[jenni_kitten]

Hi guys

I'm looking to buy a new digital camera. The most important thing to me is good picture quality. However, I'm an amateur. I'm comfortable with electronics and enjoy learning new things, but I don't want to be messing around with lenses etc. on a regular basis and am looking to get a p&s.

I take pictures of a variety of things for a web gallery/stock photo gallery. Generally these photos are for browsing, web images and designs and just as a general portfolio because I enjoy basic photography. (I do edit them in Photoshop and have used it since PS 7).

I also print some pictures for framing, and would like to occasionally have my photos printed onto large(ish) canvas.

I take photos of a wide variety of things - landscapes and seascapes, nature close-ups, food close-ups, a few animals, fireworks, lots of buildings and architecture. Not so much people, but I would occasionally be using it for facebook photos etc.

After reading a lot of reviews, I'm torn between the Lumix LX3 and the FX500. My last digital camera (a Kodak) has lasted me about 6 years, and so I want something that isn't going to feel too outdated and last about the same length of time. Because of that, the more professional LX3 would be worth the money to me, particularly as I'm looking to improve my photo quality. However, I have read reviews that say digital photographers are better off getting the FX500 as it will suit their needs just as well and is a lot cheaper.

Any advice or suggestions? I don't have a massive understanding of which would suit my needs better because I have more graphic/web designer knowledge than photography. If you have any other suggestions of cameras they would be welcome too.

[skinnymalinky]

To be honest the TZ7 is a cracking camera with much better zoom.

[JayCee]

I'd go with the DMC-TZ7 also.

[Justinitus]

I have also followed the TZ7 threads and it is indeed a great p&s camera - we have a TZ5 and its great - but (pls correct me if I'm wrong) the TZ7 doesn't have a manual mode, whereby you can adjust aperture, ISO, shutter speed manually for creative control.

The LX3 does (not sure about the FX500), but if you want something with a longer zoom and a kind of "halfway house" between a compact and a DSLR then maybe take a look at a superzoom (or bridge) camera - the Panasonic FZ28, Panasonic FZ38 andd Nikon P90 are great cameras with manual mode plus massive zooms.

Good luck, let us know what you decide on and post up some pictures

[HayzeC]

I have the LX3 and its beautiful. The pictures are stunning - never seen a compact take such good pictures before. It excels at macro, landscape, natural and low light work.

I wouldn't buy it if you use the zoom a lot - its frankly feeble - or if you do a lot of flash portrait work - I find the flash doesn't give people a flattering colouring.

But if you don't need those two things its worth every penny. The lens is incredible - i'm constantly amazed at how much light it picks up, how pin sharp every picture is and clear the images are. The colours are accurate and never end up washed out.

Here are a couple photos with it (N.B. - not all photos in the first album were taken with this one - most were on my D80 or Fuji F100)

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Login | Facebook - these were pics I took the first day with the camera just of the random things on and around my desk, with a few settings experiments.

[HayzeC]

N.B - let me know if you can't get to the facebook photos and I'll post them here directly.

[skinnymalinky]

Originally Posted by HayzeC

- these were pics I took the first day with the camera just of the random things on and around my desk, with a few settings experiments.

Hazel i've never seen so many pictures of random stuff!!!

did make me chuckle

[HayzeC]

Originally Posted by skinnymalinky

Hazel i've never seen so many pictures of random stuff!!!

did make me chuckle

What can I say.. The camera got me overexcited...!

[churchy22]

sorry about hijacking this post but could not find where to post my own i have just bought a lumix t27 and was wondering where is the best place to buy a spare battery and which is the best one to buy if there is more than one all help much appreciated.

[jenni_kitten]

Thanks for the advice (and photos!) guys.

One of the biggest reasons that I'm worried about the TZ7 is because a replacement/spare battery costs £50 on Amazon...as opposed to the LX3's £2.97. As I travel quite a bit and I've heard the battery life on both cameras could be better, I'm worried that I'd need at least 2 spare batteries. I often take 300-400 photos (and occasionally video) without being near the mains to recharge.

I'm still deciding, but until then here's a few of my pictures (please don't be too harsh if you comment, I'm very much an amateur and these were taken with a Kodak EasyShare v530!):

http://www.blossom.nu/photo-gallery/...2/100_1439.jpg

http://www.blossom.nu/photo-gallery/...2/100_1440.jpg

http://www.blossom.nu/photo-gallery/...2/100_1234.jpg

http://www.blossom.nu/photo-gallery/...ottingham5.png