Panasonic Lumix TZ3

[Canai]

Hey all, I'm looking into purchasing my first "serious" digital camera. I'm liking the TZ3, mainly because of the wide angle mode, its ability to take wide angle video, the image stabilization, and the 10x optical zoom. I have ~$300 to spend on the camera, and then $70 or so for peripherals, mainly an 8GB HDSD (or is it SDHD?) card.

So my question is, are there any other cameras that have the same (or similar) characteristics for around the same price range? The camera will be used mainly while traveling, but also for some photographic experimentation.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Edit: I've been reading through some of the forums linked in the other Digital Photography thread, and I'm felling pretty good about the TZ3. I'll be heading to BB or whatever tomorrow to give one a test and see how I like it in person.

edit2: Now with smiley face topic rating

6/8 edit: see my post below

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I was seriously looking at the TZ3 also. The downsides to it are that it cannot zoom during movies, does not autofocus during movies (think of disposable cameras that don't focus), and there is no aperture and shutter control. If you want a "serious" camera, you have to have at least shutter and aperture control. Canon S2/S3?

 

[drifter106]

I don't think any of them will zoom when in the movie mode. I would check at dpreview.com and do a side by comparison and look at the features you want most. Make sure you find out whether the camera uses Secure Digital (SD) or Compact Flash (CF). Normally these type of cameras are limted to up to only 2 gig of memory.

Good luck!!

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: drifter106
I don't think any of them will zoom when in the movie mode.

There are some, but very few. The Panasonic TZ1 was one of them. The Canon S2/S3 can zoom in movie mode too I believe. But of course none of them have the wide angle lens that the TZ3 has...

 

[episodic]

Why not the fz8 - 299 shipped, 12x zoom, full manual controls (something the tz doesn't have), and raw capability (something the tz doesn't have). . .you can also easily attach filters.

You said you wanted a camera to get serious about photography - how can you get serious w/o manual controls?

You do realize you can get a pentax k100d after rebates with the kit lens for about 380$ now as well?

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: episodic
Why not the fz8 - 299 shipped, 12x zoom, full manual controls (something the tz doesn't have), and raw capability (something the tz doesn't have). . .you can also easily attach filters.

You said you wanted a camera to get serious about photography - how can you get serious w/o manual controls?

You do realize you can get a pentax k100d after rebates with the kit lens for about 380$ now as well?

does the FZ8 have wide angle? I like the TZ3 personally, since it would compliment a DSLR very well. You could take your serious shots with the DSLR and then whip out the TZ3 from your shirt pocket to take a movie.

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: episodic
Why not the fz8 - 299 shipped, 12x zoom, full manual controls (something the tz doesn't have), and raw capability (something the tz doesn't have). . .you can also easily attach filters.

You said you wanted a camera to get serious about photography - how can you get serious w/o manual controls?

You do realize you can get a pentax k100d after rebates with the kit lens for about 380$ now as well?

I looked at the FZ8 also, and the main drawback that I can see is it's much larger and bulkier than the TZ3.

As far as the manual controls go, I have never taken any sort of photography classes, and have no idea how to use the manual settings. Manual settings would be nice, but since I leave on my trip in less than a month, it would be difficult for me to become familiar with how to use the settings before I go. (Or maybe it's just that I don't want to try to cram anything else into my brain )

The Pentax is a little out of my range, I have about $400 to spend on camera and accessories, and the TZ3 is $280 on newegg.

The features on the FZ8 look great, but it is twice the thickness and 100g more than the TZ3, and portability is a must.

Thanks all for the responses, and I'll defiantly take a hard look at the FZ8 as well when I go test out the TZ3 today.

And sorry for not being down with the lingo, but what does raw capability mean, and what are the filters you can attach to the FZ8? I'm guessing they filter the incoming light, like a sun or moon filter for a telescope?

Thanks again everyone!

edit: And does SDHD compatible mean that it can take 8GB SDHC cards?

 

[Zenmervolt]

My personal opinion is that if you want a camera with a long zoom that's pocketabe, the TZ3 is hard to beat. I like the Fuji F31 better for lower light, but the TZ3 is an excellent choice for an all-around snapshot camera or as an "emergency" camera for someone who also has a DSLR.

ZV

 

[Canai]

After going and doing side-by-side comparisons of the TZ3, FZ8, several Olympus and Fuji cams, and a couple other random ones that fit my price range at the local camera specialty store and listening to everything the salesperson had to say about each of them, I decided on the TZ3, in black. $289 at newegg, and the place I went wanted $350 for it.

I can't wait, playing with it in the store was great

 

[davestar]

Originally posted by: Canai
After going and doing side-by-side comparisons of the TZ3, FZ8, several Olympus and Fuji cams, and a couple other random ones that fit my price range at the local camera specialty store and listening to everything the salesperson had to say about each of them, I decided on the TZ3, in black. $289 at newegg, and the place I went wanted $350 for it.

I can't wait, playing with it in the store was great

<jealous>

 

[Aharami]

Panasonic's Venus III engine is infamous for relying too heavily on noise reduction. I know its not the same class, but I wanted a ultra-compact camera and compared the Canon SD-800IS and the Fuji F31fd. ended up getting the F31fd

 

[Canai]

The TZ3 came today. I just finished up charging the battery, took a few snaps of the dog, and am headed out to my parents to take some pictures of nature

Will update later tonight with some crappy photos.

 

[davestar]

Originally posted by: Canai
The TZ3 came today. I just finished up charging the battery, took a few snaps of the dog, and am headed out to my parents to take some pictures of nature

Will update later tonight with some crappy photos.

where's the crappy photos?

 

[Canai]

flowers

parent's back yard

my cat

my back yard

my cat again.. I'm proud of this one

mom's cat

Roomie's dog. bad pic, yet looks awesome

and pic of roomie and dog for good measure

Those are half-size (Mb-wise) so I could upload them. Many various settings, but most of the good ones are in the Macro mode.

 

[Canai]

Bump so I can show off my horrible photography to people I'll never meet (thank god)

 

[sdifox]

I was looking at the TZ3 and the FZ8 and I went with Z8 because it is bigger, thus easier to hold still while doing 12x zoom. OIS can only do so much...


PS This is my wife's camera. I am still shooting 35mm on my Canon Elan 7.

 

[RedWolf]

For what you wanted (large zoom, small size), the only other cameras available are the Kodak V610 and the Panasonic TZ1. Casio just released the V7 but it only has a 7x optical zoom. The TZ3 is really the best of those cameras.