Am I seeing things or what?!!!!

[monty]

I have been looking at my options as far as cameras are concerned, and I believe that the kind of work I would like to do may lend itself better to a P&S compact rather than a DSLR. I can see myself doing street style photography photographing people in their everyday lives. This has always interested me. So I started looking at a Canon G12. I then stumbled upon some work a young lady did in pbase using a Panasonic compact. I went to their website after checking out Canon, and found a Panasonic DMC-FZ150K. I liked it, but when I saw that Leica made the glass, I went to Leica's site to see what they offered... To my surprise, they make the same camera with the Leica tag on it in their V Lux3! The problem is... the Panasonic is $499 US, and the Leica is around $950 US! That's a huge money difference. Is this the same camera with a different tag on it, or am I seeing things?

I looked at a few 4/3rd cameras, and I am also going to check out the new Nikon 1...

I have checked out a few more cameras too...

Canon SX230 HS, and a

Sony DSC-HX100V

So far in the P&S arena, I like the Panasonic FZ150.... any thoughts?

Now! Of all these cameras, the burning question I have is this... "Is this a better way to go then a DSLR?" I feel like I am drowning in a sea of options.

Thanks for all of your input! ... Monty

[monty]

I just saw Canon's Power Shot  SX40 HS too! This is a nice camera too!

[BigAl]

If you are going to stick (almost exclusively) to one style of photography then a P&S will probably suffice and save a lot of money that could be invested in a higher quality of camera.

Brand names, and the location of the shop, can make a huge difference to the price. The wealthy often pay a high premium because they shop at an exclusive location. Prices are not about what the product is worth but what the market will sustain.

[RockArea]

 ... Now! Of all these cameras, the burning question I have is this... "Is this a better way to go then a DSLR?" I feel like I am drowning in a sea of options.  ...

There's lots of ways to go Monty but if you're serious about photography I don't think there's any alternative to a proper camera.

David


















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[Bawbee]

I had a short sojourn into 4/3 with a Panasonic GF1. It took me 10 days to realise that I had to go back to the EOS system; mainly because of the versatility offered with a  dSLR.

[scoundrel1728]

To be honest, the SLR, digital or otherwise, is comparatively poorly suited for candid shots that constitute an important part of street photography.  To aim the camera, you must look through the back, unless you use it as a non-SLR.  Attaching a right-angle viewer isn't that effective.  The mirror slap and the noise of the focal plane shutter also alert your potential subjects that you are taking pictures.  Other kinds of cameras are better for candid shots.  The requirement for moving the mirror out of the way and stopping down the lens to shooting aperture also incorporates some shutter lag into the process.

Other kinds of cameras don't necessarily have these requirements and limitations, though the less expensive point-and-shoot and "bridge" cameras may have long shutter lags even if exposure and focus have already been preset.  The "live view" feature is also handy, but the delay in processing and displaying the image may also introduce a fair amount of delay into the process.  However, the articulated viewing screen on some of these models allows the photographer to face in another direction than the subject while aiming the camera at the subject.