What Compact: Panasonic FS10/11 or TZ8...or other

[Matthew_Eames]

I'm Looking for a new camera, just a compact to do point and shoot stuff really and have been looking at the Panasonic Lumix range on reccomendation from a knowledgeable friend, he has reccomended either the FS10 or TZ8....now there is a large price different between them (£90 extra for the TZ8 which is 100% more) and as far as I can see the only difference is the rather fancy lens in the TZ8

FS10:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0031MA18K/ref=...

(there is also the FS11 for £10 more)

TZ8
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-Lumix-TZ8-Digita...

Now I'm not sure whether the super wide angle lens and extra zoom of the TZ is worth the extra money really as it's only going to be used for general snapping, taking snowboarding and mountain biking (hence a bit reluctant to spend loads) and holiday photo's. I'm not a good photographer by any means but I dont want junk (which I suspect neither are).

The FS series is physically smaller on account of the smaller lens, so easier to put into a pocket .etc so i'm swaying towards this unless you can say there are x amount of features on the TZ series that will be useful to me....alternatively what is there sub £100 that is worth looking at instead? I've always liked panasonic stuff but is there anything better?

Also I can't quite figure out what the differences between the FS10 and 11 are aside from going up to 14mp...worth bothering with?

Cheers

[WR1 Shane]

I've got a TZ4, the TZ8's younger brother and its a great camera but if you don't need the longer zoom you won't go far wrong with the FS10, Pansonic make some great cameras IMO

[antspants]

I'm currently pondering exactly the same question. I was looking for a £100 compact and it appears the FS10 is classed as one of the best £100'ish compacts, whereas the TZ8/10 are seen as the class above ie. not budget.

The TZ10 seems to be most recommended as the best compact available on all the forums and review sites I've been on. I think the TZ8 is pretty much the same camera just without the GPS tagging thingy, which I'm not that bothered about.

Again I'm no photographer, most of my use is snapshots at parties, stuff my son is doing, and holidays, so I can't make my mind up whether paying double for the TZ8 is worth it or not.

Sorry that hasn't helped you at all has it but as I'm in the same boat...

[Matthew_Eames]

antspants said:

I'm currently pondering exactly the same question. I was looking for a £100 compact and it appears the FS10 is classed as one of the best £100'ish compacts, whereas the TZ8/10 are seen as the class above ie. not budget.

The TZ10 seems to be most recommended as the best compact available on all the forums and review sites I've been on. I think the TZ8 is pretty much the same camera just without the GPS tagging thingy, which I'm not that bothered about.

Again I'm no photographer, most of my use is snapshots at parties, stuff my son is doing, and holidays, so I can't make my mind up whether paying double for the TZ8 is worth it or not.

Sorry that hasn't helped you at all has it but as I'm in the same boat...

I honestly dont think it's worth paying double, at least for what I (and by the sounds of it you) will use it for. I had a look at them today in currys/PC world (selling for the same as amazon which is good) and the FS10 is much more compact and easier to put in a pocket which I like, and if I break it snowboarding/mountain biking then it's not the end of the world. Menu system was similar if not identical on both camera's and very user friendly....and as you say reviews point to them being one of the best choices.

The TZ10 has GPS, 3.0" screen and stereo audio, but the TZ8 is exactly the same without GPS (drains battery anyway) 2.7" screen and mono audio....if you wanted one of these the 8 would be my choice (new ones are out end of feb/early march so hang on and the old model will probably come down)

I think i've answered my own question really, going to go for a TS, now do I have the 10 or the 11, for an extra £10 you get +2mp and apparently a slightly faster turn-on time which is useful I guess.

Either way i'm waiting for the new ones out, might save a few quid more!

[antspants]

FS10 £75 from Argos
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5593347.htm?_$ja=tsid:11527

[antspants]

I've just read a review of the FS11 which says "The only complaint is that the extra resolution on a similar sized sensor means more noise at high ISO setting". I'm not reall sure what most of that means however I'm not sure if the 2mp increase from the FS10 to 11 is a good thing or not?