Camera ideas? HD + light weight + 10Megapixel + Zoooooom

I would recommend the Canon S90 if you're looking for a snapshooting camera, but if you're looking for a camera for more serious photography, the Sigma DP-x are good options (not sure about the video part on those, though), and a bit higher on the weight scale, and unfortunately not available yet, are the Sony NEX series.

Richard
Take a look at the Pana TZ8 (ZS5)
This one records HD movies using the MJPEG format, bigger files than AVCHD but a lot easier to edit.
(you need a quad processor with loads of RAM for AVCHD)
It has a faster response time than your SP570 (not hard to do…) , much better stabilization and sharper images particularly at the higher end of the zoom. Less distortion as well at the wide end (wider too)
About $550 AU here.
Franco

Two new ones are out:
Fujifilm JZ500
Nikon S8000

I don't like the battery life of the Fuji, but camera makers seem to be going that way in order to make their cameras more compact. Still though, in 6 weeks I only took about 150 pictures, so I guess I shouldn't be complaining about how many pictures these cameras can take on a single charge.

> Max $600.
> decent megapixel of 10 plus, nice lens, a good zoom of 10 plus, light weight and a
> definet is the ability to take HD video and lastly image stability.
Canon G11. Includes RAW, IS, internal view finder, well-laid-out controls.

Cheers

"Canon G11. Includes RAW, IS, internal view finder, well-laid-out controls."

Good point. The G11 and the S90 are pretty much the same camera with different bodies. The S90 is more compact, the G11 has a longer lens.

I've heard a lot of good things about both, but only have personal experience to relate regarding the S90. :)

I've been using that instead of my DSLR

Those Canons are nice, but are far from having a 10x zoom, and the G11 is on the heavy side. The SX210 weighs a little more than half as much and has a 14x zoom. The SX120 weighs about an ounce more, has a 12x zoom and can use AA batteries, which I really like. Unfortunately the G and SX cameras are very bulky, but at least the G11 and SX120 have good battery life. The Fuji is downright puny compared to those cameras, but like the light S90, has poor battery life.

Hmm, that Lumix ZS5 does look good. I do miss the big zoom on my old Canon S2IS with my new F200EXR.

The superzoom P&S cameras have extremely small sensors, even for P&Ss. Cram 10 million photosites into that and you get a lot of digital noise, especially if you ever shoot over ISO 50. They also have slower lenses, forcing you to use a tripod and/or high ISO. Finally, optical design is always a matter of compromise, and if an extreme zoom range is the criterion something has to give elsewhere. It isn't going to be bulk on a P&S, and it isn't going to be cost for the price point these are aimed at, so it's image quality.

There are reasons that cameras aimed at serious photographers, such as the Canon S-series, don't have 10X+ lenses.

While the Canon G11 would likely be a better camera than what you have now (depending on how you use & what you care about) it wouldn't be much lighter – there is only a ~.4oz differnece btw the two w/out batteries.

The Canon S90 would also be nicer and lighter but you lose the superzoom (only ~3.8X)

I second, franco's recommendation for the Panazonic ZS5/TZ8. It still has a modest zoom (12X) and is listed as 214oz w/ battery and SD card.

That's mostly true, but Fuji occasionally makes a cameras that breaks the mold. Yeah, the sensors are still puny compared to a DSLR, but so is the price.

I used to travel with a Cool pix 880 or 885 . I used the Wide Converter #3 at all times, the 3x Tele once in a while. Now I have the S90 as a compromise. But on Ebay you van buy an attachment which mounts to the tripod mount and which would permit the use of adapted lenses. Heavier , sure, but that means you retain the fast lens of the S90m and only bring your other lens on certain trips.The Canon forums cover it a bit.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Metal-37mm-Filter-Adapter-CANON-POWERSHOT-S90-/260594653439?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Lens_Accessories&hash=item3caca6d8ff

Eugene, I'd be interested in hearing about that compact Fuji with fast superzoom and non-tiny sensor. Can you give me a model number?

It's not compact.

Take a look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 w/GPS. It has a 12x optical zoom (25mm to 300 mm equivalent), it's 12.1 megapixels, and has GPS built into it. I don't know its wieght. I'm seriously looking into this camera.

It doesn't fit all of your requirements, but it's one hell of a camera.

I love my s90, it doesn't do hd vid though (I don't miss it). What about the lumix lx3, its bigger than the s90, and does almost everything you want (maybe everything?)

January 26, 2010: Panasonic’s multiple award winning TZ series is pleased to welcome a new addition to the family. Sporting key features fundamental to the TZ success story – including AVCHD Lite HD movie recording capability, a 25mm ultra wide angle and powerful 12x optical zoom in a compact body – the TZ10 goes one step further to offer users built-in GPS and full manual control.

Pansonic Lumix DMC-TZ10specifications
Sensor • 1/2.33" Type CCD
• 14.5 million pixels total
• 12.1 million effective pixels

Image sizes • 4:3 Aspect Ratio: 4000 x 3000, 3264 x 2448, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480
• 3:2 Aspect Ratio: 44176 x 2784, 3392 x 2264, 2656 x 1768, 2048 x 1360, 640 x 424
• 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 4320 x 2432, 3552 x 2000, 2784 x 1568 , 1920 x 1080, 640 x 360

Movie clips • 1280×720 pixels @ 30fps
NTSC Mode: NTSC model: 60p(CCD output is 30p) / PAL model: 50p(CCD output is 25p)
(AVCHD Lite, GSH, SH: 17Mbps / GH, H:13Mbps / GL, L:9Mbps )
/ 30fps (Motion JPEG)
• 4:3: 640 x 480 pixels, 320 x 240 pixels @ 30 fps
• 16:9: 848 x 480 pixels @ 30 fps
• Motion JPEG

File formats • Still Image: JPEG(DCF/Exif2.21)
• Motion picture: AVCHD Lite / QuickTime Motion JPEG

Lens • 12x optical zoom
• 25 – 300mm (35mm equiv.)
• f=4.1-49.2mm
• F3.3 – 4.9
• LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR
• 10 elements in 8 groups
Image stabilization Power O.I.S lens-shift stabilization
Digital zoom Yes, up to 4x
Focus • Normal
• Macro
• Zoom Macro
• Quick AF On/Off (On in Intelligent Auto)
• Continuous AF On/Off
• AF Tracking

AF area modes • Face / AF tracking
• 11-point
• 1-point high speed
• 1-point
• Spot
AF assist lamp Yes
Focus distance • Normal: Wide 50cm – infinity, Tele 200 cm – infinity
• Macro / Intelligent AUTO/ Clipboard: Wide 3 cm / Tele 100 cm – infinity
Metering • Intelligent Multiple
• Centre-weighted
• Spot
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• 80
• 100
• 200
• 400
• 800
• 1600
• High Sensitivity Mode : Auto (1600 – 6400)
Exposure compensation ± 2EV, 1/3EV steps
Exposure bracketing ± 1/3 EV ~ 1EV step, 3 frames
Shutter speed • 60-1/2000 sec
• Starry Sky Mode : 15, 30, 60sec
Aperture • F3.3 – 4.9/ Multistage Iris Diaphragm (F3.3 – 6.3 (W) / F4.9 – 6.3 (T)
Modes • Intelligent AUTO
• Program AE
• Aperture Priority AE
• Shutter Priority AE
• Manual
• Custom
• SCN
• My SCN 1
• My SCN 2
• Clipboard

Scene modes • Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Transform
• Self-Portrait
• Scenery
• Panorama Assist
• Sports
• Night Portrait
• Night Scenery
• Food
• Party
• Candle Light
• Baby1
• Baby2
• Pet
• Sunset
• High sensitivity
• Hi-Speed Burst
• Flash Burst
• Starry Sky
• Fireworks
• Beach
• Snow
• Aerial photo
• Pinhole
• Film Grain
• High Dynamic (Standard, Art, B&W)
• Photo Frame
• Underwater

White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Halogen
• White Set
Self timer 2, 10 sec
Continuous shooting • Full-Resolution Image
2.3 frames/sec Max. 5 images (Standard mode), Max 3 images (Fine Mode)
• High-speed Burst Mode:
Approx. 6.0 frames/sec (image priority)
Approx. 10 frames/sec (speed priority)
(recorded in 3M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9)
Image parameters Standard, Black & White, Sepia, Cool, Warm, Happy (only in iA Mode)
Flash • Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
• 0.6 – 5.3m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 – 3.6m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Viewfinder No
LCD monitor • 3.0" TFT LCD Display
• 460K dots
• Field of View : approx. 100%
• AUTO Power LCD mode, Power LCD mode
Connectivity • USB2.0 High speed
• AV Output (NTSC/PAL)
• miniHDMI
• DC Input
Print compliance • PictBridge
• DPOF
Storage • SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card
• 15MB internal memory
Power • Li-ion battery
• Charger included
• AC adaptor (optional)
Weight (no batt) 196 g
Weight (with batt) 218g
Dimensions 103.3 x 59.6 x 32.6 mm
(4.07 x 2.35 x 1.28 in)

I'm about to give an Pentax Optio W90 a test. If the image quality is decent, it sould make a great hiker's camera— waterproof to 20', shockproof, 12mp, short zoom with 28mm equivalent wide angle, 720p/30FPS HD video, 5.7oz and short-pocket size. I just got the camera last night and I don't have a hint of buyer's remorse yet.

It was the waterproof feature that was high on my list, and the dust-proof, shock-proof, and cold-tolerant features centainly help. I have a Canon G10 that works well for me, but I really get tired of babying the thing in poor weather. This one can ride in a shoulder-strap pocket, ready to go at a moment's notice, which I know will add the number of shots brought back.

Everything I have read about the compact waterproof cameras has been negative on the image quality. It's quite a challenge to design a zoom that doesn't extend from the body. I'm not expecting DSLR results, just a decent sharp image.

BTW, Dell had the best price — about $275 plus tax, with free shipping.

http://www.pentaximaging.com/digital-camera/Optio_W90_Black/

Wow…Im spoilt for choice!
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Out of all theres 7 that are fitting the bill well…just need more research time.

Fuji JZ500
Panasonic TZ8
Panasonic TZ7
Panasonic ZS7
Nikon S8000
Pentax Optio W90
Canon SX10

That AVCHD Lite sounds good with the TZ7, maybe an excuse for a computer upgrade is warranted…

Any others suggestions/thoughts throw them in the ring.

I just went through the whole "searching for a new camera" game and decided on the Panasonic Lumix ZS7 /TZ10. Selling points for me were the Leica 25mm wide angle lens with 12x optical zoom, HD video (get the right kind of SD card though!), and having full manual modes found on higher end cameras. The GPS was a nice additional feature as well. Price paid: $310 U.S.

To be honest, it just came in the mail today and I have only played with it for 30 minutes. It still rivals the old Canon Power Shot I had been using though. I nearly got the Lumix LX3 but decided a slightly more compact camera with more zoom was probably better along with being $100 less.

Total weight of the ZS7 / TZ10 with SD card and battery is 7.8oz on my scale.

I'd love to hear more about your experiences with the gps feature if you don't mind posting updates. I thought the camera in my gps was going to be sufficient, and it would be, but it sucks having to wait half a minute for the gps to finish loading before I can take the first picture.

You pretty much described my Sony DSC-H20! It has 10 Megapixels, brand name lens, 10x zoom and is pretty compact as well as HD video. I use mine on all my trips and some people like the pictures I take with it so much that I actually had one printed out 11×14 to hang on someones wall. I know this is an HDR picture but here is one taken with my camera in Killarney, Ontario. If anyone wants to see the same view without HDR just tell me because im not at my computer at home where the pic at the moment. The second picture is not HDR and was taken on Manitoulin island, Ontario.

Link to camera – http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H20-Digital-Stabilization/dp/B001OI2LV8

Pictures –

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27038155@N06/4645052968/sizes/l/in/photostream/