Hi guys!

I have jumped the gun and now plunged into photography. I need your help in choosing a new smallish point and shoot camera with a good zoom for travel and family pics.

My budget is around 20K.

I have been recommended the Canon SX200IS Is this camera any good. how about a Panasonic TZ7?

Would like your recommendations.

I was looking into the P&S superzoom category as a gift for my wife this Diwali. After much research I had narrowed down the list to:

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ7

FujiFilm FinePix F70EXR

Ricoh CX2

However I was unable to find any of these models in Mumbai - after visiting several malls.

Hi Cyrus & Jagat,

The Canon SX200 IS is a compact zoom (12x I think) P&S camera, however in video mode you cannot zoom (if video is important to you). For better quality video you need to look at the next level, for example, the SX20 IS.

The Canon SX20 IS is a good megazoom (20x), but it would not come with bill and warranty at 20K. It will be more like 25-28K. On top of that at high ISO (high ISO means more light sensitivity, useful for low light no-flash photography), it's not the best at its class. The new Panasonic Lumix FZ35 and the older FZ28 is a better camera in that regard. If HD video is not so important to you, and if you can find one, the older Canon SX10 IS which can do 640x480 video is a better camera with similar or same zoom range. If you can find one, it would not be much more than 20K.

Strictly under 20K, you can consider the Fujifilm Finepix F200EXR with 5x zoom or the F70EXR with 10x zoom, if video is not so important for you, because these are much inferior to the Canons for video. The Fuji sensors have made a name for good low light abilities. These are also super compact cameras like the Panasonic TZ7 you mentioned. All others mentioned above have a much larger SLR-like body except the SX200 IS.

If you want only very good picture quality (including a bit of low light ability), but no video and only small zoom range (only 3x), and prefer a super compact body, you can also consider the new Canon Powershot S90 at around 24-25K.

I am not sure, but the TZ7 mentioned in your posts may not have many manual photography options, if you like that (I do). I like to use manual options almost always even in a P&S cameras (otherwise you lose a lot of shots like sunsets and so on). Otherwise, the TZ7 is also a very good camera.

Regards.

Thank You AsitDe.

I do not need a camera for video as I already have a Sony Handycam. Also size is important. I would like the camera to easily slip into my pocket so SLR's are out.

I am not very familiar with FujiFilm as a brand but of course everyone knows Canon. I will also try the Canon Powershot S90 with 28-105mm zoom that you have mentioned as I can stretch my budget to 25K if needed.

Jagat, the Ricoh CX2 looks very impressive with a 28-300 zoom. Wonder where can I see this in Mumbai?

AsitDe I have started a new thread at http://www.cameravision.in/forum/wha...canon-s90.html

Please respond.

Thank You.