We decided to buy a new camera last November. After our initial research, we shortlisted two cameras - Canon Powershot SX 20 IS and Panasonic Lumix FZ-35/38. The two models are top-selling non-SLR digital megazoom cameras of the day. As we soon learnt, the choice between the two is a difficult one. There are many forums on internet where people have vented their frustration at not being able to decide which one of these two cameras should they buy. Each camera has its pluses and minuses.
Canon is the leading brand in digital cameras. Powershot SX 20 IS has 20X zoom. It supports 12 megapixel resolution, and has quick autofocus. To top it all it has fully articulate LCD display, which many consider an extremely handy feature. Panasonic FZ-35, on the other hand, has a close 18X zoom, and 12 megapixel resolution. Its major drawback is it's fixed LCD display. To its advantage, it has a better image stabilization. It is considerably lighter (~420 gms, in comparison to ~680 gms for Canon SX 20). And it has excellent performance in conditions of low light - an area where it beats Canon hands-down.
All in all, it was a difficult choice to make. We agonized over it for several months. Finally, one day I said enough was enough. We had to buy one of the two cameras that day. After another agonizing hour or two at Fry's, we bought Panasonic Lumix!
I have posted several photos taken from our new camera on this blog (see below - Chicago and Hawaii). The camera has lived up to our expectations. Although we were satisfied with Panasonic's performance, the thoughts of how life would have been with Canon continued to bother us.
The ghost of the torment of the decision to buy Panasonic continued to haunt us. It returned again and again to vex us. However, when we saw this advertisement for Panasonic Lumix with "Intelligent Face Detector", it was finally buried once and for all. The moment we saw the ad, all our doubts vanished. We had made the right choice. No other camera would have suited us better this day than Panasonic Lumix!!
"Panasonic Lumix - with Intelligent Face Detector"
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