My first post; A few newbie questions about FZ20

Hello.
This is my first post.

Im from Sydney and Im a total newbie who doesnt know anything at all about camera.

My current digital camera is old olympus c-2 zoom, and im thinking to get a new digital camera next month.

So far, Im really leaning towards FZ20 (still researching which one to get), although i was very interested with Olympus 8080WZ before.... but i think that camera will be too difficult to use for me.

Mind you, I am a TOTAL newbie, i dont even know what ISO Settings are for. (only been using point and shoot for all this time; and i mean literally point and shoot !)

Anyway, Im interested in learning more about photography, my current camera doesnt allow me, so im thinking to get one that i can use and slowly grow with.

Thats why i think if i got OLY8080WZ, it would be too hard for me to handle? (correct me if im wrong; eg. maybe they have easy to use auto mode with excellent results?) Or maybe there are other cameras you would suggest ? (Ive been reading lots of reviews and impressions, and seems like it will be either 8080WZ or FZ20, although i was thinking about S7000 too.)

Wow... I am rambling.... for a newbie, i think i talk too much here... hehe... but if you guys have any comment at all about camera or anything at all, please feel free to chime in, since i need all the suggestions i can find...

About camera memory, if i got myself FZ20, which memory should i use ? SD or CF ? I am thinking to get 521MB one, since the price between SD and CF is not that much different, so i'll just get the best one for the camera (in terms of camera operation and during data transferring).

I tried to use search function but couldnt find anything. Not really familiar with the search function.. since when i typed "FZ20 memory", it only yielded 2 hits, which were not what i was looking for.
Any tips how to use search in this forum ?

Regarding about battery, since FZ20 use proprietary battery, will the battery eventually dies (worn out) after XXX numbers of charging ? because as far as i know rechargeable batteries have the charge/discharge lifespan, eg. it can be used for 500 or 1000 times charge.

So does that mean, eventually those proprietary battery will die (cant be charged anymore) as well?

I was always worrying that, say, ive been using the camera for 4/5 years, then the proprietary battery dies, and the shop doesnt have a battery for older camera type anymore, that means i have to throw my camera into a garbage bin ?

Anyway, if you are still reading this until here, thank you very much guys.
im sure it took awhile to actually read the whole post.
thanks !

dj_mocok said:

Hello.
This is my first post.

Im from Sydney and Im a total newbie who doesnt know anything at
all about camera.
My current digital camera is old olympus c-2 zoom, and im thinking
to get a new digital camera next month.

So far, Im really leaning towards FZ20 (still researching which one
to get), although i was very interested with Olympus 8080WZ
before.... but i think that camera will be too difficult to use for
me.
Mind you, I am a TOTAL newbie, i dont even know what ISO Settings
are for. (only been using point and shoot for all this time; and i
mean literally point and shoot !)

Anyway, Im interested in learning more about photography, my
current camera doesnt allow me, so im thinking to get one that i
can use and slowly grow with.

Thats why i think if i got OLY8080WZ, it would be too hard for me
to handle? (correct me if im wrong; eg. maybe they have easy to use
auto mode with excellent results?) Or maybe there are other cameras
you would suggest ? (Ive been reading lots of reviews and
impressions, and seems like it will be either 8080WZ or FZ20,
although i was thinking about S7000 too.)

Click to expand...

The cameras you mentioned are fine cameras and will allow you to grow with them. If the large zoom and OIS are important then the FZ20 is for you

dj_mocok said:

Wow... I am rambling.... for a newbie, i think i talk too much
here... hehe... but if you guys have any comment at all about
camera or anything at all, please feel free to chime in, since i
need all the suggestions i can find...

About camera memory, if i got myself FZ20, which memory should i
use ? SD or CF ? I am thinking to get 521MB one, since the price
between SD and CF is not that much different, so i'll just get the
best one for the camera (in terms of camera operation and during
data transferring).

Click to expand...

If you get the FZ20 you choice of memory is made it must be SD.

dj_mocok said:

I tried to use search function but couldnt find anything. Not
really familiar with the search function.. since when i typed "FZ20
memory", it only yielded 2 hits, which were not what i was looking
for.
Any tips how to use search in this forum ?

Click to expand...

Make sure you put a tick in "all text"

dj_mocok said:

Regarding about battery, since FZ20 use proprietary battery, will
the battery eventually dies (worn out) after XXX numbers of
charging ? because as far as i know rechargeable batteries have the
charge/discharge lifespan, eg. it can be used for 500 or 1000 times
charge.
So does that mean, eventually those proprietary battery will die
(cant be charged anymore) as well?
I was always worrying that, say, ive been using the camera for 4/5
years, then the proprietary battery dies, and the shop doesnt have
a battery for older camera type anymore, that means i have to throw
my camera into a garbage bin ?

Click to expand...

There are after market batteries that are cheaper and I doubt if you will have to junk a battery. I have Lithium Ion batteries that are 5 yrs old that still work fine. And I can still buy batteries for my 5 yr old Kodak. I think its 5 years old. The advantage to proprietary batteries is they weigh much less.

dj_mocok said:

Anyway, if you are still reading this until here, thank you very
much guys.
im sure it took awhile to actually read the whole post.
thanks !

Click to expand...

--
Kodak DC-4800
Panasonic FZ-10 and FZ 20
T Con 17 -- Raynox 2020 pro -- Tcon 14 --DCR 720



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!
Gene

dj_mocok said:

Hello.
This is my first post.

Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum!

dj_mocok said:

So far, Im really leaning towards FZ20 (still researching which one
to get), although i was very interested with Olympus 8080WZ
before.... but i think that camera will be too difficult to use for
me.
Mind you, I am a TOTAL newbie, i dont even know what ISO Settings
are for. (only been using point and shoot for all this time; and i
mean literally point and shoot !)

Click to expand...

The FZ20 can be full p&s and it is a lot of fun with that awesome zoom. As far as the 8080 goes, it is a great camera but it amazes me when people will spend that kind of money on their first camera. Give yourself time to learn what you really want in a camera first.

dj_mocok said:

Anyway, Im interested in learning more about photography, my
current camera doesnt allow me, so im thinking to get one that i
can use and slowly grow with.

Click to expand...

I think the minimum for a camera you can grow with is having a range from complete auto to full manual control, as well as lens threads and a hot shoe for an external falsh..

dj_mocok said:

Thats why i think if i got OLY8080WZ, it would be too hard for me
to handle? (correct me if im wrong; eg. maybe they have easy to use
auto mode with excellent results?) Or maybe there are other cameras
you would suggest ? (Ive been reading lots of reviews and
impressions, and seems like it will be either 8080WZ or FZ20,
although i was thinking about S7000 too.)

Click to expand...

Most digitals, even dslr's, can be operated in full auto mode. But let's say you get it and decide you ONLY want to use it as a p&s, I think you've spent an awful lot of money for a camera where you won't ever use it's full capabilities.

dj_mocok said:

About camera memory, if i got myself FZ20, which memory should i
use ? SD or CF ? I am thinking to get 521MB one, since the price
between SD and CF is not that much different, so i'll just get the
best one for the camera (in terms of camera operation and during
data transferring).

Click to expand...

SD. Prices are reasonable for both SD and CF cards. I would suggest the fastest 512 mb card that you can afford after the purchase price of the camera. That is another plus to buying a moderately priced camera, you have much more left over for accessories!

dj_mocok said:

Any tips how to use search in this forum ?

Click to expand...

It's really trial and error. Use as many specific phrases as you can think of. For example, first use the buying guide up on the left to figure out from the camera specifications which memory you need. Then type in 'SD memory' and you will get a bazillion hits!

dj_mocok said:

Regarding about battery, since FZ20 use proprietary battery, will
the battery eventually dies (worn out) after XXX numbers of
charging ? because as far as i know rechargeable batteries have the
charge/discharge lifespan, eg. it can be used for 500 or 1000 times
charge.

Click to expand...

So they tell us. Mine is working great although I did pick up a third party spare. Keep one in the camera and the other fully charged and you should never run out of 'juice'.

dj_mocok said:

So does that mean, eventually those proprietary battery will die
(cant be charged anymore) as well?

Click to expand...

Eventually.

dj_mocok said:

I was always worrying that, say, ive been using the camera for 4/5
years, then the proprietary battery dies, and the shop doesnt have
a battery for older camera type anymore, that means i have to throw
my camera into a garbage bin ?

Click to expand...

In theory yes, but so far most older cameras still have lots of batteries being made. the reality is that the life of digital cameras isn't as long as 35 mm., so you will probably have a different camera by then. Another reason to think REALLY hard before you drop $1000 on a camera. Cameras get dropped, get wet, etc... and digitals are pretty fragile by comparison to the 35 mm.

dj_mocok said:

thanks !

Click to expand...

Good luck making your decision!
--
Theresa
Constructive criticism always welcome!
http://www.pbase.com/theresa_k
Panasonic FZ-20, Oly C-5O6O & FL-4O

Hello,
thank you for replying to my post.

About the search, i will try to tick the box next time.

any reason why its better with sd than cf?
if its sd, which brand should i get? (im thinking of 512 one)

thanks

hi,
thanks for the info...
i will get the best 512 SD i can afford...
any brand or type in particular i need to avoid? eg. unreliable, data loss?

im thinking if i get it, it will initially more like a point & shoot, but im thinking to learn more about photography, so when i know more, then i can experiment with manual operation.

I just bought a Kingmax 512 60x from Newegg.com for $46 (US), compared to the lowest price for a Sandisk at $74.

dj_mocok said:

hi,
thanks for the info...
i will get the best 512 SD i can afford...
any brand or type in particular i need to avoid? eg. unreliable,
data loss?

im thinking if i get it, it will initially more like a point &
shoot, but im thinking to learn more about photography, so when i
know more, then i can experiment with manual operation.

Click to expand...

--
Who am I and what am I doing here?

I would avoid sandisk, maybe look at getting a simpletech 60x or transcend 60x

dj_mocok said:

hi,
thanks for the info...
i will get the best 512 SD i can afford...
any brand or type in particular i need to avoid? eg. unreliable,
data loss?

im thinking if i get it, it will initially more like a point &
shoot, but im thinking to learn more about photography, so when i
know more, then i can experiment with manual operation.

Click to expand...

--
Lewis
http://chilipalmer.deviantart.com/gallery/

Any reason why i shouldnt go with sandisk ?

the bad thing about sydney camera shops is, they dont carry so many options for memory card...

i think theyre mostly sandisk... but i think i can still manage to get kingmax one...
as for sandisk, the newer ones are easy to recognise, eg. ultra II, ultra III,
but how to distinguish newer ones from diffrent brand ?
i dont wanna make a mistake by getting older card...
http://www.arc.com.au/
this website has a kingmax but doesnt specify which model...

That deal mentioned at Newegg.com on the Kingmax 512MB 60x card is a
great one.

Don't worry about any other suggestions from anyone else... just do some
price searching and you'll find out just how good of a price $48 is for that
card. I have one and it performs very well in my FZ20... very fast card.

dj_mocok said:

Any reason why i shouldnt go with sandisk ?
the bad thing about sydney camera shops is, they dont carry so many
options for memory card...
i think theyre mostly sandisk... but i think i can still manage to
get kingmax one...
as for sandisk, the newer ones are easy to recognise, eg. ultra II,
ultra III,
but how to distinguish newer ones from diffrent brand ?
i dont wanna make a mistake by getting older card...
http://www.arc.com.au/
this website has a kingmax but doesnt specify which model...

Click to expand...

dj_mocok said:

Hello,
thank you for replying to my post.

About the search, i will try to tick the box next time.

any reason why its better with sd than cf?
if its sd, which brand should i get? (im thinking of 512 one)

Click to expand...

The FZ20 only takes the SD card. Each camera uses different memory types. Some of the Olympus are able to use two different cards but most only use one type.

--
Theresa
Constructive criticism always welcome!
http://www.pbase.com/theresa_k
Panasonic FZ-20, Oly C-5O6O & FL-4O

Some people have had problems with the cards neding formatting all the time. As for buying newegg - they have a great price but they might only deliver to the US. If they don't, if your billing address and delivery address are different you have to tell your bank about your delivery address so when newegg phone the bank, the bank can authorise the payment. That sucks! You could try eBay

The Sandisk Ultra II is the latest Sandisk card...

dj_mocok said:

Any reason why i shouldnt go with sandisk ?
the bad thing about sydney camera shops is, they dont carry so many
options for memory card...
i think theyre mostly sandisk... but i think i can still manage to
get kingmax one...
as for sandisk, the newer ones are easy to recognise, eg. ultra II,
ultra III,
but how to distinguish newer ones from diffrent brand ?
i dont wanna make a mistake by getting older card...
http://www.arc.com.au/
this website has a kingmax but doesnt specify which model...

Click to expand...

--
Lewis
http://chilipalmer.deviantart.com/gallery/

I just realised that FZ20 only takes SD card... my mistake... i must have confused it with the 8080WZ...

i just did some research and its pretty hard to find a place that have better range of SD card here in australia. seems like sandisk dominates the market here...
any special reason why i should avoid sandisk card ?

thanks.

chilipalmer said:

Some people have had problems with the cards neding formatting all
the time. As for buying newegg - they have a great price but they
might only deliver to the US. If they don't, if your billing
address and delivery address are different you have to tell your
bank about your delivery address so when newegg phone the bank, the
bank can authorise the payment. That sucks! You could try eBay

The Sandisk Ultra II is the latest Sandisk card...

Click to expand...

Are all SD-type cards need formatting all the time, or only a particular brand ?

i never formatted my olympus memory card, as a matter of fact, i didnt even know that you can format digicam's memory card..

dj_mocok said:

Hello.
This is my first post.

Im from Sydney and Im a total newbie who doesnt know anything at
all about camera.
My current digital camera is old olympus c-2 zoom, and im thinking
to get a new digital camera next month.

So far, Im really leaning towards FZ20 (still researching which one
to get), although i was very interested with Olympus 8080WZ
before.... but i think that camera will be too difficult to use for
me.
Mind you, I am a TOTAL newbie, i dont even know what ISO Settings

Click to expand...

Hi and welcome to this forum. I am a newbie too! I started reading these forums so that I could learn about digital cameras and could make a more educated decision as to what camera was right for me. After several weeks of reading these forums and reading as many camera reviews as I could find, I finally decided on the FZ20 and ordered mine just the other day. I am hoping it will arrive early next week.

As a newbie like you, my only experience has been with P & S camera's. I have only owned one digital camera and it was an Olympus, similar to the one you have. Anyhow, it was time for an upgrade and I was looking for a camera that was going to be one that would grow along with me as I learned more about photography. I wanted one that , at first, would be easy enough to use right away (auto mode) but had enough manual control that I could eventually have more artistic freedom with down the road. I also felt that I was not ready for a digital SLR just yet. A big zoom was very important to me and along with that I felt that my new camera must have IS because I did not want to carry around a tripod when ever I wanted to take photos. I knew that I wanted at least 4mp since my old Olympus was only a 2.1 mp and I felt ready to take a step up in megapixels. I also wanted a camera with hot shoe so that I can add external flashes when necessary. I was also hoping that my new camera would have an AF assist. lamp to help out in low light situations.

Well, after reading about all the different cameras and looking at many sample photos taken with the FZ20, I decided that it was the camera for me and would be a very nice stepping stone on the way to eventually owning a digital SLR. I can't wait to get my new camera and to try it out. What I have learned from these forums also is that it could take some time and practice before I hope to see the quality of photos that are being posted here on the forums. There will be a bit of a learning curve and I will need to be patient and learn how my new camera works before I can expect the quality of photos that I am hoping for. I have read several posts where the new owners of an FZ20 were dissapointed at their first shots but with the help and great advice they were given here on the forums by more experienced photographers and FZ owners, they were getting great shots out of their new camera. I am looking forward to getting to know my new FZ20 and to learning all about it's idiosyncricities (spelling?) .

Snaphappy1

Hello snaphappy1,

what a coincidence that your previous camera was the same old olympus like mine..

i think coming from that camera, when you are upgrading to new one, the first thing you'd say is: I want a faster camera ! hehe... its an old camera anyway, cant expect too much from it.. (pretty much only usable for outdoor snaps)

anyway, i wont be getting this til next month, so i still have some time to read some impressions and all that...
hope by that time, the price is already drop a bit.

dj_mocok said:

Hello snaphappy1,
what a coincidence that your previous camera was the same old
olympus like mine..
i think coming from that camera, when you are upgrading to new one,
the first thing you'd say is: I want a faster camera ! hehe... its
an old camera anyway, cant expect too much from it.. (pretty much
only usable for outdoor snaps)

anyway, i wont be getting this til next month, so i still have some
time to read some impressions and all that...
hope by that time, the price is already drop a bit.

Click to expand...

Yes, the Olympus was a bit slow but I didn't know the difference so what did it matter! LOL!! Being a newbie has it's advantages! You don't know what you are missing so you are happy with less!

I have to say though that I was very happy with my little Olympus and it took really nice shots even though it was only a 2.1 mp. Sadly, the kids dropped it and it no longer works, hence my search for a new camera. I have been using my dad's Kodak easyshare DX6440 (4 mp) in the mean time and I have to say that I liked the quality of photographs better with the Olympus. Specially in low light situations where my Olympus really seemed to excell.

Like you said, hopefully by the time you are ready to purchase , the price will have come down. Usually does! Wish I could wait but I'm not the most patient person and feel totally lost without a camera of my own. Beside, my dad really wants his Kodak back!!

Snaphappy1