I just upgraded to this camera from my FZ3 and I love it. It will take a little time to get used to it because they changed some of the methods of accessing settings. All of those changes are a big plus in my book. The lens is still great, the handling has been improved and image quality is excellent. Some of the new featurs over pervious version;2.5" LCD is just huge, yes lower res but still good.
Standard 52mm filter adapter much better then FZ3/4/5
High angle LCD mode works! I don't need tilt/twist any more
High sensitivity mode works, but not the best quality image
All the featurs it adds and at a price MUCH lower then any other FZ has been introduced at, how can you go wrong!!
Updated 9/28/06
Still love this camera. Noise is not as big of an issue as some people make it out to be. I now have the after market lens adapter that is from Pemaraal, it is a great addition.
All of them are great cameras and review well. In many of the reviews I would regularly read of each owner praising their own camera over the traits of the others. I don't know about anyone else, but I can't afford to own one of each camera to really know what that's like. What I took it to mean was that most of the people who bought any of these cameras were very happy with them. In some ways it made things more difficult (which one should I get?), but then in other ways it was a destresser (at least I won't get a dud, whichever I end up with).
Going to the stores around here and getting a feel for them in my hand was important. Everyone's hands are different, so it won't help for people to know which felt comfy in my hands, but I'll say it was a factor.
Features-wise, these cameras are all in the same neighbourhood. Big zoom, mid-high megapixel, and plenty of user-control when it comes to the settings. The viewscreens vary in size, as does the onboard memory, the kind of memory cards and batteries the camera uses, etc., so these are the major distinctions. Lenses on these cameras are also very good, no matter which you're looking at. Fuji and Canon, for instance, are both camera companies before they were into electronics, and Sony uses the Carl Zeiss and Panasonic uses the Leica. Quibble if you must about the lens quality of one vs. another, but the differences are minute. All offer some form of image stabilization as well, which is most helpful to me and my big, shaky hands.
When decision time came, price became a factor. The Fuji and Canon were $50-100 more than the Sony, and the Panasonic was another 20 below the Sony. Again, it wasn't the only factor, but it was in there.
Other factor: Power source. Some cameras run off AA batteries (Sony and Canon, not sure about Fuji), the Panasonic uses a Panasonic brand battery (Lithium-Ion), but you can buy knock-off brands that are much cheaper. They don't last as long (I have two) as the Panasonic, but I would say they are about 90% of the shooting capacity of the one that came with the camera, at about a fifth of the cost.
And last but not least: Storage. Panasonic and Canon use SD cards, which are cheap and fast. The Sony uses MemoryStick (a Sony product) that costs more. Not sure on it's performance, but from what I could tell from other reviews, a highspeed (UltraII by Sandisk, for instance) SD card was more than adequate. I got a 1G UltraII SD card and it holds 334 pics at max resolution. It's a fine performer, and fits into my laptop's cardreader. Very fast transfer from card to CPU for editing and such. Way faster than the included USB cable.
With the Panasonic, I make the tradeoff that memory is relatively cheap and flexible with other cameras and computers, but I have to have my batteries charged and ready for picture taking. With the Sony I could have gone to any corner store most anywhere in the world and picked up two AA's to operate the camera. They don't last as long as NiMH AA's, but they'll work fine when you have no other choice. To me that was a trade I'm willing to make, since I have three batteries (each rated for 270-300) and being able to acquire more storage cheaply would be better for what I need.
If you get this camera, you will be very pleased with the pictures you take, though that doesn't mean that you would be displeased with the others I mentioned. Make sure you get a chance to hold the cameras in your hand, and see what your priorities are going to be in picture taking. If you're always on the road and charging batteries is a problem, this camera might not be the one for you (charging the battery for this camera takes 2 hours), but if that isn't an issue, this camera is an excellent choice.
The only criticism people have had of this camera has been 'noise' at high ISOs, but that's not something I've noticed. I'll be doing some night shooting soon, so I'll experiment and see what I can get. As for the other positive reviews of picture quality, clarity, colour reproduction, etc. I echo those heartily. Again, this is not a camera that disappoints. You'll be very pleased with the results.
Happy shooting!
Buy Panasonic DMC-FZ7 6MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) Now
This camera replaces 35 year old Nikons with all the lenses etc that were available at that time. I have been reluctant to join the digital camera set. This Panasonic is simply an outstanding product. In one small package you replace many heavy lenses and two Nikons I have been carrying. Prior to my purchase I tried to research hard and read mostly positive reviews on this camera. They were absolutely correct and many of the negative comments have turned out to be either very very picky or simply not reading the manual. The strong suits to this Panasonic FZ7 for me are the portrait and macro quality. The Leica lens is excellent and the results are excellent. I have now taken over 400 pictures with this camera and had one portrait printed by a custom lab. They were impressed also. Portraits are just outstanding and so are close-ups such as mountain wild flowers. The ease of use is outstanding. Yes you have to read the manual and yes you have to do some practicing but you get out of this camera what you put into it. Battery life is outstanding. I love the provided battery and don't want to be carrying AA batteries. Charging for 2 hours from completely dead is impressive and being able to take several hundred photos on one charge sold me. For the most part the software that comes with it is good although I am not sure why you would need 4 different photo programs and it seems they could have put their effort into just one great photo program.For the amateur photographer I consider this camera to be outstanding as long as you will study the manual and try the different settings. There are many settings and they do produce the desired results. There is, of course, a "simple" setting which frankly I haven't tried yet because this camera is so easy to use the more advanced settings. For an old film camera guy its a joy to take as many pictures as I want and delete the bad ones. Seeing your results instantly is impressive and its so easy to watch on your TV that was actually the first place we did watch.
I also find the view finder to be an absolute joy. The LCD screen is more than adequate for most conditions but I find that in bright sunlight(sun behind you) the view finder is such a joy that I find myself using it more and more. The detailed information available within the view finder is in such sharp detail its amazing. Didn't know that was possible.
The arguments against this camera might be that it doesn't fit into your pocket but its so lightweight and the 12X zoom is so impressive I love to carry it. I bought a small case for it that fits it nice and tight and at Sam's Club I bought a 1GB Toshiba high proformance SD card for under $50. The 1GB card matches the battery capacity at best quality for about 329 pictures at 6M megapixels. Absolutely no regrets about purchasing this camera. I was into my third day with it before I even tried the audio. Who knew? Good idea! Another really unreal idea is stabilization in a still camera. When you are out on the 12X zoom its very impressive. Haven't used a tripod yet and for wildflowers the Nikon just about had to be on a tripod when using the Micro Nikkor lens in wind etc.
All of my Nikons will soon be featured on E-Bay. First though there is this 12 day vacation through 3 Natl Parks. Hmmm taking my laptop so I can download the SD card because I am thinking at least 1,000 pictures! It all came down to either this Panasonic or the Canon S3IS with comparable bells and whistles but the Cannon was over a $100 more and I couldn't justify it.
This camera will basically take your picture for you if you use all of its capability.In January, my beloved Canon s-45 received the dreaded E-18 error. At two hundred dollars, it is not worth repairing. I am joining the class action law suit on that Canon camera error (Google for more info if you have that problem). So I set out to find a viable substitute.
I purchased a Pentax Optio S-6. Very unhappy. Outdoor pictures were clear but indoor pictures, terrible quality. We used the camera at a birthday party, put it back in its case and into a purse, and for some inexplicable reason, the LCD screen 'cracked'.
So, I returned it. Turns out that is a common and fatal flaw for that camera.
I went to Frys and talked to several people who reccommended that for the money, the Panasonic was the best deal. My main goal for the camera is to shoot indoor club volleyball action shots with some degree of sharpness and quality. I realize it would not be the performance of my friends several thousand dollar camera systems, but I wanted something that would 'do'.
Well, in this Panasonic, I FOUND IT! I have had it for a week, and have test run it in every situation, night, action, inside, outside, object, people. The instruction manual is a bit difficult to read, a little confusing, but once you figure out what you are doing, the camera is a real delight.
The inside volleyball shots I got are even more than I'd hoped for. I have one fun shot that captured no less than four volleyballs in the air, clearly. That was just a bonus to the player I was shooting. Don't get me wrong, you cannot get an action still like something you'd see in the newspaper, but you can get something almost as good.
I am very happy with this camera. I have decided to keep it, and am going out to purchase a good case today. Additionally, we are so happy that we went out and purchased the Panasonic DMC-FX9 for my 22 year old daughter. Her friend has a slightly older model (also a former Canon user) and is thrilled with it. We are very happy with that purchase as well.
Again, this is not a camera for those looking for the sports page spectaculars. This is a camera for a person looking to have good quality photos of their every day activities that come out clear, sharp and crisp.
Good luck! Karen
Want Panasonic DMC-FZ7 6MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) Discount?
An elderly friend of mine is just getting his toes wet with his spiffy new laptop,spiffy new 3-in -one printer,and this very,very sweet camera.He is a retired art instructor,and was a professional photographer back in the days of the Rolliflexes. He asked for my help in selecting all of the above,and I have to tell you: This camera has knocked his socks off. He is trying everything the camera is capable of,and he is continually amazed at the quality,heft,and pictures the Lumix can take. Being very mechanically-minded,he is just as intrigued with its operations ,as he is with the finished print.
As for my opinion?? I wish I had one of these! I have a very nice pocket-size Nikon,5.1mp,and I bought it so I could carry it in my pocket. It takes wonderful photos,so I really don't need this one.But..I like the fact that you can override the auto settings and tweak it to your specifications.He has been having a lot of fun with it over the past couple of weeks.Taking photos in all sorts of light situations.Moon photos,sunsets,etc.
I think he will continue to be very pleased with what he has purchased.It was so nice to see his face light up the first time he took a photo and looked at it in the very huge LCD screen.
I suggest,as amazon did,that you get a 1Gig SD card,minimum,but if you can swing it,go for the 2Gig.
All-in-all,this is a great camera,and coupled with a spiffy,high-quality printer,anyone into photography will be pleased.
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