Canon PowerShot SX200 IS vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7

Granty_

Granty_

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Hi,

I am quite an advanced DSLR user looking for a pocket rocket all in one compact camera. This is so I can carry it around with me 24/7 which I can't do with my DSLR. I also do a lot of hill walking and find it quite cumber sum to take out my DSLR every time I want to take a shot of people or get a shot of the place I know isnt going to turn out right because the weather isnt great etc etc.

Now i've narrowed my choice down to the 2 in title.....the TZ7 has a brilliant following and I've heard its auto mode is very good and intelligent, which more than makes up for its lack of manual controls.

I didn't start looking at the Canon until tonight but at roughly the same price it seems to offer pretty much everything the same but less video capabilities but on the plus side manual controls.

I've read reviews and not much can split the two apart, so I'd like some first hand comments from owners or just suggestions off people in the know.

In all honesty....manual while good isn't my main focus here and I want it more for happy snapping than serious photography (hence the reason not buying a G11 or LX3).

Thanks,

Granty
 
I went for the TZ7 and love it. Nice photos, good video, excellent focal length range and easy to use. On a couple of occasions not having manual control when filming has been annoying just if there is a big change in the amount of light in the scene, but for the most part it's not an issue.

Oh and one thing to watch when filming, if there is a really bright source of light like a lightbulb (or streetlights at night) you get an annoying line extend out from the light source from top to bottom on the footage whilst that light source is in frame. You can see an example of that in my owl video on my blog...it's very early on when the camera is in the car as we drive down the road. The sun is reflecting off the shiny surround of the heater vent and you briefly see a line coming out from the brightest point of the reflection.

But I still love it, great camera.
 
I'm also looking to buy a compact as an alternative to my DSLR, again for those times when you don't have the space to carry a bigger camera with you. I narrowed the field down to exactly the same two as you did and i've actually been out looking at them this morning

I was slightly leaning towards the Canon because of the option of manual control, but im begining to wonder if the Panasonic has enough functionality to find a 'mode' that will always provide the settings i'd want anyway.

Have you made your mind up yet? I'd be interested to here which you went for.
 
If it helps at all, I'm replacing my TZ65 (a DSG Group Exclusive, exactly the same as the TZ7 but without HD video) with the SX200. The Panasonic was a great little camera, but after using a DSLR it was really frustrating not being able to use manual controls. I dislike scene modes generally, but on the panasonic it was the only way.
 
Hi

I'm glad to have found this thread as my wife has suddenly decided she'd like a P&S. Thing is that it must be EASY to use as she'll be a beginner and can't be doing with manual settings - at the moment anyway.

I'd like it to be one that will give great shots in the hopes it will increase her enthusiasm etc., and I wont be seen as a pain in the rear when I keep stopping to take shots with the dSLR. So... that in mind it must be a decent one and not a cheapy £50 touch.

I've had the Panosonic Lumix LX3 suggested... was also thinking of the Samsung 550 2xview which is getting a lot of ad time on the TV at the moment. However, there are so many available that I can't make my mind up :shrug:

ATB
 
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