Going from DSLR to FZ200, your impressions

When I buy these compact zooms they're not really replacing my dslr gear, but to use instead on certain days and outings. Lately they've been getting most of the use but I don't know if it will stay that way.

It's a fun camera, just like the FZ150 is. Fast focus and nice burst speeds. Terrific video. The FZ200 has a very sharp EVF that looks great.

Both of my FZ models have a quirk in the focus. Sometimes it confirms focus but I can see it's not really refocusing and is slightly out. Doesn't happen a lot, but sometimes. If I quickly point the camera at another subject farther, closer, or of higher contrast it will force a refocus and I can then resume. Occasionally to get around that I'll put the camera into macro focus which is of course much, much slower, but it NEVER misses then. Even on tiny distant subjects.

The other big consideration in my opinion is the limited cropping you can do with these small sensor cameras. A person really needs to make sure that the zoom they choose is going to be long enough for them. You can crop a little but not very much unless you're only producing web photos and small prints.

With all the samples available online now at the review sites, you can see the results for yourself. Not much point in talking about the photos. Everyone has different expectations anyway.

For convenience and some fun, these cameras fit the bill. You just have to use them within their limitations. You can push the ISO up a little, not very much. I wouldn't really use more than ISO 400 unless there was no other choice to get the shot. I keep it at 100 as much as possible.