- Canon EOS350D (8 Mpixel, with Canon 70-300IS)
- Canon s5is (8 Mpixels, 12x zoom)
- Nikon S10 (6 megapixels, 10x zoom)
- Panansonic FZ3 (3 Mpixel, 12-fold zoom)
- Panansonic TZ2 (6 megapixels, 10x zoom)
- Panansonic TZ5 (9 megapixels, 10x zoom)

The result I was not expecting this:
Only the images of the Panasonic TZ2 were even worse than that of F1, even 4 years old Panasonic FZ3 with only 3 Mpixeln provided vivid and detailed images. By far the best images of mega-zoom cameras, the Canon delivered s5is (although not exactly famous for good pictures). The EOS350D plays (as expected) in a league of its own, with the price under lens including Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1 comes closest.

During video recording the F1 gave clearly the best results of all tested cameras that can be clearly better than Canon s5is (VGA) and Panasonic TZ5 (HD 1280 * 720) if only it was not because of the almost ineffective stabilizer, the de facto use enforces a tripod. For a current HD camcorder (Panasonic HDC-SD9) F1 but overall it looks pretty old.

Here are my subjective and certainly incomplete summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the F1:

Per:
- Burst mode is really sensational
- To switch on (even after firmware update to V1.02 is not really convincing legal) fast
- Good lens, relatively low distortion, low fringing
- Good operating concept
- Manual settings for all major imaging parameters, unfortunately (but not for noise reduction)
- Picture series with variation of different parameters possible
- Auto-ISO is limited to ISO 400
- Good battery life per charge, even with intensive use of the Burst
- Images in RAW format possible (eg to protect against the camera’s internal noise reduction)
- For a digital camera, good video results, acceptable compression artifacts, small file size with efficient MPEG4 codec

con:
- Very weak image stabilizer, resulting in long focal lengths without a tripod only limited available
- Are destroyed brutal noise reduction details, pictures, “soft-” (JPG)
- Very long storage time of a series of pictures (about 1 sec per image on class-6 SDHC card!), In this time is not the camera for operation. Non-breakable if erstmal started. Limits the usefulness of the camera for example at sporting events strongly a
- Auto focus assist light, despite problems in low Lichtverhaeltnissen
- Video modes by weak image stabilizer only limited use, again rather strong noise reduction, moderate tone. Overall results are still far from the quality of a current HD camcorder away
- Far too expensive for what is offered

My conclusion:
Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1 is the combination of an extremely average digital camera with an extremely average HD camcorder at an extremely self-conscious price, whose only real highlight of the Burst mode is really great that can be used to make Extremely high average images that make it to any other camera ever could. As a camcorder replacement, Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1 is good especially because of the bad image stabilizer does not.

Without the super-fast Burst there for less than half the price of a much better F1 mega-zoom cameras, or for a comparable price of a good DSLR with lens and corresponding to MAGNITUDE better results. And video friends get the same money for a much better HD camcorder.

We know that the sensor size of the “displacement” of a camera. Where a lot of power under the hood, there are plenty in reserve. The Canon G10 “had already impressed me, however, the tiny sensor size of a compact camera of course has its limits in terms of light sensitivity, noise performance and depth. At ISO 200) should be slowly closing in the “Canon G10 ‘(ISO 400 at the” G11 “…

The sensor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is 5 times greater than that of the” Canon G10/G11 and slightly smaller than that of the DSLR ‘K20D Pentax (APS-C). As expected, one can make quite relaxed up to ISO 800 virtually noise-free pictures, only from ISO 1600, image noise (so that one begins to notice it). And depth is also not a problem, such as portraits with blurred background are, of course (with an open aperture, of course, is best). The SLR is feeling!

The speed of the autofocus is very good as opposed to “Olympus Pen”, which indeed is also available in the MFT (Micro Four Thirds) sector. Measured by the shutter lag is about 0.4 seconds including autofocus without AF even only 0.05 seconds (insanely fast) even for DSLR conditions. With three frames per second, it is as fast as the “Pentax K20D, but quietly charming. In the midst of a crowd, it all falls on not if you flash a picture series “fires”.

The picture quality is simply stunning: super-sharp, natural colors with rather less saturation, virtually no image noise until ISO 800 Demo images on richy Schley de. The guide number of 6 rather puny-sized pop-up flash goes through as a fill-in any event and makes absolutely no red eyes. Assembled “to correct” flashes on the hot shoe (for example, Metz, LZ 48) and work via the TTL (through the lens), together with the best GF1. The viewfinder (which I have not) might be of interest in strong sunlight, although the brilliant 3-inch display permits (460,000 pixels) very good image control. In manual focus the camera automatically switches to the lens, so you can see the finest details.

The operation is intuitive and easy OPERATIONS WERE CARRIED (unlike the maze-down menu of “Olympus PEN”). Beginners can turn on the “iA” mode and all settings (including ISO, leaving Weissabglich) the camera’s computer. With the uppermost rotary switch to switch to continuous shooting, exposure bracketing, and self-timer. With the “ISO button to quickly switch between different sensitivities to and fro. The Quick menu you can quickly select JPG, RAW or RAW + JPG and more.

For the manipulation of images in RAW format, the extensive and send software “SILKYPIX Developer SE” is available. It optimizes the picture, either automatically or manually. The results are convincing.

And then the HD videos! Simply great. On Youtube you will find so many demos … The mono microphone reminds you that you have a camera in hand and no camcorder. But the quality is also in full screen (1440 x 900 with me one way) to kneel down. You can zoom during filming, and either manually or via auto focus (works great!). For editing and cutting, I suppose, “Pinnacle Studio HD.

A special feature is the interchangeable lenses. You can use not only the MFT lenses from Olympus and Panasonic, but with adapters for many camera models and old treasures, even Zeiss lenses. So you can make on a camera market is a bargain and that Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 mount (of course) without autofocus and image stabilizer. The built-in kit zoom lens image stabilization allows for sharp handheld photos even at 1 / 5 seconds, not only at 28mm wide angle, but also in 90mm telephoto.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 (makes me at least) addictive because they’re so small, is so quiet and so powerful. An SLR camera in the format! For people who have the money remains absolutely recommended and a guarantor of happiness for demanding photographers who appreciate the compact size of a “Canon G10″ with the picture quality of an SLR.

But as in the photo results of the new acquisitions but the “last 3% inspiration” were missing for me, I decided to buy a digital SLR. Following this decision followed weeks of hard research work on the Internet – until I then stumbled upon the D5000, which was mid-April 2009 but not yet on the market. I bought them early May 2009. Since I have about 3,600 photos.

I would like to clean up immediately with a reason, in my opinion, absurd point of criticism:

+ I have a digital SLR “beginners” course, new (Nikon) lenses purchased and all have a built-in motor. So why should the camera have an engine? This is m. E. unnecessary weight and more expensive the unit. An extra motor in the camera body it only makes sense if the lenses have no AF motor, as it was with the old lenses from the “pre-digital” time of the case.

+ I had the camera with the 18-55mm VR purchased Kitobjektiv. A flexible lens, which was fulfilled with the performance of its sharpness and brilliance, not quite my expectations. I purchased this lens, a 35mm aperture, 1.8 predestined he Festbrennweitenobjektiv (great for portraits) and a 80-300mm zoom for nature photography has shown me that the D5000 can do better.

+ The camera also has a comparative test of the ct’ magazine shown on TV from June 2009: The D5000 will move with the photographic results at the level of professional cameras.

+ / – What can be disturbing, however, is the variety of settings, so overwhelmed is the “beginners” maybe. Sure, there is the possibility of automatic programs up to the Scene Selection mode. But, I’m sorry, I photograph with a high-quality digital SLR camera and not with a 50-euro-compact camera. Ergo: I have the motif program mode, although sporadic tested, but never seriously used.

Just as I have been using the “movie mode”. I want to shoot and not shoot.

And what is the image editing in the camera? With the fiddly little 2.7-inch screen can be difficult to carry out detailed arrangements. Probably everyone does on their home PC – so he / she have a PC. Photography in the (LifeView) mode, the monitor is sufficient – but for photo editing? I do not know …!

+ / – The built-in flash is used only to restrict. He is its design (!) Easily overwhelmed when there’s shooting, for example, to go to family functions. Distances of more than 3-4 meters, it usually lights up just enough. For this purpose, it is worth an additional flash unit (such as the SB-600 Nikon grow out of the shelf). For example, the built-in flash-light shooting is quite appropriate, and leads to good results.

Conclusion: The Nikon D5000 can be used for entry into the digital SLR photography. But I think it should already have knowledge of theory and practice of photography exist. Otherwise, disappointments are inevitable, because the outcome may not meet expectations. In this respect, the term “entry-level camera” treated with great caution, as should really be clear even because of the purchase price. The ambitious amateur or (semi-) professional photographer, however, can have fun with the many creative possibilities have the camera. The photos need to compare with cameras that cost many times are not afraid to.

So 5 stars from me for the Nikon D5000!

The Panasonic I bought for traveling, people photos, vacation photos, zoo photos snapshots and other images. It is pleasantly light, is also well situated in one hand and I was always there when I want to take pictures. The LUMIX TZ-6 is the smaller brother of the TZ-7 and has no real HD video mode, which I can be to our liking, because I rarely want to film something. For the conversion to DVD quality enough loose.

Before buying, I have even toyed with the Canon SX 200, but the TZ-6 is clearly superior because of their high-aperture Leica lens of the Canon. In addition, the extreme wide angle of 25mm is a dream and telephoto focal length of 300 mm more than impressive! To give you not only much on the photo, but can zoom in even more distant objects super close up. So that the camera is in most shooting situations more than justice.

What I liked a lot of Panasonic that they themselves, the recording format (4:3, can set 3:2, 16:9). Most photo printers in the well-known drugstore print suburban markets only in the classic 3:2 format. Other formats can be easily cut, so that image information will be lost. So I lie always correct.

With the 25 mm lens can bring you almost everything on the subject. So far I’ve had with my SLR (28 mm lens) always issues the Cologne Cathedral from the long side to get a complete picture. It’s been much better.

At first I was thrilled at the camera, the 3-inch high-resolution (460,000 pixels) and sharp display. This makes the frame shots a pleasure. On sunny days, the display weakens as any other. Since only helps keep your finger on it. The operation and navigation is done via the menu easy to understand, largely self-explanatory and clear. I expect a good camera.

The image resolution is 10 megapixels more than adequate for me. More you really need not, even if the deductions are deducted for the picture frame in 20 x 30 cm or greater. Unfortunately, save for this Panasonic camera model to the image sensor, in contrast to its top model of the LX series. Must be a tiny 1 / 2, 33 generate 10-megapixel sensor. This sensor has been incorporated into Panasonic 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. megapixel cameras already. Now he must do even more. If Samsung or other manufacturers, such as 12 megapixel sensor produces images. What an unnecessary madness, at the expense of quality! This will quickly become clear when you view the pictures. At ISO 100 the images are mostly noise, but has also probably had their fingers in the game, the noise reduction. From ISO 200, it is steadily increasing. ISO 200 images I find in a 100 percent view, and while looking at fine details even slightly disturbing. ISO 400 the noise increased markedly in full size. If we can do it only 9×13, 10×15 or 13×18 prints, it does not stand out more. At magnifications of 20 x 30 cm from a short distance falls on the turbulent noise. The camera is just like many others, mostly a fair-weather camera. The fine details go through the lost-ISO noise reduction and a significant number down 400th If one is aware of this, we can live with this property. If my pictures with friends from a Fuji f 50 comparisons, which comes off much better. But then the Fuji is also fitted significantly worse. To achieve the best image result, there are many recording programs that adapt to suit your needs. Whether fireworks, night landscape, sunset, beautiful skin, or other recording situations, the camera is well prepared for almost anything.

The autofocus works quickly and accurately. Telephoto occurred so far only two times before that I needed to focus again. The lighting conditions were not optimal.

What I really miss on this camera are the manual settings, because I am used to it from my SLR am and there are few moments where the surgery but could be very useful (for long exposure night shots with a tripod, shutter priority for specific depth of field, bracketing for HDR-images, etc.). Unfortunately, this development can be found on many compact cameras, to save costs and because too few of them make use of.