Canon S3-IS or Panasonic FZ7?

Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Baltimore, MD

I've been reading the specs and reviews and have not come to a clear conclusion over which camera will be better for my purposes (my purposes are basically taking family and vacation snapshots and taking photos of items to sell online). One feature that is very important to me is a macro mode that allows you to really focus in on small things, such as jewelry.

My fiance and I will be taking our honeymoon in the smokey mountains, and she wants to buy me a new digital camera as a present. I have always been a big fan of Canon, but the Panasonic is $100 less expensive. Any thoughts on either of these cameras?

Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 56 Location: Decatur, GA

I just bought the Canon S2 for my spouse and we have been extremely pleased. We also looked at the Panasonic, and after holding the two cameras in our hands, the Canon won us over. Adorama.com has the S2 for $304 and the S3 for $370. Either of the Canons or the Panasonic would be good cameras. Try to play with each before making your purchase.

Joined: 30 Sep 2006 Posts: 12

I'm not a pro photographer. Infact, i just got my s3IS last week. My colleague was amazed of the results.

please visit my gallery

http://pbase.com/lemon_spires

can you imagine if this cam is being used by a professional photographer?

Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1 Location: USA

I recently bought an FZ7 and am loving it. We have an S2IS at work and it is a fine camera also. It was a toss up for me on the S3IS or the FZ7 and I went with the FZ7 because it was cheaper and came ame with some stuff (lens hood, battery and charger and lens adapter that I could put a UV protection filter on) that I would have paid extra for with the Canon.

Some photos I have taken with it..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stujoe/sets/72157594327509194/

I don't think you can go wrong with either camera.

Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 3

Both great cameras. I don't like the Canon screen or menus, but great smooth zoom and very nice quality images. I prefer the Panasonic screen and it's battery, but that's just me. Most people I talk to end up making the decision on the battery because the other points are either too close to call or irrelevant.

Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

they are both good camera's. i would recommend any of them. have you thought about the Sony H5?. The add on lens and other accessories are at a very good price compare to the Panasonic. I have and Sony H5 with the Wide-angle. Close up lends and the Telephoto and it only cost me all together about $260.00. I purchased the camera from Dell and the accessories from Amazon and Bhphotovideo.com. I'm thinking about getting a PL filter and UV, but i havent read much about it. But i will soon find out by researching about it. that good thing about all of this is that all the ad-on lens i get for the H5 fir on my E-300 as well. well anyway hope this helps.