panasonic dmc zs3........I think I am gonna pull the trigger

[high country]

after much debate I am leaning twards the luminx dmc zs3. I have been debating betweenthe canon 200 and this, but after much prodding by a friend who has blown up a few canons in the dust he has convinced me to shy away. so I am looking for any feedback or comparisons with similar big zoom big pix cams. I am wanting a cam that will be with me all the time and take a reasonable amount of abuse. what say ye

[Curly]

I'm looking for a camera for my wife, so I'm also curious as to the replies you get.  I'm leaning toward the Panasonic DMC-TS1 based on the minimal amount of research I've done so far.

[PacificNWhunter]

Seems like a good camera, I just got the fz35. Not sure if that one and the leica lense too.

[actionshooter]

I don't have experience with that one, but I bought the DMC fz28 on Boneaddicts recomendation and am VERY pleased with it. Very lightweight for that size also. Carried it on all my backpacking this year.

[boneaddict]

The Fz line is great, don't know a thing about the line you are talking about. The Fz takes awesome pics for a point and shoot with that lieca glass and it stands up to an incredible amount of abuse.  It has failed me twice, once because I rolled down th emountain with a log and once because I dropped it in 2 feet of running water for a bit.  I am still tkaing pics iwth it though since the water action which amazes me.   

[high country]

good to know bone. I was gong to go with the fz35 which is the latest greatest fz, but the guys at huppins, a long standing camera store in spokane tell me that I am only giving up a wee bit of zoom and a couple manual exposure settings with the little guy. I like the idea of actually having a decent point and shoot in my pocket. I think if I am going to have a camera the size of the fz's I will go dslr.

the canon's had really caught my eye, but a good friend of mine shoots hours and hours of film and has not had good luck with the caonons in the elements. he said sony was the toughest they have used....I figure I will not be filming in the conditions he does so the pana got my nod....plus I am such a sucker for leica stuff.

[boneaddict]

In this class of camera I think the Panny really out does the Canon.  I obviosuly like Canon as thats what my lens and DSLR are so its not a Ford versus Chevy observation if you know what I mean, so I think you are smart for going that route. 

[high country]

In this class of camera I think the Panny really out does the Canon.  I obviosuly like Canon as thats what my lens and DSLR are so its not a Ford versus Chevy observation if you know what I mean, so I think you are smart for going that route. 

thanks doug, I value your opinion....congrats on the cover photo in case I did not say it already.

[buckhorn2]

I picked up a fz28 this season and for not knowing anything about cameras it has worked out great and the in the house pictures of the kids and xmas was really nice.

[high country]

well i did it. holy cow they pack a lot into a little space. I miss haveing the full manual controls, but it has 3 presets that I can have ready which should cover 99% of what I need. the speed is very fast, and it is quiet. optically it is on parwith anything leica......seems like a good way to unload 270 bux

[shanevg]

It's the only camera I have and I love it!