Canon SX130 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7

[Jawo]

Debating between these two cameras for the past week. I am looking for a P&S to replace my aging Canon A95. I want a camera that can fit in my pocket for ~$250. (Sorry Corkyg, the SX30 is nice, but too big of a camera). I've read DP Review's Compact Camera group test (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q210grouptravelzoom/) and don't like the softness or the wedge zoom control of the Canon SX210.

SX130 Advantages: Uses AA batteries, better low light performance
Disadvantages: limited optical zoom, larger form factor, weaker flash

DMC-ZS7 Advantages: Longer zoom, GPS, better videos, better IS
Disadvantages: proprietary battery/shorter battery life, worse low light performance.

Any other suggestions that I am missing?

 

[MotF Bane]

Is there some particular usage you have in mind for the camera?

 

[Kaido]

SX130 is a piece of junk. I just got my brother one for doing realty photos with and it's pretty bad. I was disappointed, usually Canon's are great. I have an SX200 now and had an A75 for years before that and both were excellent. My buddy has an SD780 and it's fabulous. The SX130...yuck.

Although, I had a Lumix a couple years ago and returned it within a week, really bad low-light performance. Don't know about this particular model though, but after using the SX130 for a week, I would advise a different camera.

 

[alkemyst]

I just picked up a ZS7 after looking at several options.

$250 at B&H.

 

[twistedlogic]

Is there some particular usage you have in mind for the camera?

^^^^ What he said. What is the reason for upgrading? Faster camera (fps, shutterlag, going thru menus) or are you going for just more megapixels and more zoom?

 

[Jawo]

My a95 is old and slow. Dust has gotten into the lens and randomly shows up in pictures. I have had it for years and has worked well for a general wondering around town photography. I have a dSLR for when I want to take good pictures. If I had the money I'd get the S95 or the G12; I can't imagine spending more on a lens that I would for a P&S though!

Basically looking for best P&S pocket camera for ~$250.

 

[Jawo]

I just picked up a ZS7 after looking at several options.

$250 at B&H.

How do you like it? Whats the real world battery life like? Is the GPS useful or just a battery drainer?

 

[alkemyst]

How do you like it? Whats the real world battery life like? Is the GPS useful or just a battery drainer?

The real world battery life is in many reviews, I picked up a second battery so there is no doubt one could take a full days worth of shots.

GPS will drain the battery. I personally could have skipped it, but it came with it. It will drain the battery if turned on.

To the OP...the best $250 camera depends on what you want to do with it.

If you were looking at a lot of party/nightclub/restaurant shots then the super zoom is a waste and the ZS7 lacks in low-light ability compared to it's shorter zoom peers.

My parents do cruises so the zoom would be helpful. They were coming from a coolpix 3200 though, so anything would be lightyears ahead.

 

[crashtestdummy]

I have the ZS1. Similar camera without the HD video and GPS (didn't need/care about either). Takes gorgeous outdoor photos. I don't really do a whole lot indoors, but it doesn't have a lot of light gathering ability for low-light stuff. Only downside is the lack of manual settings, but I believe the ZS7 allows you to set exposure/f-stop manually.

Edit: Battery life is quite good on the ZS1 at least. Was able to take about 250 pictures or so before having to switch batteries on a backpacking/camping trip.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

I am a Canon fan, but even I have to say DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT buy the SX130!!!

Two months ago, my SO and I went shopping for a camera - and we were looking at exactly these two. Everything - absolutely everything - from picture quality, to build quality, to camera functions and general design and "feel" made me say "get the Lumix, forget about the Canon". Absolutely no contest. It was actually quite comical - like bringing a gun to a knife fight. Once again, I'm a Canon fan (I own a SX1, a TX1, a XSi and a S3), so I can admit I'm biased towards this brand, but even I realized the SX130 was a POS.

Oh, and my SO is very happy with the ZS7... it's a beautiful, versatile and reliable camera!

 

[Jawo]

I'm a Canon fan (I own a SX1, a TX1, a XSi and a S3), so I can admit I'm biased towards this brand, but even I realized the SX130 was a POS.

I have only used Canon gear in the past as well (a40, a95, XTi) but it seems like they are missing out on the mid level enthusiast cameras these days. Looks like the ZS7 it is!

 

[Kaido]

I have only used Canon gear in the past as well (a40, a95, XTi) but it seems like they are missing out on the mid level enthusiast cameras these days. Looks like the ZS7 it is!

Seriously - I had my A75 for years and years. Dropped it a zillion times and kept using it even after the LCD screen broke. It was a 3.2 megapixel TANK. The SX130 felt like a Walmart-brand camera...LCD ghosting, grainy, cheap-feeling zoom - nothing like my old A75. I also have an SX200, the next step up, and it's a HUGE leap from the SX130 - so much so that I got started using that as my primary camcorder before I picked up a T2i.

 

[Jawo]

Kaido - I looked at the SX210 at the camera store and I couldn't get over the ergonomics. The wedge for zooming in and out was highly annoying in the short time I played with it. I could overlook the soft focus, but its hard to overlook bad ergonomics.

 

[corkyg]

Apparently Panasonic has now replaced Canon as the top of the quality food chain. Interesting.

 

[Kaido]

Kaido - I looked at the SX210 at the camera store and I couldn't get over the ergonomics. The wedge for zooming in and out was highly annoying in the short time I played with it. I could overlook the soft focus, but its hard to overlook bad ergonomics.

The SX210 is different from the SX200. They kind of took a step down with that one - weird ergonomics and worse picture quality on the newer 210 model. The SX200 isn't perfect (ex. the flash opens mechanically when you turn it on), but I really like it. I originally got it to replace my Canon HV20 for doing video. Works pretty well for that:

http://vimeo.com/11391910

You can still pick up an SX200, they go for about $250:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSho...dp/B001SER45Q/

 

[Jawo]

Thanks for the correction Kaido. With that, I think I've lost any hope with understanding Canon's P&S lineup. Different models with only slightly different numbering schemes.

 

[Kaido]

Thanks for the correction Kaido. With that, I think I've lost any hope with understanding Canon's P&S lineup. Different models with only slightly different numbering schemes.

Yeah, it's a little confusing. The SX200 was the previous version and the SX210 is the upgrade, but the SX210 has new ergonomics and a lot of people say worse photo and video quality, so it's more or less a step down, instead of an upgrade. The SX200 is a beast though - I love it. Killer zoom, great HD video.

It's blocky, but you can fit it into a coat pocket easily. A dress shirt pocket too. Jeans pockets is a little tougher, but if there's nothing in that pocket, you can manage. I'd recommend the SX200 personally.

 

[Funyuns101]

Debating between these two cameras for the past week. I am looking for a P&S to replace my aging Canon A95. I want a camera that can fit in my pocket for ~$250. (Sorry Corkyg, the SX30 is nice, but too big of a camera). I've read DP Review's Compact Camera group test (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q210grouptravelzoom/) and don't like the softness or the wedge zoom control of the Canon SX210.

SX130 Advantages: Uses AA batteries, better low light performance
Disadvantages: limited optical zoom, larger form factor, weaker flash

DMC-ZS7 Advantages: Longer zoom, GPS, better videos, better IS
Disadvantages: proprietary battery/shorter battery life, worse low light performance.

Any other suggestions that I am missing?

OP, if you're a costco member you can get a zs6 which is basically a ZS7 w/o the GPS for about $220. Very nice camera for the money.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11532931

 

[alrocky]

ZS7: GPS, and the ability to record video in AVCHD format.

The ZS7 is $250 at B&H and Amazon. With tax the ZS6 cost me $246 at Costco. Woot! just had a refurb ZS6 for $150 but is sold out.

alkemyst, do you get a verticle purple streak when shooting video if a light source hits the lens on your ZS7? I get it on my ZS6.

I find the purple streak annoying and the battery life very short but would get a second battery anyway.

 

[alkemyst]

That's lens flare AFAIK...unavoidable in most cameras.

This is a gift so my testing was limited and mostly going off other's experiences.

 

[funboy6942]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041RSPR8/...SIN=B0041RSPR8

 

[alkemyst]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041RSPR8/...SIN=B0041RSPR8

shit doesn't work.

Just post

Amazon: B0041RSPR8

or until the powers that be kill that idea.

 

[SonicIce]

why yall hatin on the SX130? i think it looks great.

 

[tommo123]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041RSPR8/...SIN=B0041RSPR8

that's the type of cam i need to move to next year, well, a 1080p version. pref 1080p60

thanks for the (working) link

 

[Marcuf]

I like panasonic dmc-zs7.its so functionary.^_^