FZ-3 or FZ-20 ?

Manie_de · Sep 6, 2004

Hello !

I'm planning to get me a new DC, but after trying a few others (Casio P-600 and Kodak DX 7440) the Lumix series sounds really good to me.

But I'm not sure, which one would fit me best.

Mostly I'll take my DC on short backpacking trips (really nothing to talk about; just light one day tours) and therefore it would be nice if the DC has a more compact size and little weight.

Manual controls are also something I'd like, because after owning a Minolta Dimage XG I'd like to learn more about photographie (still an absolute beginner).

Ok, 'til now everything looks like the FZ-3 is the camera for me, but I'm not sure, if the 3 Mio pixel are enough for good looking and crisp pictures.

Most of the time I will watch them on my computer and from time to time print a few in standard picture format (10x15 cm).

The price is also a matter, because here in germany I can get the FZ-3 for about 390 Euro and the FZ-20 for about 600 Euro.

My cons against the FZ-3 are mostly the 3 Mio pixels, the little 1,5 " display, the smaller CCD and the lack of manual focusing !

My cons against the FZ-20 are the price, the size and the weight.

Some sugestions from anybody ?
Something to help me to make a decision ?

Thanks,

Martin

PS: Sorry for my lousy english !

Robi57 · Sep 6, 2004

Hi Martin

compare ist the Panasonic DMC-FX7. More or less the same technic...but smaller, bigger display, 5,1 mio pixels too..

Robi

Manie_de said:
Hello !

I'm planning to get me a new DC, but after trying a few others
(Casio P-600 and Kodak DX 7440) the Lumix series sounds really good
to me.

But I'm not sure, which one would fit me best.

Mostly I'll take my DC on short backpacking trips (really nothing
to talk about; just light one day tours) and therefore it would be
nice if the DC has a more compact size and little weight.

Manual controls are also something I'd like, because after owning a
Minolta Dimage XG I'd like to learn more about photographie (still
an absolute beginner).

Ok, 'til now everything looks like the FZ-3 is the camera for me,
but I'm not sure, if the 3 Mio pixel are enough for good looking
and crisp pictures.

Most of the time I will watch them on my computer and from time to
time print a few in standard picture format (10x15 cm).

The price is also a matter, because here in germany I can get the
FZ-3 for about 390 Euro and the FZ-20 for about 600 Euro.

My cons against the FZ-3 are mostly the 3 Mio pixels, the little
1,5 " display, the smaller CCD and the lack of manual focusing !

My cons against the FZ-20 are the price, the size and the weight.

Some sugestions from anybody ?
Something to help me to make a decision ?

Thanks,

Martin

PS: Sorry for my lousy english !

EY2 · Sep 6, 2004

To use your well-thought-out list of cons:

FZ3 - You'll never be able to do anything about any of the things you list, they will always "bug" you.

FZ20 - You'll get used to the size and weight, and you'll forget the price difference after a while (maybe a LONG while, but still...)

Another thing is that any shot you don't get with the FZ3, you'll forever be asking yourself if you could have gotten it with the FZ20. Any time you crop an FZ3 pic, you'll want the extra pixels, any time you look into that 1.5" LCD... Piece of mind for the extra money, right?

Can you tell I've been through this kind of thing myself?

Good luck to you.

Manie_de said:
Hello !

I'm planning to get me a new DC, but after trying a few others
(Casio P-600 and Kodak DX 7440) the Lumix series sounds really good
to me.

But I'm not sure, which one would fit me best.

Mostly I'll take my DC on short backpacking trips (really nothing
to talk about; just light one day tours) and therefore it would be
nice if the DC has a more compact size and little weight.

Manual controls are also something I'd like, because after owning a
Minolta Dimage XG I'd like to learn more about photographie (still
an absolute beginner).

Ok, 'til now everything looks like the FZ-3 is the camera for me,
but I'm not sure, if the 3 Mio pixel are enough for good looking
and crisp pictures.

Most of the time I will watch them on my computer and from time to
time print a few in standard picture format (10x15 cm).

The price is also a matter, because here in germany I can get the
FZ-3 for about 390 Euro and the FZ-20 for about 600 Euro.

My cons against the FZ-3 are mostly the 3 Mio pixels, the little
1,5 " display, the smaller CCD and the lack of manual focusing !

My cons against the FZ-20 are the price, the size and the weight.

Some sugestions from anybody ?
Something to help me to make a decision ?

Thanks,

Martin

PS: Sorry for my lousy english !

John Henry C · Sep 6, 2004

Your English is fine - don't apoligize for it!

chilipalmer · Sep 6, 2004

You could of course, compromise and go for an FZ-10

cp
FZ-10 gallery: http://chilipalmer.deviantart.com/gallery (First 45 pictures)

Manie_de said:
Hello !

I'm planning to get me a new DC, but after trying a few others
(Casio P-600 and Kodak DX 7440) the Lumix series sounds really good
to me.

But I'm not sure, which one would fit me best.

Mostly I'll take my DC on short backpacking trips (really nothing
to talk about; just light one day tours) and therefore it would be
nice if the DC has a more compact size and little weight.

Manual controls are also something I'd like, because after owning a
Minolta Dimage XG I'd like to learn more about photographie (still
an absolute beginner).

Ok, 'til now everything looks like the FZ-3 is the camera for me,
but I'm not sure, if the 3 Mio pixel are enough for good looking
and crisp pictures.

Most of the time I will watch them on my computer and from time to
time print a few in standard picture format (10x15 cm).

The price is also a matter, because here in germany I can get the
FZ-3 for about 390 Euro and the FZ-20 for about 600 Euro.

My cons against the FZ-3 are mostly the 3 Mio pixels, the little
1,5 " display, the smaller CCD and the lack of manual focusing !

My cons against the FZ-20 are the price, the size and the weight.

Some sugestions from anybody ?
Something to help me to make a decision ?

Thanks,

Martin

PS: Sorry for my lousy english !

Manie_de · Sep 6, 2004

Thank you all for your advice !

@Robi57:

I knew the FX-5 and my girlfriend is considering this camera.

But its the 12x zoom that is a crucial factor for me. Like I said, I'm already owning a Dimage XG with 3,2 Mio pixel and 3x zoom which is enough for a p&s camera you can take anywhere with you. What also bothers me (and my girlfriend) is the fact, that the FX-5/FX-2 didn't have any optical view finder, just the very big LCD. In bright light conditions we always find it very hard to see anything through the LCD (neither the motiv nor the informations) ! Maybe I have to get me some new glasses instead of a new camera

@ John Henry C:

Thanks for the compliment

It's not the words which are lacking, but I have big problems with the grammar. But that's not only in english, but also with my mother-tongue(-in-cheek) german ! Reading english is pretty good (most of the books I read in my sparetime are written in english), but writing is something else. It's good to know that there are so many people from all over the world here on the board, who sometimes have the same problems as myself. And most of the times we understand what the others mean !

@ chilipalmer:

The FZ-10 was my fist choice, but then I discovered the smaller FZ-3 with manual controls and the newer O.I.S. and the newer VENUS II engine. The preview zoom feature sounds good to me, also the more scene modes and the highlighting of overexposed portions of the picture. All in all it sounds like the FZ-3 is superior to the FZ-10 when it comes to the engine, the O.I.S. and the autofocusing. But it lacks in image quality (more a feeling than a fact, because I haven't seen too many shots of the FZ-3) and the manual focus. And if I'll buy me a big camera, then I'll get the FZ-20, because it also has all the new gimmicks ! Prices differ between 520 Euro for the FZ-10 to 610 Euro for the FZ-20.

@EY2:

As I said, the price difference between the FZ-3 and the FZ-20 are about 200 Euro, which can beregarded as my first savings for the next Lumix generation, which will hit the market in the future. Ok, the LCD CAN be a thing that matters, but I'm doing alright with the 1,5 " display of my XG and think that I'll use the EVF a great time. The number of pixels IS a matter, because I think that the image quality will be better (by now I havent' seen any picture which really convinced me). But with 5 Mio pixels noise will definitely be somthing to consider. What do you mean with "any shot you don't get with the FZ3, you'll forever be asking yourself if you could have gotten it with the FZ20" ? What I've read abot the FZ-3 it is even better as the FZ-20 when it comes to burst mode. And the zoom is only slightly different (35 to 420 and 36 to 432). External flash and additional lenses are not an option for me, so my question is still, will the larger LCD, the larger CCD and the manual focus make up for the larger size, the greater weight and the higher prize.

In the end I think this has to be a lonly decision and I can only put some of your thoughts and experiences with the cams on my pros and cons list.
And then throw the list away, toss a coin and buy then

But again, thank you for all your input,

Martin

EY2 · Sep 6, 2004

You might want to check out the new "PowerLCD" feature (FX7), it's supposed to keep the LCD readable in bright light (for brief periods, sacrificing battery life of course).

English isn't your primary language? Could have fooled me (of course, I'm just American so it's not TOO hard).

I didn't mean to make the price difference seem small, but if you look at it over the YEARS you'll have the camera, it's really not TOO bad.

What I meant by "any shot..." is that if you needed MF to get a shot and didn't have it (on the FZ3), you'll always remember that the FZ20 had it, that's all.

You're absolutely right about the lonely decision. Good luck and let us know the coin toss comes out.

Manie_de said:
Thank you all for your advice !

@Robi57:

I knew the FX-5 and my girlfriend is considering this camera.
But its the 12x zoom that is a crucial factor for me. Like I said,
I'm already owning a Dimage XG with 3,2 Mio pixel and 3x zoom which
is enough for a p&s camera you can take anywhere with you. What
also bothers me (and my girlfriend) is the fact, that the FX-5/FX-2
didn't have any optical view finder, just the very big LCD. In
bright light conditions we always find it very hard to see anything
through the LCD (neither the motiv nor the informations) ! Maybe I
have to get me some new glasses instead of a new camera

@ John Henry C:

Thanks for the compliment
It's not the words which are lacking, but I have big problems with
the grammar. But that's not only in english, but also with my
mother-tongue(-in-cheek) german ! Reading english is pretty good
(most of the books I read in my sparetime are written in english),
but writing is something else. It's good to know that there are so
many people from all over the world here on the board, who
sometimes have the same problems as myself. And most of the times
we understand what the others mean !

@ chilipalmer:

The FZ-10 was my fist choice, but then I discovered the smaller
FZ-3 with manual controls and the newer O.I.S. and the newer VENUS
II engine. The preview zoom feature sounds good to me, also the
more scene modes and the highlighting of overexposed portions of
the picture. All in all it sounds like the FZ-3 is superior to the
FZ-10 when it comes to the engine, the O.I.S. and the autofocusing.
But it lacks in image quality (more a feeling than a fact, because
I haven't seen too many shots of the FZ-3) and the manual focus.
And if I'll buy me a big camera, then I'll get the FZ-20, because
it also has all the new gimmicks ! Prices differ between 520 Euro
for the FZ-10 to 610 Euro for the FZ-20.

@EY2:

As I said, the price difference between the FZ-3 and the FZ-20 are
about 200 Euro, which can beregarded as my first savings for the
next Lumix generation, which will hit the market in the future. Ok,
the LCD CAN be a thing that matters, but I'm doing alright with the
1,5 " display of my XG and think that I'll use the EVF a great
time. The number of pixels IS a matter, because I think that the
image quality will be better (by now I havent' seen any picture
which really convinced me). But with 5 Mio pixels noise will
definitely be somthing to consider. What do you mean with "any shot
you don't get with the FZ3, you'll forever be asking yourself if
you could have gotten it with the FZ20" ? What I've read abot the
FZ-3 it is even better as the FZ-20 when it comes to burst mode.
And the zoom is only slightly different (35 to 420 and 36 to 432).
External flash and additional lenses are not an option for me, so
my question is still, will the larger LCD, the larger CCD and the
manual focus make up for the larger size, the greater weight and
the higher prize.

In the end I think this has to be a lonly decision and I can only
put some of your thoughts and experiences with the cams on my pros
and cons list.
And then throw the list away, toss a coin and buy then

But again, thank you for all your input,

Martin

Scott J Buchanan · Sep 6, 2004

I have an fz10 and it is not big or heavy...great for walks
I also have a DSLR and it IS BIG and HEAVY so I don't take it with me very often

Scott B

Manie_de said:
Hello !

I'm planning to get me a new DC, but after trying a few others
(Casio P-600 and Kodak DX 7440) the Lumix series sounds really good
to me.

But I'm not sure, which one would fit me best.

Mostly I'll take my DC on short backpacking trips (really nothing
to talk about; just light one day tours) and therefore it would be
nice if the DC has a more compact size and little weight.

Manual controls are also something I'd like, because after owning a
Minolta Dimage XG I'd like to learn more about photographie (still
an absolute beginner).

Ok, 'til now everything looks like the FZ-3 is the camera for me,
but I'm not sure, if the 3 Mio pixel are enough for good looking
and crisp pictures.

Most of the time I will watch them on my computer and from time to
time print a few in standard picture format (10x15 cm).

The price is also a matter, because here in germany I can get the
FZ-3 for about 390 Euro and the FZ-20 for about 600 Euro.

My cons against the FZ-3 are mostly the 3 Mio pixels, the little
1,5 " display, the smaller CCD and the lack of manual focusing !

My cons against the FZ-20 are the price, the size and the weight.

Some sugestions from anybody ?
Something to help me to make a decision ?

Thanks,

Martin

PS: Sorry for my lousy english !

Manie_de · Sep 6, 2004

It looks like I'm spoiled when it comes to size and weight !

My first cam was a Polaroid ION 230 (really tiny with 2 Mio and only 2x digital zoom) and now I'm using the Dimage XG (also tiny with 3,2 Mio and 3x optical zoom).

When I'm "on the road" it sits in the fitting case on my belt and if I want to shoot some pics I just have to get it out and fire away.

But with such a (in comparison to my ultra compact, not to a DSLR) huge cam I think I have to use a matching case that has to be shoulder slung or I have to hang it around my neck.

Don't know if I will get used to this (have I already mentioned that I'm a really lazy guy ?).

I think I'll buy me the FZ-3 online and test it within the 14 days and if the picture quality won't please my old and weak eyes, then I'll send it back and get me the FZ-20.

Maybe the FZ-20 will also help me to get a little fitter in the future ? ;-)

But one question to all FZ-10 and FZ-20 users around.
How do you carry your cam around ?

Hip-bags, shoulder slung, neck strap, etc.
What special cases do you use ?

Again I have to say thank you for your advice and I really love this forum.

Here I learned more about photography as I would have learned by just shooting around with my dc.

Scott J Buchanan said:
I have an fz10 and it is not big or heavy...great for walks
I also have a DSLR and it IS BIG and HEAVY so I don't take it with
me very often

Scott B

Dan Cohen · Sep 6, 2004

I started with the FZ1, had very good luck with it and learned a lot about photography.

I'm now very interested in the FZ3, for all the improvements.

But for me, among the more important things are the smaller size, because when I go on trips I frequently take a lot of other things, like clothing and sports equipment. I use two bags. I keep the camera itself in a small camera bag of its own, to protect it)and carry that in a shoulder carry bag that may also include food and things I need. I don't want a larger camera, if I can help it.

I'm waiting and am interested in reader reports of FZ3 and its newer features.

I've seen 3 mpx cameras print out very very good 8 by 10s, with little processing. And there is the option for some cropping. Certainly more with 5 mpx, but then how much cropping will you need with a 12x optical zoom.

Size does matter when you're getting around and the FZ1 goes a lot of places I wouldn't dream of taking a full size camera.

Dan

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