PANASONIC should return to MANUEL ZOOM on their FZ-models!!!!!

Once I was the happy owner of the Panasonic DMC FZ 50 camera.

Since then, I changed to a Panasonic DMC FZ 150.

The FZ 50 had a fantastic advantage over its later update-models; a supurb working MANUEL ZOOM lens instead of these toy-like handles on the camerabody!!!!!

I hope very much, that Panasonic will return to this  - much better - solution in their future FZ models. If not, they loose a loyal fan ....

Shhhh no need to yell. If you dont like it, go buy a Fuji HS30.

So, Manuel is working for Fujifilm now! 

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'The man who has never made a mistake has never made anything'

Unfortunately, Manuel's gone off to see the chief in Spain

Manual zoom sucks for video!

Why's that?

It's hard to hold the camera steady while twisting the lensbarrel if you want to zoom during taping. Of course everyone knows that zooming in and out while taping is "not done" anyway.

They dropped manual zoom in superzooms after venturing into 4/3 and m4/3 cameras. Since then no superzoom or widezoom model made by Panasonic featured manual zoom ring. (Correctly if I am wrong.)

Perhaps, 2-3 years from now they'll make a true successor to FZ30/50. Perhaps.

But you can always buy a G5 and attach 14-140mm lens to it, giving you kind of FZ30/50 replacement.

Yes.

Mike

Absolutely not!

Contrary to some on this forum, I’d venture to say that the reason Panasonic dropped the manual zoom from the FZ range had very little if nothing whatsoever to do with their development of the micro 4/3rd 'G' Series.

I simply do not believe any manufacture of anything whatsoever would not want to maximise potential sales concerning every field in which it’s involved and supplies goods to consumers the world over. To think that manual zoom was stripped from FZs because FZs might affect sales of G series cameras would be as daft a move as a car maker no longer fitting a steering wheel to a cheaper model carrying a different name. How daft a move would that be?

To my mind, it’s more likely that Panasonic is fully aware of what most consumers require and it was always prepared to accept that some folk will always prefer fixed lens systems over interchangeable varieties and vice versa. Hence, by running FZ and G series at the same time, I’d guess that the company is simply maximising custom by offering wider variety to consumers with niche requirements. The fact is, FZ’s are and always have been bridge cameras with fixed lenses and smaller sensors. They began with motorised zooms. More FZs have carried motor zooms than manual varieties, that is beyond question. My guess is that in the FZ30 and FZ50 (the only two manual zoom FZs to see the production line), Panasonic sold overall a less amount of units compared to models fitted with power zooms.

I’d also venture to say that if any sort of comprehensive survey was conducted (which would mean asking the majority of the bridge camera buying public, not just those who visit sites like DPR) to give their preferences between manual and motor zooms, the latter would prove more popular by a large margin. It’s also quite likely that motor zoom FZs would outsell manual zoom models by at least 5 to 1, which appears to match the opinion of the manager of my local retail store that’s traded in Digital cameras of all brands since the format was introduced. I’m sure it’s no coincidence that for almost two years after its discontinuation, the FZ50 was still in stock at the very shop I mention. I seriously doubt that the motorised FZ150 will be around as new stock for anywhere near that long!

Yes, the FZ30/50 had (has) its fans, but compared to those who actually prefer their FZs to be fitted with motor zooms, they could well in be in a minority. It’s also likely that the folks who actually revered the FZ30/50 come from a background of, or are at least interested in, SLR cameras. I’d even add that some 30/50 fans may actually like being seen with a camera that looks to the uninitiated more like a DSLR, or at least appears to require some technical knowledge to use it – and often with a two-handed approach for a good old twist and turn. So, aside from the composition advantages FZ30/50 users claim a manual zoom affords them, maybe they feel a little more professional for being seen ‘rotating' something rather than pulling a lever – despite the possibility they may prefer shooting in the simpler P mode over more advanced and true enthusiast settings. Who knows, but it’s nice that ALL FZs have so many things for users to try out, and despite the type of zoom with which they’re fitted!

It’s just possible that those like me, who actually recognise that for the video and even on the many occasions still images can be shot in one-handed fashion, the motorised zoom is a definite and much preferred option to have on these FZ cameras. My guess is that the just like Panasonic, Sony, Nikon and Canon all know very well that, for the majority of bridge camera users, the designs they churn out year in and year out actually prove very popular with the consumer market. And if for any reason you still doubt the popularity of the motorised zoom, ask yourself why on earth so many top-notch companies are designing and selling their goods on such a grand scale? Then, just pop down to your nearest Zoo or wildlife park and note just how many visitors are now walking around with motorised zoom bridge cameras compared to Fuji manual varieties.

As I said above, the FZ30/50 had its fans, but motorised zooms rule nowadays. Thank goodness! As far as I’m concerned, long may that continue – especially as far as Panasonic models go. Perish the thought that my favourite bridge camera manufacturer takes a step backwards in the bridge camera department, because in my opinion that’s actually what a return to manual zoom would signify. Oh, and I won’t be responding to any criticism from FZ30/50 fans who tiresomely harp on about how well their relics still function compared to up-to-date models. The fact is, I really have read and heard it ALL before folks. Crikey, I’m even yawning again just at the thought of yet more repetition and a few thumbs down appearing at the side of this comment.

Happy snapping and kind regards to all

Stevie Boy

With the introduction of HD Video capability, most cameras have gone with the motorized zoom.  This allows for smooth zooming while also avoiding drastic focal length changes that would cause unwanted refocus issues.  (Counter to what's been claimed in another post here, some taping does occur while zooming.)

These cameras need to appeal to a wide audience to be worth the investment so the motorized zoom wins due to its ease of use and video enhancement for the average user.  Panasonic has experience with both manual and motorized zooms and have been a clear leader and innovator in this market segment, so they know what they need to do to be successful.  I'd surmise that either a manual zoom version does not have an acceptable ROI or they may be skipping a few incremental generations before the number of potential buyers makes the effort worth their while.  Perhaps they'll return with a manual zoom like they've recently returned with the constant aperature lens to entice FZ50 users to upgrade.

What I'd like to see is a camera with both - a motorized zoom that can be switched off and operated as a manual zoom.  I doubt that that's impossible.

regarding manual zoom, I think I'd prefer push/pull over a twist zoom control but I don't have any experience with it.  Would a push/pull zoom or twist zoom be preferred for manual zooming?

Why would you prefer one over the other?

For twist, how much of a stroke would be recommended to move from full-wide to full-telephoto?

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You learn something new every time you press the shutter

I recently boiught a Lumix G5 with a 45 - 175 Power Zoom lens. That combination gives me both MANUAL & POWER ZOOM -full time without having to use a switch.  VERY NICE !!!

Hi,

my guess is that is much more better for videos to use motorized zoom like it is possible now. If you look at the G5 you can see that there is a control lever behind the shutter button - this is specially designed for the motorized zoom.

If you look at the lenses panasonic has added the zoom lever to its lenses to make a manual zooming in video mode more smoother that it is now. See the following page at the buttom end:

http://www.panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/lens/g_vario_hd_14_140.html

So smooth zomming in video modes makes only sense either motorized or if you go for manual zooming with a additional zoom lever like panasonic offers it.

As long as the FZ series combine video with picture mode i go for motorized video like it is now.

Michael

So we know it can be done - and even better with both full-time!  C'mon - let's do it on the FZ250!  It even has "50" in the model number ;-).

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You learn something new every time you press the shutter

I love the manual zoom, ideal for photographers, those people that carry on about how difficult it is in video mode, should buy a video camera, after all they are specificly made for that.

Manual zoom is simply faster.

Having both manual and motorized would make us all happy.

Mike

Not when practised. And the manual focus is to die for.

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The FZ50: DSLR handling of a bright Leica 35-420mm lens that's this good: http://www.flickr.com/groups/panasonicfz50/pool/show (some real gems in there). With the FZ200 performance so good, I live in hope that Mr Ichiro Kitao has triggered the update to the FZ50. Our desire for IQ was taking us in the wrong direction. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=42366095

One day all large domestic market cameras will be like the FZ50. Just be patient. It won't be long now.

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The FZ50: DSLR handling of a bright Leica 35-420mm lens that's this good: http://www.flickr.com/groups/panasonicfz50/pool/show (some real gems in there). With the FZ200 performance so good, I live in hope that Mr Ichiro Kitao has triggered the update to the FZ50. Our desire for IQ was taking us in the wrong direction. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=42366095

With the FZ200 (i'm testing one I borrowed from a friend), I miss the possibility of knowing what is the focal length chosen, and so knowing what minimal speed I should use. Any ideas ?

When you move the zoom, doesn't the display tell you (briefly) how many times zoom you are at, like "12x"?  Not as good as knowing the focal length, but it's something.  I use it for knowing where the telemacro start point is.

The FZ35/38 does that, don't know about the FZ200.

Mikw