Views on FZ20

jprother · 2nd February 2005

Hi

I am thinking of getting a FZ20 and I would appreciate your views on the camera, questions I would like to ask are.

1. Is the noise much of an issue and other image quality issues
2. How large a print can you get out of the camera
3. Do you find it too big and is it left at home because of this.
4. If you had you choice again would you have chosen another camera

Your help in this would be fantastic

Thanks
Julian

theITguy · 2nd February 2005

I do not have a FZ20, but to me any camera of this 5MP range should be able to make big prints, in excess of Super 8R (8x12 inches). I printed a 1600x1200 cropped to 3:2 on a Super 8R before. Unless you tell me that I print big size to view close up (less than 1 feet) then I would say that you will need at least the 1D or 1Ds series, or even Medium Format digital backs. Or you can shoot Large Format films of 4"x5" big. There you can view fine details.

You print big to view them at least 1 feet away (from S8R), or more when you print bigger (example 16"x24").

For noise issues, maybe others can feedback on this. This camera is designed such that you can handheld it at low ISO (80/100) and low shutter (1s to 1/15s depending on individual). In fact most (if not all) non-DSLR digital cameras are not designed to work beyond ISO200 without significant noise. Even the lowest noise level camera at ISO 400 will probably be heavily reduced of details by noise reduction algorithm on the camera itself. I would think that only in some cases, you would need to use ISO 400, and you can get a copy of Neat Image, which clear the image of noise quite well with details still kept to a reasonable level.

I do not have a camera of this range ATM. But if I am to choose something to go with my film camera as a critical backup, this is one very versatile for me. ATM there is no other camera which gives such options (OIS, 36-432mm range) with such good optics (Leica len).

tankm · 2nd February 2005

Originally Posted by jprother

1. Is the noise much of an issue and other image quality issues
2. How large a print can you get out of the camera
3. Do you find it too big and is it left at home because of this.
4. If you had you choice again would you have chosen another camera

1. Very subjective and depend on individual. Recommend you go to dpreview website and download the full actual photos taken with FZ20 and review it yourself. Noise is there but to me it is a non issue. There are those who always like to view their photo at 100%(actual size) and scroll around the screen to look at their photo.

2. Again do a print out of the size you want using the downloaded photo from (1) and judge by yourself. I have no issue with this as I don't do large print.

3. Big...not for me. Again ask your self, how big a camera do you want to carry. Ask my wife...and she will say it is too bulky, that is why she only carry the DMC-FX1.

4. Camera technology always progress. If I have to buy again I will evaluate what's available in the market for the budget I have allocated for it. At the point in time when I buy it is a best camera to suite my needs. With the same budget today I will still buy the same camera.

Do know that each camera have it's limitation. The limitation may/may not bother you. There are cases where some couldn't live with it and change to other camera to suit their needs better. Right now I have come across some of the limitation, if it hinder my enjoyment of photo taking often enough (>70%) I will then reconsider another camera. At the moment I still like this camera.

2nd February 2005	#1
jprother New Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1	Views on FZ20 Hi I am thinking of getting a FZ20 and I would appreciate your views on the camera, questions I would like to ask are. 1. Is the noise much of an issue and other image quality issues 2. How large a print can you get out of the camera 3. Do you find it too big and is it left at home because of this. 4. If you had you choice again would you have chosen another camera Your help in this would be fantastic Thanks Julian

2nd February 2005	#2
theITguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In this small world Posts: 2,044	I do not have a FZ20, but to me any camera of this 5MP range should be able to make big prints, in excess of Super 8R (8x12 inches). I printed a 1600x1200 cropped to 3:2 on a Super 8R before. Unless you tell me that I print big size to view close up (less than 1 feet) then I would say that you will need at least the 1D or 1Ds series, or even Medium Format digital backs. Or you can shoot Large Format films of 4"x5" big. There you can view fine details. You print big to view them at least 1 feet away (from S8R), or more when you print bigger (example 16"x24"). For noise issues, maybe others can feedback on this. This camera is designed such that you can handheld it at low ISO (80/100) and low shutter (1s to 1/15s depending on individual). In fact most (if not all) non-DSLR digital cameras are not designed to work beyond ISO200 without significant noise. Even the lowest noise level camera at ISO 400 will probably be heavily reduced of details by noise reduction algorithm on the camera itself. I would think that only in some cases, you would need to use ISO 400, and you can get a copy of Neat Image, which clear the image of noise quite well with details still kept to a reasonable level. I do not have a camera of this range ATM. But if I am to choose something to go with my film camera as a critical backup, this is one very versatile for me. ATM there is no other camera which gives such options (OIS, 36-432mm range) with such good optics (Leica len). Last edited by theITguy; 2nd February 2005 at 05:25 PM.