Travel Photography - Fuji F70exr or Lumix ZR1...which would you choose?

which one would you choose and why...I'm MOST interested in picture sharpness, color/color saturation?

based on what I've read here and elsewhere, they are both good options, comparable prices, either one's zoom range is fine with me, I don't care about video, both are comparable size/weight, etc. I've owned other Lumix P&S...never a Fuji.

let the voting begin...thank you

I'm very interested! I would love to find out more.
me too, I need more detailed info

here's what I'm coming up with based on additional research especially the related Lumix and Fuji forums on dpreview. if anyone else would like to add to this or counter what I've found, please do so.

Lumix ZR1 seems to be the consensus all around...picture quality, color, ease of use, build quality, etc. Having had other Lumix models, this is consistent. The ZR1's 25-200 zoom is an added bonus, barrel distortion at 25mm appears to be very minimal and the new stablization enhancement seems to work really well. I also like on the Lumix the active historgraph that enables some nominal setting adjustment.

Fuij F70 not so good according to many. it certainly doesn't seem to rival close enough the F200 or other predecesors. the EXR features may be really good...if Fuji can do further refinements/enhancements on future models. they seem to be very tricky to get the specific settings for each feature just right. as one person said, it seems like a lot of experimentation to get the settings right for a P&S. Even with the final proper settings, the frequently noted frequent purple fringing is very troubling to me.

I was hoping the Fuji would be the one based on what I had heard about earlier models...maybe my next purchase after their refinements. at this time, I think I'm going with the Lumix. anyone want to second-guess me one final time?

Happy travels everyone...

barrel distortion at 25mm appears to be very minimal

Barrel distortion isn't really a big deal unless you're shooting architecture.

thanks...appreciate that. also have to keep in mind we're talking a P&S here, not a pro-level medium format or dslr...right?

For us old folk, what is the closest thing out there to a ZR1 but WITH an actual viewfinder (little box to look through)?

Canon G series and Nikon P50, P5000, P5100, P6000 have optical viewfinders.

BTW, I opted to go with the ZR1. Very happy with my choice. great 25-200 mm zoom. picture quality and color saturation work very well, in non-Ai, in Ai and in select scene modes that i use most. I very much like the solid build and pocket size. I was able to get my hands on the F70 and didn't like the feel or build...and the more reviews I read about the seemingly complicated settings process just didn't seem to fit the bill. I'm very happy I went with another Lumix.

Thank you to all for the input and comments.

I ordered a black ZR1 today online, along with an 8GB SDHC memory card, and I'll see for myself how it stacks up. The lack of a physical viewfinder is driving me crazy; we'll see if I can "get over it!" ;)

I am happy with my F70EXR.

I selected it for its 10x zoom, 27mm lens, and near-top-of-class low-light performance.

The Sony DSC-H20, which may be best-in-class for indoor/low light use, lost out because of its 38mm lens.

Although there are no major reviews for the F70EXR, there is some good content on dpreview here:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1012&message=33490505
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1012&message=33490526
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1012&message=33491145
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1012&message=33491424

There is a thread comparing with the ZS3 here:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1012&message=33535140

The F70EXR has quite a few modes, which give it added capability in certain situations (low light in particular), but you will need to spend half an hour with the manual to master it properly.

Steve's Digicams also has a review now.

Conclusion page:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/fujifilm/finepix-f70exr/steves-conclusion-20.html

Thank you to all for the input and comments.

I ordered a black ZR1 today online, along with an 8GB SDHC memory card, and I'll see for myself how it stacks up. The lack of a physical viewfinder is driving me crazy; we'll see if I can "get over it!" ;)

Camera was delivered (from Panasonic) this afternoon (no memory card from Amazon yet) and it looks good. Fast delivery, real fast! ^

The black body/case is a little "plasticy" for my liking, but the silver/chrome parts feel weighty and substantial, but I'd like some more "heft" in the unit overall still. The battery/memory card "flap & lock" on the bottom is one of the weakest designs I've seen yet - not sure in two years if it will still hold the flap secure.

We'll see how it performs once in the field. :)

I didn't compare the ZR1 to the Fuji but after reading all of the reviews on the ZR1 I went with it. It definitely lives up to the reviews.

I didn't compare the ZR1 to the Fuji but after reading all of the reviews on the ZR1 I went with it. It definitely lives up to the reviews.