Re: Canon S1 IS or Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ3?
u'd be ok with either one.. pick your important 'must haves' and decide.. these are the main differences in features provided by both cameras:
Panasonic FZ3
Wider zoom.. starts at 35mm and longer reach 420mm
Flash is stronger
Lighter in weight (uses SD card which is a pro or a con depending if u've already invested in Compact Flash instead)
Good macro down to 5cm
Faster fps
USB 2.0 (although it's only Full Speed 12MB/sec not High Speed 480MB/sec)
Live Histogram (I'd go for it just for this!!!)
Leica Optics (dunno if Leica is actually making the glass but it has their blessings and u can't get better than Leica glass.. unless it's Zeiss but i digress).
Canon S1 IS
Larger CCD
Tilt/Swivel LCD
Orientation Sensor
deeper buffer (24 frames)
Uses AA batteries .. (it's a plus people.. u can find these everywhere)
Street Prices.. FZ3 = $325 and Canon S1 IS = $308