Yet another Compact Digital Camera Decision Thread!

[Brian McVickers]

Which of these would you choose?
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...370,oly_stylus1050,panasonic_dmcfs15&show=all
scroll down a bit on the page, the top is blank.

Thanks
Brian

 

[BKCowGod]

Canon is the Toyota of the bunch - you can grab it and know that it will do everything well.

That said, I have my canon DSLR for any "important" pictures and carry around a Fuji Finepix Z as my knockaround nearly disposable compact. I picked the Z because when you turn it on nothing sticks out. In your case, I prefer the Olympus Stylus for the same reasons. The places where it loses minor points really don't matter too much in a compact - 95% of the time you are probably gonna keep this thing on one of the auto settings anyway.

All of these cameras will print out beautiful 8x10's and take great pictures to show all your friends over the internet, and any of them would serve you well.

I would recommend going to a Best Buy and playing with the menus and buttons and see which one infuriates you the least.

 

[DiploStrat]

Semi Serious Answer

All have sensors of about the same size. I would go with the camera with the lowest photosite per cm2 count; the Olympus followed by the Canon. Both have good reputations. With a sensor this small, you want the LOWEST, not highest MP count you can get. Trust me on this.

Beyond that, try 'em both and get the one that feels best.

 

[dustboy]

I would recommend going to a Best Buy and playing with the menus and buttons and see which one infuriates you the least.

HA HA! Ain't that the truth..

I haven't bought a new camera in a while, but my old 5MP Canon S500 has been a fantastic camera, menus notwithstanding. I've gotten some really great shots with it.

The most important thing about a compact is that it's in your pocket, and ready to go while the action is still happening. So for my next I will be looking for a camera with an ultra-fast startup and focus, that takes pictures as good as my S500.

 

[Brian McVickers]

Thanks all,
I currently have the Olympus FE-370 but it just doesn't feel right to me. I purchased it in a hury as the only good option at the time to replace a broken Canon we had.
I have held all of them, I purchased the FE-370 at Costco and have 90 days to return it.

From what you have all said It sounds like they are all about on the same level and I should go with the one that I like the best.

I was hoping for more of a definite "Camera X is the superstar of the bunch".

Someone said they Olympus followed by the Canon, Which of the Olympus?

Thanks
Brian

 

[BKCowGod]

Oh, I didn't know Camera X was an option! Definitely go with him...

 

[off-roader]

See this review/comparison on the same site (dpreview.com)... http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408slimgroup/

It shows the Canon SD790 IS as being the best of the bunch they tested. Not sure how they compare to the ones you're considering but is worthwhile checking out that review to get an idea of what was good a few months ago.

 

[nwoods]

Of the 4 you linked to, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 has the most versatility. Widest angle, best zoom, decent aperature range, longest shutter, and lighest weight. On statistics alone, its worth looking at. I did not look at the reviews, examples, comments, etc...

In a PNS, I look at a couple of factors:
1. overall speed of use
2. Adjustable flash, or flash metering and compensation (too many PNS flashes washout the subject)
3. lens range
4. low light image quality

 

[lostworldexpedition]

Of the 4 you linked to, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 has the most versatility. Widest angle, best zoom, decent aperature range, longest shutter, and lighest weight. On statistics alone, its worth looking at.

I agree with "nwoods." I am partial to Canon and Panasonic overall, but in this case the deal is sealed because of the true wide angle Leica lens of the Pana. All compact point and shoots will have shortcomings in one department or another, so try buying from places like Costco that will allow a "test" period.