Super Zoom Camera (Canon Versus Panasonic)

[shrimpy]

I'm looking for a new camera in the range of 300-400 dollars, I'm currently looking at the Lumix FZ7 (or any other lumix) and the Canon S2. Primeraly I need good image qualtiy, and a full featured camera, with a 12X zoom. I need something compact enough to take on hikes without hastle, so a telesopic lense is a must. It needs to be realivly fast in start up, and I need a good max shutters speed (1/2000 or above), and a good burst shooting mode. I'm, heavy on photoshoping so a perfect image right out of the camera is not essential. I would primarily use it for dragonfly/damselfy/bird pictures, landscapes, and sports photography. It would seem at the moment that there are a variety of cameras that would soot my needs, the FZ20, FZ7, FZ5, S2, S3, and I'm sure I would be happy with either of them, but I would like some input was to which would give me the best results,
Thanks,
The Shrimp

[rumrak]

Interested in seeing the replys on this as well, I am looking to upgrade my camera later in the summer and after a megazoom line for mostly wild life, scenery and macro shooting

From the reviews and info I have read online so far I have my eyes set on the Canon S3

[Dylan8i]

I can give you my views on the canon powershot 1s is. which i can only assume the 2s and 3s would be improved ( besides the mp and 12x zoom).


it is my first digital camera, and it works well. The 1s has a pretty slow start up time, not sure if that has been improved. it has a continuous shooting setting, but again the fps probbably changed. it also has a max of 1/2000 shutter speed, with a min of 15 sec. the zoom is decent (1s is only 10x) and rarely leaves me wanting more... except for the shots that are pretty unrealistic for a p&s camera. the controls are relatively easy to use, and the anti shake works great ( i've taken out of moving cars etc and the come out clear as far as i can tell). it is small enough to fit in a pocket, but still kind of uncomfortable. the other thing i like is it uses simple AA batteries so you can always just buy more on a trip or what not. although i use rechargable. the manual focus pretty much sucks on it, but i can still manage to get it to focus on macro stuff ( 4 inches i believe) it might just take 2-3 times, which isn't good for moving subjects, but i usually get the shot. ( of course i like the manual twist slr lenses the best). the flash seems to blow almost everything out, but that might be because i'm always trying to get as close as possable.

thats about all i can think of right now, i hope it helps.