Panasonic FZ2?!!!!

[richn]

I've just gotten off the phone from Panasonic UK customer services who informed me that an FZ2 was coming out next month.....FZ2?.....The lady I spoke to couldn't give me any spec details other than it would be "silver only" finish for the UK once more....So FZ2....That was kept very quiet by the powers that be.....Where's Bob to shed some light on this subject.....

 

[Joanne168847]

Oh boy oh boy! My wish list:

3mp AF assist light
more manual controls - especially for focusing maybe a better macro (1.5 inches or less)
keep the price reasonable (maybe $500-550US) don't change anything else!

I've just gotten off the phone from Panasonic UK customer services
who informed me that an FZ2 was coming out next
month

 

[AO]

I've just gotten off the phone from Panasonic UK customer services
who informed me that an FZ2 was coming out next
month.....FZ2?.....The lady I spoke to couldn't give me any spec
details other than it would be "silver only" finish for the UK once
more....So FZ2....That was kept very quiet by the powers that
be.....Where's Bob to shed some light on this subject.....

A Google search returns several mentions of the FZ2. Unfortunately, I cannot read Japanese. Translation anyone?
http://www.google.ca/search?q=fz2+panasonic+dmc+OR+lumix&oe=UTF-8&filter=0

 

[Erasmus41]

I don't read Japanese, but this seems to be breaking news. I did a similar search about an hour ago, and only found FZ1.

I've just gotten off the phone from Panasonic UK customer services
who informed me that an FZ2 was coming out next
month.....FZ2?.....The lady I spoke to couldn't give me any spec
details other than it would be "silver only" finish for the UK once
more....So FZ2....That was kept very quiet by the powers that
be.....Where's Bob to shed some light on this subject.....

A Google search returns several mentions of the FZ2.
Unfortunately, I cannot read Japanese. Translation anyone?
http://www.google.ca/search?q=fz2+panasonic+dmc+OR+lumix&oe=UTF-8&filter=0

 

[catchmeister]

We UZI owners have been waiting long for it's successor to the throne! From all I've read and seen, the FZ1 is sooooooo close. I agree exactly with Joanne. Let's hope Panasonic is listening!!!

Oh boy oh boy! My wish list:

3mp AF assist light
more manual controls - especially for focusing maybe a better macro (1.5 inches or less)
keep the price reasonable (maybe $500-550US) don't change anything else!

 

[AO]

We UZI owners have been waiting long for it's successor to the
throne! From all I've read and seen, the FZ1 is sooooooo close.

Uh, how exactly can the FZ1 (or, for that matter the FZ2) hope to compete with that? [

I'll grant you, the FZ1 is much lighter and smaller but can it shoot as rapidly?

 

[Hej]

3mp

I'd be happier with the 1.5 MP Foveon chip.

AF assist light more manual controls - especially for focusing

Manual focusing has always been a pain in the butt with LCD screens.

maybe a better macro (1.5 inches or less) keep the price reasonable (maybe $500-550US)

I bet it'd debut at more like $600 if it had more resolution and manual controls.

--
I see your schwartz is as big as mine.

 

[Hej]

If you were actually talking about the UZI camera, the FZ1 is considerably faster.

I'll grant you, the FZ1 is much lighter and smaller but can it
shoot as rapidly?

--
I see your schwartz is as big as mine.

 

[Peter von Döllen]

That is little confusing I think. There are some threads about this in the forum. At the moment we have two sites of the mystery fz2 (fz3 or fz4):

1. The service-centers in some countries tell to customers that there is a new camera:

• I have got such a mail in Germany
• Panasonic UK hat told this at the phone as I read this here
• in another forum (I don't know where anymore) has somebody told he had get also this information

2. Bob told us: there is no camera like this

NS I have got a mail from Panasonic two days later, that this camera don't excists.

I ask me wether it can be only a rumour if this came from Panasonic self?

One part in the Panasonicsystem is not correct informed.

Peter

 

[Panasonic]

Guys & Gals...
Excuse my absence, but I've been very busy.
I'll tell you all I know which is through 2003 and there is no FZ2.
Beyond 2003, I have not received any info for the U.S. market.

As I've mentioned, everyone has that "someone" in the know and that's how all these rumors get started. All I can say at this time is that the "rumors" have no substance at this time.

That is little confusing I think. There are some threads about this
in the forum. At the moment we have two sites of the mystery fz2
(fz3 or fz4):

1. The service-centers in some countries tell to customers that
there is a new camera:

• I have got such a mail in Germany
• Panasonic UK hat told this at the phone as I read this here
• in another forum (I don't know where anymore) has somebody told

he had get also this information

2. Bob told us: there is no camera like this
NS I have got a mail from Panasonic two days later, that this
camera don't excists.

I ask me wether it can be only a rumour if this came from Panasonic
self?

One part in the Panasonicsystem is not correct informed.

Peter

 

[richn]

Guys & Gals...
Excuse my absence, but I've been very busy.
I'll tell you all I know which is through 2003 and there is no FZ2.
Beyond 2003, I have not received any info for the U.S. market.

As I've mentioned, everyone has that "someone" in the know and
that's how all these rumors get started. All I can say at this time
is that the "rumors" have no substance at this time.

Bob,

Thanks for your reply. I would like to comment on your closing paragraph....If "someone" in the know is a member of the UK panasonic help desk answering my question on the availibility of the FZ1 in black and informing me that the FZ1 is to be discontinued next month and replaced with the FZ2 then yes, I do have "someone" in the know.....If this is just a rumour then I say that Panasonic really needs to get its house in order.....

Rich

 

[AO]

If you were actually talking about the UZI camera, the FZ1 is
considerably faster.

My little joke aside, how fast is the FZ1?

The two places I'm aware of that post speed tests are dpreview and imaging-resource and neither of them reviewed the FZ1.

 

[Peter von Döllen]

I have asked at Panasonic Germany wether there are some new cameras to come because I must buy one for my work. I think the LC5 is the right. But if there comes new things berhaps they will fit better my demands.

And I have got a official mail from the service (from Panasonic not from someone) that there will be a FZ1 with more mp.

After a short time other people says: It's not thrue.

I don't want to write rumours. I want the best camera for my demands and so I think it's not good that we get so different information (from Panasonc!).

And as I have seen I#m not the only that had got it.

with greetings
Peter

 

[catchmeister]

I've been in the manufacturing industry for over 20 years, and on the side, I'm a fly fishing writer who covers the fly tackle industry as well. I know this sounds crazy, but Panasonic Bob could be right and wrong at the same time! Let me explain.

It's not uncommon for marketing to keep customers interested (ie, not running off to purchase elsewhere) by promising a new or upgraded product. If interest is sufficiently high, marketing runs off to management and tells their story. Management then orders production to make a limited number of these upgraded products for sale, often long before they had planned to move them to market. My favorite example of this is when large arbor fly reels hit the market. They were so popular that some companies retooled their lathes overnight to make em. The reps didn't know about them for months, but if you contacted the company directly, you could buy one.

Given what we've seen today with the Minolta Z1 (10x, 3.3mp, $399 price) and other recent big zoom entries, the war is just beginning. Minolta's A1 adds to Panasonic's IS endorsement. Mark my words - we'll be seeing another 10x - 12x with IS before year is out. Panasonic, being a growing player in the digicam market, will have to respond with more features and at least 3.3mp to compete.

It's that simple - eat or be eaten! For us consumers, it's a buffet!

 

[Gospel #160752]

In April, I got a Casio EX-Z3 as my first digicam. After a couple of months of using the Z3, I have been intested in getting a high zoom digicam. So for, the FZ1 is my choice. I really would like to take one on a soon upcoming Alaskian cruise. But, I have this strong gut feeling that a FZ1 successor is just around the corner (September). I don't want to by an FZ1 and have an FZ2 come out a month later. The FZ1 is almost a year old already.

I wish I oculd rent a FZ1 but no local photography stores rent cameras anymore. Any idea would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steven

 

[fmoore]

Ritz Camera has a ten day 100% return policy on digital cameras. The only stipulation is that the card not be used. Since it is only an 8mb sd card its pretty useless anyway. Pick up a 128 mb card at Walmart for $50 - 60 and return that if need be. My local Ritz has the fz1 for $450.

In April, I got a Casio EX-Z3 as my first digicam. After a couple
of months of using the Z3, I have been intested in getting a high
zoom digicam. So for, the FZ1 is my choice. I really would like to
take one on a soon upcoming Alaskian cruise. But, I have this
strong gut feeling that a FZ1 successor is just around the corner
(September). I don't want to by an FZ1 and have an FZ2 come out a
month later. The FZ1 is almost a year old already.

I wish I oculd rent a FZ1 but no local photography stores rent
cameras anymore. Any idea would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steven

--
Fred
c21oo

 

[Gospel #160752]

That would be cutting it very close. I'd have to buy it on the way to the airport and return it as soon as I get back. Since I have a Casio EX-Z3, I already have two 256MB Lexar SD cards so memory cards are not a problem.

Thanks,
Steven

In April, I got a Casio EX-Z3 as my first digicam. After a couple
of months of using the Z3, I have been intested in getting a high
zoom digicam. So for, the FZ1 is my choice. I really would like to
take one on a soon upcoming Alaskian cruise. But, I have this
strong gut feeling that a FZ1 successor is just around the corner
(September). I don't want to by an FZ1 and have an FZ2 come out a
month later. The FZ1 is almost a year old already.

I wish I oculd rent a FZ1 but no local photography stores rent
cameras anymore. Any idea would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steven

--
Fred
c21oo

 

[shemp]

I'd get an fz-n (for model "now"), then decide later if you want to sell it for an upgrade. The upgrade, if there is one, will have to be not only released but evaluated for months before you are ready to make up your mind. Lots of things can go wrong along the way, meanwhile the fz1 has already been shown to get the shots you are likely to want.

I look back at my digital photos, and the real winners were shot with 1mp and less! The very ultimate best of my shots were done with a Sony Mavica at 640 x 480 res (just over half a megapixel).

Had I waited even for a 1 mp Mavica, I never would have got that shot!! What's that worth? Do you think you will always have ideal subjects to shoot and just have to wait for the right camera? That may be true but it's more likely that your own interest in the subject and the opportunity will be fleeting. Act now and get the shot while the subject is available, is my advice, and to all photographers.

Some of the best photos I've ever seen were done with very low mp cameras. Some of the most boring and labored, "had to have a photo, so I shot this thing", with high MP cameras. Never let the camera get in the way of the photo.

Your call...

b

In April, I got a Casio EX-Z3 as my first digicam. After a couple
of months of using the Z3, I have been intested in getting a high
zoom digicam. So for, the FZ1 is my choice. I really would like to
take one on a soon upcoming Alaskian cruise. But, I have this
strong gut feeling that a FZ1 successor is just around the corner
(September). I don't want to by an FZ1 and have an FZ2 come out a
month later. The FZ1 is almost a year old already.

I wish I oculd rent a FZ1 but no local photography stores rent
cameras anymore. Any idea would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steven

--
Fred
c21oo

 

[Erasmus41]

That is pretty good advice, I would say. Don't forget why you are buying a camera. I note that the FZ1 was "announced" September last year, and has only recently become generally available. Life's too short.

I look back at my digital photos, and the real winners were shot
with 1mp and less! The very ultimate best of my shots were done
with a Sony Mavica at 640 x 480 res (just over half a megapixel).

Had I waited even for a 1 mp Mavica, I never would have got that
shot!! What's that worth? Do you think you will always have ideal
subjects to shoot and just have to wait for the right camera? That
may be true but it's more likely that your own interest in the
subject and the opportunity will be fleeting. Act now and get the
shot while the subject is available, is my advice, and to all
photographers.

Some of the best photos I've ever seen were done with very low mp
cameras. Some of the most boring and labored, "had to have a
photo, so I shot this thing", with high MP cameras. Never let the
camera get in the way of the photo.

Your call...

b

In April, I got a Casio EX-Z3 as my first digicam. After a couple
of months of using the Z3, I have been intested in getting a high
zoom digicam. So for, the FZ1 is my choice. I really would like to
take one on a soon upcoming Alaskian cruise. But, I have this
strong gut feeling that a FZ1 successor is just around the corner
(September). I don't want to by an FZ1 and have an FZ2 come out a
month later. The FZ1 is almost a year old already.

I wish I oculd rent a FZ1 but no local photography stores rent
cameras anymore. Any idea would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steven

--
Fred
c21oo

 

[shemp]

Yes, thank you. So is health, and even interest in photography..it can all fade and you need to strike while the iron is hot.

That is pretty good advice, I would say. Don't forget why you are
buying a camera. I note that the FZ1 was "announced" September last
year, and has only recently become generally available. Life's too
short.