Optical Zoom

[sarahly]

Im trying to figure out which digital camera to buy, its my fist camera as im a beginner photographer and im looking for somethign under 400 bucks, atleast 7 megapixels and 5x optical zoom or higher. Ive narrowed it down to two cameras, a Panasonic Model No. DMCLZ7 for 329 dollars, or a Olympus Model No. FE240 for 400 dollars, i so want the olympus its black its so pretty but its 1 optical zoom less and more expensive.

[Urban Legend]

Hi sarahly,

I don't know if this is the same model but the Panasonic also exists in Black and at $175.60 and the Olympus can be found at $199.94 :

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 6x Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

- 7.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
- 6x image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
- Intelligent ISO Control (I.I.C.) reduces image blur from subject movement and low light
- Records full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) at 30 frames per second
- Stores images on SD/SDHC/MMC memory cards; 27MB internal memory

Olympus Stylus FE-240 7.1MP Digital Camera with Dual Image Stabilized 5x Optical Zoom (Black)

- Includes - FE-240 Digital Camera, Wrist Strap, Quick Start Guide, Lithium-Ion Battery (LI-42B) & Charger (LI-40C), USB Cable, Audio/Video Cable, Olympus Master Software CD-ROM, Basic Manual and Advanced Manual CD-ROM
- 7.1 Megapixel, up to 3072 x 2304 640x480 at 30fps - J&R recommends purchasing an optional 1GB xD Picture card for practical usage
- 5x Optical, 4x Digital Zoom 6.4 - 32mm Lens, 6 lenses in 8 groups
- Aperture Range - f3.3 - f5.0
- 2.5-inch Color 115K LCD

I don't know about Panasonic optics quality. Both cameras seam very good, but what I dislike in the Olympus models is the use of xD Picture card. I find more convenient to use SD card, but this is only my point of view.

[tokyo]

There's not much of a difference between 5x and 6x, probably about 3 metres or so. Don't count on the digital zoom though, it's shit.

I bought mine for 421€ with 1GB memory card, bag, and a batterie thingy.
You should consider buying online, my camera on the stores is about 500-600€, and only the camera, no pack! But it's a Canon Powershot S3 IS, it's a bridge, therefore bigger and harder to carry on your purse.

Since it's a bigginers camera and it probably does not even have a manual mode (well, all of them have, but it's not manual at all), I think any of those are good. Check the macro of both and go with the one that has a smaller range, so if you're trying to fotograph something small you'll get it pretty focused.

[kingsnkviper]