem areas as trouble focusing in low lights for the Canon, and for the FZ-3 occasional vignetting. The prices are about the same but a nother nice feature for the Canon is the ability to add an adapter & lense extension for a zoom of around 600mm. Does anyone have any extended usage comments on either model that you have owned or own at this time. Thanks for any help.

[Liz]

I checked both of these out extensively. I'm a Canon person 100% - and have the Canon XT. I'm fussy about quality. However, I found the Panasonic FZ 3 to have better quality images. It has a Leica lens - maybe this is the key to this specific camera, as it's comparable to the SI IS. However, from what I could see, the quality of the images were better in the Panasonic, and it's faster.

Here just a couple pics shot with this camera. Not much - but it will give you an idea. No flash was used - just available sun from the window.

http://mariaimage.smugmug.com/photos/14793269-M.jpg

Liz

I am looking at buying my first camera for outdoor zoom shots.I have it narrowed down to just two at this point. The Canon PS SI 1S & the Panasonic FZ-3, both which have an image stabilizer. The reviews have the main problem areas as trouble focusing in low lights for the Canon, and for the FZ-3 occasional vignetting. The prices are about the same but a nother nice feature for the Canon is the ability to add an adapter & lense extension for a zoom of around 600mm. Does anyone have any extended usage comments on either model that you have owned or own at this time. Thanks for any help.

[JTF]

Thanks for the post back, nice pic indeed.The Canon PS SI 1S is about $250 less here in Kingston, Ontario than the FZ-20, hmmm. Maybe the Canon would be a good starter camera, hard to decide. Thanks again.

[Chunk]

The FZ 3 (Like Liz has) should be closer to the price of the Canon there.

[Liz]

This should be much cheaper than the FZ 20. I have the FZ3.

Liz

Thanks for the post back, nice pic indeed.The Canon PS SI 1S is about $250 less here in Kingston, Ontario than the FZ-20, hmmm. Maybe the Canon would be a good starter camera, hard to decide. Thanks again.

[JTF]

I checked today, I can actually get the FZ-3 for the same price as the Canon. Maybe a FZ-3 instead of the FZ-20 for $250 less. Is there much difference from the 3 & 20 for the higher price.

[Liz]

Here are the specs & review for each - you can compare them.......just remember the quality and length of the lens are basically the same. The FZ 3 is awesome. Less megapixels, but a really nice camera. The pictures are always great - it's that Leica lens. ;)

FZ 20
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz20/

FZ 3
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz3/

FZ 3- more in depth

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/FZ3/FZ3A.HTM

Liz

I checked today, I can actually get the FZ-3 for the same price as the Canon. Maybe a FZ-3 instead of the FZ-20 for $250 less. Is there much difference from the 3 & 20 for the higher price.