Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20K or Nikon Coolpix S600?

I’m looking for a camera in the $ 170-210 range, with a decent set of features. One business that I really despise is coming up several seconds between shots. I’m going off to college soon and would like a decent point-and-shoot for general use. A nice feature (but not required) is the ability to set an exposer time of several seconds, which both cameras that I mentioned have. What do you guys reckon about the two cameras mentioned in the title, or do you suggest another similarly priced model?

Answer by *Sarah* =)
Go for a Nikon Cool pix all the way!

Answer by damon
I see you done some research…as persons two are virtual match-ups in specs for a wide-angle lens compact. Congrats to you for selecting a wide angle lens camera…i feel its a better feature than a shorter focal length on the wide side like most compacts (33mm-37mm equiv). As for image quality…both place up very excellent shots as well. It has been my experience examining sample pics, that panny and nikon take two different approaches to ISO noise. panny likes to give a heavy dose of noise reduction…and nikon like to up the sharpening. Two different angles…which have slightly different results on images. Both are honest in this class…just depends on what you like to see. Since both perform well in the IQ area…it basically boils down to features, camera “feel”, and one of your top priorities, shot-to-shot-times.
I picked this up from a nikon s600 review online:

“Shot-to-shot time in single-shot mode and maximum quality is a small slow at around three seconds, limited mainly by slow write speed even when using a high-speed card. Trying to shoot quickly in single-shot mode is frustrating, because if you try to take a picture before it’s ready, it simply refuses to do anything for a couple of seconds, which in practice earnings that the actual shooting speed is usually a lot slower than the possible maximum.”

this was said about the FS20:

It starts up in just under three seconds, which is a small on the slow side, while shot-to-shot time in single-shot mode is approximately two seconds, about average for a camera in this class.

So agreed that…the panny is tops. Add to that, a lower price, one of the best image stabilization systems, and higher resolution record recording…and i would have to say the panny fs20 over the equally excellent nikon.
additional suggestion? the List SD880IS. i reckon it may be slightly more than these two…but what a terrific wide-angle compact. beyond doubt worth looking at.
excellent luck and congrats on closing in on your next well-researched camera choice.

Answer by shaft
Yes, persons two cameras are pretty evenly matched.

I’ll admit right off the top I am bias toward Panasonic but I reckon that beats a hidden bias.

Here is my take:

Pro Panasonic:
Nearer fps (frames per second),
Maximum exposure time is 60 seconds compared to Nikon’s 4 seconds,
Minimum exposure time is 1/2000 sec. Nikon’s is 1/1500,
Can take different aspect ration shots of 3:2 and 16:9.

Pro Nikon:
Wider lens 28mm, Panasonic’s is 30mm
Nicer looking, seems more solid
Nearer startup time, but I’d prefer better shot to shot time

I agree with you that one business I really despise is a slow shot to shot time, for sure the Panasonic is better here. Overall I do reckon the Pansonic is both a better value and better camera. I take issue with damon’s note about Panasonic’s processing of noise, this is such ancient and cliche criticism of Panasonic cameras. Persons noise issues are from the past, there have been changes since then. One major exchange is Panasonic’s new chipset, the Venus IV engine which this FS20 uses. Don’t compare “sample pics” from the older chipsets and sensors.

What ever you get, especially if you want quick consecutive shooting, get a very quick card. You may find that some will tell you it is a waste to get a card that is technically nearer than even your camera can dish out but I still do this for three reasons:
1. Nearer cards are made with higher tolerances so they are more reliable.
2. They consume less power.
3. It is a hedge against the future when you may use that same card in a different camera/device.

As far as a possible step up, the obvious would be the FX37, seems like the same sensor but this model upgrade seems to be mostly about better record, fantastic if that is vital to you. Here are more significant differences:
Face AF tracking,
HD movies,
smaller show (but slightly smaller camera too),
HD component output (need to buy optional component cable).

Another possibility would be to go over to Panasonics premium line and the FX150, for better image quality. When I compare this to the additional suggestion of the Caonon SD880IS the Panasonic advantages are:
Larger sensor,
can do 60second shutter (this is fantastic for very dark night time shots, not just stars in the sky), Cannon’s max is (15 sec.),
still nearer fps,
higher resolution movies,
does RAW!!

Know better? Place your own answer in the comments!

Disaster!


Image by J.T. Ratcliff
This is the last image ever captured by my wife’s camera. The enclosure was manufactured by Fantasea Line, and should be avoided like the plague it is because the seal spontaneously failed, flooding the camera with sea water >:( This manufacturer, Fantasea Line, claims no responsibility for when their harvest ruin your property, which should have been a huge red flag. Make sure to avoid this company, unless you want to buy a new camera.
RIP small point and shoot…

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