Hi, im new to the forum, and possibly to panasonic as well. I'm considering getting either an FZ20 (which now retails band new in the US for about 320-340$ (BH, others) which is older but very well reviewed, OR the new FZ7 (which replaced the FZ5), which is smaller, but spec wise seems "better" than the FZ20, for about the same price (330$).

Either that or spend and get either the FZ30 or FZ50...

What do you guys think? is it worth spending the extra 200$ on the FZ30 or FZ50? While I dont need the megapixels, I do want a fast processor and acceptable low-light capability, in addition to stabilized zoom.

Also, just in case, are any of you wanting to dispose of your FZ20 or FZ5? Let me know. 0917.898.6207 or PM me.

Thanks for your advice/help on this. Hoping to joing the pana group soon.
regards
martin

Hi Martin,

As I posted in the other thread, I was not all too happy about the low light capabilities of the FZ30... It came out very grainy, and OIS didn't help either. Maybe the Fz50 is better. I will try to look for the pictures I took and post them for your reference.

Good luck!

Hi Martin,
Just sold my Lumix FZ20 2 weeks ago.:Grin: It can produce good quality pictures at right conditions. Well, for the 1 year I used it, it was really a good experience until I reached the maximum capabilities of this proconsumer camera. Let me list some of them to you.
1. It struggles in low light condition as I normally use ISO 100 for good quality.
2. Increasing ISO starting at ISO200, you can already see the noise, much more when you use ISO400.

Since you are ok buying a second hand unit, why not buy an DSLR 2nd hand unit. I know a lot of people selling their 350D. Instead of buying an FZ30, with that price, I think you can already buy a new Nikon D50 with that money.

I suggest you go directly to DSLR if you are willing to spend that much anyway. You have a lot of options when you go DSLR. With FZ20/30, your stuck with your lens and other attachable lens accessories to it.
If you want to see the shots I made with FZ20, just check my links in my signature.

I have the FZ5 which my son is using, here are some recent sample and IMO it's real good when you shoot at lowest ISO which is 80 and good light otherwise use of tripod is necessary

http://i12.tinypic.com/2hwec10.jpg

http://i11.tinypic.com/2elec9d.jpg

So high iso with the point and shoots are not that good huh.

My wife is planning on getting the Leica D-lux 3, she insists on owning a camera that she can pocket than the smallest dslr. She will be able to use this more. She sold her 350D months ago.

Anyway I still have my 30D for better family pictures if needed.

any reviews about the panasonic fz7?? looks good and price is nice ty

So high iso with the point and shoots are not that good huh.

My wife is planning on getting the Leica D-lux 3, she insists on owning a camera that she can pocket than the smallest dslr. She will be able to use this more. She sold her 350D months ago.

Anyway I still have my 30D for better family pictures if needed.

The Leica D-Lux3 is same as one of the Panasonic latest model P&S and again Panasonic venus engine II & III has not solved noise issues on higher ISOs starting at 200. For better noise handling IMO the Fuji F11/30 produce outstanding results even at ISO 800 for a P&S. The F30 can go as high as ISO 3200 which no P&S can match. One positive for the Panasonic is their image stabilization which really works well. They have 2 modes one during shutter trip and the other is continuous IS.

I have the Panasonic-FZ5, good for outdoor pictures but poor performance in low lights, pretty good camera though :)

panasonic fz50 user here......u can work around the noise with some noise reduction softwares, this unit comes with silkypix raw image developer wth noise
reduction feature.

the fz50 will offer you much creative composition plus you can take it with you anywhere, anytime giving you the opportunity to shoot in the nick of time and convenience.

______________________________________

P&S School >>>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/visualenlightenment/




____________________________________

Another FZ50 user here... Great performance at outdoor shots, even though it is better at low light than the FZ30, noise is still visible at ISO400 and up. But just as Victor mentioned, you could work around the noise with noise reduction softwares.

Other than that, I am extremely happy with it. I didn't want to get a DSLR because I wasn't willing to spend for the lenses, but I wanted a camera that would give me SLR-like features and the FZ50 did just that.

Waffy, If you shoot at ISO 200 is noise still an issue?

i love noise

The Panasonic FZ30-FZ50 are great cameras with fantastic Leica lens.
True that you will experience a lot of problems with low light, I am able to solve that by using a mono-pod (or a tripod), perch my camera on something stable, learn to hold it real steady, tell the subject not to move-- or do bracketing. The movie feature is really great, unlike other camera's mini output. This camera works well for street photography- great for people and great for macros! Well, the noise when the photo is blown up will show. If you are into big pictures, then get the DSLR. 8x11 is still ok with my shots. I have a sample here. I had 4 photos taken by an ad agency for newspaper ad . JPEG lang.

The FZ50 has very few added features. No big deal. Ok na FZ30. 8 megapix is fine. Save your money, FZ30 is cheaper. The LCD feature is something that is so difficult to part with. It is so amazing! I think it took me 5 mos. to adjust to my Canon 20D. It is bulky but it is easy to use and seem more durable than the small p/s.

80-100 lang ISO. I only use 4xzoom for documentation of far perched birds, or shooting people at a distance. Don't expect a sharp shot with 4x. 2x lang. People hardly notice that you photograph them because of the versatile LCD. But this part of the camera is always the first to give way, according to Panasonic service (Cassius). Don't let another person handle the camera if he is not familiar with it. Someone made the wrong twist with my LCD and ... P1,600 to change the "ribbon".

Just buy LX3 and it's worth every money. There's no need to explain the picture itself will tell all.


P.S. Black/Noir is sweet :)