28mm vs. 35mm on a compact - advice please

[beenandgoneagain]

Hi,

I'm currently investing in a new compact and I've nailed my choice down to either a canon ixus 860IS or a 90IS. My question is technical I suppose. Would I benefit hugely from the wide angle of the 860is?

the 90is is obviously preferable because of the better battery life, smaller form etc. (at this size of camera the 2mp difference wouldn't make a huge impact i'm thinking) but the 28mm of the 860 is pulling me in that direction

so, what would the 28mm allow me to accomplish that a 35mm wouldn't? and vice versa? This is something that i've always wondered and never found a satisfactory answer for (other than one will give me a wide view of a landscape).


thanks for any info on this as its something thats really bugging me :)

[rick67]

You've answered your own question.

[beenandgoneagain]

hmm, for some reason i expected there to be more to it, lol

I'm still very much a novice with photography so expected something beyond my understanding :)

cheers

[Matholwch]

You're going to miss the difference between 35mm and 28mm more than you would on the other end of the scale i.e. IMO wider angle is infinately more useful than added reach.

[Sprout Crumble]

Totally agree. 28mm can be a real boon for much of the work these kinds of compacts are put to doing.

[beenandgoneagain]

i think that advice has pretty much given me what i need to make a decision :)

thanks, my only thoughts now being, will canon release an improvement over the 860 five minutes after i purchase one, lol

thanks guys :)

[Matholwch]

i think that advice has pretty much given me what i need to make a decision :)

thanks, my only thoughts now being, will canon release an improvement over the 860 five minutes after i purchase one, lol

thanks guys :)

If you follow that train of thought, then you'll never buy!

[craig1912]

I bought a Lumix for the 28mm lens and don't miss the reduction at the other end at all.

[beenandgoneagain]

If you follow that train of thought, then you'll never buy!

true :) and a good excuse for the immediate purchase of something shiny


I bought a Lumix for the 28mm lens and don't miss the reduction at the other end at all.

what is the image quality like if you don't mind me asking? I've read a few reviews that suggest the lumix can be pretty noisy at iso400 and over - is this really noticeable in practice or just a caveat that has no real issue in eveeryday use?

cheers :)

[craig1912]

true :) and a good excuse for the immediate purchase of something shiny




what is the image quality like if you don't mind me asking? I've read a few reviews that suggest the lumix can be pretty noisy at iso400 and over - is this really noticeable in practice or just a caveat that has no real issue in eveeryday use?

cheers :)

I think its fine- in fact I'm really pleased with the camera. There is a good review here

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_FX33/index.shtml

[Fozzybear]

I have an older Panasonic DMC-FX07 and it IS noisy (it can be very noisy!) but most of the time it works really well. Try looking on flickr for some photos of the camera you're interested in - look for shots taken on dull days rather than in bright sunshine.

[beenandgoneagain]

cheers everyone, judging from the pictures, sample images and reviews i've seen he lumix seems to give a more consistent image from edge to edge whereas the ixus softens slightly in the far reaches, but generally I think the ixus possibly edges it. I've got maybe a month or two before i *need* to make the purchase so i'll just keep looking and comparing the two until then :)

thanks again for all the advice and help, you're all :thumbs:

[zorro]

Prices on this site seems good for the FX35

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 Black
£184.99 inc. VAT

http://www.camerabox.co.uk/product1.asp?ProductName=Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FX35-Black&ProductID=4257