Recommendations on buying the FZ20

[Insomniac]

Hi guys,

am new here... impressed by the passion tat u guys have!

anyway... i need some advice... planning to buy the FZ 20 as my 'starter' camera. need some suggestions on whether its a good idea and where i can get a good deal... thanx!

[theITguy]

You may want to do a search or scroll through the Panasonic forum to get more information. Some information that may be useful for you:

1. Cost around $850++ (w/o GST) with a 256MB SD card.
2. Look for reliable shops like AP, MS Color, CP etc.
3. Spare Memory can bought, for example Hi Speed (10MB/s) card like Kingmax Platinium card at about $90 for 512MB. Allows you to have higher burst speed shooting JPEG or TIFF.
4. Conversion lens can be used with adapters, but search for the right one.
5. Picture needs touching up in many cases, so prepare to learn use of Photoshop, Elements or other touching up programmes. Neat Image is a good way to reduce that noise from such small sensor cameras.


This link is helpful:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=11620442


It is an expensive camera if you do not know anything about digital photography or photography, but a great, light and compact one. Perharps you would like to know what you like to do with it before you actually buy it. There may be other choices, like you need a more compact camera for travelling ease etc.

[Insomniac]

hey IT,

thanx for the swift reply! the forum at dpreview is pretty good! but i have heard several comments on the noise level of the FZ 20. issit significant enough to consider another camera? will be using my camera mostly for outdoor and sports.
Thanx again IT!

[theITguy]

Most likely you will not go to ISO 400. But if you ever need to just set the sharpening, noise reduction and contrast to low, then do post processing. I think there is no win win solution for small sensor like those even in the Pro 1 2/3". I think FZ20 is a great overall camera compared to a DSLR, given the relatively light weight. There is not any real challenger to this camera at longer focal length, given its 2.8 constant aperture. Do note of its longer exposure time problem at longer focal length and big aperture. but can be overcome. Just do a search here and DPreview forums you can get your answer

[rhair78]

Originally Posted by Insomniac Hi guys, am new here... impressed by the passion tat u guys have! anyway... i need some advice... planning to buy the FZ 20 as my 'starter' camera. need some suggestions on whether its a good idea and where i can get a good deal... thanx!

Hi Insomniac,

Before getting any camera, do not be afraid to really try it while in the shop. Hold it and feel the buttons and shoot many shots.

My complain about the FZ20 is the tiny hand grip... and why the zoom has to be controlled by a switch... would save so much battery if manually operated

Anyways, its a great camera with many advanced features to meddle with

[Insomniac]

Hey guys,

Thanx so much for the information! will be scouting around for the camera this week... hope i can get a good deal for it! =)

[jc777]

Originally Posted by theITguy 3. Spare Memory can bought, for example Hi Speed (10MB/s) card like Kingmax Platinium card at about $90 for 512MB.

any idea where got sell kingmax platinum 512 mb sd card? seems from many shops that out of stock.

[theITguy]

Try Laser at SLS? Or can try the Ridata or NCP at EastGear, but quality and speed wise not too sure.