Canon SX200 or Panasonic TZ7 - which one ?

[Boney Boy]

Hi all.

Yes, I know we should really be talking 40D and all that, but I am considering getting a PAS camera for a trip to Turkey next week. Our hand luggage allowance is not much, I'm a bit twitchy about taking either the 40D or the 450D, and to be honest, I don't think I'll get much time to actually concentrate on taking 'real images'.. so I am looking at getting a good 'point and shoot' and these two cameras keep appearing in the searches and reviews.

Has anyone here got / used / or had one for these and got any real issues or bad / good points to help me make the decission.

Need to order whichever one I go for ither Monday / Tues so get your feedback in quick please :)

Cheers

[daveproctor]

I have the TZ7 and love it.

I previously had a TZ5 which was a lifesaver a couple of years ago when I went to China and dropped my DSLR lens first on the Beijing pavement at the end of my second day. Fortunately I had the TZ5 with me which proved itself a fantastic travel camera.

The TZ7 is the same only better. The lens has a fantastic range and is generally very sharp, out of camera JPEGS have superb colour and contrast. Don't kid yourself that it'll match a DSLR and if you want RAW pictures then it's a non-starter but it fits comfortably in your pocket and is a true take anywhere camera - it also has a pretty good video mode.

I can't speak for the Canon but in all the head-to-head reviews I've seen the Panasonic comes out on top. I also really like Panasonic's control system which seems very well designed

Mine now travels with me everywhere

[Boney Boy]

Thanks for this Dave - I too thought the TZ7 came out slightly better in the reviews. From what I read the Canon has more manual control and the ability to optically zoom when videoing, but as you say it's not meant to be a like for-like replacement for the 40D so will a mass of manual control really be required on a PAS ?

Also everyone seems to moan about the flash on the Canon always popping up whe you turn the camera on, even if you don't need it :thinking:

2 questions if I may..

1. What is the video like - the reviews say the only zooming you can do whilst in video mode is only digital, not optical.?

2. Reviewers have all said the the control dial is a bit flimsy and easily moves when you use the camera.

What is you opinion as an actual user, not a reviewer.

[mr_v_s]

TZ7 - Great camera, took on holiday with me to India, some sample pics (graded afterward I should add!):

http://blog.pixbyvish.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/p1010565.jpg

http://blog.pixbyvish.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/p1010576.jpg

http://blog.pixbyvish.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/p1010485.jpg

http://blog.pixbyvish.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/p1010274.jpg

[Boney Boy]

looking like TZ7 over SX200... has anyone got the Canon..??

Nice pic by the way :thumbs:

[mr_v_s]

Thanks :)

Here's a link to a review from cameralabs (not sure if you've read it yet?) but that convinced me to go for the TZ7:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_TZ7_ZS3/

I would agree the control dial is a little "loose" but it isn't a deal breaker IMHO.

[Boney Boy]

Thanks :)

Here's a link to a review from cameralabs (not sure if you've read it yet?) but that convinced me to go for the TZ7:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_TZ7_ZS3/

I would agree the control dial is a little "loose" but it isn't a deal breaker IMHO.

Yep, read that one. Ok, get your point about the dial.

Still nothing yet on the Canon.. this doesn't bode well for the SX200 :shake:

[Boney Boy]

I have just found this:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q209grouplongzoom/

Talk about the perfect comparison for what i'm looking for..

Looks like there's a TZ7 going to be ordered tomorrow morning. Thanks for your comments.

[Boney Boy]

Ok, so I ordered the TZ7, it duly arrived, and first impressions... pretty good. Then we arrive in Turkey and I started to use it.. fantastic. Not a DSLR replacement, but an awesome travel PAS.

It enabled me to take photos that would just not have been possible if I had taken the 40D.

Really impressed with image quality and the zoom is awesome. Yes, the dial could do with a little more 'restriction' but it is not a major issue. Will post some images shortly, but just off to Snowdonia again - taking both TZ7 and 40D.

Thanks for all the feedback - really helped, and really pleased with the purchase. :thumbs: