Steph wants my best pick in a compact camera under $400. Emphasis on Movie Mode
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3 inch LCD
Camera highlights: 12x wide-angle optical zoom | Beautiful 3" LCD screen | Face Detection | HD Movie mode, 60fps!!! optimized format, movie files are not as gigantic | iA mode for photos AND movie mode = a suite of technologies that ensure the best settings for the scene, stabilize the image and auto adjust for lighting | Face detection AND recognition = auto focuses and optimizes exposure on faces and gives priority to faces the camera has seen before | Stylish black, blue or silver
You can get quite a bit of camera around the $400 mark and this Lumix is currently at the top of the pile. Reviews of this camera and previous ZS & TZ lines have been very positive, even earning DPreviews "Highly Recommended" designation. Inside and out this is a really nice camera.
Possible Alternatives:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5S 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Camera Highlights:3" LCD | iA mode - 5 features work together to pick the perfect settings for each shot, includes Auto red-eye removal and image stabilization | 10x Zoom | HD Movie Mode | 400+ Near perfect reviews on Amazon Site |
Canon PowerShot SD880IS 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Camera Highlights: 3" LCD | Face detection for focus, auto scene selection, auto red-eye removal and image stabilization | 4x Zoom |
Lows: 640x480 Movie mode - decent but not exciting | LCD is 1/2 the resolution of the Lumix
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization (Black)
Camera Highlights:12MP | 3" LCD | Face Detection, Priority Face, Smile Shutter technology, Anti-Blink technology | 5x Zoom | HD Movie | mode Beginner mode
Lows: LCD is 1/2 the resolution of the Lumix | captures to Memory Stick media - Sony proprietary |
If you are not Steph and you want your own personalized recommendation
Comments (0)
Danny is looking for a camera that is portable, has a decent zoom and takes great pictures. HD video capture would be nice, but not necessary. Most pictures will be shared electronically with the occasional prints. Budget is $200-$350.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5S 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
You don’t have to spend oodles of money to satisfy Danny’s requirements. Panasonic has been producing a line of camera’s the Lumix DMC that continue to garner high praise from professional reviewers and your average photographer. The Lumix DMC-TZ5S 10MP continues the line of excellence.
Why this is a great camera for Danny:
- Compact enough to easily fit in a small camera bag or jacket pocket.
- 10x Leica zoom with wide-angle coverage out to 28mm – Lens quality is described as “truly excellent” by dpreview.com
- Fantastic HD movie mode with 1280 x 720 pixel 30fps wide screen option
- 3″ LCD allows you to easily compose and review
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5S 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Possible Alternative:
Samsung HZ15W 12MP Digital Camera with 10x Schneider Wide Angle Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0 inch LCD (Grey)
Has some neat features like Frame guide – The Frame Guide setting on the new HZ15W means you no longer need rely on the technological capabilities of strangers for perfect holiday snaps. When you use the setting, the camera takes a ghost picture of your desired shot and displays a template when you pass the camera over to someone else – ensuring they take the picture you want them to take, with you perfectly placed in it.
If you are not Danny and your want your own personalized recommendation
Comments (0)
- 8MP
- Face Detection, Intelligent ISO, Intelligent Scene Selector & quick AutoFocus
- Easy mode and Full Manual Control
A excellent camera at a very nice price. 5x zoom with optical image stabilization and intelligent ISO combine to give you blur-free photos. Face detection and scene selectors insure that the camera settings are are correctly matched to your subject(s). And finally a really nice wide-screen movie mode at 30fps, something you don't see in other cameras at this price. This camera has excellent reviews and if you use a set of good rechargeable batteries(see note below) you can get nearly 500 shots on a pair If you have someone that is trying to learn photography this camera is not a terrible place to start as it offers full manual control.
A solid performing camera at an excellent price.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8K 8MP
Comments (0)
