Help Neaded to chooose between the FZ family of Cameras with Super Zoom

[les]

Hi All

I'm looking to get my first decent digital camera. I'm torn between the Panasonic FZ10 or FZ5 or FZ20 which other FZ models. I know the Panasonic is the superior camera, the reviews I've read are glowing. My real question is: will I notice the difference between the few enough to warrent the extra money. I don't know how important the different features are between the two cameras, I don't have the knowledge or experience to make the decision. I just want a good camera to document my memories with my wife and kid. - that really isn't a big deal for me.

I would value anyone's opinion on this.

Thank you very much.

[eow]

for portability choose fz5...otherwise all are good cameras

[unseen]

go for FZ5..
no need to consider the rest. Image quality is comparable to the higher end FZ20/FZ10. You will never notice the lack of hotshoe and the (almost never used but very useful) manual function.

what you will notice is: FZ5 has alot less weight, alot longer battery life.
not to mention, FZ5 is cheaper by a good $250 ($650 vs $900+) and the saving is more than doubled if you ever feel like buying filters etc (unlikely).

However, they're all good cameras. You won't go wrong with either. Just that I don't think you need to spend the extra $250 for things you're unlikely to use.

[les]

Originally Posted by unseen go for FZ5.. no need to consider the rest. Image quality is comparable to the higher end FZ20/FZ10. You will never notice the lack of hotshoe and the (almost never used but very useful) manual function. what you will notice is: FZ5 has alot less weight, alot longer battery life. not to mention, FZ5 is cheaper by a good $250 ($650 vs $900+) and the saving is more than doubled if you ever feel like buying filters etc (unlikely). However, they're all good cameras. You won't go wrong with either. Just that I don't think you need to spend the extra $250 for things you're unlikely to use.

Thank you very much & I value your opinion on the FZ5.

Best Regards

[unseen]

well for family documentation, a FZ5 is more than enough. the images are already sharp right out of the camera, and you don't need to spend extra time processing every photo, applying USM etc.
using the simple mode will leave you smiling all the way. Just aim, press, and photo taken. Ah yes, FZ5 got the high speed focus, v v useful for children.

Anyway why FZ5 seems to have so many more good things over FZ20: it's 6 mths worth of technological advancement. and you should know how fast and much tech advances. Now, I'm waiting to be wowed by the FZ30..

[les]

Originally Posted by unseen well for family documentation, a FZ5 is more than enough. the images are already sharp right out of the camera, and you don't need to spend extra time processing every photo, applying USM etc. using the simple mode will leave you smiling all the way. Just aim, press, and photo taken. Ah yes, FZ5 got the high speed focus, v v useful for children. Anyway why FZ5 seems to have so many more good things over FZ20: it's 6 mths worth of technological advancement. and you should know how fast and much tech advances. Now, I'm waiting to be wowed by the FZ30..

Have you tried this FZ5 out dores??like a trip to the Zoo? & does it have any problems like low light conditions? takeing photoes in the night of children playing under normal street lights,
sorry for asking so many Q & A Regards

[reiv]

Originally Posted by les Have you tried this FZ5 out dores??like a trip to the Zoo? & does it have any problems like low light conditions? takeing photoes in the night of children playing under normal street lights, sorry for asking so many Q & A Regards

refer to my gallery in my signature below.. please note that many photos have been touched up... the actual quality is actually pretty darn good.. i touch it up so i can have the effect that i like..

[les]

Originally Posted by reiv refer to my gallery in my signature below.. please note that many photos have been touched up... the actual quality is actually pretty darn good.. i touch it up so i can have the effect that i like..

Hi,
can i ask?? are all your photos taken with the FZ5??? if Yes, Very Very Impressed, with the Photographer all the Pic very well taken.. Hope i can be half as good as you... oh and the camera also

Best Regards

[reiv]

Originally Posted by les Hi, can i ask?? are all your photos taken with the FZ5??? if Yes, Very Very Impressed, with the Photographer all the Pic very well taken.. Hope i can be half as good as you... oh and the camera also Best Regards

yep all taken with FZ5.. thanks for the compliment but im not that good.. really.. most of it is the camera.. heh

[les]

Originally Posted by reiv yep all taken with FZ5.. thanks for the compliment but im not that good.. really.. most of it is the camera.. heh

Thanks With Best Regards....Les

[fuse]

Originally Posted by les Have you tried this FZ5 out dores??like a trip to the Zoo? & does it have any problems like low light conditions? takeing photoes in the night of children playing under normal street lights, sorry for asking so many Q & A Regards

hi
i am using the fz5, this camera has relatively gd night shots but any range out of the build in flash u still need an external slave. but for a newbie like me, this camera has wat it gots to let me explore the world of photography

cheers
alex

[les]

Originally Posted by fuse hi i am using the fz5, this camera has relatively gd night shots but any range out of the build in flash u still need an external slave. but for a newbie like me, this camera has wat it gots to let me explore the world of photography cheers alex

Thanks,Appreciate Your opinion on this Very Much. looks like i will be in the market for a FZ5 soooon.....like to try one out and get a feeeel for the camera...

Best Regards..Les

[airconvent]

Originally Posted by les Thanks,Appreciate Your opinion on this Very Much. looks like i will be in the market for a FZ5 soooon.....like to try one out and get a feeeel for the camera... Best Regards..Les

if you are just a point and zoom type of guy, then go for the FZ5.
if you are those who are itchy for dslr perfomance, than the fz10/20 is more appropriate as they feature ed lens, manual focus, longer flash range and flash hot shoe..

[les]

Originally Posted by airconvent if you are just a point and zoom type of guy, then go for the FZ5. if you are those who are itchy for dslr perfomance, than the fz10/20 is more appropriate as they feature ed lens, manual focus, longer flash range and flash hot shoe..

Hi, and Thanks for the feedback,i am very new to this,so if you don't mind Please Explain to me what all this means?? ed lens? Your Help will be Much Appreciated.

Best Regards

[airconvent]

Originally Posted by les Hi, and Thanks for the feedback,i am very new to this,so if you don't mind Please Explain to me what all this means?? ed lens? Your Help will be Much Appreciated. Best Regards

ed lens refers to "extra low dispersion" lens.
as you know, light is refracted into 7 colours when passed through a different transparent medium. Ed lens ensure the split is as small as possible. result is less colour (chromatic) distortion on your pictures.
visually, you will see purple fringing on bright and white objects on your image...

[unseen]

DSLR feel and FZ20/10 feel is very different.
and trust me.. the autofocus of the FZ20/10 is not very good. very very slow.

ED lens, helps to remove some of the visual "defects" that appear in photos.. even without the ED element, FZ5 does just as well as with ED lens.

Focus speed is v slow for the FZ20. FZ5's speed is closer to that of a DSLR. and I'm not kidding about slow focus speed. you won't be able to capture your kid if your kid's hyper active. the focus can't catch up..

1 more thing comparing FZ5 and 20/10... FZ5 has barely noticable shutter lag. means u press the shutterfrom half pressed, it'll take a photo about 0.008 seconds later. FZ20, it's about 0.02 of a second later.

if u really want the DSLR feel, wait for the FZ30..
FZ20 really doesn't offer anything good for the extra SGD$250.
FZ5 use external flash like the FZ20.
if need manual focus, FZ5 has a focus button to help fix/change focus. something like a controlled manual focus.
ED lens and non ED lens, can't see any diff in quailty of photos produced. In an earlier blind poll, the general population are split equally when asked which camera produced a nicer photo. At zoom, 100% of the polled people find the FZ5 image better.

[les]

Originally Posted by unseen DSLR feel and FZ20/10 feel is very different. and trust me.. the autofocus of the FZ20/10 is not very good. very very slow. ED lens, helps to remove some of the visual "defects" that appear in photos.. even without the ED element, FZ5 does just as well as with ED lens. Focus speed is v slow for the FZ20. FZ5's speed is closer to that of a DSLR. and I'm not kidding about slow focus speed. you won't be able to capture your kid if your kid's hyper active. the focus can't catch up.. 1 more thing comparing FZ5 and 20/10... FZ5 has barely noticable shutter lag. means u press the shutterfrom half pressed, it'll take a photo about 0.008 seconds later. FZ20, it's about 0.02 of a second later. if u really want the DSLR feel, wait for the FZ30.. FZ20 really doesn't offer anything good for the extra SGD$250. FZ5 use external flash like the FZ20. if need manual focus, FZ5 has a focus button to help fix/change focus. something like a controlled manual focus. ED lens and non ED lens, can't see any diff in quailty of photos produced. In an earlier blind poll, the general population are split equally when asked which camera produced a nicer photo. At zoom, 100% of the polled people find the FZ5 image better.

Hi,Your Explanations & Coments have convinced me that i should buy the FZ5 and Play around with it till we can see the Good Or Bad coments for the FZ30,I am most Grateful for you Help & Appreciate it Very Much.

Thank You Very Much With Best Regards...Les

[natnivek]

Originally Posted by unseen trust me.. the autofocus of the FZ20/10 is not very good. very very slow.

Disagree!

Originally Posted by unseen Focus speed is v slow for the FZ20. FZ5's speed is closer to that of a DSLR. and I'm not kidding about slow focus speed. you won't be able to capture your kid if your kid's hyper active. the focus can't catch up..

Disagree! Check out the pics I took at the bugis fountain. I'm assuming that these kids are hyper.

I do think it's a matter of sufficient lighting.

[jbma]

You should try the FZ20.

[josho]

Go for FZ20 without a doubt. Im a owner of FZ20 as well. Focusing is slow??? I dun seem to have such problem. In another way round, I think FZ5 is a little slow. But i touch that once only. Just sharing my point of view with friendly comments.

Why not you join the guys for outing and view the performance of FZ5 and FZ20? If the guys dun mind. Do comparison on the feel you like.

No point debating this and that good. Most imptnt is you like the feel. Of coz, there's only bad photographer, and not bad camera.

Cheers.