Some noob advice please... Canon EOS 400 or Panasonic FZ18...

NeilF

NeilF

NeilF

Soldato
Joined
15 Nov 2003
Posts
14,422
Location
Marlow
My other half wants to get a 'decent' camera. The two different routes we're looking at are:-
Canon EOS 400
Panasonic FZ18

Now, obviously the Canon is a proper SLR, where as the Panasonic is a 'super zoom'.

Is anyone able to help with this choice?

We do not intend to become 'camera nuts' but would like to be able to play around. I suspect most of the time it will be an 'auto' camera...


My only concern with the EOS as well as being well over £100 more, only has a 3x zoom on it, where of course the Panasonic comes with 18x out of the box.
 
You'll get much much higher quality photos from the Canon, but you need to know what you're doing.

If you just want something to record days out get the Panasonic.

Oh, and zoom isn't everything...
 
robertgilbert86 said:
You'll get much much higher quality photos from the Canon, but you need to know what you're doing.

If you just want something to record days out get the Panasonic.

Oh, and zoom isn't everything...
Click to expand...

We've got an Canon IXUS for 'recording days out'... :)

I've seen some pictures from a FZ18 and they definately looked better than our little IXUS for example - no surprise there as the lens on the FZ18 is suppose to be very good.

However, I obviously haven't seen a comparison between an FZ18 and EOS so am in the impossible position of trying to decide if the EOS is 'noticably' better :rolleyes:
 
NeilFawcett said:
We've got an Canon IXUS for 'recording days out'... :)

I've seen some pictures from a FZ18 and they definately looked better than our little IXUS for example - no surprise there as the lens on the FZ18 is suppose to be very good.

However, I obviously haven't seen a comparison between an FZ18 and EOS so am in the impossible position of trying to decide if the EOS is 'noticably' better :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

All my pictures from my sig link are from the Canon EOS (although I am a noob too)

Most of them are not with the kit lens though. THe lens you use makes a fair bit of difference.
 
Is there a slightly upgraded/alternative lens then that would offer what he 'package' lens does, but with a bit more zoom for example? eg: So instead of paying in efect £60 for the standard lens, we pay £150 fo an alternative one?

I really don't want to spend £400 on an EOS and then have to spend (& carry) another £200 lens around for example...
 
NeilFawcett said:
Is there a slightly upgraded/alternative lens then that would offer what he 'package' lens does, but with a bit more zoom for example? eg: So instead of paying in efect £60 for the standard lens, we pay £150 fo an alternative one?

I really don't want to spend £400 on an EOS and then have to spend (& carry) another £200 lens around for example...
Click to expand...

Have you considered maybe picking up a second hand 350D (there is very little difference from the 400D)?

Having re-read your OP, the kit lens will be absolutely fine for your needs. I am just not sure how much benefit it will be for you spending £400 on a 400D if you only plan to use it on Auto and not really do much else with it.
 
NeilFawcett said:
Is there a slightly upgraded/alternative lens then that would offer what he 'package' lens does, but with a bit more zoom for example? eg: So instead of paying in efect £60 for the standard lens, we pay £150 fo an alternative one?

I really don't want to spend £400 on an EOS and then have to spend (& carry) another £200 lens around for example...
Click to expand...

An SLR is not for you, then.
 
Scam said:
Simple and to the point. From reading the OP's posts it's quite clear that he does not want, nor need an SLR. Go for the bridge camera and enjoy it.
Click to expand...

This isn't just an elitist comment is it?

At the end of the day I/we simply want a camera that will take great pics, but I suspect (having two kids) carrying extra lenses around and swapping them around may not be ideal...


If you believe the Canon would give better pics than the Panasonic, and the package lens (or a comparible alternative) would suffice, then fine.

If alternatively, you think the FZ18 (a lot of reviews remark it has a good lens) would give pretty close results to the EOS picture quality wise, then indeed it may well be the way to go.


Again, thanks for any advice!
 
NeilFawcett said:
This isn't just an elitist comment is it?
Click to expand...

No, it's not. You really won't see the full benefits of an SLR unless you're prepared to a. spend at least a bit of money on glass b. learn about the principles of photography.

Most people are quite reasonably not prepared to do these things, and thus should not buy SLRs.

Spending £400 on an SLR and then only ever using the kit lens and only ever using it in auto mode is a complete waste of money, and you'll get far more benefit from a bridge camera (if you don't mind the size) or even a compact.
 
robmiller said:
No, it's not. You really won't see the full benefits of an SLR unless you're prepared to a. spend at least a bit of money on glass b. learn about the principles of photography.

Most people are quite reasonably not prepared to do these things, and thus should not buy SLRs.

Spending £400 on an SLR and then only ever using the kit lens and only ever using it in auto mode is a complete waste of money, and you'll get far more benefit from a bridge camera (if you don't mind the size) or even a compact.
Click to expand...

All perfectly valid comments...

I'll investigate the FZ18 a bit more then... And you think its pictures should compare closely to the D400?

For the sake of £100-£150 I'd rather get the unit that is going to take the best pictures...

But I suspect we'd never make use of changing the lens as you point out!
 
NeilFawcett said:
This isn't just an elitist comment is it?
Click to expand...
It certainly isnt, and robmiller has said why. Buying an SLR kit doesnt nearly set you up for a camera 'for all occasions'. It's a bit like buying 4 wheels, and 4 seats, and calling it a car.

I've got absolutely no experience with bridge cameras, but i'd wager that the quality of the pictures (in most situations) would be entirely comparable to SLR quality. You dont need an SLR, dont let anyone tell you otherwise because "it'll give better quality pictures".
 
For just taking pictures of stuff, 85% of the time a bridge camera will do the trick without a hitch, however the moment you start wanting to get photos of a particular thing, such as sports or wildlife, the vast world of lenses and SLRs will only ever satisfy someone who is after not just usable but very good photos, I went to music live yesterday at the NEC with a little olympus 7MP point and shoot, the size of a credit card.. Came away with some pretty reasonable shots.. I didn't for a second wish I had my MkIII and L glass stuck on the front of it all day...
 
Just spoke to my 'other half' and showed her some shots from a Panasonic FZ18 and a Fuji 9600... I think she still wants to go Canon 400 (which she played with over the weekend)...

So, anythin to look out for? Get it with the standard lense? Or a different one for example?

Thanks!
 
If you only ever going to use one lens on it you will probably find the kit lens very limiting in terms of reach, unless of course all your phot's fit within it's range. One option would be to go body only and then buy something like a sima 18-200 lens it's going to cost quite abit more and the quality of the lense isn't the best but it will give you bridge camera like zoom without the need to change lenses.

Remember picture quality is not just about the camera I guarantee I can take as many bad pictures with either a bridge or an slr it's all about shooting the right thing in the right way.
 
a1ex2001 said:
Remember picture quality is not just about the camera I guarantee I can take as many bad pictures with either a bridge or an slr it's all about shooting the right thing in the right way.
Click to expand...

Definitely, a good camera doesn't mean all your photos will suddenly be good.

Any comments on the Sigma 17-70mm people? It is a great price and I have heard nothing but good things about it. I am looking at it to replace my 400Ds kit lens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom