I'm looking for a good compact digital camera to take on an upcoming Mediterranean cruise - Rome to Nice. I've narrowed the field to the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2, Canon PowerShot S3 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7K. They are closely ranked in the reviews, but no side by side comparisons. My concern is taking photos inside museums where flash photography is prohibited. The features and street prices are within a few dollars of each other.

Has anyone had experience with these models?

Is one camera clearly the best?

If you are used to a certain brand then the dials and controls will be familiar to you, making the learning curve easier. I am partial to Canon, as are many professionals (I am not a pro but an avid enthusiast). I recently bought a Canon S-80 for my point and shoot. It's got full manual controls and takes terrific photos. It works well in no flash situations and is quite compact.

Have you looked at www.dpreview.com - there is a lot of really good info there.

DPreview is the first site I look at when camera shopping.

The S80 zoom is not enough at only 3.6X.

I'm looking for a minimum of a 10X optical zoom.

I don't have experience with the Panasonic or the Sony, but I bought the S3 a few months ago. AndreaN also bought it after I sent her a couple of pictures that my daughter and I took with mine. It's an amazing camera!

I would go with the Canon. The opticals, etc are usually far and above the other two. I know quite a few folks who are happy with the canon model you are thinking about.

Arlene - I'm not so sure about the optics. The Panasonic uses a Leica lens which is well known among medium-format film fans. Leica possibly has an even stronger reputation than Canon does for optics.

Masaki

I would tend to go with the Canon beacuse I have confidence it would be a good camera. The other two are probably just as good, however. I just view Sony & Panasonic as Electronics companies, not camera cos (Yes - I know they both have camera lines now). There are good websites for example for canon users, and I'm not sure there are such dedicated sites for those other brands.
But most importatnt I think, and what was the deciding factor when I bought a P&S, was to just try them out. Go into a store & hold each one, try to take pics - whichever feels the most comfortable & seems easiest to use for the intended uses is the one to go with. There are just so many choices, studying too much will drive you crazy.
Like they say: get to a camera store, and "IF IT FEELS GOOD, DO IT!"

The lenses are ranked Sony w/Carl Zeiss, Panasonic w/Leica and last is Cannon. I'm not sure there is much of a practical difference though.

However, I'm still in a quandary about which one to purchase. The user reviews I've read vary from "it was a waste of money" to "the best compact camera ever".

I'm still looking for side by side comparison reviews.

When you read the dpreview boards in depth, go to the pro boards and look for the posts where they havebought point and shoot cameras to use when they don't want to lug their big cameras. You will get some interesting points of view. It was what helped me decide on my S80 - although I do know that is not long enough for you.

Here is a head to head comparison although I am not sure if it is the exact Panasonic (F27 vs F27K)you are evaluating.

Marc - great comparo you found!

Gil - what the heck is that in your avatar? Is that a tuna head?

Masaki

I have been afraid to ask -

We always knew there was something fishy about "Gill" and we all know he works for scale.

Andi - :app: :app: :app:

Since people are looking for a Head to Head comparison, I decided to make my avatar one of the Heads!
It's a cute little fishy.

<img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" />

Gil, I think you win the prize for ugliest avatar ever, no offense, of course! :D

Thanks, that is exactly what I was looking for.

I'm leaning toward the Panasonic Lumix FZ7K based on resolution, focus in low light and battery life. BTW, the K in the model number indicates all black.

My second choice is the Sony.

Of course, no offense.
But you may be exaggerating just a bit, don't you think? ;)

I don't think that picture was taken with a Panasonic or Sony. Maybe Masaki's Nikkon? Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread. :o

I think that pix (avatar) was taken by the National Enquirer photographer who was onboard - forget the type of camera he used - :lct:

I got more where that came from! :D

Masaki

Now wait a minute, Masaki!
I have the cancelled check - they were supposed to have been accidentally erased!

You didn't ask me for the negatives, Gil! :)

Masaki

I have the Panasonic FZ30 which takes good pictures of fish heads and I'll be bringing it with me on MUSH. After doing all the reading and comparisons on-line, there is no subsitute for going to a store and holding the camera in your hands to see if it will work for you.