Pana FZ20 $1099 At IT Show Worth?

donchua · 10th March 2005

The FZ20 is price at $1099 at the IT Show with the below freebies:

2 X 256MB SD Card
Big Tripod
Carrier Bag
CGA S002 Battery
1 + 2 year Extended Warranty.

Compare to shop like MS Color $912 (free 1 256MB SD & case),
will be paying $187 for a 256MB SD, Big Tripod, CGA batt &
2 year extended warranty in the show, worth?
Thanks.

rhair78 · 10th March 2005

Originally Posted by donchua

The FZ20 is price at $1099 at the IT Show with the below freebies:

2 X 256MB SD Card
Big Tripod
Carrier Bag
CGA S002 Battery
1 + 2 year Extended Warranty.

Compare to shop like MS Color $912 (free 1 256MB SD & case),
will be paying $187 for a 256MB SD, Big Tripod, CGA batt &
2 year extended warranty in the show, worth?
Thanks.

I cannot believe my eyes... After 5 months, they can still sell for the same RRP since the day it was launched. I was given 512MB, soft case, lotto cap and bag that time.

U seem pretty bent on getting FZ20... I hope you have seen the reviews and physically tried and tested one, and can live with the shortfalls of this camera, more than the perks it has.

niteblu · 10th March 2005

hmmm.. looks like you might have enough information there to evaluate it on your own.

Say ballpark figures.
256mb SD ($35) + Big Tripod (Unbranded?) ($40) + Orig Battery ($80)
So you're paying about $32 for 2 years warranty.

I think its a wash.
both deals are equivalent. just depends on whether you need those accessories. pay less. take the extra money, and decide on your own accessories.

buy 2 OEM batteries, for the price of one original.

josho · 10th March 2005

Why not just get it now? You may end up getting the same deal everywhere. If you think the price will drop, then wait on. It might drop when new mdoel is out, then you be contradict again whether to get the new model.

In the end, You might not get anything, right?

That show the value of money of FZ20 to remain at the price.
BUY! Why not?

donchua · 10th March 2005

Originally Posted by rhair78

I cannot believe my eyes... After 5 months, they can still sell for the same RRP since the day it was launched. I was given 512MB, soft case, lotto cap and bag that time.

U seem pretty bent on getting FZ20... I hope you have seen the reviews and physically tried and tested one, and can live with the shortfalls of this camera, more than the perks it has.

What are the short falls?
I tried but not so fully.

I also got an offer for a used around 2 to 3 months black set
for $825 with extra oem batt, Hoya 72mm U/V, 256mb sd
& the blue case.

mlwang · 10th March 2005

[quote=niteblu]So you're paying about $32 for 2 years warranty.
QUOTE]

I would say the additional year of warranty would have a bigger value of $32.

Hong Jia · 10th March 2005

[quote=mlwang]

Originally Posted by niteblu

So you're paying about $32 for 2 years warranty.
QUOTE]

I would say the additional year of warranty would have a bigger value of $32.

I think he mean 2 additional yrs of warranty... I went past the booth just now and saw the offer... hee... 3 years warranty, 1 year by Pana and 2 additonal years by HN...

k3nn3th03 · 10th March 2005

u know hor.. i get mine at SITEX...

got it at the very last min..

displayed set.. = 20 % less with standard package..

not sure if they will do it this time..

the pana sale at SITEX is from BEST DENKI from Great world..

not sure who it is this time..

good luck..

tao · 10th March 2005

for the extra warranty, i think worth it. but 2pcs 256mb sd card instead of one 512mb is really silly, they trying to dump unwanted stocks.

donchua · 10th March 2005

Originally Posted by tao

for the extra warranty, i think worth it. but 2pcs 256mb sd card instead of one 512mb is really silly, they trying to dump unwanted stocks.

If got Credit card installment laggy best.

My pocket don't need to burn big hole.

John Teoh · 10th March 2005

Originally Posted by niteblu

buy 2 OEM batteries, for the price of one original.

You can buy 3 pieces for that price. I always help one Malaysia member to buy the battery at AP and send to him by post. Last round I bought 3 pieces for him .

Cheers
John

natnivek · 11th March 2005

Originally Posted by John Teoh

You can buy 3 pieces for that price. I always help one Malaysia member to buy the battery at AP and send to him by post. Last round I bought 3 pieces for him .

Cheers
John

Can you remember what was the brand and model of the OEM battery?

John Teoh · 11th March 2005

Originally Posted by natnivek

Can you remember what was the brand and model of the OEM battery?

AP only sells one type of 3rd party battery. Think it is called Digixxx.

Cheers
John

natnivek · 11th March 2005

Originally Posted by John Teoh

AP only sells one type of 3rd party battery. Think it is called Digixxx.

Cheers
John

Cool... Thanks. I've been surviving with only one batt. So does any darksiders want to sell me OEM battery cheap cheap?

John Teoh · 11th March 2005

Originally Posted by natnivek

Cool... Thanks. I've been surviving with only one batt. So does any darksiders want to sell me OEM battery cheap cheap?

You a bit late lah... I really put up all the batteries with my FZ20 for sale.

Cheers
John

rhair78 · 11th March 2005

Originally Posted by donchua

What are the short falls?
I tried but not so fully.

Good day donchua,

a good question you asked. since you want to know some shortfalls, I will list as many as I can write off hand:

1) poor ergonomics:
- shutter button too far back
- zoom trigger on shutter button is out of place (normal zooms are always at the thumb position for most cameras).
- Hand grip is small, and uncomfortable after long shooting.
- EVF is place extreme left side, different from standard SLR types. If your using left eye to focus, your nose and mouth will end up "moisturising" the LCD.

2) operations + image:
- camera gets quite warm after continuous shooting
- noise level for iso above 100 quite bad
- EVF cannot see at night (does not gain up automatically)
- when camera goes into sleep mode, lens will zoom out. When woken up, the lens will move into position again. meaning battery life short.
- mechanically controlled zoom, means even worse battery life, all gone into zooming....

The list I am sure goes on.. But these are the cons lar..
There are of course many many pros too! which i am sure you are fully aware of.

Have fun with your future FZ20!

nad · 11th March 2005

which is the best 3rd party battery for FZ20?

rhair78 · 11th March 2005

Originally Posted by nad

which is the best 3rd party battery for FZ20?

So far, apart from the original Panasonic battery, eastgear has given me the best batt life. JMHO.

sunkist · 11th March 2005

go ahead and get loh. I believe it a rather good buy

nad · 11th March 2005

Originally Posted by rhair78

So far, apart from the original Panasonic battery, eastgear has given me the best batt life. JMHO.

sounds good... it is like what, $35?

10th March 2005	#1
donchua Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tampines Posts: 7,814	Pana FZ20 $1099 At IT Show Worth? The FZ20 is price at $1099 at the IT Show with the below freebies: 2 X 256MB SD Card Big Tripod Carrier Bag CGA S002 Battery 1 + 2 year Extended Warranty. Compare to shop like MS Color $912 (free 1 256MB SD & case), will be paying $187 for a 256MB SD, Big Tripod, CGA batt & 2 year extended warranty in the show, worth? Thanks.

10th March 2005	#3
niteblu Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 66	worth it? hmmm.. looks like you might have enough information there to evaluate it on your own. Say ballpark figures. 256mb SD ($35) + Big Tripod (Unbranded?) ($40) + Orig Battery ($80) So you're paying about $32 for 2 years warranty. I think its a wash. both deals are equivalent. just depends on whether you need those accessories. pay less. take the extra money, and decide on your own accessories. buy 2 OEM batteries, for the price of one original.

10th March 2005	#4
josho Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Jln Teck Whye Posts: 2,032	Why not just get it now? You may end up getting the same deal everywhere. If you think the price will drop, then wait on. It might drop when new mdoel is out, then you be contradict again whether to get the new model. In the end, You might not get anything, right? That show the value of money of FZ20 to remain at the price. BUY! Why not? __________________ Canon Blog Flickr

10th March 2005	#8
k3nn3th03 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,545	u know hor.. i get mine at SITEX... got it at the very last min.. displayed set.. = 20 % less with standard package.. not sure if they will do it this time.. the pana sale at SITEX is from BEST DENKI from Great world.. not sure who it is this time.. good luck.. __________________ Stress Man @ work... :bigeyes:

10th March 2005	#6
mlwang Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 156	[quote=niteblu]So you're paying about $32 for 2 years warranty. QUOTE] I would say the additional year of warranty would have a bigger value of $32.

10th March 2005	#9
tao Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Land of the Vegetables Posts: 2,958	for the extra warranty, i think worth it. but 2pcs 256mb sd card instead of one 512mb is really silly, they trying to dump unwanted stocks.

11th March 2005	#17
nad Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 443	which is the best 3rd party battery for FZ20?

11th March 2005	#19
sunkist Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 564	go ahead and get loh. I believe it a rather good buy