Best compact

[shoretj]

Looking to invest around $500 in a compact super zoom any suggestions?

[garbidz]

I got the sx260hs
it is lightning fast and the interface is great.
20x zoom.
I have nothing to post yet.
It is pocketable. That's why I got it.

[eyalg]

If you're referring to compact-zooms (point-and-shoots around 200 grams and x20 zooms)
then the SX260 is indeed a great option, as well as the new ZS20 by Panasonic and HX30V by Sony.

If what you're looking for is a DSLR-Like camera (referred to as Super-Zooms, 500-600 gram bodies with x30-x40 zooms)
then both the SX40 and FZ150 are great. Either one of those would be a good buy.

-eyalg

[garbidz]

eyalg, you are absolutely right.
There is a brand new Lumix ZS30 which is even better than the 20.
I*took my first shots with the SX260 today and it is impressive. It is so easy to use for a canon guy.
The picture quality is more than enough for me, even if the screen is no so great. It is very fast.
My GF has the Lumix and the photos on the screen look a lot better.
but once you look at the real .jpg:s it is very hard to tell the difference. They say that Canon is better in low light.
I like the Lumix feel of a quality machine.
Canon feels cheaper but offers at least the same image quality.
As I have seen the Canon is a lot easier to use, the functions you need often are there at your fingertips: Exposure compensation and ISO adjustment, for instance.
I only have experience of the Lumix 20. A nice machine, indeed. Why I got the Canon was the that on the Lumix 30 you have an internal battery you have to charge and no option to carry an extra battery in case you run out of juice.
On Canon there is no internal memory.
On Canon you can zoom while shooting video. I do not know if it is possible with the Lumix.
LR3 had no problem with the Canon .jpg's
They say that there is a disturbing wide angle distortion on the Canon. Maybe. The critics are not happy with the Lumix picture quality which amazes me.
I have the Lumix LX3 and I was extremely happy with it. Time passes, though and now it is obsolete.
I take no sides, but as a Canon guy since the 70s, I felt at home with the Powershot. Either way, the camera will not be the limiting factor.
Lumix is great and so is Canon. I like the way Canon has arranged the essential functions.
In Lumix, I always had to dig in the menus.
My opinion is, go for the Powershot.


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[tmwag]

Best compact could include Micro 4/3 but sinse we're in the Canon forum ,,,never count out the S100 OR S95....all depends on your style...compact is what ..YOU want it to be