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Digital cameras: Choosing between Panasonic FZ8, TZ3,Nikon D40, Canon S3
Choosing between Panasonic FZ8, TZ3,Nikon D40, Canon S3
by TylerFullStick - 6/25/07 10:06 AMI'm trying to decide between the following cameras: Panasonic FZ8, Nikon D40, Canon S3 and Panasonic TZ3. Here are my parameters. This is my first camera, I'm not concered about price. I'd like to be able to shoot raw for pp work on my Mac Intel. I'd like mega zoom with wide angle. I really don't want to carry around lenses and lots of gear while traveling. I'd like the option of point and shoot easy out of the box, but would like the ability later on to mess with manual options as my learning curve develops. I'd also like to develop large wall mount photos. Your expertise is greatly appreciated!
D80
by PCforlife - 6/25/07 3:57 PM In reply to: Choosing between Panasonic FZ8, TZ3,Nikon D40, Canon S3 by TylerFullStickI recently upgraded into the dSLR world and it was a huge change for me...I think that if you're going to spend money for a dSLR you might as well get something that's REALLY good...enter the Nikon D80. The D80 and D40 are very similar, but I think that after reading your requirements, the D80 will better fit what you're looking for. It's a 10.2 megapixel dSLR and you can order it with the 18-135mm kit lens (which I did) and it basically is an all in one camera. The 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 lens definately isn't the fastest lens you can get, but it's a great kit lens that's basically does almost everything. It's a wide angle lens and a telephoto. So far, I'm VERY happy with this lens, although there is some SLIGHT barrel distortion in the extreme corners, but you can hardly tell in normal shooting. The amout of manual control and customization is very high in the D80, and it offers almost any feature that you could want. Also, the D40 is very restrictive in what lenses it lets you use, and it doesn't have a built-in focus driver motor (which the D80 does) so the only way to use autofocus is to use AF-i or AF-s lenses...in the end, I really think that you should look into spending the few hundred dollars extra and getting the D80, I think you'll be very happy...if it's too expensive, then maybe you'll want to take a look at the Canon digital Rebel XT (don't get the XTi, has no spot meter, and the Nikon D80 is WAY better).
response to D80
by TylerFullStick - 6/26/07 5:24 AM In reply to: Choosing between Panasonic FZ8, TZ3,Nikon D40, Canon S3 by TylerFullStickThanks so much for your reponse. The D80 sounds like one great camera, perhaps too much of a camera for my first! I haven't owned a camera in 15 years, so perhaps this is more of a 2nd or 3rd camera.
D40x
by PCforlife - 6/26/07 1:52 PM In reply to: response to D80 by TylerFullStickOh, I see...well then I would take a look at the D40x...it's the same as the D40, but has 10.2 megapixels and shoots at 3fps. Good Luck!
Re:
by jnthnp - 6/27/07 12:58 PM In reply to: Choosing between Panasonic FZ8, TZ3,Nikon D40, Canon S3 by TylerFullStickI would strongly recommend against purchasing a D40X. If you were in the market for a Nikon, either purchase a D40, or D80. If you're going to pay that money for a D40X, you might as well buy a D80 and get a better body with that sensor. And in my opinion, the D40's body is very limiting due to the lack of external controls and its reliance on its menu system.
In short, the D40 is to the D80 like a Toyota is to a Lexus. Both have nearly the same speed, but the D80 has a better body, and some more features. For example: Depth of field preview, compatibility with non-AF-S lenses, uncommon ISO stops, and auto exposure bracketing.
Can a D40 do what a D80 does? Yes, nearly. A D40 covers all an beginning amateur would need. The D80 allows for more growing room though, keep that in mind. If you actually pursue photography as a hobby, you'll find yourself outgrowing the D40 pretty fast.
The main difference between the D40 and other cameras is the sturdy body, and stunningly fast speed. Other than that, its image quality in bright light can be matched by the S3 (but of course, the D40 reigns in low-light). And speed is very important, as aforementioned.
And yeah, the 18-135 mm lens is pretty good. If the price isn't a big difference, you might want to go for the pro-level 18-200 mm VR lens. It's high in practicality, but lacking in sharpness. The good thing is, this lens has optical image stabilization, aka. VR.
d40X?
by TylerFullStick - 6/27/07 8:28 PM In reply to: Re: by jnthnpWhere in any conversation here did anyone mention a D40X? Hello?
Re.d40x?
by jnthnp - 10/19/07 11:05 AM In reply to: d40X? by TylerFullStickNope, no one did.
Camera choice
by hjfok - 10/19/07 1:42 PM In reply to: Choosing between Panasonic FZ8, TZ3,Nikon D40, Canon S3 by TylerFullStickIf you want good quality wall mount photos, and you don't mind the cost and bulk, then the Nikon D40 with the 18-200mm VR lens will be the best choice among those you listed. Buying separate general purpose and tele lens will be better than a ultra-zoom 18-200mm lens. But if you don't want to carry extra lenses, then the 18-200mm VR lens has better quality than other third party ultra-zooms, and comes with a compact size and image stabilization (VR). To blow up large wall mount photos, you may need to use software using interpolation or fractal technology to make the enlargements look better.
Camera comparison
by QW55 - 11/1/07 7:28 AM In reply to: Choosing between Panasonic FZ8, TZ3,Nikon D40, Canon S3 by TylerFullStickNow there is an S5 IS, which has mixed reviews but at least it has 12X zoom. D40 is actually pretty good, cuz it has a builtin help system that tells you what some settings are for and explains them quite well. Panasonic's TZ3 is 10X zoom and really nice and small if that's what you're looking for. As to the DSLR, if you're not buying a lens with a DSLR, the kit will usually be a 3X zoom (unless you're looking at the Nikon D80). The Panasonic FZ8? They say the newer FZ18 is really good and outduels the competition, so you might want to look at that. The S5 IS's lens is really shabby with lots of distortion, Nikon's D40 is fine but not good if you have old lenses and the FZ18 and TZ3 use Leica lenses, which are fabulous. But if the price isn't of concern and you can get a $500 VR lens with a $500 D40 why not get something like the higher end D80-Sony A700? Something to consider.
Also try out the Sony H9. 15X zoom with SOME quality problems, but it has antishake and flip LCD. Supposedly better lens than Canon S5 IS.
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