Visitor
Score

Lightweight, wide angle


Rich-Hagen | Asked  over a year ago | Last response was over a year ago

i am a beginner and like to shoot video and still shots.  I need a wide angle lens.

A camera for me would be easy to use, quick action with the ability to hang around the neck or mount on tripod. Primarily i would use it for video and desire some zoom features but more importantly wide angle lens - i like the wideness of the GoPro and the smallness of it, but lacks alot of features that i need. I also would like the ability to record audio. Basically, a camcorder built like a dslr...

Which camera do you recommend for Rich-Hagen?

Panasonic DMC-FZ150 - $547
12 MP|24x f/2.8|1/2.5" CMOS|3" LCD
Canon G12 - $509
10 MP|5x f/2.8|1/1.7" CCD|2.8" LCD
1 Answers
  1. Intermediate III
    cameras Community
    Fair Minded
    Score
    over a year ago John-Kim recommends neither camera

    Most P&S cameras, above models included comes nowhere close to matching FOV (field of view) that GoPro camera provides (170 and 127 degrees).   Canon starts at 28mm and Panasonic at 25mm, which are wide but nowhere wide as GoPro's even medium setting (127 degrees). 

    With Canon, you can add 0.43X wide-angle adapter, which converts 28mm to about 12mm, which gives you approximate field of view of 122 degrees, similar to medium setting on GoPro camera.  You may be able to insert a wide angle adapter on font of Panasonic as well, as it is one of the few P&S cameras with filter thread in the front element. Panasonic's wide angle adapters are rather pricey.

    While GoPro is somewhat chunky shaped camera, it is fairly small for obvious purpose of being able to be attached to helmet and so on. GoPro can also take a beating but above cameras, while well-made, will not stand up to the rigors of what GoPro goes through.  They are also both noticeably bigger than GoPro.

    Most all recent P&S cameras will record sound with video, some in stereo. Some will record in 1080p HD setting; Canon G12 will only do 720 HD while Panasonic can do 1080 HD, which may or may not be important to you.

    Aside from wide angle issues, they are classified as different sorts of cameras, Canon being more of advanced P&S while FZ150 is considered a travel zoom. It's comparing apples to oranges.  Canon has slightly better overall IQ since it has relatively bigger sensor but less reach with only 5X zoom, while FZ150 has considerably longer 24X zoom lens.  In low light setting, Canon does slightly better but Panasonic has newer CMOS sensor that supposedly fares better in low light than CCD type sensor found in G12.  In the end, I'm not sure if either one meets your requirement.

    1. Visitor
      over a year ago Rich-Hagen
      Thanks! Which camera would you recommend? I would welcome any feedback. Nikon 1 J1? Some off te shelf camcorder from wal mart?
    2. Intermediate III
      over a year ago John-Kim
      If you have an active lifestyle (assumption on my part since you mentioned GoPro), why not consider rugged models that are splash and drop resistant such as: Panasonic DMC-TS3, Nikon AW100, Olympus TG-820, Sony TX20, Fuji XP170, Canon D20 to name a few. They all take not great but plenty good pictures and video. As for Nikon J1, it's a nice cam with great IQ and funationality, but some would consider it a "girly" camera. If you mostly take videos, then getting a dedicated camcorder might be more to your liking. I'm not much a video person but do find video capability in digital cameras to be supremely useful and functional feature.
    3. Visitor
      over a year ago Rich-Hagen
      Again, thanks for taking the time to give your recommendations. i do appreciate it. As you can see, I am an amateur and am looking for a decent camera, most probably a P&S. Reason being, over the long haul i feel there is more functionality with them. So, camcorder is out for me; not sure if i want to go there and limit myself to good video and average photo. Last question: in your experience, are the P&S camera's video capability only limited in length by the Memory card installed? My answer would be yes, but without confirmation I just can't go on my answer. Thanks.
    4. Visitor
      over a year ago Rich-Hagen
      Along with the other requirements written above, I would have to add that I want a camera that will hang around my neck comfortably and film video as i stand and preach the gospel (I am a preacher). A camcorder just will not do that. A heavy handed Camera won't do either. So, I think what you have recommended above would suffice. Anything else you could tell me regarding this last requirement I welcome...
    5. Intermediate III
      over a year ago John-Kim
      Are you looking to video yourself while preaching? Perhaps using mini-tripod (gorillapod)? Do you need extended zoom capability? Most importantly, what is your price range? does hi def video matter? 720HD ok or do you need/want 1080pHD capability? The difference between superb and very good image quality is not much but to achieve that last 10% require more from the camera at much higher price. No matter what you get, you will find that you wish you gotten something better or different. Just human nature, I guess. More specific you are about your preference, better recommendation I can give.
    6. Intermediate III
      over a year ago John-Kim
      I think G12 is a superb, advanced, feature-laden camera recently supplanted by G1X as G12 was little long in the tooth. The fact that it still sells at near its original price attests to its popularity and capability. Only "con" is that it has older CCD sensor but it doesn't mean anything to average Joe. Also, it only does 720 HD, not 1080 HD video; for most part, 720 is plenty good in my experience but some people want the best and the latest. If so, G1X is on my short list for best point and shoot camera but its price is very steep for what it is. FZ150, I have one of its preceding model, FZ28, is a great camera as long as you understand its limitations. In the end, personally, I would choose G12 as better overall camera.
    7. Visitor
      over a year ago Rich-Hagen
      Yeah, Canon G12 was another recommendation given to me. The FZ150 Panasonic is one I have consistently liked as I have searched on snapsort.com. 1080 is a nice feature and the FZ150 has it but is Panasonic Lumix a quality rig?
    8. Intermediate III
      over a year ago John-Kim
      I generally have had good experience with Panasonic P&S cameras. In terms of build quality, it is on par with most other major players. Have you actually handled one in person? That's what I recommend. Sometimes people fall in love with specs and features without actually having handled one.
    Reply