I'm getting FZ20 tmr. Should I?

[lohjoleen]

im getting a fz20 real soon 2nd hand from a club snapper.
im just upgrading because i used to have a 4 mp exilim which i lost............. and a LCA
i'm quite unsure because it's a pretty old model. a year ago? they dont sell it anymore at sim lim


i do like it's functions. im wondering if it's really that bad in low light.
just want to know if anyone has any comments about it. so i can still consider

Thanks for your comments in advance.

[metallilan]

I'd say this camera is pretty good despite its size, although i never owned a FZ20 before since i started photography with an Fz5.

dpreview gave this camera a high recommendation, so, i guess that sits fine with me. you can probably upgrade this camera and add more accesories to it!

one thing i like about the other FZ models is that it has support for hot-shoe flash! something which the Fz5 doesnt...

low light condition wise, happens to my Fz5 also, so i have to resort to a tripod to solve that. not really a convinient method though.

[lohjoleen]

thanks for your reply!

how does the tripod help?!
thought it was because you can't really view the LCD/VF in low light

[sORe-EyEz]

consider FZ30 instead? improvements like
. tripod socket centre w/ barrel (FZ20 is off-centre)
. manual zoom & focus (faster den using +/-, oso save batt)
. flip out LCD
. front & rear dials (2 adjust aperture & shutter spd)
. 55mm lense thread (no need bulky adaptor) 2 attach filter & lense hood
. longer shutter spd (60s on FZ30 vs 8s on FZ20)
. orientation sensor

jus view d comparison here http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz30/

like 2 add tt i often switch off d unit cos d power switch is located at where d thumb swings down 2 access other buttons on FZ20.

FYI, its my sis's cam, but i use it enough 2 kno it does not suite me tt well... grt cam at tt time now surpassed by FZ30 (IMO).

[sORe-EyEz]

Originally Posted by lohjoleen how does the tripod help?!

a sturdy tripod is d ultimate stabilizer, oso aids user in framing a pic more precisely.

[schon]

Originally Posted by lohjoleen thanks for your reply! how does the tripod help?! thought it was because you can't really view the LCD/VF in low light

if light is really poor, say in an indoor scene with barely enough light, turn the AF assist on.

if you dunno what it is, it's this bright orange beam of light that temporarily lights up the subject to aid the autofocus. and within that span of time, it allows me to compose my photo too.

it may sound ridiculous, but yes it works for me.

[sORe-EyEz]

Originally Posted by schon if light is really poor, say in an indoor scene with barely enough light, turn the AF assist on. if you dunno what it is, it's this bright orange beam of light that temporarily lights up the subject to aid the autofocus. and within that span of time, it allows me to compose my photo too. it may sound ridiculous, but yes it works for me.

somehow my finger always block d AF-assist beam. is it jus me?

[schon]

Originally Posted by sORe-EyEz somehow my finger always block d AF-assist beam. is it jus me?

haha nope it happens to me too. seems to be a design flaw. a workaround would be to use one hand to AF first, then use two hands to shoot.

[metallilan]

Originally Posted by sORe-EyEz consider FZ30 instead? improvements like . tripod socket centre w/ barrel (FZ20 is off-centre) . manual zoom & focus (faster den using +/-, oso save batt) . flip out LCD . front & rear dials (2 adjust aperture & shutter spd) . 55mm lense thread (no need bulky adaptor) 2 attach filter & lense hood . longer shutter spd (60s on FZ30 vs 8s on FZ20) . orientation sensor jus view d comparison here http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz30/ like 2 add tt i often switch off d unit cos d power switch is located at where d thumb swings down 2 access other buttons on FZ20. FYI, its my sis's cam, but i use it enough 2 kno it does not suite me tt well... grt cam at tt time now surpassed by FZ30 (IMO).

i'd still take the fz20 over fz30. fz20 received the 'highly recommended' award. something which the fz30 doesnt...

also, lets compare the cons of the 2 cameras.

Fz30:
* Noise is even an issue at ISO 80, a real problem at ISO 400 or in very low light
* Very occasional exposure problems
* Max aperture at long end of zoom only F3.7
* Limited dynamic range, highlight clipping in JPEGs
* Pointless RAW converter produces worse results than JPEGs
* Focus at extreme telephoto sometimes hunts, occasionally misses
* Images can look a little soft viewed at 100%
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pana...z30/page17.asp

Fz20:
* Visible noise at ISOs above 100
* Very occasional exposure problems
* Focus at extreme telephoto sometimes hunts, occasionally misses
* Low resolution movie mode
* Some red fringing at 12x/wide apertures (rarely seen in prints)
* Mode dial too easy to knock in use, changing modes
* Images can look a little soft viewed at 100% - sharpen up well though
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz20/page9.asp

my vote goes for the fz20. its still a gem despite being the older model. problems like the low res movie mode shouldnt be a problem unless you want to shoot video as well. low light is a common occurence even for my fz5.

[lohjoleen]

thank you everybody for your replies!

i checked the specs but i never knew that z20 can only hold 8seconds.
(:

oh by the way. any good polarizer to recommend? something.. midrange i guess.
and how does UV filter protect lens?

hehe

[metallilan]

some of the common stuff i use for my fz5...

normal shots w/out bright sun: Hoya UV filter. ( i wish i could get those multi-coated!)
normal shots w/ bright sun: Hoya Cir-Polarising
macro: nikon 4T + hoya close up +4 (cuz i couldnt get a 6T, so i got a 52mm nikon 4t and a step down ring)

a uv filter usally takes care of the job of protecting the lens. if you can afford it you can always go get a multi-coated filter

[sORe-EyEz]

Originally Posted by metallilan i'd still take the fz20 over fz30. fz20 received the 'highly recommended' award. something which the fz30 doesnt... also, lets compare the cons of the 2 cameras. Fz30: * Noise is even an issue at ISO 80, a real problem at ISO 400 or in very low light * Very occasional exposure problems * Max aperture at long end of zoom only F3.7 * Limited dynamic range, highlight clipping in JPEGs * Pointless RAW converter produces worse results than JPEGs * Focus at extreme telephoto sometimes hunts, occasionally misses * Images can look a little soft viewed at 100% http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pana...z30/page17.asp Fz20: * Visible noise at ISOs above 100 * Very occasional exposure problems * Focus at extreme telephoto sometimes hunts, occasionally misses * Low resolution movie mode * Some red fringing at 12x/wide apertures (rarely seen in prints) * Mode dial too easy to knock in use, changing modes * Images can look a little soft viewed at 100% - sharpen up well though http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz20/page9.asp my vote goes for the fz20. its still a gem despite being the older model. problems like the low res movie mode shouldnt be a problem unless you want to shoot video as well. low light is a common occurence even for my fz5.

wah, u got FZ5, FZ20 & FZ30?

u kno them inside out...

[schon]

Originally Posted by sORe-EyEz wah, u got FZ5, FZ20 & FZ30? u kno them inside out...

uh he got the info from dpreview...

[sORe-EyEz]

sorry bro, i m bias- still prefer FZ30 though i nv use it b4. haa...

i m currently v happy w/ my FILM (dun flame me arh) SLR cam. m waiting 4 digi SLR prices 2 drop further & improve further. hehee...

there r diff cams 2 suite diff preferances & needs & requirements. which cam i like does not mean others will like too. jus wish Joleen buys d cam of her choice! ttz d grt thing abt being able 2 choose, & being able 2 do so wisely.

[sORe-EyEz]

Originally Posted by schon uh he got the info from dpreview...

oic. nvm den, i tot he used all 3 b4 (paiseh ahz)...

[lohjoleen]

haha thanks! I actually have only film cameras now. I lost my previous compact digital.
i've one film slr. canon eos 500. really old model. passed down form my grandpa and a Lomo LCA. haha!

[sORe-EyEz]

if u still keen on film, get EOS300X den & 2nd hand zoom lense. got 2 lenses 19-35mm & 28-200mm (2nd hand, 3rd party) under $600 4 both. i m v happy w/ tis combo.

FYI, i sold my kit lense.

cam bought at IT Fair, both lenses at Peninsula area.

[tao]

Originally Posted by lohjoleen im getting a fz20 real soon 2nd hand from a club snapper. im just upgrading because i used to have a 4 mp exilim which i lost............. and a LCA i'm quite unsure because it's a pretty old model. a year ago? they dont sell it anymore at sim lim i do like it's functions. im wondering if it's really that bad in low light. just want to know if anyone has any comments about it. so i can still consider Thanks for your comments in advance.

Considering the prices of the latest superzoom cameras, just make sure you don't pay more than $500 if it is a 'bare bones' set. Can pay more if it comes with lens accesssories and additional memory card and battery. Do check the zooming machanism extensively and make sure it is smooth and fast to ensure that the zoom servo motor is still working well.

The FZ20 is still a very capable camera and the quality of the constant F2.8 Leica lens, IMO, remains unbeatable for the money.

[airconvent]

also don't forget a second hand FZ20 cost much much less than a new FZ30....heh heh

[metallilan]

or why not wait for the new Fz7...