P80 vs Panasonic DMC FZ28K? I'm leaning to the FZ28 since the reviews seem better. Is this true?
1104646
Thanks Kevin. I have decided to buy the FZ28. I find so many positives about it and yours has added to the list.
131464
The reviews I have seen (the in-depth for real ones, not the ones on sales sites) talk about the P80's lens slowness while trying to take pictures. I'm sure it's not as slow as the old (3-4 years ago) digital cameras but evidently it is a glaring issue in certain light situations. I am a Nikon shooter for over 30 years and have D200 DSLR now which I am very happy with, but I bought a FZ28K for a trip to Paris and am so far very happy with it. The iA mode is really pretty amazing - great exposure in almost all situations.
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Michael, I own a Panasonic DMC-FZ30. If I had the money I would switch to this S100 for one main reason, that being low light capability. The 30 is limited to ISO 400, I see the 50 can go all the way up to 1600 so that may do the trick. Other than that I'm quite happy with the 30. I've had it three years, taken 1000's of photos of which I'm pretty happy. However the low light limits me quite often. The 30/50 have sensors much smaller than the s100. I think Fuji would have been better off with the large sensor they used but with 8 megapixels which would have improved photo quality, especially at the higher ISOs. The megapixel race is one of the biggest problems in the digital camera arena today. There again the 50 and S100 aren't that far apart in the megapixel race but look at the size of the Fjui sensor - wow! I would enjoy the 2 1/2 inch LCD over the 30/50's 2". I wouldn't miss the rotating feature on the Panasonic as I mostly use it in vertical modes and the Fuji provides that. Another thing I'd want is better video. Even though the three cameras have the same specs I'm disappointed with the Panasonic results. The video from my 30 aren't as good as my wife's Sony W50 point-and-shoot. I guess I'd have to hold them in my hand to compare the Fuji 100 vs the Panasonic 50. My conclusion for you? If I had the 50 in hand already I wouldn't be looking to upgrade. The Panasonic is bound to have more noise due to the smaller sensor. The Fuji looks like it has less noise but there are rampant complaints about purple fringing although most say it only shows up on hard contrast shots. The Panasonic is better at purple fringing but worse on noise - choose your weakness. Battery life is awesome on my 30 and it is indicated to be lower on the S100. Are these differences worth the difference in price (50=$579 S100=$655 9/19/08 on Amazon). If it was me purchasing today I'd go for the S100. What did you decide?
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I did a lot of research between these two cameras before I bought mine (the Panasonic FZ35) and the most helpful website was cameralabs.com. They have side by side comparisons of pictures and video footage so you can see for yourself the difference in image quality.
1977272
blanchedebeaulieu, The FH20 is a much newer camera with more developed technology. The number of megapixels has little to do with the quality of the camera or the pictures from the camera. The size (and quality) of the sensor are far more important and I believe each of these cameras has the same sensor. With the FH20 you'd be getting a newer camera, with greater zoom, new instead of refurbished and for less money. While I think each of the cameras would prove satisfactory to you, I don't think there is really any doubt- go with the FH20. Also, I haven't read anywhere of anyone complaining about a Panasonic lens, whether it's licensed from Leica or not. I'd put more faith in the Amazon guarantee and Panasonic warranty than the label on the lens (For what it's worth, I often buy refurbished- computers, ipods, ipod speakers- and the only time I've had a problem was with a refurbished camera. Sure, it's a small sample size, but I wouldn't recommend refurbished in this category). Hope my experience helps you.
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I had a same dilemma, but settled with FZ8 which I love. Comparing pictures , FZ18 didn't wow me enough for worth $80 more. Looking at two "Birds of paradice" by Tahir J. Naim(on FZ18 page)-which one of them was taken w/FZ7-, you can't tell there is much difference. Or the moon photos. One thing is though, while I do have some great shots of portraits, in general, it is not so satisfying. That's only thing that I want to see how good "face detection" is on FX18. Other than that FZ8 takes great scenery pics in my opinion which I take most anyway. Like you(MazeDancer), I'm thinking of buying a bigger sensor, a DSLR in a year or two, so this camera(FX8) will do enough job for me for now. I had a same dilemma, but settled with FZ8 which I love. Comparing pictures , FZ18 didn't wow me enough for worth $80 more. Looking at two "Birds of paradice" by Tahir J. Naim(on FZ18 page)-which one of them was taken w/FZ7-, you can't tell there is much difference. Or the moon photos. One thing is though, while I do have some great shots of portraits, in general, it is not so satisfying. That's only thing that I want to see how good "face detection" is on FX18. Other than that FZ8 takes great scenery pics in my opinion which I take most anyway. Like... » Read More I had a same dilemma, but settled with FZ8 which I love. Comparing pictures , FZ18 didn't wow me enough for worth $80 more. Looking at two "Birds of paradice" by Tahir J. Naim(on FZ18 page)-which one of them was taken w/FZ7-, you can't tell there is much difference. Or the moon photos. One thing is though, while I do have some great shots of portraits, in general, it is not so satisfying. That's only thing that I want to see how good "face detection" is on FX18. Other than that FZ8 takes great scenery pics in my opinion which I take most anyway. Like you(MazeDancer), I'm thinking of buying a bigger sensor, a DSLR in a year or two, so this camera(FX8) will do enough job for me for now. « Show Less
2019787
Sorry yes I meant FZ35 Panasonic, right, thanks for your advise I will follow your recomendations, I am getting the camara this week but I am a newie and I will take any advise to do things right. I am reading a book about digital photographic because I want to do the best I can with it. I read in others forum that people use also son type of camara filters to change colors when taking pictures. Did you any idea, let me know everything I will need for your experience to take the maximun from my camara. Thanks. Ed
825630
&gt;&gt;I didn't realize this camera was out there when I bought my FZ28! I notice that in the copy under the camera description, significantly more bought the FZ28K than the FZ50. Presumably the price is the reason, I suppose along with the 18x optical zoom.&lt;&lt; this one came out before the fz28, but at the time i only paid about $440 &gt;&gt;Many reviewers above said the FZ50 is "almost" a dslr - but many, many dslrs are considerably less expensive than the FZ50, which I think costs more now than when it came out....and I think I saw on the digital review site that the camera has been discontinued. &lt;&lt; i didn't know about it being discontinued so soon. it compares to a dslr in many ways. but the ISO settings are pretty noisy above ISO 400, whereas in good dslr's you can get good results up to ISO 3200. this is a very good review that gives all of its specs. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz50/ here it is compared to the canon rebel XT where you can see the ISO 1600 on both cameras. the canon is better. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz50/page17.asp &gt;&gt;The user photos for this camera are wonderful! I have a Canon Rebel XS, which cost quite a bit less than this camera, and an FZ28K....I'm now wondering if I should sell the FZ28 K, return the Canon, and get a used FZ50.&lt;&lt; yeah, i get better pictures than i ever have. &gt;&gt;What is it about this camera that makes it worth nearly a thousand dollars? &lt;&lt; i don't know. i don't understand. i haven't seen that happen with any other camera.
1864519
Instead of the RX10, at $400 less with 400mm zoom verses 200mm with the RX10, and 4k video in which you can play back and get 8mp photos from, I would consider the Panasonic FZ1000 camera instead. It is coming out at the end of July and can be pre-ordered now.
152152
Hey Julie- I too had this same question so I went out and purchased the Lumix DMC-TZ5. I found the camera to be very good in the zoom department and video was nice as well. The reason I returned this camera was because of the picture quality. Panasonic seems to me, to have yellow pictures. Even though there is IS, I still had many shots that turned out to be blurry. I owned a Pansasonic in the past and had the same issues on that camera. I now own the Olympus Stylus 1010 for about 2 weeks. I had a mid-size camera for years and loved it but wanted a pocket size camera that would do justice. I am very picky and have bought and returned 4 different point and shoot cameras. The Olympus 1010 is the first camera that I have fell in love with. Very fast, very small, and the image quality is awesome! I have a very difficult shooting base but this camera far exceeds any other camera I have purchased or spent many hours playing with. I am so very satisfied with my purchase and Olympus really has come through with this camera. Hope this helps!
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I won't go as far as to say FZ18 is featureless but I will say that the older one hands down takes better photos. (I have new one/brother has old one). Image quality IS not as good, even with the steadiest of hands. I'd recommend going with older one until sensor is improved in new model.
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I joined Club Panasonic when I purchased one of my Panasonic cameras. I got an e-mail from them yesterday offering the DMC-G2K Body Only for $350. They had 3 other options: a G2K with an H_FS014045 14-45 lens for $600 and a G2K with either the 20mm or 14mm "pancake' lens for $650. This offer was directly from Panasonic for Club Panasonic users.
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more importantly, how will the image quality be and will it be worth owning? reviews of the P80 were not kind. I'm hoping they have fixed this issue.
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How much better is the Image Stabilization? I have a Lumix FZ28 thanks. Bill
883521
I've never owned a Panny FZ70, but I did own a Panny FZ40 and I will say the FZ40 is a fine camera with excellent image quality. That being said, I love the image quality on the X-S1 and overall I think it is a better camera. I don't know about anybody else, but I had a problem with dust and dirt getting inside of the FZ40 camera's lens and it made the camera unusable. The X-S1 is an amazing camera and it is built very solid with many metal fittings instead of plastic pieces that you find on a lot of cameras. I love the manual zoom as well, it's got a pro-camera feel about it, I wouldn't trade my X-S1 camera for any other out there. The filter size is 62mm which I highly recommend getting to protect your lens. I bought a Fujicon clear UV filter lens and a Sigma polarized lens as well for bright sunlight days. I couldn't be happier with my X-S1 camera.
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No clue...but I don't care! I have had mine since the first week they hit the US market and LOVE it! It is my 4th Panasonic FZ series and BY FAR the BEST! Go for it! You will love it!
1134714
Have you made a decision? I'm in the same boat. Got a bunch of Sony DVs but the camera is huge. Time to move to HD. I like the Canon HF M40 because its got alot of the same optics as the G10 at half the price. The Pan has a much better range on the wide end, so I'm torn. Not sure if the Pan features are as good as the Canon otherwise.
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I have just ordered an FZ35. I was previously holding out for the FZ40, but after reading the reviews on the FZ100, I have concluded that the FZ35 is a BETTER product than the FZ40 will be! According to many FZ35 owners who have purchased an FZ100 (which has the same lens, zoom, and CCD chip as the FZ40) the image quality is NOT as good on the FZ100 as it is on the FZ35. This is attributed to the increased Megapixels that are jammed onto a SMALLER CCD chip. In order to add the increased zoom, Panasonic had to shrink the size of the CCD chip, and at the same time they jammed in more pixels. Consequence: loss of image quality. Low light photos on the FZ100 are apparently grainier on the FZ100 than on the FZ35 as well. Add to that the fact that the FZ40 will only accept microchipped Panasonic batteries (at 3-4 times the price of aftermarket batteries) and the choice is clear! Stop waiting! Buy an FZ35. I just did myself!