Simple question on image quality

[Kopacabana]

Hi there

I need some buying advice asap.

Here's the hypothetical situation:

I take a picture of exactly the same scene, let's say it's a simple portrait, with each of the following cameras:

Canon S5 IS
Canon EOS 400D
Panasonic Lumix FZ50
Panasonic TZ3

The light is good and there's no funny stuff going on. Just a simple, straightforward environment, perfect for taking a picture.

My question is, which camera will offer the best picture? i.e. the sharpest, best looking image?

[Bursar]

Without digging into the specs of all the cams too deeply, I would image the 400D would be "better". It's larger sensor, and potentially significantly more expensive lens should offer a less niosey, more sharp and more colourful picture.

Having said that ofcourse, you won't be able to take the same picture with each of those cameras, as they'll have different in camera processing, different sensor sizes, different glass, the list goes on.

[Pirate!!]

Originally Posted by Kopacabana

Hi there

I need some buying advice asap.

Here's the hypothetical situation:

I take a picture of exactly the same scene, let's say it's a simple portrait, with each of the following cameras:

Canon S5 IS
Canon EOS 400D
Panasonic Lumix FZ50
Panasonic TZ3

The light is good and there's no funny stuff going on. Just a simple, straightforward environment, perfect for taking a picture.

My question is, which camera will offer the best picture? i.e. the sharpest, best looking image?

Ahoy!

Almost a SLR v Bridge camera question here. 2 bridge cameras, 1 pocket and 1 DSLR. All the models listed are perfect for their category. However, as I am not Canon or Nikon headed, I would look at the S5-IS and FZ50 for the bidge section (good choices), TZ3 (excellent pocket cam) though the SLR route will be somewhat more difficult as many here are biased towards their own makes/models.

I hear the 400d is a good SLR, but I would open up your options further on that route. Many DSLR's now have image stabilisation and anti-dust facilities. The odd one has live-view. The variables are just too many, though I wouldn't get bogged down by brand.

Consider that you have (off the top of my head):

Canon, Nikon, Sony/Minolta, Panasonic, Pentax, Kodak, Olympus and Fuji. That said, I've just come across this link which may help you. Happy hunting.

[Kopacabana]

Excellent advice, chaps. Thanks!

I'm moving away from DSLR as I don't yet feel ready for the specialism that owning one requires. i.e. I'm not yet a keen enthusiast and I think it would be wholly wrong to buy a good DSLR and not use it to it full capabilities.

A bridge is the right decision for me. Although I do love the TZ3.

I'm going to Wilkinson's in Bury this afternoon where, hopefully, I can fondle my 2 clear favourites: the Canon S5 and the Panny TZ3.

In a perfect world, I'd like both. The S5 for 'proper' pictures (you know, where you go out to actually take some pictures of a place), and the TZ3 for the GF's handbag that we can 'get out' at will if we see something nice.

But, in the words of the great Highlander, 'there can be only one'.

I'll see what this afternoon brings...

[Pirate!!]

Make sure you try the FZ50 as well.

[Moral Architect]

Originally Posted by Kopacabana

Excellent advice, chaps. Thanks!

I'm going to Wilkinson's in Bury this afternoon where, hopefully, I can fondle my 2 clear favourites: the Canon S5 and the Panny TZ3.

Woo hoo Bury gets a mention. I'm a Bury lad myself, but live in Lancashire. My Girlfriend bought a TZ3 from Wilkinson's on Saturday and she loves it. It's slightly dearer at Wilkies but you do get a free 3 year guarantee

[Tobers]

I'd go for the 400D every time. Not only could you take the same picture of the scene as the others but with higher quality, you'd also be able to be much more creative and take the same scene in many different ways with much more control.

The compacts will undoubtably give you a good picture of the scene, but ultimately you wont have the same ability to control the camera as with the 400D.

You've got to offset that with the size/weight of the 400D versus the smaller compacts. I do this by having both a DSLR and a TZ3 - it's the only way!

[Brammers]

Originally Posted by Kopacabana

I take a picture of exactly the same scene, let's say it's a simple portrait, with each of the following cameras:

Canon S5 IS
Canon EOS 400D
Panasonic Lumix FZ50
Panasonic TZ3

The light is good and there's no funny stuff going on. Just a simple, straightforward environment, perfect for taking a picture.

My question is, which camera will offer the best picture? i.e. the sharpest, best looking image?

Lets add another quick point - the pictures are printed at a standard size.

I'd say you'd be hard pressed to see the difference. If you rammed your face up close to the prints and really, really scrutinised them, then I'm sure you could pick them out if you knew what you were looking for.

The next question is, how often are things like that? Sounds like a studio shot to me - how often do you shoot things in a studio?

The better, higher specced models, like the DSLR will not only make the shooting easier in tougher conditions, but you'll also be able to see the difference (high ISOs etc).

The disadvantage is of course the size, but you can pick up a digicam for under £100 nowdays. Have both!

[Kopacabana]

Well, I've just returned from Bury.

The guy in Wilkinson's didn't really appear to want to sell anything at all, but that's by the by...

They didn't have the TZ3 in stock (they just sold out on Saturday interestingly enough!!!!).

Gave the S5 a good old touch up. Like it - it feels like a 'proper' camera.

So, I took a couple of pictures and I have to say I'm really disappointed. One taken in the shop at 80ISO nad the other at 200.

Poor resolution and the colours just don't look right.

The zoom is good but using it for a wee while has made me think. Maybe, for the standard of quality I am expecting, I should actually should look at an SLR????

[Yandros]

Hmm, why do you say the resolution is bad? Ok, so the sensor isn't huge, but at 80ISO and 8MP I'd expect there to be nothing wrong with the resolution.

[Kopacabana]

It just looks poor. Too many artifacts and noise. And the colour!...

Think I'm going to go for a TZ3 and save up for a proper big boys' camera later in the year!

[Spy]

Have you thought of the Canon A710is.

It has received excellent reviews and provides a full manual facility, allowing you to practice your photography skills before moving up to a full sized, full blown D-SLR ?

[Kopacabana]

I have. And it does look like a really decent little camera. The only thing that made me look elsewhere was the x6 zoom. I'm a bit fed up with always wishing I was closer to the action.

But I've been reading up (yet again) on the TZ3 and it seems that noise is a real problem.

I'm now just going round in circles.

To be honest I'm getting a bit fed up with it all.

I've got to say that I used to have a Sony DSC W1 which produced really great photos. It was only 5.1MP but I really liked it - the photos were incredibly sharp, with excellent colours and almost perfect white balance. I would like something just like that but with a better zoom!

[NewBeetle]

Have you thought about the panasonic FZ8? I got one this week and its superb. Very similar in spec to the TZ3 but will allow you full manual controls if you need them or just want to try them out with the view to moving to an SLR in the future. Also does RAW and its amazingly, cheaper than the TZ3. I paid under £190. Also its a really nice size, much smaller in the flesh than people imagine.

[Kopacabana]

Food for thought everyone. Thanks.

I think my list has to be 'superzoom' focused (excuse the pun!):

Canon S5 IS
Panasonic Lumix FZ50
Panasonic Lumix FZ8
Panasonic Lumix TZ3

Now, anyone are to help whittle the list down with me?