Going from DSLR to FZ200, your impressions

I'm considering the FZ200 for the long zoom, fast lens, and good continuous burst rate. I just can't get the zoom and fast lens in my Sony DSLRs without considerable expense and additional weight. I am primarily a wildlife shooter in Teton and Yellowstone Parks.

Have any of you made the switch to the FZ200 from DSLRs? Can you share your impressions with me? I am strictly a JPEG shooter. Although I appreciate good IQ, I also like features and a camera that is fun to use.

Thanks for offering any opinions.

Jack

Hi Jack

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The FZ200 - One step closer to bridging the gap.
Flickr photo gallery

These might help - particularly the second

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWE0zJijqAU&feature=youtu.be

http://www.panasonic.net/avc/lumix/gallery/fz200/Bence_Mate/

FWIW, I've had the FZ18/28/150/200 over the years, while my wife has various Minolta/Sony - currently the a77 with the Tamron 18-250  and a Sigma 2.8 70-200. Except at high iso (> 400) the FZ200 images are of quality comparable to the Sony, with a single lens and much less weight.

These are FZ150 (with a mix of iPhone)

https://picasaweb.google.com/107626094434145385562/MontanaHorizonMay2012

https://picasaweb.google.com/107626094434145385562/2011MayHorizonNewMexico

These are FZ200 (for birders -so there are lots of "this is a bird" pictures)

https://picasaweb.google.com/107626094434145385562/DelawareBirds2012?authkey=Gv1sRgCK_FyoS4tffWDw

All of the above are JPG. Were I shooting now, I'd have used JPG+Raw and processed the Raw in Silkypix 5.0.

Sherm

Hi Jack:

Sorry, I just spent almost 30 minutes writing you a comprenhesive assessment and this dog-gone forum software trashed my text... and I don't have the time or the will-power to write it all again... nuts!!!

Anyway, in a nutshell it is this: with the FZ200 you save a ton of money, it is way more convenient and over all more versatile, and a whole lot more fun. What you have to give is some IQ (lots if you owned a Canon 5D Mark II like I did) and you will have to have some good PPing skills to deal with noise and maximize the final appearance of your photos.

My advice is that you closely examine as many photos as you can in the galleries of FZ200 users. My Flickr gallery (see link below) has many full and nearly full-sized images in it so folks considering this camera can see the IQ at the pixle level.

Hopes this helps and good luck in your decision,

Rudy

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The FZ200 - One step closer to bridging the gap.
Flickr photo gallery

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.

Hi Jack:

The FZ200 doesn't really replace a DSLR for me but fills a niche of a 450mm APSCf2.8 lens that i would need on my DSLR to get equivalent coverage.  IQ is good below ISO 200 and it is easier to keep low ISO with the fast lens.  It is a fun all round camera.

Dale

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http://www.pbase.com/abundant108
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/daledoram

Hi Jack,

I own Sony DSLR's and a FZ150. I think Rudy's "In a nutshell" description pretty much nails it. If you hadn't owned a DSLR, you would be quite happy with the FZ200. It is quite versatile and has options that you will only find in high end DSLR's. In the FZ150, there is no way to fault the Leica lens. It is tack sharp. The small sensor IQ can't hold up to that of a DSLR though. I have no regrets in buying the FZ150. You will still want to rely on the DSLR for indoors and sports.

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Gary in PA

Sherm, Rudy and Gary,

Exactly the thoughtful comments I hoped for! Thank you.

Sherm, the comparison to the a77 is meaningful. I have the a65 with the same sensor. I'd hope that with the fast F2.8 lens at 600mm, I could normally stay under ISO400. At this point, I have no plans to start post processing, but that could change.

Rudy, I'm familiar with the gear you gave up for the FZ200. Great stuff. Your statement that you thought the FZ200 was more fun is what I hoped to hear. For me, fun is what it's all about. I probably don't appreciate ultimate IQ when I see it, but I do like good IQ if I don't have to work too hard to get it. The expense and extra weight to make my Sony DSLRs more usable and fun is more than I want to take on.

Like Gary, I doubt if I'll abandon my Sonys, but may find myself using them less and change my mind.

Thanks for the help, guys!

Jack

The FZ 200 is easy to use.. except for....... when you run out of light....

the same thing i say here is valid for all cameras with super zoom..

at f 2.8 is subdued light you realy need iso 1600 and that is a bit noisy and

if you get rid of the noise it doesnt have a lot of detail....

In good light the camera has no flaws at all....and try to stick to 100 iso in good light...

Peter

Hi Jack  ,

I bought the FZ200 instead of the 100 to 300mm lens , for my GH2.Needed farther zoom range, than the 45 to 200 gives me.

Not quite D-SLR...but not too far behind....oh yeah...I think you have/had one?

The FZ200 is way more fun to use, than GH2.

It's faster , quieter, has better ergonomics...great battery life.

I use it one handed, with strap....I think it would be too heavy with 100 to 300mm and GH2 with one handed shooting (for me, anyway)

I'm trying to find reasons to keep GH2 now.

ANAYV

Thanks for the good input, Dale. The size, weight and expense of the super long lenses for DSLRs just turns me off. I know the FZ200 will be quicker into action as I drive through Teton and Yellowstone. That's a plus. My DSLRs serve me well but are not always handy to get going.

Gary,...I had the FZ150 before I got into DSLRs. I can still remember telling a photographer buddy that it was far and away the best camera I ever had. I don't regret buying my Sony DSLRs but they do have limitations for my purposes. I look at the FZ200 as a substitute for another lens,......but more versatile and more fun. Changing lenses, especially in the field is not my idea of fun.

ANAYV,....thanks for those comments. If you are actually considering leaving your GH2, you must really like the FZ200! I've always enjoyed your photos and comments so appreciate your response to my question. Nothing quite like hearing from happy users.

Jack

I got my FZ200 for those family trips when I don't want to lug around 20-30 pounds of photo gear.  I was surprised that there is much more noise in my FZ200 images than my Canon DSLR images than I had expected.  The FZ200 images are fine for most web viewing and for small enlargements, but if I need to print to 11x14 or larger, or if I am submitting images for publication or for camera club competitions, I get much better results with the DSLR.  Having said this, I need to spend some time after the holidays working with Lightroom and/or SilkyPix to find ways to improve my RAW output.  I'm pretty sure it can be done, I just need to figure out the best combination of settings to achieve the kinds of results I am seeing in this forum.

I think you should give RAW and post processing a try, as any in camera photo can always be improved upon.  One thing I like about the FZ200 is being able to video either HD 120fps or  1080 with sound, which can add greatly to tour photos.  Fast moving wildlife will be a challenge.

The FZ200 gives me the ability to have a long lens, with great stabilization for use in non-critical conditions.  As long as the light is good, it does a great job provided you don't crop.  We all have different thresholds as to what is acceptable.  For me, as long as I stay under ISO 800 and am willing to do some post processing, the FZ200 is a wonderful camera and I have no hesitation in recommending it.

Hypothetically, if I were told "You can have an FZ200 but you are not permitted to do any post processing" I would refuse the camera.

When you shoot at NR -2 and Sharpen -2, the camera produces a certain type and pattern of noise that is very easily and cleanly removed in seconds by any of the leading noise removers (Neat, Topaz, etc.). Then, you simply tweak the brightness and contrast just a touch and finally lay on the sharpening to produce beautiful, high quality images, many of which look pretty darn good at 100%.

It takes very little PPing to turn a half-decent shot into a real beauty, and you can do it all with JPEGs if you don't like messing with RAW. In most cases, RAW only gives you a little more of an edge over JPEGs (restoring almost blown highlights mainly).

my 2 cents

Rudy

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The FZ200 - One step closer to bridging the gap.
Flickr photo gallery

Rudy,

You are convincing and make  PP sound easy enough. I'm not intimidated by learning a new skill, just probably not as interested as I could be. If it's not quick an dirty, it's not for me.

I use four cameras off and on, a ZS20, a Canon G15, a Sony a65, and Sony a57. The two point and shoots almost NEVER need even a touch of brightening or anything else. Sometimes when using the long lenses on the Sonys, the contrast has to be fixed up, but not always. Once in awhile I add a touch of color etc to the JPEGs, but not often.

As another poster said, we all have different thresholds for our pictures. Maybe I'm too easy??

I've lurked here awhile and seen the comments about your results with the FZ200. So, I'm motivated to go look at them. I appreciate all your input.

In the meantime, maybe a purely JPEG shooter will comment.

Jack

Hi Jack:

I hear ya... Regarding brightening (contrast) and colour saturation, the FZ200's internal settings can be adjusted so you would never have to add these in post processing... I just have my camera set up to shoot a bit on the flat side so I had contrast in post.

The only real bugga-boo with the FZ200 that have to learn to deal with if you want great photos is noise. The darn thing produces at least some noise, even at ISO 100 (we're not talking a horrendous amount... but "some", which will become even more noticeable when you want to sharpen, either in-camera or in post). Even mid-range DSLRs produce noise as the lights go down, so spending $40 on the home version of NeatImage is a must-have.

Therefore, step 1 =>denosie, step 2=>sharpen... and NeatImage does both steps in one and BINGO you're done..... geeze I sound like a commercial!!! LOL!

Rudy

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The FZ200 - One step closer to bridging the gap.
Flickr photo gallery

Rudy,

That sounds like something even I can handle. Thanks for the valuable input. I REALLY appreciate your thoughts.

Jack

So, Rudy, if Pansonic engineers were reading these posts, which they should be doing to see which settings their customers were using, sounds like you'd recommend they make some adjustments in software to compensate for the noise produced at popular user settings. That, or include better noise removers in their included software on CD.

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"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." (A.A. Milne)