canon s2IS or wait for Panasonic FZ30 (1 Viewer)

glazzers

Well-known member

• Sep 9, 2005

• #1

I would be interested in any comments to help me choose a new ultra zoom for wildlife and bird photograhy. I am presently considering the Canon S2 IS but like the sound of the new Panasonic Lumix FZ30 which is due out in the next 2 months ??

 

redshift

Toad Popper

• Sep 9, 2005

• #2

glazzers said:

I would be interested in any comments to help me choose a new ultra zoom for wildlife and bird photograhy. I am presently considering the Canon S2 IS but like the sound of the new Panasonic Lumix FZ30 which is due out in the next 2 months ??

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Just go for the Panasonic FZ5: cheaper then the FZ30, and much smaller: you are much more likely to have it with you when you need it. My daughter bought one and I was almost impressed enough to buy one for myself as well (ended up buying a new Canon 400mm F5.6L lens instead).

 

DOC

Well-known member

• Sep 13, 2005

• #3

It's just a matter of price .\
As far as i know - the panasonic will go for around 700$ , and the canon S2 is 400+$.
They both give great pics.
The S2 has quite a learning curve but it's worth it .

 

JTF

Well-known member

• Sep 16, 2005

• #4

Try the Panasonic FZ20, nice camera.

 

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affe22

Well-known member

• Sep 16, 2005

• #5

The FZ30 can be purchased for around $600 and I have seen it lower than that by about $30. I have yet to see a review of it or pictures taken by it though.

 

S

screaming piha

Well-known member

• Sep 21, 2005

• #6

affe22 said:

The FZ30 can be purchased for around $600 and I have seen it lower than that by about $30. I have yet to see a review of it or pictures taken by it though.

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There's a full review on www.dpreview.com They consider the camera to be a superbly designed bit of kit that is let down by noise issues (apparently worse than the FZ5 and FZ20).

 

IanF

Moderator

• Sep 21, 2005

• #7

I half considered upgrading from the FZ20 - but if the noise is worse on the FZ30 then there seems little point as I mostly use it at full zoom with converters added which accentuates any noise issues. Even with the FZ20 I never go above ISO 80 though 100 is okay as well. The FZ20 is a fine camera as it stands.

As per usual the site/magazine reviews always read very well, but it's users reviews that have always counted more for me.

 

Last edited: Sep 21, 2005

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ghocking

Member

• Sep 24, 2005

• #8

I fancied the Z30 until I read about the noise issues. My S2 gives fantastic results and is a really fantastic camera. OK in some lighting conditions it can not give the results you want, but for the price you have to pay it is fantastic. I now take a DLSR with one lens for the subject matter, ie wide or tele and the S2 to cover anything else.