Canon SX10 IS vs. Panasonic DCM-FZ28
By John Calogrides
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I have been a 'serious amateur' digital camera buff for the past 10 years and have owned many models. For the past 4 years, my favorite cameras have been the Canon S2 IS, S3 IS, and S5 IS models, for their affordable level of image quality combined with video recording. So recently Canon released the new SX10 IS model to succeed the S5. I quickly purchased one. Then I was able to obtain the also new, comparably featured Panasonic DCM-FZ28. I spent about 2 weeks with both cameras and have decided on my favorite model. Since I know there are many other folks also desperately searching for reviews of both these camera models, and there are few as of yet, I thought I would write this blog.


Just by way of note, both cameras are 10MP resolution and have similar optical zooms, with the Canon SX10 at 20X and the Panasonic FZ28 at 18X.


First, the Canon SX10 IS:


I absolutley loved my Canon S3 and S5 cameras. The S3 had better image quality, but the S5 adds other goodies. All our baby photos were shot on these, as were by brother's wedding. I have been very faithful to this line of cameras, so I was quite excited to get my new SX10 IS. First impression was that this model is larger and heavier (and did'nt fit my favorite camera cases anymore) than previous models. While the size is fine with me, the weight a little bothersome, but with the new 20X lens, its got to be heavier. The build quality is very nice, feeling more solid and having more metalic elements then before. The lens cap finally snaps into the front of the lens like other maker's models. This camera is a real handful and there are acutally several DSLR's smaller then this one. Depending on the user, the bulky size can be a benefit or hindrance.


Image quality was not as good as expected. The S5 had a LOT of noise in images, even at ISO 80 and 100, than the S3 and S5 did, and now the SX10 has even more than the S5! Now if you only look at photos on the computer monitor or print out 4x6 shots, noise may not be a huge issue for you. As for me, I CHERISH my photos and I love to muse on them often. I look at them on a large 28" LCD monitor and when I print them out, I usually go 8x10, so noise is a great concern of mine. And regardless, noise detracts from image quality, sharpness, color, and overall appeal. The noise levels on the SX10, even at low ISO, were terribly bothersome to me.


Aside from the noise, the exposure and color were very good. The face detection function works well. The manual settings are among the best available in these types of superzoom cameras. The camcorder-like swing-out, twistable 2.5" LCD monitor remains on of the greatest features of the S_ IS series. Every other maker needs to go in this direction, because nothing compares, and once you have it, its hard to ever go with a model missing it.


The movie mode on the S10 is very good and the video is even more steady and clear then before, and rivals real camcorder video. You CAN use the optical zoom during video recording, and this is a BIG ISSUE you'll want to keep in mind, because almost all other makers do not include that ability. The downside to the SX10's video function is that despite it being Canon's newest model, being released in October 2008, it does not have HD video. Old 640x480 is all you get. For most people, its enough. If you want widescreen HD or even widescreen non_HD video clips, the SX10 won't give it to you. But it will give you decent still photos in very good lighting, albeit it with noise issues mentioned above. The 20x optical zoom is wonderful, though, but nothing earth-shattering if you've had a previous make and model with 15x, or even 12x. It just gives you a little more.


Next, the Panasonic DMC-FZ28:


Actually, Knowledge of this model escaped my diligent and constant research on upcoming digital camera models for a few months. Despite countless hours researching superzoom non-DSLR models that have movie modes, preferrably widescreen and/or HD video, I missed the FZ28's existence.
I had resigned myself to picking up a Canon 'SX1' (not the SX1), available only in Europe, in December 2008. The 'SX1' is basically an SX10, but adds a CMOS sensor instead of CCD, and a full 1080 HD video mode. NICE! But Canon is not going to offer them in the USA. So how did I like the FZ28?


Out of the box, I noticed the FZ28 is amazing lightweight! Initially, this could be good or bad, time will tell. Now it has an 18X optical zoom lens, which is, come on folks, virtually the same as the SX10's 20X lens. Now at this point I am intrigued, becasue I have never liked Panasonic digital cameras (though Panasonic camcorder are my preference), and the look and feel of the FZ28 is turning me on a little. Honestly, I DON'T WANT to like this Panasonic model, because I've been a Canon man for so long. The FZ28 is not only much, much lighter, but its smaller too, and fits in my favorite camera cases. Well so far this is cosmetic, subjetive stuff, so how does the FZ28 perform?


The FZ28's predecessor, the FZ18, was only of the highest rated, most loved superzooms of last camera season. My favorite professional camera review websites, 'dcresource.com' and 'digitalcamerainfo.com' lavished praise on the FZ18, but both noted that noise levels were higher than they should be. Would the FZ28 be an improvement in noise? It has a new processor, so will it get better?


In my tests, though I am not comparing it to a FZ18, the FZ28 has well controlled noise, better than the Canon SX10 for sure. Compared to the Canon SX3, which was my favorite camera of all, the FZ28 is sill noisy, even at ISO 100, but the S3 was a sweetheart, plus its an unfair comparison, because with more resolution (10mp vs. 6mp) crammed into a same-sized sensor, there HAS to be more noise. Still, I dont want to give the wrong impression. The 10MP FZ28 has very, very acceptable, even good noise levels, and compared to the Canon SX10, I feel like throwing a suprise party for the FZ28.


Redeye. Well redeye was really, really, bad on the Canon S3 and S5. The SX10 is the same, but can easily and quickly remove the redeye with digital processing in the camera. It works pretty well, but the Canon models, even the SX10, simple have too-short pop-up flashes. The open flash extends maybe 7/8" high, but have you ever noticed the flashes on DSLR's open from about 1.5" to 2" high. There is a reason for that. The closer the flash is to the lens, the more redeye you WILL get. Period. The higher the flash, the better. Well I am suprised and very pleased that the flash on the FZ28 is nearly 1.5" high. So will it help with redeye? Yes. Redeye is well controlled on the FZ28. Why Canon contiunes to put their stubby flashes on the Sx series is beyond me.


The LCD on the FZ28 is larger, at 2.7", than the SX10's 2.5". It does not tilt though, and is totally fixed. Yeah, thats a bummer, but not too bad a bummer. The LCD is very nice though, with a better sharpness and vibrantcy than the SX10s, though the SX10's is very good as well.


The SX10's electronic viewfinder, for those who actually use them, is low resolution and pretty grainy. This may not matter to you if you only compose and view your images on the LCD. But the FZ28 adds a fine-resolution, viewfinder, and I really appreciate that little feature when I am shooting outdoors in very bright sunlight, or in very dark situations and I want to be really sure my eyes see exactly what the camera's brain sees.


The FZ28 has a 720 HD movie mode, and this made me jump for joy. I dont like to drag both my still camera AND camcorder with me to every outing, so its nice for a cam to be able to do both still and video well. While no still camera is going to do what a dedicated HD camcorder can do, for my fellow 'serious amateur' shooters, good video from a still cam can be more than enough, especially if you are just going to watch the clips on your computer monitor and not burn them to DVD. The FZ28 has widescreen HD and non-HD video modes which work good. The SX10 has no widescreen video mode, only wide stills.


The menus have more options and features on the FZ28 than they do on the SX10. Since Ive been in a Canon rut for so long, the FZ28's options suprised me, pleasingly. I can control more parameters and issues with the FZ28 then I can on the SX10, but the SX10 is still very good in this department. The FZ28 is just better.


Face-detection works quite well on the FZ28, though the SX10's face-detection seemed to be very slightly quicker and slicker. Both models are impressive with this feature.


About Batteries:


Part of what makes the Canon SX10, like the S2,3, and 5 before it, heavy, are the 4 AA batteries they take. Most other maker's camera use special proprietary batteries, but they come with a charger and can be used to charge the battery if it dies in the field. I always considered the 4 rechargeable NiMH AA batteries to be a superior method for cameras, since they could be replaced in the field with alkalines from 7-11 if need be, plus the pro-review websites I like and read are usually negative on proprietary batteries. The FZ28 uses such a proprietary battery, and after using it now, I've had my mind changed and think they are superior afterall. First of all, where ther rubber meets the road, they give you many more shots per charge then the best rechargeable AA batteries. They do. But they are also smaller and lighter for the camera, and carrying an extra one in your case means one compact battery rolling around, as opposed to 4 AAs rolling around or being in the way. Bottom line is, they provide more power and shots per charge. Maybe not a whole, whole lot more, but still more. About 25% more when compared with the SX10 and FZ28 cameras.


Conclusion


Overall, while I think the SX10 is an interesting camera I can recommend, it has some major flaws with image quality (noise and purple fringe), the FZ28 brings more to the table, with much better quality and flexibility. While you won't get a tilting LCD like on the Canon, you will get better image quality, a smaller and much lighter camera to hold and carry, and widescreen and HD video with the FZ28 than you will on the SX10. If whats important to you is like whats important to me, you may want to check out the Panasonic FZ28.


The battery door on the SX10, like the S3 and S5, was adequate, but a little flimsy, and I did have a few jams over the years. The battery door on the FZ28 is heavy-duty, tough, and a much better design.


Also, as of this writing on October 2008, the FZ28 can be purchased for as low as $307 brand new, at the lowest price available anywhere for the SX10 is $380. For my money, I like the FZ28 better for several reasons, though I also like the SX10. This year, however, I will be keeping the FZ28 and selling the SX10. Thats saying something, because I have had a deep, romantic love affair with the Canon S line, and I don't want to leave them, but at least for this next year's camera season, I've got a new honey, and its the Panasonic FZ28. Maybe Canon will woo me back next season...