Help please!!! Canon SD800 IS vs Nikon S50 vs Panasonic TZ2 which one is the best?

I am no pro, I just want to buy a nice camera, my boyfriend has a canon S20, which is nice but no optical zoom is a disapointment. We are getting married and going to Paris for honeymoon I need to get a camera compact enough for travel but with good quality to get nice pics!

hello Carol,
congratulations! paris in the spring how romantic!
as to to the camera
i would say the panasonic is the best and the the easiest to use.
http://www.panasonic.co.uk/high-zoom/dmc-tz3eb-s/index.htm
here is a picture taken using a tz1 .the latest model isthe Tz3.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7232802@N06/411489687/

if you prefer an optical view finder try
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/536231/art/sony/cyber-shot-dsc-w90-in-bla.html?srcid=867#fichetechnique
here is photo taken with a sony camera
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mendel/200006756/

Hi Carol,
Congratulations:) Here's a link comparing all three cameras side-by-side for an easier comparison.

They all have things I like and dislike, which is typical and makes it even harder when you're trying to choose a camera. You can just never seem to find a camera that has absolutely everything you like. Guess that's sods law.

For these three particular cameras it's easier for me to say what I don't like about them from the comparison:

The Panasonic has a lower max. resolution.
The Nikon only has 4:3 image ratio
The Panasonic only has 6MP
The Panasonic has a slightly smaller sensor
The Nikon only has 38mm wide angle
The Canon only has 105mm zoom (it does have "face detection" focusing though which is excellent!)
The Panasonic doesn't have continuous shooting

Anyway you'll see the major differences in the comparison.

So for me personally, it would have to be between the Canon and the Nikon and I would go for the Canon for it's wide angle of 28mm and it "face detection" focusing system.

Hope this helps and good luck:)
Mark

Added note: Here's something about face detection which I think is really important for people shots:
"Canon's newly improved Face Detection Technology and Red-eye Correction to give you better, more true-to-life people shots. Simply press the Shutter Button halfway down, and the camera automatically pinpoints the faces in the scene and chooses the ideal focus point. To keep every face looking bright and natural - without scary red eyes - the camera controls exposure settings and flash, so every shot is just what you were shooting for."

Congrats on Paris!....oh, and on the marriage thing too : P I am also about to start traveling some and am currently undecided between the Cannon and the Nikon. For me these two are the more compact and hold the better price (In college, so naturally price matters). I am waiting on some professional reviews (or just some more in general) on the Nikon since it is fairly new. You can read lots of reviews on the Cannon already. Working for a certain company I have been trying both of them out. The next time I handle them both I will be doing a slightly more detailed comparison. If you’d like, and since I will be doing it for myself, I can report my thoughts. I must add...I am no professional! In fact this will be my first camera ever. But I have been doing my research which has narrowed my decision down to the Cannon SD 800 IS and Nikon S50.

I would definitely suggest the Canon.

The nikon S50 has face detection, auto red eye removal, motion reduction, best shot detection and a huge 3.0 screen... hard to beat.

I'm reading what you said, and "no optical zoom is a disappointment" says it all. I can only suggest the Panasonic TZ3 (yes, I said TZ 3, not 2). This model was $319 at Costco, in store, so you're likely able to get an even better deal.

Considering the Canon SD800IS is ~$300 (I have this camera, and it's AMAZING, but no optical zoom besides the typical 3x is the only fault for you). It does have the 28mm equivalent wide-angle lens, which comes in handy more than you'd think. The "blurriness" or "softness" at the edges supposedly due to the wide-angle lens in such a small body is only noticeable for when you're going to blow up a picture to at least 16x20" or so. Read the review at www.dpreview.com.

All-in-all, read these two reviews and take your pick, they're both amazing cameras:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz3/page14.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd800is/page11.asp

Make sure to check out www.amazon.com to see other new camera-users' pictures of the SD800IS and TZ3, so you get a taste of amateur pictures and not always professional ones (let's face it, when turning to a new camera, you won't be a professional with the camera for awhile, and the point-and-shoot auto mode will be a life saver more often than not!)

The Nikon S50 has been getting "average image quality" complaints from new buyers, and some returning it for the SD800IS that they're happier with. Just advice, but if you opt for the SD800IS, make sure to buy 1-2 extra batteries so you never have to worry about low battery. You can get off-brand ones for about $12 off amazon.com. I myself bought 2 extra ones, and they're perfectly fine.

Either way, get a minimum of 2GB memory card (highly suggest 4GB) so you don't have to tediously download them to a computer or switch cards/carry extra cards with you.

ENJOY PARIS, AND CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Are you on your honeymoon yet, or can we close on this question? :)

Go with the CANON!!!!!!!!!