In an attempt to satisfy any photographer’s needs, mfrs have made a new digital camera type. There are three new: Canon SX100, Panasonic TZ2 and Sony DSC-H3 are ultra zoom digital cameras, because they have a 10x zoom lens but it’s already not an SLR-like. What is more, these are budget digital cameras, because all of these gadgets cost under $300.
For more details look through: Panasonic DMC TZ3 vs Canon SX100 or Sony H3: the best Travel Zoom for $220.
Yet as ultra zoom, it still comes from SLR-like
Like the compact, these cameras fit the zoom into a body that is smaller than the usual SLR-like’s. At the same time, Sony H3 and Canon SX100 have usual for “Big brothers” Sony DSC-H9 and Canon S5 sensor size 1/2.5 inch with similar 8-8.3MP resolution. 
As for Panasonic TZ2, it has a bigger than DMC-H8’s 1/2.5” 7MP and a new 1/2.35 sensor with 7.4 million sensor photo detectors, much bigger than usual for a 6.0MP camera, and some of this extra ones may be used to accommodate the increased width of the wider formats while maintaining the same total pixel amount. It is quite good for a small TZ2 body: Weight (inc. batteries) is 260 g (9.2 oz), Dimensions 105 x 59 x 37 mm (4.1 x 2.3 x 1.5 in). As for others, Sony H3 weighs (with batt.) 380 g (13.4 oz) and dimensions 106 x 68.5 x 47.5 mm (4.2 x 2.7 x 1.9 in), Canon SX100’s weight (inc. batteries) is 316 g (11.1 oz), dimensions 109 x 71 x 47 mm (4.3 x 2.8 x 1.9 in). These are handy pocket gadgets that can be used in many situations, especially as a 'travel zoom'(for more look at my The Thai Tramp).
10x zoom lens for a pocket camera
What is satisfyingly, all of these cameras have an optical image stabilizer. Sony H3 is supplied with Zeiss-branded 38-380mm lens, Panasonic TZ2 has the advantage of a 28mm focal length at the wide end of the 28-280mm zoom, branded as Leica. In addition, Canon SX100 has own 36-360mm lens. As a result, using good quality lenses with adequate sensors (without overlade by 12MP as Canon G9, sensor) we have good picture quality for all cameras. Look at this TZ2 owner’s reply. It says by itself. “I was not even considering a Panasonic, much less a Lumix TZ2. I liked the lens on the TZ2 but I was not sure that Panasonic, with limited years of experience in digital, had the depth to produce a decent camera. It turns out I was wrong. The quality of the pictures is outstanding even at Auto mode.”
The comparison
As for Sony H3, it has generally good picture quality. The image noise is just a little smaller as Panasonic TZ2. It is maybe a result of Sony’s dynamic range optimization usage. Thanks to this feature, dynamic range is wide with good highlight and shadow details. However, the multi-zone auto focus system is making a trouble: an unacceptable number of photos will be out of focus. It is better to turn it out. Instead, Sony H3 is very speedy with a little shutter lag.
What for Canon SX100, I have already written about this gadget in the article: Canon SX100 IS as a Powershot S5 IS killer. It has similar to Panasonic TZ2 and Sony H3 picture quality, the same well-made body and face detection system as H3. However, it has one’s more accommodation -- the flip out ant twist LCD.
There is not continuous shooting from Panasonic TZ2 instead of 1.3 fps from Canon SX100 and 2 fps from Sony H-3. 
On the other hand, TZ2 has a high-resolution movie mode 848 x 480, 640 x 480 at 30/10 fps in place of Canon and Sony 640 x 480 at 30 fps.
To the general bad points of these three cameras, I can claim the viewfinder lack and poor resolution (172,000 pix) LCD. Nevertheless, there is a 2.5 inch size and after shooting with Nikon 8700’s 1.8” 134,000 display, I think that it is not so bad that viewfinder is absent. Of course, it makes difficulties for viewing images but in my opinion, it is better to look through pictures by PC.
Conclusion
The mfrs attention to the budget camera guide is a great thing. Moreover, it is acceptable that these gadgets are made in skillful manner. In any case, Canon SX100, Panasonic TZ2 and Sony DMC-3 can fight against many senior models such as Canon S5 IS, Sony DSC-H9 etc. In addition, with a good price / quality ratio these digital cameras can be preferable, especially as a new compact type.
I collect info about all digital cameras. Tell me what you need and we will find the one together. Feel at ease at Comments directory.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Compare 10x SLR-likes: Sony DSC-H3, Panasonic TZ2 vs Canon SX100
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19 comments:
I was impressed with your article and I want to buy one of these digital cameras for Christmas. I’m not an engineer and it’s so hard for me to know anything about sensors and pixels but I’m looking for a good gift. What camera would you recommend me for easy shooting?
I want to buy a digital camera from Sony and I’m looking to the newest DSC-H3. But is this a good brand?
To Julia
I should like the Canon SX100. This is not for the brand, because I like my Sony's SLR. But I have holded SX100 and I have had a pleasure. It's better for you to visit a photo store and to hold it by yourself.
To anonymous
Sony is a really great as a digital camera mfr. Don't worry about a brand. Look at the gadget. H-3 is an excellent device.
I want to buy a good camera with a plenty of functionalities to shoot qualitative photos. But such camera has the large sizes and weight. On the other hand compact it is an excellent thing. She is located in a pocket, but its opportunities are limited. What do you think about it?
Best regards,
SiR
http://mysteryphoto-sir.blogspot.com/
To sir
Look at the Canon Powershot A630. There is an adequate 8-megapixel sensor, which allows selling Powershot A630 for a good price and making this compact the best purchase in the digital market. For more details look through: Choosing Digital Compact camera: Canon A650 vs A640, against A630.
I would like a digital camera (not slr) that will have zoom, macro, viewfinder and especially good quality photos. I have an Olympus C750 3meg 8x zoom now. I would like to move up. We travel and do scenery (mountains), nature, animals, flowers. I do not know anything about lenses. What would you recommend since you do not seem impressed with the new 18x zoom?
Thanks, I have read this post. I liked this model of a camera (Digital Compact Camera A630). 8 megapixels it is coolly!!! I have about 3 megapixels now. I think,
that the plenty megapixels will spend memory considerably. Mine compact Casio EX-Z3B allows to shoot about 120 photos in a memory card of 256 Mbytes. It is high-grade pictures with the maximal quality. If I shall use 8 megapixels camera, I can shoot about 40-50 photos, using the same memory card. It is unsufficiently for me. Please, say your point of view.
Nice weekend,
SiR
http://mysteryphoto-sir.blogspot.com/
To anonymous
If you don't want an SLR but need for good quality photos etc. it's better to pay attention to the Fujifilm S9100 with a large 1/1.6 inch Fujifilm SuperCCD V HR and 28-300mm lens. Unfortunately, it's a big device (750 g(26.5 oz)128 x 93 x 129 mm (5 x 3.7 x 5.1 in) such as the best SLR-like camera - the Sony DSC-R1 (1 kilo).
In other hand the Canon A630 with its Wide-engle and Tele converters has a good picture quality too.
To Sir
I'm using 1 or 2 GB memory cards, not more, although my pictures are about 3.5 MB at JPEG. Some times ago, I have had a trouble with 4GB card and have losed all my photos. In my opinion, it's better to have a lot of memory cards, even for the RAV format.
Thanks. I understand, that the above-stated problem is decided by installation of memory cards1 or 2 GB. Now price low for them. However plenty megapixels (8-12, for example) are costs of the large money. 3 megapixels it is enough for me to have pictures of high quality on the monitor and on photographic paper especially. But I think, that the plenty megapixels has the right to existence. I can cut out small slices from such pictures and their quality remain excellent. It is required to me each time, when I do the photoreporting shooting. The undesirable objects get in the frame and they need to be cut out. I vote for large megapixels!
Best regards,
SiR
Mystery Photo
http://mysteryphoto-sir.blogspot.com/
To sir
It's good to have many mega pixels for any Full-frame SLRs as Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III with 21MP. However, for a small Compact camera's sensor (1/2.5" or 1/1.8") it's more than enough to have 7-8MP.
The Canon Powershot SX100 IS is a really great camera, although I am a little disappointed about shutter lag when the flash unit is on. The picture quality is very good, as I would expect from a Canon’s digital camera. The SX100 also has a good set of features for a good price.
Yes, I agree, the SX100 is a good value for money.
A great article which helps a lot in making the right choice! Just one correction: according to the mfrs' site, the Canon SX100 does not have a flip out and twist LCD.
I bought the the Sony DSC-H3, but will return it and buy a Canon SX100 instead. The H3 produces very good pictures, but you can't manually set the aperture or the shutter speed and have the camera select the other automatically. The H3 only has a full manual mode.
Chris
To Chris
Thanks for your comment. These two are good cameras, but I would prefer the Canon SX100 too.
For Canon SX100, some review sites say you can't use zoom in video mode. Comment/Confirmation?
To Alvintardy
Yes, it's right. You can't use an optical zoom in video mode.
I have a DSC-H3(Sony),its zoom capacity is upto 10x, and I want to increase its zoom capacity and other features so that its behabve like a perfect SLR. So I want to bus SLR lense but I do not know the compability of this camera. Please give me the information for SLR lense suitable to my camera
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