Advise for 5x optical zoom compact digital camers

[sum-av]

hi there,

Hope someone can help me. I need some advice in buying compact digital camera with 5x optical zoom. Yesterday came across fuji - finepix j150w. Looking for some reviews.

Or any advise for other alternatives.

cheers,

[sum-av]

bump... anyone please

[Zone]

Is there a reason why you are limiting yourself to 5x?

[sum-av]

Originally Posted by Zone

Is there a reason why you are limiting yourself to 5x?

I went to town this weekend to actually feel the size of panasonic TZ5 with a massive 10x optical zoom. TZ5 is a winner in very sense. I have no problem with its price, quite cheap for what you getting. Only issue is the size, bit heavy for your pocket as compared to other compact cameras.

3x seems too less when you compare with massive 10x.... I am need of any other alternative to pansonice tz5 with compact size, atleast starting with 5x optical zoom or 7x and decent video capturing (HD will be a bonus) facility as well.

Please advise me, I have to buy some decent compact camera this week.

Cheers,

[bungieben]

Originally Posted by sum-av

I went to town this weekend to actually feel the size of panasonic TZ5 with a massive 10x optical zoom. TZ5 is a winner in very sense. I have no problem with its price, quite cheap for what you getting. Only issue is the size, bit heavy for your pocket as compared to other compact cameras.

3x seems too less when you compare with massive 10x.... I am need of any other alternative to pansonice tz5 with compact size, atleast starting with 5x optical zoom or 7x and decent video capturing (HD will be a bonus) facility as well.

Please advise me, I have to buy some decent compact camera this week.

Cheers,

TZ5 is you answer,just got mine last week yeah, there are lighter and smaller compacts but this does it for me.

[Pirate!!]

Why not buy my FZ3? Not quite a compact, but will fit into your coat pocket.

[sum-av]

Originally Posted by bungieben

TZ5 is you answer,just got mine last week yeah, there are lighter and smaller compacts but this does it for me.

So this means there is nothing like tz5 inbetween 3x optical zoom - 10x optical zoom and in that price bracket. That is a shame.

I am also struggling the same with HD video.....

[sum-av]

[senu]

Get the Panasonic TZ5 . Zoom magnification nos are a bit of a red herring. As such 2X Zoom on a camera with a bigger sensor will give you more image tan 10x on a tiny sensor
As for size.. you will be sacrificing high quality for style and convenience by limiting yourself to pocketable cameras with small zoom
Conversely It may be possible to get less Zoom but size may not be tiny

[sum-av]

ok will order tz5 tommorrow. cheers.....

[sum-av]

After more digging, found these three camera which are capable of doing the same. Dont know the detailed difference, the obvious one is the Zoom and size. I think all are capable of doing HD videos. What experts say, I am going to buy camera tommorrow?

Panasonic TZ5
Panasonic DMC FX37
Panasonic DMC FX500

Please suggest.

Cheers

[jomike]

Side by side comparison of your listed cameras here. Size and zoom seem to be the main difference.

[sum-av]

cheers man, thats wicked.... Silly question, if you were at my situation which one you go for, means best value of money.....

[sum-av]

I think the another difference between Tz5 and rest of two is no zooming facility while shooting the video in FX37 and FX500....

[jomike]

Originally Posted by sum-av

cheers man, thats wicked.... Silly question, if you were at my situation which one you go for, means best value of money.....

Personally, I would try and go that little bit more and get an entry level DSLR. For a bit more money you get a camera that will take much better photos in more difficult conditions, and to me this is better value for money.

Out of the three you list I would go for the TZ5 because I am into wildlife and the extra zoom would be handy. Your priorities might be different.