Which is the best? -not an awful lot of difference price wise (looking round the great www)

 I already have a Canon EOS 350D SLR, but i was wanting a 'day trip' digital camera for those days out where you don't want to lug around all your "little but heavy extras" (all the extra lenses, filters, and gadgets etc that we all know you need and must take on every trip because you MIGHT want to use them)- something that will still give a lot of scope for those rare occasions where something might crop up, but without having to carry my "full kit" as i usually do when on a "full blown" photographic exploration day out, if you see what i mean, something that will just sit on your shoulder in a pouch (rather than in a pocket, my eyesights no longer good enough for a miniature compact as i'd never see the controls let alone hit the right buttons with my fat fingers lol) rather than carried on your back in a back pack with both hands full of all your " essential necessities" (the bits that the wife never understands why you take them with you because you rarely use them).

Now i was originally going for the Canon S5 IS and then read about the Panasonic FZ18- and now i want both lol- of course i can't  have (nor afford) both and i am perfectly happy with my EOS 350D, i simply wanted a lighter but still very versatile day trip camera " just in case" for those trips to the seaside or a casual leisurely sunny summery (sunny and summery in the uk??? ) day out (or trip over to amsterdam for a few hours on a ferry).

Its no use saying read the reviews- i already have and hence my  turmoil so which is the better camera? ( i love zoom lenses to get in close- so the panasonic has an edge there with a bigger optical zoom, but i already have  many various 58mm filters which i could put on the S5- with the help of the relevant "extension tube" bayonet fitting- including a 2x extender that would screw on the filter end of the tube and cancel out the Panasonics "reach" in that respect, but short of tossing a coin i cant decide, so perhaps some of you more experienced experts will help me to make a final decision with your own views if you would be so kind?

I do occasionally print out pics for personal use and framing up to A4 size on a canon IP5200 printer if that helps to sway anybody one way or the other? but i am a total amateur who enjoys photography for my own pleasure rather than any sort of "professional" ambition, so HELP! please - thanks in anticipation- oh there is one thing, i need to order it to arrive before Christmas, so no pressure there then  <insert whistling smilie emoticon thingy>

Hi

Strangely, I'm just going thru the exact same dilema as you!. Infact I just came on this site for the first time as part of my quest to make an informed decision between the two same cameras.

I've been set on the S5 for a few weeks now, I originally discounted the FZ18 thinking it was above my budget. However, I just looked at a review on  whatdigitalcamera and the S5 didn't score too great on low light photography. I quote:

If you avoid low light and shadow areas and stick to using it on bright sunny days you’ll be fine, so it’s hardly the perfect camera for the summer of 2007.

The FZ18 scored well on this site, Infact I've since discovered that the FZ18 scores higher on a number of websites (reviews.fcnet). So I'm very much at the same point as you, although I think my requirements are a bit more basic than yours.

To make matters worse I can't decide which is the better option, standard batteries/ re-chargables (S5) or a dedicated rechargable Li-ion battery and charger ( FZ18). Both seem to have pros and cons in my mind.

I'm not in any hurry to buy, so I'll wait and see.

Hi,

re- batteries, my canon eos 350D uses a dedicated Li-ion battery and it seems to last for ages before needing a re-charge and you could always buy a spare for the panasonic cheap enough off ebay, i prefer them to standard batteries/rechargables, although if push came to shove you can always buy standard batteries just about anywhere if your battery ever did die on you at the worse time. Not a lot of help there then lol.

 There are some obvious advantages to me by choosing the canon, for example it would take the same flash unit as the 350D SLR  (on the hotshoe at the top-not that ive got one yet, but i will do eventually) whereas the panasonic doesnt have a hot shoe facility and you only have the built in flash.

 Of course using a hot shoe flash on the canon would help alleviate some of the low light issues you mentioned above? (of course that means splashing out on a flash unit but it might be worth it over all? especially in my case as the same flash unit would fit both cameras)

So i'm no nearer to making a final decision and with just a little over a week to go before christmas i'm getting earache for not making my mind up lol.

I think.... i'm probably....... possibly..... going to go for the canon...... maybe.... oh i dont know tho'  HELLLLPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!