Digital cameras 101

[tute03]

Hi, I'm new here.

I recently purchased a TZ3 camera to replace an Olympus Stylus 500.

Big was my surprise when checking the quality of the pictures taken with this great camera.

Below you'll find some samples:

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg89/tutemano/tz3mal.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg89/tutemano/tz3mal2.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg89/tutemano/tz3mal3.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg89/tutemano/P1010605.jpg


I would appreciate if you could tell me what am I doing wrong as to get such bad photos.

Thanks in advance

Best,

Matias

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Matias and welcome,

One of the weak points of the TZ3, in my experience owning it, is that it doesn't produce the best images taken in low light, either with or without the flash.

Make sure you always stay within the flash range and, for inside shots, adjust the White Balance for the lighting in the room. As you change the White Balance settings, you can see the color changes on the LCD screen so you have a pretty good indication as to when it's correct.

Photos taken inside with Panasonic cameras can appear dull. When editing, even with a free, easy to use program such as Picasa, you can adjust brightness and contrast as well as adjust the color. More often than not, I had to adjust the colors warmer for my TZ3 inside shots. These minor tweaks add a little "pop" to the images and really don't take a long time to do.

Give yourself time as you experiment with some of the things I've suggested. The TZ shines for taking outside shots but needs a bit of tender loving care when it comes to those taken inside.

Quick tips on using a built-in flash:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/toptips/flash-tips.php


White balance:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-photos/advanced-techniques/white-balance.php


Correcting a color cast:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/processing-photos/basic-editing/color-cast-removal.php


Picasa:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/processing-photos/basic-editing/picasa.php

[tute03]

Thank you Gail.

I've been considering changing the camera but I find myself lost when considering options to replace my TZ3..

Which one would you recommend if I were looking for a good all-around camera, which can take good low light and outside pictures at night, but still be able to take wonderful pictures during day without resignating point and shoot size.

Thanks in advance.

Matias

PS. I love TZ3 quality during day, but i find useless to have a u$s 300 camera which can't be used during night or at low-light situations.

[ShutterbugGail]

Which one would you recommend if I were looking for a good all-around camera, which can take good low light and outside pictures at night, but still be able to take wonderful pictures during day without resignating point and shoot size.

We can make some suggestions but before we do, please answer a very important question.

Are you willing to give up the versatile wide-angle 10X zoom range? If so, there are a lot of options; if not, your choices are limited.

There is another option to consider.

If you sell your TZ3, you will probably do so at a loss. For the amount of the loss, you can buy a Fujifilm F20, a plain, relatively inexpensive camera that excels in low light. I recently bought one:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/10/

I have some test shots here. You need to check out the ISO numbers!!!:

http://www.pbase.com/gailb/f20

[tute03]

I would be carrying two cameras with different memory cards and different chargers and else.

I think I would be willing to sacrifice the 10x zoom range in order to only stick with one camera, good indoors and outdoors.

I shall be waiting for your reply Gail

Thanks

[ShutterbugGail]

Canon cameras are generally regarded as very good all around cameras, delivering very good image quality and color in both outside and inside light. Here are a few cameras to consider; only the last one starts at 28mm.

- Canon PowerShot SX100 - 10x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilization (36-360mm equiv.)

- Canon A650 IS and A720, both with 6X zooms, image stabilization and viewfinders; the A650 has a twist and tilt LCD.

- Sony DSC-H3 - a small 10X superzoom with image stabilization

- Nikon Coolpix P50 28 - 102 mm (3.6X) zoom - has electronic Image Stabilization (software based IS).

Please note the Optical Image Stablization, which is hardware based, in considered the best type of IS.

More info about IS:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-features/camera-parts/image-stabilization.php

[Deb]

Hi, sorry to be joining this post late ....

In reviewing your posted images (especially the last image), it looks like all your shots are hazy as if your lens (or filter) was smudged, dirty or fogged.

[ShutterbugGail]

In reviewing your posted images (especially the last image), it looks like all your shots are hazy as if your lens (or filter) was smudged, dirty or fogged.

You're right, Deb. But, unfortunately, the TZ3 is not known for producing good images in low light and with the flash. It is one of the main reasons I sold my TZ3 (plus it lacked a viewfinder, which can be very useful especially when shooting at the long end of the zoom).

[Deb]

What a shame. Well, all the models you suggested are dandy indeed. I'm sure Matias will enjoy any of those.  

[tute03]

Thank you again for your suggestions.

The only "weak" point for me about Canon A720 is that AA batteries must be used.

I find more practical Li-ion batteries.

I guess I'll stop bt B&H to check those cameras and decide there.

You've been very helpful.

Since I'll be visiting Vegas, Gran Canyon, NY and San Francisco next week, I'll take my TZ3 to have a last trip. Wide angle lens will be helpful for scenarios, at least, while daylight remain.

Thanks all again

[ShutterbugGail]

The only "weak" point for me about Canon A720 is that AA batteries must be used.

It is. And flash recycle time will be slow. If you can live with that drawback, the feature/price/quality ratio is quite good.

I love my Pany FZ18. Not stellar in low light but low light images clean up nicely using programs such as Neat Image. The FZ18 won't fit in your pocket, but for a full featured, 18X wide zoom, it's very compact. No hot shoe though.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/9/

[tute03]

Gail, could you test Canon's SD 870? What's your opinion?

Thanks

[ShutterbugGail]

Gail, could you test Canon's SD 870? What's your opinion?

I really don't test cameras and am not supplied cameras by manufacturers. The cameras in my blogs are purchased by me because I'm genuinely interested in owning them.

Saying that, I scour all sorts of user and professional reviews about digital cameras. The SD870 is an upgrade to the SD800. It has received good reviews but image quality is said to suffer above ISO 400. But don't view that as bad news. It means you'll get better quality in low light at ISO 400 than you did with the TZ3.

It has a larger LCD than the SD800 but, like the TZ3, lacks a viewfinder. It does better at ISO 400 than the SD800.

The SD cameras are very pocketable. I own and SD700 and love it.

It can be maddening trying to find the perfect camera. None exists to date that I know of. Try to decide based on the features you'll most 80-90% of the time.