Canon IXUS 85 or Panasonic DMC-FX100EG-K???
Poll: Canon IXUS 85 or Panasonic DMC-FX100EG-K???
Total Members Polled: 19
Discussion
Our camera was stolen a short while ago from our baggage and the insurance has given us a settlement which isn't exactly great so it limits me as to what camera I can replace it with and this is where I need some help.
Basically I need a small compact camera that will fit nicely into my pocket or my fiancées purse that has at least a 3x zoom, image stabiliser, and records reasonable movies.
I also have a budget of just €170 since I don't want to spend any more than the insurance gave us.
The two cameras I think fit the bill nicely are the Canon IXUS 85 and the Panasonic Lumix FX100EG.
The Canon is well known for it's excellent quality shot and the stolen camera was an IXUS 65 which worked brilliantly. It also has reasonable movie recording plus it has 10MP and a 3x zoom with IS. So that ticks all the boxes there.
The other camera I found is the Panasonic Lumix. I've never really used this brand much so I don't know what to expect. The DMC-FX100EG-K is a European model for the German markets (I live in Austria remember), so it has many features the UK FX100 doesn't.
For starters it has 12.2MP which isn't such a big deal. My SLR only has 10 and it'll blow the socks off any compact camera.
It does however have a 3.6x zoom against the Canons 3x zoom, and it also has IS and to top it all off....a wide-angle lens which is a very nice feature to have. All this packaged using Leica optics.
Finally it can record movies in 720p (1280x720), mode which is a superb option and would certainly be ideal for shooting short movies.
The question is....if the Panasonic is any good and will match the Canon quality and build. I also want to know if the features and usability of the camera are any good. The Canon features are superb and allow a lot of manual features which is very nice. I've no idea about the Panasonic.
Ideas? Suggestions? Which one would you recommend?
Basically I need a small compact camera that will fit nicely into my pocket or my fiancées purse that has at least a 3x zoom, image stabiliser, and records reasonable movies.
I also have a budget of just €170 since I don't want to spend any more than the insurance gave us.
The two cameras I think fit the bill nicely are the Canon IXUS 85 and the Panasonic Lumix FX100EG.
The Canon is well known for it's excellent quality shot and the stolen camera was an IXUS 65 which worked brilliantly. It also has reasonable movie recording plus it has 10MP and a 3x zoom with IS. So that ticks all the boxes there.
The other camera I found is the Panasonic Lumix. I've never really used this brand much so I don't know what to expect. The DMC-FX100EG-K is a European model for the German markets (I live in Austria remember), so it has many features the UK FX100 doesn't.
For starters it has 12.2MP which isn't such a big deal. My SLR only has 10 and it'll blow the socks off any compact camera.
It does however have a 3.6x zoom against the Canons 3x zoom, and it also has IS and to top it all off....a wide-angle lens which is a very nice feature to have. All this packaged using Leica optics.
Finally it can record movies in 720p (1280x720), mode which is a superb option and would certainly be ideal for shooting short movies.
The question is....if the Panasonic is any good and will match the Canon quality and build. I also want to know if the features and usability of the camera are any good. The Canon features are superb and allow a lot of manual features which is very nice. I've no idea about the Panasonic.
Ideas? Suggestions? Which one would you recommend?
Edited by beanbag on Monday 17th November 10:02
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
Canon, but only because you're used to how they work. They're probably much of a muchness image quality wise from what I've seen of the output from each. Canon just has the edge on low light noise to my eyes, but that does seem to vary a bit.
Most reviews state neither is particularly good over ISO 400. From the example shots I've seen, this is very noticeable. ISO 800 is drastically poor with both but then again for that I have my 40D which can deal with this sensitivity very nicely 
beanbag said:
For starters it has 12.2MP which isn't such a big deal. My SLR only has 10 and it'll blow the socks off any compact camera.
Apples and pears - don't assume that number of pixels in any way determines quality of image - I expect a 4Mp SLR (I'm thinking D2H here as an example) will still run rings around a 12Mp compact.I'd still go for the Panasonic, for its great reputation - but only marginally given your familiarity with one manufacturer's range already.
It's so bloody irritating the shops don't have these cameras in stock any longer!
I've just found a deal for an IXUS 85 including a 4GB SD Sandisk Extreme III card for just €169 with postage included.
The same thing with the Panasonic was €189.
To be honest, after all the reading I've done, I'll go for the Canon as it apparently handles noise much better over ISO 400 and the picture quality is six and half a dozen.
Granted the Panasonic has a better zoom and it has compression built into the movies, but that's not such a big deal.....I think.
I also liked the point of familiarity. I do a lot of photos with my 40D and I'm also familiar with the IXUS 65 so hopefully I'll be happy with my purchase. It's just for "fun shots" anyway.
Plus zoom isn't such a big deal as I have a 70-200mm f/2.8L lens coming my way after Christmas!
I've just found a deal for an IXUS 85 including a 4GB SD Sandisk Extreme III card for just €169 with postage included.
The same thing with the Panasonic was €189.
To be honest, after all the reading I've done, I'll go for the Canon as it apparently handles noise much better over ISO 400 and the picture quality is six and half a dozen.
Granted the Panasonic has a better zoom and it has compression built into the movies, but that's not such a big deal.....I think.
I also liked the point of familiarity. I do a lot of photos with my 40D and I'm also familiar with the IXUS 65 so hopefully I'll be happy with my purchase. It's just for "fun shots" anyway.
Plus zoom isn't such a big deal as I have a 70-200mm f/2.8L lens coming my way after Christmas!
CivicMan said:
beanbag said:
G'dammit!
The girlfriend misunderstood everything and ordered a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35!!!!
Any ideas on this one? Looks good and supports full 30fps 1280x720 recording which is nice.
BB
Good girl!! Done the right thing!The girlfriend misunderstood everything and ordered a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35!!!!
Any ideas on this one? Looks good and supports full 30fps 1280x720 recording which is nice.
BB
Been reading more about this bit of kit and it's rather good. To be honest, although I'll use the camera a little, it's more for her and according to the reviews, it's very simple to use without too much manual control. This is certainly great for my gf. You should see the look on her face when I hand her my DSLR and ask her to take a photo with it!
Apart from having what is described as a superb Leica lens, you also get a 28mm wide angle view which is as good as the view on my 17-40L lens.
You also get a brillian 720p recording mode although I've not found any samples and a 4x zoom as opposed to the Canon's 3x zoom.
She also made the smart choice of buying it in a very sexy black colour......
It should arrive in a few days.....I'll let you know how I get on.
Now down to the computer shop to buy a 4GB SanDisk Extreme III SD card.....
caduceus said:
Bag, how are you getting on with the Lumix? I'm in the market for a digital at the mo. 
Not really had a chance to use it much yet. However I'm off to Dubai this weekend so I'm sure to give it a good field test I will however say the 720p video is excellent but nowhere near on par with a proper camcorder. It does however beat any video on any compact I've seen. (This is the FX35 and not the FX100 btw.....).
The picture quality is also very good but suffers a lot of noise above ISO 400 and there isn't a lot of manual control to play around with.
That aside, it's an excellent camera. The lens is superb and the wide angle view will really come into its own when I use it on scenery and indoor shots. Especially since it works at f/2.8 at 28mm. (Brilliant!).
I can't yet comment on the battery life but that will come into view soon.
Either way, I'll post some pics when I'm back on the 15th December or perhaps sooner on my parents PC in their house......
So far so good and if you want a great simple point and shoot with not too many manual controls, this is pretty damned good (although if you can afford the extra £20, get the FX37).
If you want more manual control, I'd recommend a Canon PowerShot or even the IXUS seems to have more control but then you sacrifice the video quality and lens quality.....
8.5/10 so far.....
Just hunting through the forum and have seen the Panasonic come up in conversation again. My girlfriend's looking to get something similar.
Beanbag, just interested in your thoughts a couple of weeks on? I note you said you might be back ont he 15th so apologies if a little premature
Thanks
Tony
Beanbag, just interested in your thoughts a couple of weeks on? I note you said you might be back ont he 15th so apologies if a little premature
Thanks
Tony
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