Hello,

I forgot my camera (a Finepix S5500) at a friend's and he lives so far that a new one would be nearly cheaper than fuel ;-) At last a good pretext to replace the fully satisfying (but old) Fujifilm ! So I went surfing to find informations about available new bridges.

Two cameras seem to be more interresting than the others : the Canon Powershot SX20 IS and the Panasonic Lumix Z38.  The main differences are : no RAW mode but classical AA batteries (I've tons of it and what's needed to load them while driving) for the Canon, RAW mode but weird and expansives batteries I will have to buy for the Lumix.

Fujifilm seems far behind in this race but... I have all the stuff yet (batteries, memory cards and some filters) , I know how to use it and the Finepix S2000 is 100 euros cheaper than SX20 and Z38 (in France)

What could help me to choose would be opinions of daily users of these three cameras (what difficulties do you have ?) and "bien sûr" links to their galleries.  I use my camera for all kinds of pictures (from charming little flowers to roaring mechanic sports)

The Achille's heel of my actual S5500 could be the low luminosity for indoor pictures but it's not stabilized allows only 400 ISO sensibility and can't receive an additional flash. What about the others ? 6400 ISO, but what about noise ? The can receive an extern flash, but it's money... Quick focus, short time between two pictures and performance of rafale mode could also be elements of choice (I read the Canon was best for this point)

Thank you very much for your help,

Sam

I have been very happy with my Canon Powershot SX20 IS camera.

Actually I checked last night and I have the Canon Powershot SX10 IS camera, but if the SX20 is an improvement of the SX10 it should be a very good choice.

Quote on the SX10 from the Google web page:
"Whether the action is fast or slow, close up or far away, you'll always get the shot you want with the PowerShot SX10 IS. This camera puts you on the cutting edge of advanced technology, with an incredibly powerful 20x optical zoom, 10-megapixel resolution, and DIGIC 4 image processor for high-performance face and motion detection.
The PowerShot SX10 IS is equipped with a 20x optical zoom lens with a focal length of 5.0-100mm that allows you to shoot any scene from wide-angle to telephoto. The camera uses a VCM (Voice Coil Motor) for high-speed, quiet, energy-efficient lens movement with precise control. Focal length is conveniently indicated on the lens barrel.
The lens is optimized to fully exploit its zoom length and wide shooting angle in concert with the camera's high 10.0-megapixel resolution. UD glass effectively suppresses chromatic aberration, while enhanced negative refractive power ensures that distortion at the wide-angle is also corrected. Further aberration is controlled with the inclusion of a double-sided aspherical glass-molded lens and ultra-high refraction index lens.
The SX10 IS is equipped with Canon's acclaimed optical image stabilizer technology that automatically detects and corrects camera shake - one of the leading causes of fuzzy or blurred shots. Even when zoomed in, you can get the steady, crisp, brilliant images you'll be proud to shoot and share. And Canon's optical image stabilizer technology is convenient to use. It functions perfectly with or without a flash."

Have you got a link to pictures you took with your Canon ?

If you could improve something about it, what would it be ?

Why not have your friend fedex it to you?

Because it's an old camera, he doesn't live so far, his parents are nearly my neighbours  and... I absolutely neeeeeeeeeeeed  a brand new one !!!!!!!!

Up ?

If you look at my gallery, you will see my first year or so I used a Fuji Finepix 2800. I love that little point and shoot! It took great pictures and was so easy to carry everywhere.
When I upgraded I went to a Lumix FZ30, most of my post are from that camera and I'm happy with most of the shots, but I hate the macro, unless your shooting in a studio with additional lighting, it's not a quick macro shot and you have to remember to set the focus to MAF (macro auto focus) or manual.
I finally upgraded to a decent camera (for what I could afford) a Pentax K20D and I having the hardest time with the weight, since you have to carry all those extra lenses, but it's been well worth it and I'm still learning lots about the ins and outs of it.  I think I've only posted one picture so far with the new camera (Bishop Creek).
Oh yeah, even though the batteries seem expensive for the Lumix, you can get them alot cheaper on Ebay or some of the camera houses that sell off brand batteries.  I was able to buy 2 for the price of one and always carry around 3 in my bag at all times.
Hope this helps,
Kim

It helps a bit, but you didn't uploaded your pics along with exif datas, so I don't know which camera took which picture. 2009 pic's are taken with the Lumix ?

About the batteries : is it possible to reload them in the car ?

It helps a bit, but you didn't uploaded your pics along with exif datas, so I don't know which camera took which picture.
Most of my pictures do not have the exif data because I use several different programs for postwork.

2009 pic's are taken with the Lumix ?
All my photos in the last two or three years are with the Lumix, with the exception of "Bishop Creek"

About the batteries : is it possible to reload them in the car ?
If you mean recharge them, I'm not really sure. They probably make a car charger, but I don't own one. My batteries lasted quite a long time, usually outlasting my memory card switch during any shoot. I rarely had to use all three batteries unless I was out hiking for the entire day. Of course I use my view finder more then the LCD screen. I'm sure the batteries wouldn't last as long if you are keeping the screen on for all shots.

One other thing I was going to mention, there are additional lenses you can use with the Lumix. I have a wide angle that screws onto the regular lens. Of course you may want to look into the Lumix G with it's interchangable lenses.

Just a few suggestions, hope they help!

And what is the screw diameter (i've yet several filters in 55mm fitting the Fujifilm) ?

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2789040

I'm pretty sure the Powershot SX20 don't take filters.

Thank you for the link kbrog : it was very useful partly because of pictures examples. There's also a review about FZ35. I think it's always better to compare reviews from the same source.

In fact, it seems that both cameras can use filters and that a cheap adapter would allow me to use my old ones. So I've no good reasons to stick to Fujifilm which seems "behind" the two other candidates.

To charge the batteries in a car, a simple cable, that I own yet, is enough. That was my biggest concern with the Lumix, because I shoot a lot when wandering. Its lens semmes better than Canon, and it produces RAW files. It has no plug for external flash, but with 1600 ISO and stabilisation, is it really a problem ?