Panasonic DMC-FZ1

KSeet · 11th March 2003

Is this camera recommended by any one here? I'm a beginner and am thinking of picking this up.

Price S$750. Good buy or expensive buy?

KSeet · 11th March 2003

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_...fz1.html#specs

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...nic_dmcfz1.asp

DMC-FZ1

Optical Technology

LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens
- 12x MEGA Optical Zoom
- MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer
- Bright F2.8 Lens Across the Entire
Zoom Range
- Focal Length of 4.6 - 55.2 mm
Macro Mode for 5 cm Close-ups

Six Shutter Blades for a Beautiful Soft Focus

Digital Technology

New Generation LSI

2.0 Mega Effective Pixels (2.1 Mega Total Pixels CCD)

MEGA BURST Consecutive Shooting (4 Frames/Sec.)

Intelligent Multiple Metering Mode

Moving Image Recording with Audio in QuickTimeTM

SD Memory Card

Operating Ease

Mode Dial
- Panning Mode
- Simple Mode

Pop-up Digital Flash

Auto Bracket

Colour Effect:
Cool, Warm and Black & White

ISO Sensitivity Selection
(50, 100, 200, or 400)

Newly Developed, Compact Lithium-Ion Battery

One-Touch Quick Review and Quick Delete Function in Rec. Mode

Dedicated Delete Button Equipped for Quick Deletion

Larry · 11th March 2003

i'm not familiar with the Panasonic DMC-FZ1, but looks like you've already done your research homework...

mpenza · 11th March 2003

some comparison pics with Canon Pro 90IS
http://www.pbase.com/bdbx18/pro90vsz1

some threads:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...essage=4572841

and user comments:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read...nasonic_dmcfz1

KSeet · 11th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Larry
i'm not familiar with the Panasonic DMC-FZ1, but looks like you've already done your research homework...

Thanks! I researched on it since Computer Times highlighted it..hee.still in consideration stage.

KSeet · 11th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by mpenza
some comparison pics with Canon Pro 90IS
http://www.pbase.com/bdbx18/pro90vsz1

some threads:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...essage=4572841

and user comments:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read...nasonic_dmcfz1

Hey thanks for the threads!

I'm looking at the photos now..

Kei · 11th March 2003

Have you tried it yet ?

Feel of the camera is important too

KSeet · 11th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Keito
Have you tried it yet ?

Feel of the camera is important too

Well, I did hold it. Feels light to me, but didn't have a chance to test it out.

Its weird that professional reviews and sample pictures show very little noise problem, but amateur shots show lots of noise in almost all the samples. Why is it so?

By the way, Neat Image is a free software or a paid software?

mpenza · 11th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by KSeet
Well, I did hold it. Feels light to me, but didn't have a chance to test it out.

Its weird that professional reviews and sample pictures show very little noise problem, but amateur shots show lots of noise in almost all the samples. Why is it so?

By the way, Neat Image is a free software or a paid software?

Might be because amatuers use fully auto modes, where ISO settings can vary depending on the situation. In most cameras, higher ISO are associated with increasing level of noise.

f55user · 11th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by KSeet
By the way, Neat Image is a free software or a paid software?

It's a paid software although there's a free version, but......

KSeet · 11th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by f55user
It's a paid software although there's a free version, but......

Oohh...

KSeet · 11th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by mpenza
Might be because amatuers use fully auto modes, where ISO settings can vary depending on the situation. In most cameras, higher ISO are associated with increasing level of noise.

But they used ISO 50 leh..still noisy

KSeet · 12th March 2003

Are 55mm threads compatible with standard filters or must an adaptor be bought? If so, how much is it usually?

Parchiao · 12th March 2003

You might want to reconsider your thoughts of buying this camera.

Instead of thinking of this as an affordable version of a fast leica lensed digital camera, you ought to think of it as an expensive 2MP camera with a super duper zoom, which would probably not help you much in reaching the ultimate goal of getting good images.

On top of this, if you would want to sell it later, you would in most likelihood have to sell it as a very very low price, owing to the fact that digital cameras become obselete faster than traditional film cameras, as well as the lower specs i.e. the 2MP CCD.

KSeet · 12th March 2003

Thanks for your advice. I'll be listening to it because I also feel that Panasonic somehow did not really take into account trends that are important in photography.

Hmm..may I know which manual camera is the best and most affordable?

Thanks!

Parchiao · 13th March 2003

If you are looking out for a film P&S with exposure compensation, I know of someone on clubsnap selling a Leica Minilux zoom (35-70mm f3.5-6.5) for a reasonable price. Dun know the condition though.

But if you want super sharp images with fast lens, There is someone else here selling a Minilux (40mm f2.4, no zoom), and of course two people looking to sell the Contax T3 (35mm f2.8). The Ricoh GR1v (28mm f2.8) is harder to come by as it is much more affordable, but the wider angle tends to be a bit awkward to use.

Going up the price scale, a Contax G (not a real point & shoot) with interchangeable lenses like the 35mm or 45mm lens is pretty good too, with a host of features that will beat the cameras that I have just mentioned. Someone is selling a Contax G1 with the 35mm lens on clubsnap too!

All these cameras that I speak about have manual overrides such as manual ISO setting or exposure compensation, and have reasonaly good reviews. The price for new ones tends to be high, but 2nd hand ones tend to be lower based on what I have noticed here. Seems like some anomaly on clubsnap that nobody seems to be willing to fork out the extra money for a high end P&S. Forget about the Olympus mju, Yashica T4/T5 or the Yashica T4 zoom, you won't learn much from them.

Of course, you can go for the cheaper auto focus SLRs (cause I am assuming that your budget may be somewhere close to SGD750), but I am not too sure if this is a good approach, as most people will tend to grow out of them quickly, either because they don't want to maintain the equiptment or because of the lousy stock lenses, or because they want a better built camera body, and are more than willing to built upon their equiptment i.e. reasonably better lens.

BUT, if you want to go digital, you will have to ask someone else. I am still holding out for the time when prosumer cameras can match film P&S in usability and image quality. BTW, you don't have to take my word for it.

fruitybix · 13th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by KSeet
Are 55mm threads compatible with standard filters or must an adaptor be bought? If so, how much is it usually?

this is one weird, unfriendly filter size, at 55.2mm, and therefore proprietary to Panasonic.

KSeet · 13th March 2003

So its not a friendly filter size lah? Proprietary everything camera to squeeze out money from its users ah...

Snowcrash · 13th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by KSeet
Thanks for your advice. I'll be listening to it because I also feel that Panasonic somehow did not really take into account trends that are important in photography.

Hmm..may I know which manual camera is the best and most affordable? Thanks!

Are you talking about digital camera with some manual control?

KSeet · 13th March 2003

Yah.

Thanks!

11th March 2003	#1
KSeet Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North East Posts: 538	Panasonic DMC-FZ1 Is this camera recommended by any one here? I'm a beginner and am thinking of picking this up. Price S$750. Good buy or expensive buy?

12th March 2003	#14
Parchiao Deregistered Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,937	You might want to reconsider your thoughts of buying this camera. Instead of thinking of this as an affordable version of a fast leica lensed digital camera, you ought to think of it as an expensive 2MP camera with a super duper zoom, which would probably not help you much in reaching the ultimate goal of getting good images. On top of this, if you would want to sell it later, you would in most likelihood have to sell it as a very very low price, owing to the fact that digital cameras become obselete faster than traditional film cameras, as well as the lower specs i.e. the 2MP CCD. Last edited by Parchiao; 12th March 2003 at 09:16 PM.

11th March 2003	#3
Larry Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: singapore Posts: 6,097	i'm not familiar with the Panasonic DMC-FZ1, but looks like you've already done your research homework...

11th March 2003	#4
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,397	some comparison pics with Canon Pro 90IS http://www.pbase.com/bdbx18/pro90vsz1 some threads: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...essage=4572841 and user comments: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read...nasonic_dmcfz1

11th March 2003	#7
Kei Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,090	Have you tried it yet ? Feel of the camera is important too

13th March 2003	#16
Parchiao Deregistered Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,937	If you are looking out for a film P&S with exposure compensation, I know of someone on clubsnap selling a Leica Minilux zoom (35-70mm f3.5-6.5) for a reasonable price. Dun know the condition though. But if you want super sharp images with fast lens, There is someone else here selling a Minilux (40mm f2.4, no zoom), and of course two people looking to sell the Contax T3 (35mm f2.8). The Ricoh GR1v (28mm f2.8) is harder to come by as it is much more affordable, but the wider angle tends to be a bit awkward to use. Going up the price scale, a Contax G (not a real point & shoot) with interchangeable lenses like the 35mm or 45mm lens is pretty good too, with a host of features that will beat the cameras that I have just mentioned. Someone is selling a Contax G1 with the 35mm lens on clubsnap too! All these cameras that I speak about have manual overrides such as manual ISO setting or exposure compensation, and have reasonaly good reviews. The price for new ones tends to be high, but 2nd hand ones tend to be lower based on what I have noticed here. Seems like some anomaly on clubsnap that nobody seems to be willing to fork out the extra money for a high end P&S. Forget about the Olympus mju, Yashica T4/T5 or the Yashica T4 zoom, you won't learn much from them. Of course, you can go for the cheaper auto focus SLRs (cause I am assuming that your budget may be somewhere close to SGD750), but I am not too sure if this is a good approach, as most people will tend to grow out of them quickly, either because they don't want to maintain the equiptment or because of the lousy stock lenses, or because they want a better built camera body, and are more than willing to built upon their equiptment i.e. reasonably better lens. BUT, if you want to go digital, you will have to ask someone else. I am still holding out for the time when prosumer cameras can match film P&S in usability and image quality. BTW, you don't have to take my word for it.

13th March 2003	#20
KSeet Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North East Posts: 538	Yah. Thanks!