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FZ30 review's up

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any improvement in quality..qualiy is the most important factor. I was satisfied with my fz20 but i hope an improvement in sensor as to at least frenoise iso 80 shots. Panasonic disappointed me.

I'll stay with my fz20 and maybe, if money, buy a dslr with two shot prime, as to cover low light situationand have the best quality.
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http://www.pbase.com/jon1976
 
As a matter of fact "recommended" is quite easy going on a camera with that level of noise.

We're not in early 2003 with the likes of the Sony 828 and such with their noisy 8MP sensors, this is the fall of 2005 (look at Fuji, Panasonic).

Sorry if I offended some die hard Pana fan- that's just what I personally think ;-)
 
In response to that question. Yes. But for a curious reason. With the 20 I had many out of focus shots at the extended zoom. This isn't the case with the 30, even at 5 megapixels. Bad shots, yes, where I didn't get the bird, but nothing like the number of obviously defective pictures as with the 20. So my irritability rating went way down. Also while I didn't use the LCD for taking pictures, it's much more helpful for instant review being noticeably less grainy - or sharper. Similarly the improved EVF made manual focus a real possibility rather than guesswork as with the 20. So all these factors contribute. I am getting some pictures blown up to 16x24 by ezprint and will be able to elaborate in a few days.
 
The review looks bang on to me but Simon, Why did you test against the old Coolpix 8700 which isn't as detailed as the more current 8800? (the 8700 uses the old 5700 lens, the 8800's is far better despite being a superzoom and is really more in the same class as the FZ30) and where is the Oly C8080 ? ..

I tested the FZ30 against the Fuji S9000 and despite the noise (the Fuji uses even heavier handed NR BTW) , I found it to be a far more preferable camera, the Fuji doesn't handle as well, misses off the IS, has a far slower lens, not as good AF, build etc and the lens isn't up to the FZ30 quality too..

I have to say that I'd not part with my CP8800 despite the fast performance of the FZ30 and if I had a C8080 still (another slowie with state of the art Digicam quality) or a Pro1 (the third of the Magic 3 8Mp'ers) as the image Quality from this old Trio is in a different league, at lower ISOs anyway (the Pro1 and Nikon use a very hands off approach at higher ISOs) i'd not either but if I was to choose one of the new small-sensor Superzooms, the FZ30 would be IT... .

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Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

 
I would have thought that with the impending 4/3 tie up with Olymp;us and its intention to further their DC/DSLR market penetration. Panasonic would at least be investing more into the actual imaging technology ( software / firmware / image quality )

Well, if the FZ30 is an indication of the future. I am not impressed. It just goes again to prove that while Panasonic had brillient electronic expertise and capable of making the hardware. Its not anywhere near making a proper photographic tool. I must say I am not that optimistic about the pending Panasonic 4/3 DSLR body if this is what Panasonic can do

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Franka
 
Oh no, the noise is bad problems on this camera.
if Panasonic want to become sucess I think they need to fix this problems.

it maybe need to release another version based on this versions but using new sensor technology which is good in low light (or buy from Fuji) or other improvements to solve it.

if panasonic did not solve this, it will become a barrier to the user who wants to buy it.

just my 2c
 
Having used the 30 I agree with the review. Its a nice camera and the handling improvements have to be applauded. But noise is an issue at all ISO levels compared to a 5 and 30. For the price its out at I think its only natural that users should be looking for a noticable improvement over previous models.

Pannie have done some great work with cameras this does let the show down a little. Howver its still early days yet, lets see how the improve the FZ series and how the new DSLR fares. I do think 4/3 has a place in the market and that its too early to suggest that its no good!

For users looking to develope their skills I suggest spending a little more on a E-300 with kens kit and giving the 30 a miss. You can now pick one up at bargain prices! Or hold on to see how the new DSLR fares.

For people who want the compact superzoom handy features, I would say look for a 20 or a 5 at a good price and forget the hype, the 30 is not the mother of all superzooms
 
GeorgeZ said:
As a matter of fact "recommended" is quite easy going on a camera
with that level of noise.
We're not in early 2003 with the likes of the Sony 828 and such
with their noisy 8MP sensors, this is the fall of 2005 (look at
Fuji, Panasonic).

Sorry if I offended some die hard Pana fan- that's just what I
personally think ;-)
Click to expand...
Oh, come on, the "noise" is not that bad, you exagerate i think. While i think that all compact cameras should stop to use higher megapixel and do something revolutionary (like R1).

--
Costas
 
Adam-T said:
and where is the Oly C8080 ? ..
Click to expand...
I had the same question after reading the FZ30 review... it should have been in the resolution test. The c8080 was always the reference when it comes to image quality. At the moment I'm testing the FZ30 (I own a C8080 and a FZ20) and it deserves a highly recommended in my opinion, despite the high noise at iso80. I'm sure you can't see any noise on an A3+ print from a FZ30 iso80 image. Even at iso400 with the low noise reduction ON it will show up marginally at A4 prints.

And why no comparison with the S2is? The S2is is a nightmare at iso400!
 
The C8080 is already reviewed here a long time ago, isn't it possible to use the testimages (resolution chart doesn't change I think)
 
....good review - thanks...

..not wishing to put down your photography skills Simon but to me a lot of the FZ30 shots look very FLAT and lacking in 'zing' -

Could this be another slight weakiness in photos produced by the FZ30 - a flat / computerised slightly 'water colour' look - due to lack of dynamic range when compared to other cameras ???

I've just received my FZ30 (UK) and haven't really had time to do a 'walkabout' - your varied shots give me an example of what to expect...

--
Panasonic FZ30 - Panasonic FZ5 - Kyocera M410 - B300
 
Franka T.L. said:
It just goes again to prove that while Panasonic had
brillient electronic expertise and capable of making the hardware.
Its not anywhere near making a proper photographic tool.
Click to expand...
I don't agree with this, the biggest change from the FZ20 to the FZ30 is the photographic side. Ergonomics en features are very good now, it's only the noisy ccd that takes the camera down.
 
advid said:
....good review - thanks...

..not wishing to put down your photography skills Simon but to me a
lot of the FZ30 shots look very FLAT and lacking in 'zing' -
Could this be another slight weakiness in photos produced by the
FZ30 - a flat / computerised slightly 'water colour' look - due
to lack of dynamic range when compared to other cameras ???

I've just received my FZ30 (UK) and haven't really had time to do a
'walkabout' - your varied shots give me an example of what to
expect...

--
Panasonic FZ30 - Panasonic FZ5 - Kyocera M410 - B300
Click to expand...
Well i would hope that's nothing to do with the actual photographer!

Basically the images are slightly flat, and we don't really 'post process' them - you can get 'zingier' results in Photoshop, though i don't think you'll ever get images that look really 'crisp' viewed at 100% on-screen
S

--
Simon Joinson, dpreview.com
 
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