Camera opinions, please

[Flipturn88]

Hello all,
My mother is traveling to Africa this summer and wants to get a good camera for the trip. She does not want SLR, just the next best thing. From doing some research and talking to a few stores, she has come up with this camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz30/). The image stabilization is critical (which eliminates the Fuji 9000), as is a good zoom. I wanted to get your opinion, since I know there are many experts here. :) Thanks in advance!

[bamann345]

Canon just came out with the IS3....if it is anything like the IS1 and IS2 it will be a WONDERFUL camera. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_s3is.asp

hth,

william

[gregr]

Going purely by the specs (since I've not played with either camera) the Panasonic has a bigger sensor (equals better bigger prints, potentially) and slightly more powerful flash. It's also faster in frames per second and the biggie (these cameras are so evenly matched) is the lcd has double the pixels. The downside of the Panasonic, and it's a fairly significant downside, although in Africa it most likely won't be a big issue... the pictures are noisy (grainy) at any but the lowest iso.
The Canon is less expensive and pretty comparable in most categories, except for the lcd.
If your Mom ends up with the Panasonic remind her to shoot at 80 iso except when she has no choice (no way to use a tripod on those beautiful safari sunsets :) ).
Greg

[Flipturn88]

Thanks for the advice! She went ahead and bought the Panasonic, but it's still in the box until the decision is final.

Does anyone know anything about the Canon S3 IS? That was the other option she was considering. Thanks again. :)

[FishDad2]

Here's a great site...should help you make a decision.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Good luck