best deal for fx7?

[animosity]

hi all,

im currently new in this photo taking interest. But i have set my eyes on a panasonic lumix fx7. Heard is good overall but horrible batt life?

im very green at this so can u peeps advise where to get the cheapest fx7 or best deals etc??

im still not very clear with ISO, white balance etc etc. But i understand the basics la.

and where exactly is Allen Photo?

Thanks!

[theITguy]

There is also a FX2 which is 4mp (no difference to me), no audio when recording video (rarely I record video on digital camera) and a smaller LCD (2 inch).


There has been some users (DPreview) mentioning about slightly better noise control at ISO 400. It is also about $100 cheaper so you might consider it. Battery life will be similar.

[Adam Goi]

If the short battery life bothers you, maybe you should consider other brands/models such as the Ixus 40 and such?

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Adam Goi If the short battery life bothers you, maybe you should consider other brands/models such as the Ixus 40 and such?

What about the newly launched Olympus Mju 500. It's 5MP with 2.5" LCD like the FX7 and also without optical viewer. Not too sure of the battery life though. Accordingly to specs the Olympus has a better LCD display (215,000 pixels compare to Panasonic 115,000 pixel).

Was thinking of getting the FX7 for my wife but the arrival of the Mju 500 (100 bucks cheaper) causes me to reconsidering. Wonder how both compare in terms of photo quality?

[mpenza]

Among the compacts, FX-7 is the only one with image stabilisation right? That's the reason for the high price.

[LifeWorld]

Read somewhere, going to have firmware update for this model........

[Vin]

Originally Posted by mpenza Among the compacts, FX-7 is the only one with image stabilisation right? That's the reason for the high price.

Well that's true. However IS is not really important unless my wife has shaky hands. Furthermore the max zoom is only 3x. She should not have any problem with that.

[theITguy]

Originally Posted by Vin What about the newly launched Olympus Mju 500. It's 5MP with 2.5" LCD like the FX7 and also without optical viewer. Not too sure of the battery life though. Accordingly to specs the Olympus has a better LCD display (215,000 pixels compare to Panasonic 115,000 pixel). Was thinking of getting the FX7 for my wife but the arrival of the Mju 500 (100 bucks cheaper) causes me to reconsidering. Wonder how both compare in terms of photo quality?

I would say that if you need a ultra compact you will not really need 5mp. The more MP you put in the same sensor the more noisy it will be unless you refine the manufacturing process like the G6 (1/1.8" sensor like G5 but much lower noise).


A 4MP camera will actually give you about 2200 x 1700 +/- (depending on the spec of camera), a 5MP gives you 2500 x 1900 +/-. A 3 MP gives you about 2000 x 1500 +/-. Ever notice that a 4R (6 x 4 inch) printed at 300DPI (or PPI) needs about 1800 x 1200 pixels, a Super 8R (12 x 8 inch) needs 3600 x 2400 (at 300DPI) or 1800 x 1200 (at 150DPI) or oddly at 2400 x 1600 (200DPI).


As you see the above the 5MP do not really gives you a clear advantage over 4MP (just like the 5MP G5 and 4MP G3, which the G3 is MUCH lower noise at ISO400 as they have the EXACT same chip). The next step up from 4MP should be 7MP/8MP ones, which are about 2 years technology later.

Advantage of 5MP FX7 over 4MP FX2:
1. Slightly more MP for better cropping
2. Have audio on recording video
3. Bigger LCD

Advantage of 4MP FX2 over 5MP FX7:
1. Smaller file at about 1.5MB (FX2) to 1.9MB(FX7)
2. No audio recording with video
3. Smaller LCD hence slightly better battery life
4. Possible lesser noise at ISO 200 and ISO 400 (I read in DPreview 1 user actually printed out ISO 64 to 400, with ISO 400 similar noise level as a G5 with ISO 400).


I am not trying to put down FX7 or make you all think FX2 is lower noise. I am just trying to let you all know that more MP is not better quality. I was thinking of getting the FZ20 but using the same sensor (1/2.5") at 5MP it gives quite a bit of noise at ISO 400. There are sayings that the 4MP FZ10 has slightly cleaning images at ISO 400 so I am thinking Panasonic and Matsushita might be getting a new improved 1/2.5" sensor in their next release FZ30 in August, just like the new 1/1.8" sensor in G6/S70 which gives much lower noise compared to G5/S60/S50. This might just be true after Panasonic improved their Engine and OIS system, along with hot shoe, so the next problem they will solve and improve on will be the 1/2.5" sensor (I think same from the FZ10, FX1 and FX5).

[theITguy]

Originally Posted by mpenza Among the compacts, FX-7 is the only one with image stabilisation right? That's the reason for the high price.

I think the Leica lens and OIS makes it well worth the money for buyers. Then again I would not recommend this camera for everyone, at least those with better command of english and use of computer for post processing.


LifeWorld:
Where you read that there is a firmware update? Kind to give me the link?

[LifeWorld]

Originally Posted by theITguy I think the Leica lens and OIS makes it well worth the money for buyers. Then again I would not recommend this phone for everyone, at least those with better command of english and use of computer for post processing. LifeWorld: Where you read that there is a firmware update? Kind to give me the link?

Here:
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...56#post1030956

[theITguy]

Great Thanks

[nova_nebula]

did you just said FX7 is a phone?

[theITguy]

Where was is mentioned that it is a phone?

[benny]

In post no. 9 perhaps...

Originally Posted by theITguy Then again I would not recommend this phone for everyone, at least those with better command of english and use of computer for post processing.

Cheers,

[Vin]

Originally Posted by theITguy I would say that if you need a ultra compact you will not really need 5mp. The more MP you put in the same sensor the more noisy it will be unless you refine the manufacturing process like the G6 (1/1.8" sensor like G5 but much lower noise). A 4MP camera will actually give you about 2200 x 1700 +/- (depending on the spec of camera), a 5MP gives you 2500 x 1900 +/-. A 3 MP gives you about 2000 x 1500 +/-. Ever notice that a 4R (6 x 4 inch) printed at 300DPI (or PPI) needs about 1800 x 1200 pixels, a Super 8R (12 x 8 inch) needs 3600 x 2400 (at 300DPI) or 1800 x 1200 (at 150DPI) or oddly at 2400 x 1600 (200DPI). As you see the above the 5MP do not really gives you a clear advantage over 4MP (just like the 5MP G5 and 4MP G3, which the G3 is MUCH lower noise at ISO400 as they have the EXACT same chip). The next step up from 4MP should be 7MP/8MP ones, which are about 2 years technology later. Advantage of 5MP FX7 over 4MP FX2: 1. Slightly more MP for better cropping 2. Have audio on recording video 3. Bigger LCD Advantage of 4MP FX2 over 5MP FX7: 1. Smaller file at about 1.5MB (FX2) to 1.9MB(FX7) 2. No audio recording with video 3. Smaller LCD hence slightly better battery life 4. Possible lesser noise at ISO 200 and ISO 400 (I read in DPreview 1 user actually printed out ISO 64 to 400, with ISO 400 similar noise level as a G5 with ISO 400). I am not trying to put down FX7 or make you all think FX2 is lower noise. I am just trying to let you all know that more MP is not better quality. I was thinking of getting the FZ20 but using the same sensor (1/2.5") at 5MP it gives quite a bit of noise at ISO 400. There are sayings that the 4MP FZ10 has slightly cleaning images at ISO 400 so I am thinking Panasonic and Matsushita might be getting a new improved 1/2.5" sensor in their next release FZ30 in August, just like the new 1/1.8" sensor in G6/S70 which gives much lower noise compared to G5/S60/S50. This might just be true after Panasonic improved their Engine and OIS system, along with hot shoe, so the next problem they will solve and improve on will be the 1/2.5" sensor (I think same from the FZ10, FX1 and FX5).

Well said theITguy. I'm totally aware of the noise problem with smaller sensors. For cameras in this league, I would avoid taking pictures ISO greater than 200. Anyhow most day to day shots should suffice within this ISO range (100-200). Most important to me is that with more pixels allows me to crop and recomposite the photos cause you can't expect everyone (strangers in the street) to take good composition all the time.

Between FX7 and Mju500 I would look for,
1. Noise performance up to ISO 200
2. Shutter lag
3. AF speed and accurancy (especially under low lighting condition)
4. Battery life
5. Shot to shot timing (with and without flash)
6. Of course most important of all is the overall photo quality.

[theITguy]

Originally Posted by benny In post no. 9 perhaps... Cheers,

Edited, too tired in the late night

[theITguy]

Anyway, I got an E-Quote from MS Color at $515 (Before GST) for the FX2 and a 256MB SD card and free case, with a bit flexibility to upgrade the SD card to higher speed/capacity. Think the FX2 should not be worse than the FX7, as I am quite happy with the quality of FX7 at ISO 80/100 and at ISO 200 need some software reduction in noise. Tried it at Courts free days back and quite happy with the design and feel. Perharps getting a mini tripod like the Ultrapod II will make it a nice day-to-day travel equipment.

[LifeWorld]

Originally Posted by theITguy Anyway, I got an E-Quote from MS Color at $515 (Before GST) for the FX2 and a 256MB SD card and free case, with a bit flexibility to upgrade the SD card to higher speed/capacity. Think the FX2 should not be worse than the FX7, as I am quite happy with the quality of FX7 at ISO 80/100 and at ISO 200 need some software reduction in noise. Tried it at Courts free days back and quite happy with the design and feel. Perharps getting a mini tripod like the Ultrapod II will make it a nice day-to-day travel equipment.

I have seen the FX7. Very small, compact and large lcd! The colour very sweet. It's trendy.