Camera question?

[bellydancer]

I'm trying to decide which Panasonic camera to buy and have it narrowed down to these four and would like some input from you camera buffs. Does anyone here have any experience with these? I know several board members have the TZ5 but what about the rest of these?

TZ5
FZ28
ZS3
TS1

Seems none of the stores in my area carry any of these cameras so I will have to order online. I'm a member of the Panasonic Family/Friends so I get a pretty good discount if I order through their website.

Thanks for any help you can give me...I'm getting frustrated trying to decide.
Donna

[Toni]

I love my FZ18, the FZ28 is the newer model. It is of course bigger than the others. Not really a pocket cam. I got it for the big zoom w/out the heavy lenses etc. Bird, monkey pics etc. If you don't need the big zoom the TZ5 gets some great reviews as well. Did you read all of the opinions on dpreview? here is the link to the Panny forum, don't know if you need that much info..but just in case.....let us know what you decide. I posted recent FZ18 fotos on here on trip reports (Costa Rica)


http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1033

[Lynnette]

I used my TZ5 along with my DSLR on my last two trips to Mexico and I'm very happy with this little p&s. The colors are crisp and true to life, and the 9 MP, 10x wide angle lens is sufficient for most shots. If you want to upgrade the TZ5, and money is not an issue, go with the TS3. I think you'll be happy with either camera.

Here is a link to my TZ5 review and pics.

http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=2408

[bellydancer]

Lynette...did you mean if I wanted to upgrade to the ZS3 or is there a new one named TS3...all these letters really get confusing!

Thanks Toni for the review link...I've about gone blind reading.

I've got it narrowed down to the TZ5 and ZS3. I'm having a hard time finding prices for the battery for the ZS3...guess since it's so new. So I'm kinda leery about buying that one since I can't find out how much the spare battery will cost.

The search continues!!!!!!

[minniemex]

I just bought the TZ5 right before my trip to the DR and I absolutely love it!! They had the new one out (I believe the ZS3 or TZ7) but I couldn't justify the price difference for so little benefits. The TZ5 was rated so good, I just bought that one.

[Lynnette]

The model letter/number thing is confusing. Minnie is right, the TZ series morphed into the ZS. I wouldn't worry about the battery cost. A Lithium battery is probably included with the camera as well as a charger....it was with my TZ5.

The ZS3 is almost double in price over the TZ5. If that isn't an issue, I would go with the latest model. I think there are enough upgrades to be worth it.

[bellydancer]

Thanks everyone for your input. I finally bit the bullet and ordered the TZ5 (I'm sure I scored brownie points with the hubby for choosing the cheaper one). Like you Minnie I just didn't see where the difference in the ZS3 was worth the extra cost...not for what I use it for. As long as this one takes good pics that's all I need. In a couple years I'll be wanting another new one and lord only knows what will be available then. Now I can't wait to get to Mexico and take lots of pics!!

[beachreader]

And then you can share them here with us! Yay! :)

[bellydancer]

You got it Beachreader!!

[minniemex]

Bellydancer ~ it was hard though wasn't it?? I so wanted to order the latest and greatest!!:o But I am so happy with it I am not sorry I ordered the older model!!

[bellydancer]

Minnie...I have agonized over this for 2-3 weeks!! About made myself go blind from reading so many reviews/opinons and of course got even more confused. Just glad I finally hit the "buy" button and got it over with. I finally came to the conclusion that anything would be better than the Canon I have and if I'm not happy with this one then I'll just have an excuse to buy a newer one in a year or two...the ZS3 will be old news by then!

[beachreader]

I'm not letting myself buy a new camera quite yet, but from the evidence of Lynnette and Windy's pics, the TZ5 is the one I'll buy when I can. Maybe I'll ask Santa for one, and they'll be on sale by then.

I have a problem with new technology, though. I rarely take the time to read the manuals and actually figure out all the bells and whistles. So it may just be that I need to learn more about the camera I already have rather than looking to buy a new one! :rolleyes: