S3 IS vs Panasonic FZ7

[Lightstream]

I'm sure some of you found yourselves making this decision.. which route did you take, and why?

The FZ7 is a particularly good deal at this point, at $90 cheaper than the S3 IS.

[Miyagi-san]

i have been toying with the idea of both the S3 and the FZ7 lately...i have recently owned an S3 and returned it to try out other cameras before dedicating to it. i think i am going back to the S3 though.
the FZ7 has a bigger lcd which is nice, but i can live with 2"...the flip lcd makes up for it.
i am also a die-hard fan of cameras that use AA batteries...i hate having to buy spare 'special' batteries at a high price when NiMH's are so cheap these days...that's a big point for me.

also, the S3's zoom speed is dang quick. 1 second to full zoom...vs FZ7's 2.5 seconds
i'm also just a die hard canon fan.

but even after all that, money is tight and the FZ7 still sounds good at $260 at amazon.com.....however i have plenty of rechargable AA's, so to purchase the FZ7 with a bunch of new batt's would bring it's price a little closer to the S3's.....

....if that made any sense at all... :D

basically to sum it up, going with the S3. I shouldn't...but i am :D i don't think i'd ever be completely satisfied with the FZ7...which isn't worth the $$ savings to me

[casaaviocar]

I own an S2, I came to that conclusion when I looked at the reviews and saw the noise with the Panny. The ability to zoom while taking movies put the Canon over the top. I wish the Canon's build quality equaled that of the Panny.

[cindyinflorida]

I was at this same point a few weeks ago trying to decide between the S3 and a Panasonic F series camera. In the end I got a S3 based on many suggestions and personal accounts from many on this forum. I have to say, I have yet to be dissapointed. I do own a DSRL as well, so not new to photography. But I am enjoying being able to grab the S3 and go on hikes or carry it instead of toting several lenses on each photo trip. I live in East TN just outside GSM and the S3 has been put through it paces the last few weeks for fall colors. At first I was still taking my DSRL and still will bring it and use on certain shots. But I am very comfortable now with the S3 as a primary camera and have shown shots from both cameras to many people and photographers and they cant tell the difference.

I would highly recommend it to anyone. Just wish a few things. It was better in low light and it was faster like my XT. But for landscapes it is awesome. I love it because I can actually use it one handed, shooting out the window or in places I really couldnt manuver with my XT and still get non blurry shots.

I am hoping after this weekend, I will have updated my website with all my newest photos. Havent had time the last 6 weeks as I have been out enjoying the fall colors in my spare time. Now that fall is somewhat over here and winter is coming, will try to get updated before I get out and get snow covered cades cove.

You will love the S3 in my opinion. :)

[Lightstream]

Thanks for all the detailed responses! :)

There is a very good point made about the S3 requiring AA.. I re-did my calculations and discovered that purchasing even the third-party rechargeables for the FZ7 narrows the gap to $40. For $40 the S3 really is a better deal. Cool..

I handled both at the local camera shop. The S3 is also more solid feeling, but heavier (400gm+ compared to 300gm+)

cindy: Great explanation of the S3's advantages to a DSLR user as well. Sometimes the sack of glass REALLY gets heavy. I am carrying a ten pound sack these days.. ! 400gm - heaven! The big glass has its advantages in difficult situations though.