Those with an opinion on the FZ30

unseen · 24th September 2005

From a random poll, actual owners are all giving it a thumbs (and toes in some cases) up
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=15142818
Seems like the camera has been helping alot of people improve their hit/success rate.

So far, the only bad comments I hear are from those people who has not bought/used /tried the camera.
Though I do stand here based on the non-user but criticize side, that's coz the noise/image quality is kinda hard to compare to the canon dSLR which I'm using. Ease of use I'll say is on par.

For a normal PnS, looking at all other 8MP cameras, er.. Noise wise, I don't see any other camera which performs significantly better than the FZ30, other than those from Fuji (defective cameras IMHO, using xD cards). Anyone care to comment on this?

sORe-EyEz · 24th September 2005

i dunno much abt other brands but Panasonic has been constantly improving their product while beating most other in terms & price. there's always abit of giv n take. even D-SLRs r not perfect...

d most significant jump in improvement in cam handling & design is at FZ20 to FZ30. considering that each brand has 2 come out w/ new cams 2 compete so i guess its not possible 2 perfect a cam in a limited time.

all said, i still m v impressed w/ FZ30 wen i tried it out during d last IT fair.

tao · 25th September 2005

Originally Posted by unseen

For a normal PnS, looking at all other 8MP cameras, er.. Noise wise, I don't see any other camera which performs significantly better than the FZ30, other than those from Fuji (defective cameras IMHO, using xD cards). Anyone care to comment on this?

I do agree that for a super zoom prosumer with image stabilisation, the FZ30 is best of the best at the moment. You want any better you have to fork out $$$ on a DSLR with image stabilised long zoom which will cost you $$$$.

By the way, using xD card doesn't mean that a camera is defective. So you are saying that the best of class Fujifilm F10 is defective?

eow · 25th September 2005

the xd card is too exp for the speed /price ratio compared to the newer faster/cheaper sd card/cf card.
it a matter of time they revised the price..else it might gone the way of smartmedia card

unseen · 25th September 2005

LOL sorry, it's just for me, when you pay 3X the $$ for a slower and inefficient product, that's called defective.

I'll even call Sony Memorysticks defective, but even though it's expensive, it's fast.

pardon me for thinking this way..

JimDavis · 28th September 2005

Good old question: Anyone already got FZ-30??

faisalee · 28th September 2005

Hi Guys,

I have been looking at the FZ30 and Ooo Boy... is it cool or what

Every one talks about the noise... well its there all right but I believe for the size of A4 prints you will not see any

I am definately going to get one

Take a look at www.bargaincity.com.sg they have a good package to offer for the FZ30

http://www.bargaincity.com.sg/digica...NAME=PANASONIC

1GB card, Panasonic case, 256mb extra card, spare battery, tripod

Great if you ask me !

Best Regards

Tweek · 28th September 2005

I just got a FZ30 two days ago....as a backup camera.
The IS is great...sharp pictures even at 1/13 with 420mm focal length.
And yes noise at ISO400 is too high for my liking.

Nevertheless, a great cam!
Though I'd envy the 28mm wide angle on its competitor...the 35mm on FZ30 isn't as useful.

socrates · 28th September 2005

Hi Tweek,

How about being one of the first few here to share some shots from your FZ30 ? I am sure many will be appreciative. Where did you get it from and how much did you pay for it?

unseen · 29th September 2005

LOL nikon user, shouldn't be a stranger to nosier photos :P
anyway I think it's a great camera regardless..
too bad no $$...

unseen · 29th September 2005

woot... our 1st FZ30 owner announced here..
1/13 at 420mm? man... your hands are extra steady!!!
ah well 35mm, buy converter, can go down a bit..

try the wcon08b
can't really tell any photo quality difference, but hey it's 28mm...

eow · 29th September 2005

Originally Posted by Tweek

I just got a FZ30 two days ago....as a backup camera.
The IS is great...sharp pictures even at 1/13 with 420mm focal length.
And yes noise at ISO400 is too high for my liking.

Nevertheless, a great cam!
Though I'd envy the 28mm wide angle on its competitor...the 35mm on FZ30 isn't as useful.

take two steps backward..and u will have yr 28mm

tao · 29th September 2005

Originally Posted by unseen

woot... our 1st FZ30 owner announced here..
1/13 at 420mm? man... your hands are extra steady!!!
ah well 35mm, buy converter, can go down a bit..
try the wcon08b
can't really tell any photo quality difference, but hey it's 28mm...

I second that. Get the WCON-08B, no light loss with it can maintain at F2.8 and very little distortion.

Originally Posted by eow

take two steps backward..and u will have yr 28mm

Yah right, try doing it in a small room or in a tight situation.

eow · 29th September 2005

Originally Posted by tao

I second that. Get the WCON-08B, no light loss with it can maintain at F2.8 and very little distortion.

Yah right, try doing it in a small room or in a tight situation.

it going to be cumbersome...nonethless...not including the external flash yet

faisalee · 29th September 2005

Originally Posted by unseen

LOL nikon user, shouldn't be a stranger to nosier photos :P
anyway I think it's a great camera regardless..
too bad no $$...

LOL! You said it right friend

Noise is a part of Digital Photography every one has to deal with.

Best Regards

unseen · 29th September 2005

Originally Posted by tao

Yah right, try doing it in a small room or in a tight situation.

Hmmmm punch a hole in the wall.. haha.. that'll help...

hee or just hold the camera against the wall.. i've done it b4... works just fine.. haha after all u dun need to be behind the camera for it to work...

unseen · 29th September 2005

Originally Posted by faisalee

LOL! You said it right friend Noise is a part of Digital Photography every one has to deal with.

Best Regards

Haha cheers to us all who look at 100% of the photos at a time, not 5%.

My teacher told us, it's better to get a noisy photo then to not get any photo. Get a softer photo than to get no photo.
=> For photo journalism that is..

Tweek · 29th September 2005

Haven't had time to take proper shots with it yet, but with my trial so far, noise is indeed a killer. ISO80 noise level is comparable to ISO800 on the 350D. Push up to ISO400 and it's more like ISO3200 on a 350D. However, if you run the image through a decent noise reduction software, you'll just be able to accept the remnant noise of the ISO400 comparable to the Kodak Max 400 film, which is known to be grainy.

Otherwise, the manual zoom ring is great, so is the focussing and handling of the camera. I got it at just a little over $1K at MS color. Free 256mb SD and panasonic camera bag.

Btw 35mm two steps away is different from a 28mm...coverage may be the same but perspective is so different, especially when a wide and stretched effect is desired.

ahsosl1e8 · 29th September 2005

care to share how much ms color sells it for?

Tweek · 30th September 2005

Took the FZ30 on a spin in the zoo, some sample shots below. Mostly taken at 420mm, OIS Mode 2, F3.7, no flash, handheld. Only levels/contrast adjusted and slight cropping, no noise reduction done.

ISO 400, 1/160s

ISO400, 1/30s <<click on pic to see full size, to appreciate the noise>>

ISO400, 1/125s

ISO400, 1/80s

24th September 2005	#1
unseen Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NTU and Wdls Posts: 2,618	Those with an opinion on the FZ30 From a random poll, actual owners are all giving it a thumbs (and toes in some cases) up http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=15142818 Seems like the camera has been helping alot of people improve their hit/success rate. So far, the only bad comments I hear are from those people who has not bought/used /tried the camera. Though I do stand here based on the non-user but criticize side, that's coz the noise/image quality is kinda hard to compare to the canon dSLR which I'm using. Ease of use I'll say is on par. For a normal PnS, looking at all other 8MP cameras, er.. Noise wise, I don't see any other camera which performs significantly better than the FZ30, other than those from Fuji (defective cameras IMHO, using xD cards). Anyone care to comment on this? Last edited by unseen; 24th September 2005 at 02:02 AM.

24th September 2005	#2
sORe-EyEz Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SGee Posts: 1,571	Re: Those with an opinion on the FZ30 i dunno much abt other brands but Panasonic has been constantly improving their product while beating most other in terms & price. there's always abit of giv n take. even D-SLRs r not perfect... d most significant jump in improvement in cam handling & design is at FZ20 to FZ30. considering that each brand has 2 come out w/ new cams 2 compete so i guess its not possible 2 perfect a cam in a limited time. all said, i still m v impressed w/ FZ30 wen i tried it out during d last IT fair.

25th September 2005	#4
eow Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,648	Re: Those with an opinion on the FZ30 the xd card is too exp for the speed /price ratio compared to the newer faster/cheaper sd card/cf card. it a matter of time they revised the price..else it might gone the way of smartmedia card __________________ 头可断，血可流,倩女不可不追求 carpe diem,when in doubt, hoot first,apologise later:p GALLERY

25th September 2005	#5
unseen Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NTU and Wdls Posts: 2,618	Re: Those with an opinion on the FZ30 LOL sorry, it's just for me, when you pay 3X the $$ for a slower and inefficient product, that's called defective. I'll even call Sony Memorysticks defective, but even though it's expensive, it's fast. pardon me for thinking this way..

28th September 2005	#6
JimDavis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Eunos Posts: 2,734	Re: Those with an opinion on the FZ30 Good old question: Anyone already got FZ-30??

28th September 2005	#7
faisalee Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 1,860	Re: Those with an opinion on the FZ30 Hi Guys, I have been looking at the FZ30 and Ooo Boy... is it cool or what Every one talks about the noise... well its there all right but I believe for the size of A4 prints you will not see any I am definately going to get one Take a look at www.bargaincity.com.sg they have a good package to offer for the FZ30 http://www.bargaincity.com.sg/digica...NAME=PANASONIC 1GB card, Panasonic case, 256mb extra card, spare battery, tripod Great if you ask me ! Best Regards __________________ myflickr

28th September 2005	#8
Tweek Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Posts: 2,156	Re: Those with an opinion on the FZ30 I just got a FZ30 two days ago....as a backup camera. The IS is great...sharp pictures even at 1/13 with 420mm focal length. And yes noise at ISO400 is too high for my liking. Nevertheless, a great cam! Though I'd envy the 28mm wide angle on its competitor...the 35mm on FZ30 isn't as useful.

28th September 2005	#9
socrates Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 236	Re: Those with an opinion on the FZ30 Hi Tweek, How about being one of the first few here to share some shots from your FZ30 ? I am sure many will be appreciative. Where did you get it from and how much did you pay for it?

29th September 2005	#10
unseen Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NTU and Wdls Posts: 2,618	Re: Those with an opinion on the FZ30 LOL nikon user, shouldn't be a stranger to nosier photos :P anyway I think it's a great camera regardless.. too bad no $$...

29th September 2005	#19
ahsosl1e8 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 329	Re: Those with an opinion on the FZ30 care to share how much ms color sells it for?

30th September 2005	#20
Tweek Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Posts: 2,156	Re: Those with an opinion on the FZ30 Took the FZ30 on a spin in the zoo, some sample shots below. Mostly taken at 420mm, OIS Mode 2, F3.7, no flash, handheld. Only levels/contrast adjusted and slight cropping, no noise reduction done. ISO 400, 1/160s ISO400, 1/30s <<click on pic to see full size, to appreciate the noise>> ISO400, 1/125s ISO400, 1/80s Last edited by Tweek; 30th September 2005 at 10:14 PM.