V 705 or V 570 Replacement

Gene, I can see the big difference between the two photos. Is the Panasonic comparable in price to the Kodak? Thanks for the info.

I think I might buy one for Gene for Xmas.  Naw, I'll buy it now so I can enjoy it 'til Xmas.

I've seen the FX-35 for just over $300 on Amazon and the SD870IS can be purchased for $300 or maybe even a little less.

I mentioned these two cameras in a blog I wrote early in February.  I'm excited to see a comparison. I've been excited about this Panasonic since it's announcement in January.

I just read an opinion on dpreview that wasn't very flattering for the FX-35.  The complaint was that the pictures were very grainy.  This has been a complaint with older Panasonic cameras, but I was hoping they had worked out those problems with this new batch of cameras.  I really like the 25mm lens and in-camera barrel distorsion correction, but those passionate about better photography will notice the poor picture quality.  I'm researching further, but may suggest sticking with the Canon SD870IS or cheaper Nikon P50.

That wasn't a dpreview.   It was one persons opinion and these guys on dpreview are harsh on cameras.  Take a look at this thread. 

 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1033&message=26812846&q=fx+35&qf=m

As you read, click on the blue links and they will take you to some pictures on FLCKR.  The camera seems to take just fine pictures for a point and shoot with a 25 mm lens.  If you read about almost any camera on dpreview they don't like any of them for noise.  They all start smearing at 100 iso and so on.

Thanks Denise, the forum helps give a better feel for the camera.  It looks like even the Canon SD870IS has some problems.  I guess what we have to keep in mind is that we are talking about point and shoot cameras.  They were never meant to be high picture quality.  The pluses for either the Canon or the Panasonic are that they are small and easy to use.

The Ricoh GX-100 or Sigma DP1 would be much better cameras, but they are twice the price and require the operator know a little about photography.  By the time you get this far, you might as well go with a DSLR. 

The different in the photos you used as an example are impressive.   

If you are looking for an amazing camera for photo stitching take a look at the HP R927.  It is not as wide angle as the Kodak but the photo stitching feature is FAR superior to the Kodak V570 and the V705.  I own all 3 and the overall photo quality is higher on the HP R927 and when you are doing photo stitching the ultra wide angle of the Kodak is not quite as critical.  The HP price for the R927 is very low for what the features...it is an amazing value. 

I spoke the the gentelman who wrote the opinion about the Panasonic DMC-FX35.  He told me the noise at all ISO levels was unacceptable and that he purchased the Canon SD870IS and liked the picture quality much better.  He did go on to say that the Canon is not perfect, but that he was satisfied with it.

One thing we have to remember is that these are all point and shoot cameras and compromises have to be made to get so much technology into such a small package.  At the photo size I generally use, such as the MLS or small photo in a homes magazine, I don't expect the discussed noise levels will be all that noticable.