[chrisyboy007]

Hi all,

Im lucky enough to be heading off to New York on Saturday. One of the bargains im looking for out there is a new digital camera - I am particularly interested in the Panasonic Lumix range in particular the:

DMC-LX2EB-K - good resolution

DMC-TZ2EB-K - big optical zoom

DMC-FX33EB-K - good clever all-rounder

Question is for a basic point and click person like myself who is admitedly interested in getting the best out of a camera - which one is likely to bring the best results? I know I large optical zoom is good to have, but should that be chosen above a higher resolution camera or equally above one that is clever and does lots of settings for you?

If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate comments - im not averse to looking at other brands...

Thanks
Chris

[Andy98765]

The first thing I look for is a optical view finder, a must in poor light and bright sunlight. Second is excellent optical zoom as I switch off the digital zoom feature, third toys like anti shake etc.
Here is a good starting place. http://www.cameras.co.uk/html/digita...ra-reviews.cfm
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

[ush flynn]

to be honest mate the optical viewfinder is rubbish on most compacts, the paralax errors make framing your shots pointless. The screen on the LX2 allows you to boost the brightness and colours for viewing at greater angles (above your head) so performs really well in bright sunlight... Also it still has to display info on shutter speeds and apertures, blown hightlights, histogram etc... which you get none of in a viewfinder.

I have the LX2 and i love it to bits.. although its very noisy in low light and at high ISO's but on things like night landscapes and stuff it doesnt really matter as you can keep the iso low and expose for longer.

Obviously you can get bigger zooms on the smaller bodies now so its a case of what your needs are.. personally i dont need a big zoom on a compact. I have an SLR for that. The LX2 has been out for over a year now and i think is due to be replaced come spring time next year so be wary of that.. Panasonic have produced new image processing software on thier newer models so i would expect the LX3 (probably) to have that on it.. which would solve many of the noise issues