New Camera

Well I finally over-rode the Scottish DNA in my mind-set and bought (well 'charged ' a new camera - hopefully to be paid off at the end of the month with no interest occurring) a new camera.  AND the winner is (for better or worse) the Panasonic Lumix DMC Z200 with the usual accoutrements - battery, charger, strap, lens cover, lens hood, memory card, etc along with a separate purchase of a nice compact leather carrying case.   So far I have managed to put the leather case onto the camera. 

The Z200 is a 24x zoom with a constant f2.8 which impressed a lot of reviewers who seem to be much more knowledgeable than me.  I did not want (and really could not afford the SLR type) because I want the smallest possible good camera with me on hikes and jaunts (though I doubt if I ever take this with me in a canoe or a kayak).  The final deciding point for me was one of the many reviewers that I read said that he was comparing the Z200 with several of the cameras that he used including:

" Canon Rebel T3i - Not really a fair comparison but used it as a high water mark for the FZ200 to aim for"

He fairly admits the better resolution of the Canon Rebel T3i when he (Z200) and his wife (T3i) took side by side photos of a particular scene - but that the Z200 photo was very good indeed.  

His review was updated after about 6 months or so and he was still quite happy with it.   

So if you want to hear more give me through the end of the year and I will update this posting with my feelings to be.