Suggest Digicam, budget 7k

[arun687]

Hello,

I'm looking to buy a digicam. I'm a noob at photography, so a good point and shoot cam is what is needed, but also interested to learn advanced manual controls if it is available. It will be used mainly for occasions and picnics, also capture videos once in a while. So best in class picture quality and decent video quality is what I want. Li-ion rechargeable battery is preferred.

Budget - 6.5-7k - Will be buying from ebay

After doing some research I came across the wonderful LZ10 from Panasonic. I liked it but a few things that bother me about it are the lack of Li-ion batteries, quicktime video (heck 2GB gets filled in 20 mins of high quality video), no built in red eye correction and no high speed usb 2.0 support. Though the high quality video recording of 848x480 at 30 fps is really impressive.

Hows FS4 compared with LZ10? Hows the picture quality and detail in pictures of Panasonic cams compared with Canon and Sony? Any other models of Canon and Sony in this price range and better than the LZ10?

It will be nice if there's a feature to connect the cam to the PC to use it as a high quality webcam and for video recording.

Please suggest the best cams in this range, available on ebay for upto 7k.

Thanks

 

[Rockfella]

Also consider Fujifilm as it has full 3 years PARTS AND LABOUR WARRANTEE unlike SOny and others, not sure about Panasonic. Confirm with dealer if it has full 3 years not 1 year parts then u have to pay for labour OR some other hidden condition. Check for "conditions apply" or info marked with *

 

[amol_cool]

You can go with Olympus FE 26... Currently Indiaplaza has an offer. You can get it for Rs.5995-shipped and also get a battery Charger+2gb card+camera pouch and other freebies. Good camera IMO for that price

 

[MohitPreet]

only one good choice IMO!!

its the panasonic LZ10, i guess it has the best picture quality if all the cameras in that budget!

10mp with 5x optical zoom , full maual controls, AA batteries!!

cost around 6200-6700 from ebay depending on the coupon u have!

 

[jampack]

only one good choice IMO!!
its the panasonic LZ10, i guess it has the best picture quality if all the cameras in that budget!
10mp with 5x optical zoom , full maual controls, AA batteries!!
cost around 6200-6700 from ebay depending on the coupon u have!

Agreed. When I was planning to buy a camera in this range last year, this was miles ahead compared to other cameras in same range. Dont know if scenario has changed since then

 

[dennis_nail]

I own an FS3 (FS4 specs are very similar, but don't know the exact differences). The image and video quality is good for its price tag. This is very compact, but as compared to LZ10, there is no wide angle lens and optical zoom is 3x. But it is a very good compact entry-level camera. Image quality may be a bit better in LZ10. Personally I would suggest LZ10 over FS3/FS4. I chose FS3 only because FS3 was more compact and had Li-ion batteries.

Canon provides somewhat better image quality than Panasonic ones in general, but are costlier. Also, Panasonic provides 3 years warranty. Sony is way too costly for the image quality and features they provide. But Sony has very good flaunt value.

 

[arun687]

You can go with Olympus FE 26... Currently Indiaplaza has an offer. You can get it for Rs.5995-shipped and also get a battery Charger+2gb card+camera pouch and other freebies. Good camera IMO for that price

That's loaded with features for the price
How's Olympus brand in general?

I own an FS3 (FS4 specs are very similar, but don't know the exact differences). The image and video quality is good for its price tag. This is very compact, but as compared to LZ10, there is no wide angle lens and optical zoom is 3x. But it is a very good compact entry-level camera. Image quality may be a bit better in LZ10. Personally I would suggest LZ10 over FS3/FS4. I chose FS3 only because FS3 was more compact and had Li-ion batteries.

Canon provides somewhat better image quality than Panasonic ones in general, but are costlier. Also, Panasonic provides 3 years warranty. Sony is way too costly for the image quality and features they provide. But Sony has very good flaunt value.

FS4 got Li-ion batteries that's why I was considering it. But if I compromise on the battery then I think LZ10 is the way to go as all of you suggested. :S