My Sweet Camera
Monday, 1. June 2009, 14:25:13
So I don't think I ever posted about this, but I'll make it short, because I'm going to bed soon, and my blog isn't a review site. About... 3 months ago, I'd say, I got a new camera! I did a lot of research all over the net, and finally narrowed it down to a few. I was looking at cameras in the $200-$300 price range, and the three that I found the most appealing were the PowerShot SD880 IS, the Panasonic Lumix TZ4, and the Panasonic Lumix FX37. In the two reviews of the Panasonics (from the same site) the image quality of the latter was ranked a 7/10 while the TZ4 was ranked 9/10. After much more research, I found that the cameras were nearly identical in terms of the technology and hardware, besides the fact that the TZ4 is capable of 10x optical zoom (almost unheard of in compact cameras) and the FX37 has a bit wider-angle lens, clocking in at 25mm as opposed to the TZ4's 28mm, which are both quite good for a compact camera. The LCD is also naturally bigger on the bigger of the two cameras, and with the TZ4, you are actually able to zoom in and out while taking your (HD) video. I may be mistaken, but I thought that both cameras were 10 megapixels, but these reviews say the TZ4 is only 8. Anyhow, when I went to check all these cameras out, I actually had 5 cameras in mind, but I won't mention those ones, as these three are ultimately the ones I narrowed it down to after testing them out in-store.
I have had a Canon (PowerShot DS400) for the past 4 years, and have absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, on the train ride to Hiroshima, the first of many destinations on my family trip, the LCD broke, almost defeating the purpose of a digital camera. What was nice, was it actually did have a viewfinder, so I was still able to take pictures throughout our vacation, but they all turned out a bit crooked. On top of that, all the menu items are navigated through the LCD, so I couldn't change any settings. I've been EXTREMELY satisfied with it, even as it has been quite outdated for some time now. It's a mere 5 megapixels (which for any sort of normal printing the average Joe is going to do is more than enough).
To make a long story short, I was planning on staying loyal to Canon, but the HD video capturing capability on the Panasonics really enticed me. The Canon's body was also quite chunky and the button layout was different than I was used to. It also had some funny triangular designs on it that reminded me of Fred Flinstone's hideous patterned shirt, especially in the gold color option. Once I had decided that it was going to be between the two Panasonics, I really debated this one. The TZ4 was also quite chunky, but for good reason. How else are you going to fit a 10x OPTICAL zoom into a compact camera? To be honest, it really isn't THAT big, but by today's standards for compact cameras, it is quite noticeably larger. Definitely don't fit into my jeans pockets, unless I happened to have a fairly baggy pair. So i was torn between the doubled zoom of the TZ4 (the FX37 is 5x), and the convenience of being able to pocket my camera wherever I go. I kept thinking "EVERY time I see something far away, I'm going to regret not buying the TZ4...." But in the end, I decided to go for the VERY sexy looking FX37. It's a very simple body design, but it makes it look classy. Straight to the point. After I had put more thought into it, I realized that honestly, how often do point-and-shoot "photographers" really need to zoom in 10x? I would venture a guess to say that 90% of most people's photos are going to be focused on a PERSON being somewhere, and not the somewhere that person is. Keep in mind, the FX37 has a slightly wider angle lens, which means you can fit more people (or any scene) into a picture. That, coupled with the truly pocketable size won me over. Purchased in in black, and it looks great. I have to say, I am quite pleased with the camera, overall, and haven't regretted buying it one bit. I have never once been taking a picture and thought I needed the 10x zoom, and with the camera being 10 megapixels, I can zoom into the pictures once I have uploaded them onto my computer. I still miss my old Canon, but the video capturing capabilities of the FX37 are in every way, superior to that of my ancient, in technological standards, Canon. That, among other features, and the picture quality of the Panasonic DMC-FX37 was really worth it, and I am very satisfied with my purchase. There is a newer model out now, which has a new face recognition feature that actually (how well, I don't know) remembers what name goes with what face. The FX37 has face tracking, just not RECOGNITION, and to be honest... who cares about recognition. You know who you're taking a picture of, and especially with iPhoto '09s face recognition technology, it's pretty much a moot point to have in in your camera AND photo organizing program. So if any of you out there are looking for the most bang for your buck in the $200-$300 price range, I'll save you the research and can highly recommend, as a daily point-and-shooter the Panasonic TZ4, or the FX-37. Keep in mind that both of these have newer models out with only slight "upgrades," so you may be able to find these models cheaper on blowout or something. If neither of these tickle your fancy, check out the Canon SD880 IS. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37 was a wonderful purchase and a great camera.
I have had a Canon (PowerShot DS400) for the past 4 years, and have absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, on the train ride to Hiroshima, the first of many destinations on my family trip, the LCD broke, almost defeating the purpose of a digital camera. What was nice, was it actually did have a viewfinder, so I was still able to take pictures throughout our vacation, but they all turned out a bit crooked. On top of that, all the menu items are navigated through the LCD, so I couldn't change any settings. I've been EXTREMELY satisfied with it, even as it has been quite outdated for some time now. It's a mere 5 megapixels (which for any sort of normal printing the average Joe is going to do is more than enough).
To make a long story short, I was planning on staying loyal to Canon, but the HD video capturing capability on the Panasonics really enticed me. The Canon's body was also quite chunky and the button layout was different than I was used to. It also had some funny triangular designs on it that reminded me of Fred Flinstone's hideous patterned shirt, especially in the gold color option. Once I had decided that it was going to be between the two Panasonics, I really debated this one. The TZ4 was also quite chunky, but for good reason. How else are you going to fit a 10x OPTICAL zoom into a compact camera? To be honest, it really isn't THAT big, but by today's standards for compact cameras, it is quite noticeably larger. Definitely don't fit into my jeans pockets, unless I happened to have a fairly baggy pair. So i was torn between the doubled zoom of the TZ4 (the FX37 is 5x), and the convenience of being able to pocket my camera wherever I go. I kept thinking "EVERY time I see something far away, I'm going to regret not buying the TZ4...." But in the end, I decided to go for the VERY sexy looking FX37. It's a very simple body design, but it makes it look classy. Straight to the point. After I had put more thought into it, I realized that honestly, how often do point-and-shoot "photographers" really need to zoom in 10x? I would venture a guess to say that 90% of most people's photos are going to be focused on a PERSON being somewhere, and not the somewhere that person is. Keep in mind, the FX37 has a slightly wider angle lens, which means you can fit more people (or any scene) into a picture. That, coupled with the truly pocketable size won me over. Purchased in in black, and it looks great. I have to say, I am quite pleased with the camera, overall, and haven't regretted buying it one bit. I have never once been taking a picture and thought I needed the 10x zoom, and with the camera being 10 megapixels, I can zoom into the pictures once I have uploaded them onto my computer. I still miss my old Canon, but the video capturing capabilities of the FX37 are in every way, superior to that of my ancient, in technological standards, Canon. That, among other features, and the picture quality of the Panasonic DMC-FX37 was really worth it, and I am very satisfied with my purchase. There is a newer model out now, which has a new face recognition feature that actually (how well, I don't know) remembers what name goes with what face. The FX37 has face tracking, just not RECOGNITION, and to be honest... who cares about recognition. You know who you're taking a picture of, and especially with iPhoto '09s face recognition technology, it's pretty much a moot point to have in in your camera AND photo organizing program. So if any of you out there are looking for the most bang for your buck in the $200-$300 price range, I'll save you the research and can highly recommend, as a daily point-and-shooter the Panasonic TZ4, or the FX-37. Keep in mind that both of these have newer models out with only slight "upgrades," so you may be able to find these models cheaper on blowout or something. If neither of these tickle your fancy, check out the Canon SD880 IS. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37 was a wonderful purchase and a great camera.
WIDGETIZE