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General discussion

First time camera buyer

by buhockey Dec 9, 2009 5:58AM PST

I am in the process of purchasing my first digital camera. I am having a tough time on deciding which one to go with

I am deciding between the Panasonic Linux DMC-ZR1 and the Sony Cybershot DSC-H20. I go to a lot of sporting events and concerts. That will be the main purpose of it along with the general photos of family and friends.

The Panasonic has a 8x optical zoom with 12.1 megapixels while the Sony has a 10 x optical zoom with 10.1 megapixels. Is there a big difference in the optical zooms? Is it noticeable?

MY only complaints about the Sony is the bulkiness of it and that it doesn't have a lens protector, plus it has a narrow lens while the Linux has a wide angle lens.

Any help would be appreciated. If there are any cameras that I may have missed I would love to know about them

Discussion is locked

4 Posts
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First Camera
by snapshot2 Forum moderator Dec 9, 2009 8:20AM PST

Zoom takes a bit of understanding.

The ZR1 has a lens focal length of 25 to 200 mm (8X zoom).
The H20 has a lens focal length of 38 to 380 mm (10X zoom).
(You divide the big number by the small number to get the X factor).
You can see that the reach of the H20 is almost twice that of the ZR1.
Yes, that would be noticeable.

How about a compromise.
Look at the ZS3, it has a focal length of 25 to 300 mm (12X zoom).
The ZS3 and ZR1 are exactly alike except for the lens.
Well, the SZ3 is slightly larger to accommodate the bigger lens.

Here are comparison of specifications of the three cameras mentioned:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=panasonic_dmczr1%2Cpanasonic_dmczs3%2Csony_dsch20&show=all

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First time buyer
by buhockey Dec 9, 2009 10:41AM PST

Thanks for the info. So to be honest it looks like the ZS3 is the better camera? If I am way off then I apologize!

The ZR1 seems to be the worst our of the 3, I need to do my homework

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Whoa !
by snapshot2 Forum moderator Dec 9, 2009 12:08PM PST

It is not a matter of best or better.

The discussion was about optical zoom, nothing more.
It was to illustrate that a camera with the largest X rating is not necessarily the camera that will get you closer (optically) to the subject. A wide angle camera will have less reach that a camera with a more standard lens.

A camera is more than just optical zoom.

All three cameras take excellent pictures.
Any of the three is a good choice.

The two Panasonic cameras are identical except for the amount of optical zoom.

The Sony has the greater reach for getting closer (optically) to the subject
It also has manual controls such as Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Full Manual, and Program AE.
Neither of the Panasonic cameras have that.

It is a matter of finding a camera that takes good pictures and has the features that you want.

That is why there are so many cameras to choose from.

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By George I think I've got it
by buhockey Dec 9, 2009 2:17PM PST

Well that makes complete sense. Thanks for putting it in easy context. I am not that camera savvy.

I guess I could look past that the Sony does not have a lens protector. I'm sure I could purchase something that protects the lens either a case or a protector.

Again thank you for the advice. I believe I am going to purchase the Sony after all the research.

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