FZ50 vs DSLR

I’m still undecided between two cameras.
The FZ50 or the K100D (pentax)
w/t 28 to 200mm or 28 to 30 Tamron or Sigma lens .
The price diff. is aprox 150.00
Question 1: can the k100d be use as a walk-out camera
like the FZ50
Q2: how about lens quality / picture quality.?
Sharpness – noise at higher ISO

I am not a pro just going back to photography after leaving it for many years. just as a hobby.
Please lets have your suggestions.
Luke K.

kerolux said:

Question 1: can the k100d be use as a walk-out camera
like the FZ50

Click to expand...

Sure

kerolux said:

Q2: how about lens quality / picture quality.?
Sharpness – noise at higher ISO

Click to expand...

Depends how you have it. Combined the K100D with a pancake lens or the excellent 16-45 f/4, it'll be great. With the 18-55, the pictures will be good but you won't have much range or speed. The K100D will walk over the FZ50 in terms of noise at higher ISO, while the FZ50 should have a sharpness advantage if you have basic glass on the K100D.

kerolux said:

I am not a pro just going back to photography after leaving it for
many years. just as a hobby.
Please lets have your suggestions.
Luke K.

Click to expand...

Again, it basically depends on what you want to shoot and how much you want to spend. If you mainly do outdoor pictures and like a long tele, go for the FZ50. If you like wide-angle and do some low-light stuff, or have to have the best picture quality, go for the K100D. Honestly, they're both good cameras, and while I think the FZ50 is overpriced, if it fits your shooting needs then by all means don't hesitate.

I've been contemplating this pair myself, so I'll share my thoughts even though they probably don't add much to what you've already considered.

Benefits of the 100D (for me):

1) IQ across the full range, so a crop of a 6MP 100D image may be a better image than a full size 10MP FZ50 shot in many cases. ie you probably don't need to match the FZ50's full zoom range with PK fitting lenses to achieve similar results. It's hard to be sure though without having both side by side to play with, but many of the examples here have impressed me...
http://www.e-fotografija.com/artman/publish/article_1154.shtml

2) Great ISO performance combined with shake reduction is a very powerful speed/low light combination.

3) 28mm instead of 35mm at the bottom end (with the standard kit lens anyway), and I take many more shots at that end of the range than I do at 420mm. Hardcore wildlife photographers would obviously have different needs.

4) AA batteries (not to everyone's taste, but I prefer them).

Benefits of the FZ50 (for me):

1) No dust worries (quite big concern for anyone like me who'd be scared of scratching the sensor).

2) Movie mode (albeit not the best quality available).

3) Flip LCD screen for candid or flexible shooting... though the 50's hardly a subtle camera anyway when it comes to capturing people off guard.

4) Price (unless you already own Pentax SLR glass, narrowing the gap).

Neutral points:

1) Size & weight isn't a concern when comparing these. The FZ50 isn't a compact or particularly light camera, so the weight of an extra lens isn't really the same issue it would be when comparing with a more compact x12 zoom camera.

2) Continuous shooting is pretty poor on both.

Annoying points:

Trying to decide which camera to buy these days is very hard work. I think I'll take up watercolour painting instead, then I can control the image quality myself... though the continuous shooting speed may go down just a little. ;-)

Andrew McP

I hear that question alot and sometimes I still wonder myself. But it really comes down to I would say it takes a couple of questions to answer that but the frist is how much stuff do you want to carry around with you all the time and second like you said you are just getting back into it I would really suggest the FZ50 for a couple of reasons. first it has basically everything in one as far as lenses with the pentex you will need at least three different lenses and two you can go from one extreme to another and the camera will adjust for you in the auto mode. I would say the only disavantage the FZ50 will give you is the little bit of noise. But you are not shooting professional with it and as far as the noise I really dont think it is going to affect you unless you start looking with a microscope. I would stick the the FZ50 you can always shoot manual with it if you want but with the the pentex you have no choice and I reallly think if you are getting the camera to have fun with you will get sick of having to keep readjusting for almost every picture with the FZ50 set it and forget.
--
Joe D
God Bless And Have A Nice Day



my Little Girl Shyanne



S&W 4' 500 Magnum
A Winning Pair

You really need to look at what YOU do with the camera, or want to do with it. I'm not talking "low light", I dispute the usual "FZ's are good in daylight", that makes no sense as it's aperture shutter and ISO that determine low light ability, and low light performance means it functions well in low light, which they do.

But think through what type of shooting you like to do. When I was considering the FZ20, I also considered the Nikon D70. So to "do the math" I put it in the shopping cart with an extra battery and the kit lenses, and visualized getting it via Fedex the next day.

Then I asked "OK, now what?" Well, in my case it was near peregrine nesting season. I had been using roughly 1200mm of lenses which was barely enough, on my Oly 2100, so I reasoned that I was going to need at least a 400mm and probably a doubler. But knowing someone who had tried the peregrines with a rig like that at f/5.6, I knew it didn't work well, so I'd probably have had to go 500-600mm for that.

But then I hike a lot, and like to keep the camera on a bino-harness ready to use. That means either limiting yourself to a wider lens, or having a bazooka hanging in front of you while hiking, not to mention the extra gear you have to carry and change. I might shoot birds, wildlife, or wide angle scenics. Auto racing? Both may work, but I can shoot through a chain-link fence with long tele with the FZ, not so with an SLR.

After these and a couple more of my 'typical' shooting situations, I concluded that a DSLR for me would be an albatross, and a money pit to boot. My memory of 35mm experience bore this out. So there was my answer. You just have to plug in your use, along with your tolerance and needs (if you get an ultrazoom, will you be thinking "one of these days I'm going to upgrade to a DSLR"?), and do the math before you buy. The advantage to making your own decision this way is that, if you go the ultrazoom route, you're more likely to be happy with what you have, and less likely to be constantly drooling over the latest DSLR, wishing. If you go the DSLR route, then you're not subjecting yourself to months or a year of 'wishing' you could upgrade.
--
Gary
Photo albums: http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse

BIG Question and concern> > > > > > > > You are telling me that it has 4 AA Batteries.....thats one of the reasons to be rejecting a Dslr with a rechargeable AA batteries:-( K10D is just announced but its expensive than the Canon 400D. IS built into the pentax huge advantage over Canon. But again dude 4 AA batteries on this K110d is pitiful especially it being a DSLR...........

kerolux said:

I’m still undecided between two cameras.
The FZ50 or the K100D (pentax)
w/t 28 to 200mm or 28 to 30 Tamron or Sigma lens .
The price diff. is aprox 150.00
Question 1: can the k100d be use as a walk-out camera
like the FZ50
Q2: how about lens quality / picture quality.?
Sharpness – noise at higher ISO
I am not a pro just going back to photography after leaving it for
many years. just as a hobby.
Please lets have your suggestions.
Luke K.

Click to expand...

--
Currently..DMC-FZ30S with 2 pitiful Digital optics 2X Tele & 0.5X Wide Lenses!
Pic.....Shoot.....shot......

Gary R. said:

But think through what type of shooting you like to do. When I was
considering the FZ20, I also considered the Nikon D70. So to "do
the math" I put it in the shopping cart with an extra battery and
the kit lenses, and visualized getting it via Fedex the next day.

Then I asked "OK, now what?" Well, in my case it was near
peregrine nesting season. I had been using roughly 1200mm of
lenses which was barely enough, on my Oly 2100, so I reasoned that
I was going to need at least a 400mm and probably a doubler. But
knowing someone who had tried the peregrines with a rig like that
at f/5.6, I knew it didn't work well, so I'd probably have had to
go 500-600mm for that.

But then I hike a lot, and like to keep the camera on a
bino-harness ready to use. That means either limiting yourself to
a wider lens, or having a bazooka hanging in front of you while
hiking, not to mention the extra gear you have to carry and change.
I might shoot birds, wildlife, or wide angle scenics. Auto racing?
Both may work, but I can shoot through a chain-link fence with long
tele with the FZ, not so with an SLR.

After these and a couple more of my 'typical' shooting situations,
I concluded that a DSLR for me would be an albatross, and a money
pit to boot. My memory of 35mm experience bore this out. So there
was my answer. You just have to plug in your use, along with your
tolerance and needs (if you get an ultrazoom, will you be thinking
"one of these days I'm going to upgrade to a DSLR"?), and do the
math before you buy. The advantage to making your own decision
this way is that, if you go the ultrazoom route, you're more likely
to be happy with what you have, and less likely to be constantly
drooling over the latest DSLR, wishing. If you go the DSLR route,
then you're not subjecting yourself to months or a year of
'wishing' you could upgrade.

Click to expand...

Excellent reasoning Gary. Highly Recommended!

Joseph DeFelice said:

I would say the only
disavantage the FZ50 will give you is the little bit of noise. But
you are not shooting professional with it and as far as the noise I
really dont think it is going to affect you unless you start
looking with a microscope. I would stick the the FZ50 you can
always shoot manual with it if you want but with the the pentex you
have no choice and I reallly think if you are getting the camera to
have fun with you will get sick of having to keep readjusting for
almost every picture with the FZ50 set it and forget.
--

Click to expand...

For information's sake (which the OP is obviously looking for), that is incorrect. There's more disadvantages to the FZ50 from a DSLR than just noise (no OVF, much less DR, decreased battery life, worse AF, lens interchangability, better flash systems, stuck at deep DOF, poor burst mode, among others). Not to say the FZ50 isn't a great camera, but it's pointless to respond to a person looking for information without pointing out all the facts.

kerolux said:

I’m still undecided between two cameras.
The FZ50 or the K100D (pentax)
w/t 28 to 200mm or 28 to 30 Tamron or Sigma lens .
The price diff. is aprox 150.00

Click to expand...

I've been having similar 'heretic' dirty thoughts lately... I'm a FZ5 and 350D user, this is how I see it.

First of all, you have chosen the two best alternatives (STAY CLEAR OF CANON, the K100D is the best entry level DSLR at the moment, by miles...)

Let me address your 'ambitions' in the pic quality department.

kerolux said:

I am not a pro just going back to photography after leaving it for
many years. just as a hobby.

Click to expand...

First of all, make up your mind how you want to view your pictures. On the 17" monitor? A normal TV set? A HD TV set? Prints, how often, which size?

The 'noise patrol' in this forum very often 'assume' that people want to (and actually do) print posters larger than my front door. A decent quality printer that prints larger than A4 is quite expensive (so is the ink+glossy paper), not to mention developing larger prints. If you only intend to print larger than A4 every now and then (at ISO200 max), the smaller sensor might cover your needs very well. If you want large posters with high iso, you need a DSLR (with decent glass).

kerolux said:

Question 1: can the k100d be use as a walk-out camera
like the FZ50

Click to expand...

Of course, but this limits your choice of lenses. The 50-500mm Sigma 'Bigma' will send straight to therapist... You have to make choice about the local lengths you want to use. Basically, you have to choose between wide angle, or extreme reach. On the dslr, even the kit lens or any superzoom will give you a 28mm wide angle. Personally, I'm not really fond of this 28mm. It's an advantage indoors of course, but most often not enough for landscapes IMO (stitching panoramas is much better IMO). But this depends on your style. While it is possible to attach a Wide angle converter on the FZ50 (55mm screw mount), the all in one concept of the FZ50 is more or less lost, but if i'll go to the Grand Canyon, I'll slap on the Oly 08B that's for sure.

kerolux said:

Q2: how about lens quality / picture quality.?
Sharpness – noise at higher ISO

Click to expand...

The FZ50 has excellent glass. Sharp from wide to tele, and it's farily fast too. On the other hand, the DSLR glass doesn't have to have the same grade because the pixels are soooo much larger. But one thing to note, especially superzooms on DLSRs have a nasty tendency to become soft AND slow at the long end, unless you pay BIG bux and carry one big lump of glass. So if you are considering the Tamron or Sigma 18-200mm (these lenses are actually more like 18-180mm), they are fairly slow at the long end f6.3 and they like to be stopped down a stop or two... So, if the OIS is roughly equivalent to the SR in the Pentax, then the Pentax has to make up around 2 stops in ISO performance. IMO the Pentax is 3 stops cleaner, so this is no problem, but the point is, you don't have any significant sensitivity advantage at the long end (given an affordable superzoom lens). And you are actually 'only' reaching out to around 260-300mm with this setup. I'd say the difference between the two setups in the 300-450mm isn't great.

At the wide end the story quite different. For low light photography, you can get a fast prime. eg. the 50mm f1.4 (75mm equivalent, around $250 I think). With this fast lens and SR and decent ISO 1600 (even ISO 3200 is usable with NR at A4), you can actually shoot in a candle lit room.... The FZ50 isn't THAT bad either, with proper NR, these shots will look good upto A4.

One more thing about PQ, the smaller sensor of the FZ50 gives a MUCH larger DOF. For some people, a shallow DOF of a DSLR translates directly to 'good picture quality'. The large DOF is more often a curse than a blessing, but a good photographer can work around it often, AND utilise it's advantages as well. Eg. macro photography is sooo much easier with the FZ50.

gl!

MrXpress said:

Joseph DeFelice said:

I would say the only
disavantage the FZ50 will give you is the little bit of noise. But
you are not shooting professional with it and as far as the noise I
really dont think it is going to affect you unless you start
looking with a microscope. I would stick the the FZ50 you can
always shoot manual with it if you want but with the the pentex you
have no choice and I reallly think if you are getting the camera to
have fun with you will get sick of having to keep readjusting for
almost every picture with the FZ50 set it and forget.
--

Click to expand...

For information's sake (which the OP is obviously looking for),
that is incorrect. There's more disadvantages to the FZ50 from a
DSLR than just noise (no OVF, much less DR, decreased battery life,
worse AF, lens interchangability, better flash systems, stuck at
deep DOF, poor burst mode, among others). Not to say the FZ50 isn't
a great camera, but it's pointless to respond to a person looking
for information without pointing out all the facts.

Click to expand...

Yup pretty much sums it up..!

Cant wait for the "you need a $2000 lens to equal the pannie leica one" argument to spring up as it always does! lol

--

kerolux said:

I’m still undecided between two cameras.
The FZ50 or the K100D (pentax)
w/t 28 to 200mm or 28 to 30 Tamron or Sigma lens .
The price diff. is aprox 150.00
Question 1: can the k100d be use as a walk-out camera
like the FZ50
Q2: how about lens quality / picture quality.?
Sharpness – noise at higher ISO
I am not a pro just going back to photography after leaving it for
many years. just as a hobby.
Please lets have your suggestions.
Luke K.

Click to expand...

It depends a great deal on how seriously you want to take it (and how much money you want to spend). This recent post really sums up the advantages of an interchangeable lens system for me (and beautifully illustrated too).

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=20037545

Of course the lens/camera is the easy part. You also need considerable practice, experience and skill, which are much harder to obtain.

Mike

Actually 4 aa batteries work really well in the Pentax range of cameras. I don't have the K100D but I have been using the DL for about 6 months. I use rechargeable 2500 mAH Ni-MH batteries. I find they consistently provide between 400-500 shots. Also if you do ever find yourself with flat batteries it is generally very easy to find a set of alkaline batteries just to get you out of trouble.

If you want some more feedback from K100D users you should ask your question over in the Pentax DSLR forum. Just be warned you may feel ignored because they may not see you in amongst the new K10D posts.

Hope this helps
Kim

Blasterr said:

kerolux said:

I’m still undecided between two cameras.
The FZ50 or the K100D (pentax)
w/t 28 to 200mm or 28 to 30 Tamron or Sigma lens .
The price diff. is aprox 150.00
Question 1: can the k100d be use as a walk-out camera
like the FZ50
Q2: how about lens quality / picture quality.?
Sharpness – noise at higher ISO
I am not a pro just going back to photography after leaving it for
many years. just as a hobby.
Please lets have your suggestions.
Luke K.

Click to expand...

--
Currently..DMC-FZ30S with 2 pitiful Digital optics 2X Tele & 0.5X
Wide Lenses!
Pic.....Shoot.....shot......

Click to expand...

Joseph DeFelice wrote:
:

Joseph DeFelice said:

I would stick the the FZ50 you can
always shoot manual with it if you want but with the the pentex you
have no choice and I reallly think if you are getting the camera to
have fun with you will get sick of having to keep readjusting for
almost every picture with the FZ50 set it and forget.

Click to expand...

What make you think that the Pentax is a manual only camera? It has AF and even an exposure (with modes) meter thrown in just for giggles.
--
Stan ;o()



In the spirit of Occam’s Razor one should embrace the less complicated formulation or simply put, less is more.

Barry Fitzgerald said:

MrXpress said:

For information's sake (which the OP is obviously looking for),
that is incorrect. There's more disadvantages to the FZ50 from a
DSLR than just noise (no OVF, much less DR, decreased battery life,
worse AF, lens interchangability, better flash systems, stuck at
deep DOF, poor burst mode, among others). Not to say the FZ50 isn't
a great camera, but it's pointless to respond to a person looking
for information without pointing out all the facts.

Click to expand...

Cant wait for the "you need a $2000 lens to equal the pannie leica
one" argument to spring up as it always does! lol

Click to expand...

Maybe 'cause it's TRUE? ( grin )

Remember, MrXpress ALSO wrote in his first reply that the FZ50 will be sharper than the K100D with a consumer-grade lens.

Just making sure ALL the facts are EQUALLY represented... I think MrXpress did a great job of summing up the pros and cons.

It's a real judgement call, but if the OP is not too experienced in photography, I would lean ever so slightly to the FZ50, or maybe even the FZ30, since it costs about $150 less.

To the OP: You really won't find a one-lens approach in the DSLR, at least, not without sacrificing a LOT of quality. There really is no such thing as a decent 36-420mm lens for a DSLR; the 28-300 consumer lenses like thos by Tamron and Sigma (42-450mm equiv) will not produce anything near as good as the Leica on the FZ30/FZ50.

So, some questions to ask yourself:

1. Do you shoot mostly in one range, or are your frequently "all over the map" in zoom? If the latter, you will be changing lenses often. If that will be annoying to you, or make you miss shots, consider it an important factor. If you mostly shoot in a range where you can get one DLSR lens to cover 90% of your needs, and you won't change lenses often, it will not be as much of a factor.

2. AF speed. The K100D is faster than the cheapest Pentax DSLRs, but it is no speed demon; the Nikon and Canon are both faster. But how much faster? And are any of them so much faster than an FZ30/FZ50 that it will cause you to miss shots, or will be an annoyance? Only the OP can answer that question. I suggest trying them out and seeing how they feel/perform for you.

As an editorial note, I personally think that the AF speed difference in these digicams is neligible for most new users, or even most casual users. Frankly, after dealing with the slow AF speed on my FZ20, I was THRILLED at the AF speed of the FZ30 when I tried it in the store!

One other point: AF-assist lamp. The FZ30/FZ50 have it, all Nikon DSLRs have it, the Pentax K100D does not (I think; I'm pretty sure, but someone correct me if I'm wrong. I know the DL does not have it.) As a result, in lower light the FZ30 may actually AF FASTER than the K100D.

I have a Tamron 70-300mm for my Pentax DL, and I think, at the long end, it's no faster in AF than the FZ30; it also "hunts" more.

So, we cannot automatically say "DSLR AF is faster!" It's not al;ways true, and when it is, the difference may be negligible. That's definitely a "try it yourself" thing.

3. Battery life: The Pentax uses AA batteries, and gives good life, about 300 to 500 pics, depending on how powerful your batteries are. I upgraded from 1800 mAH to 2500 mAH when I bought my DL - the 1800 mAH did not last very long in the DL. Also, although AA are easily found "in a pinch," alkaline AAs will give you 50 shots, then die - so they really are for emergencies, only.

Another usability point: Chaning four AA batteries is a PITA after you get used to the quick-change of a single battery. I used to be all for AA because they were cheap, you could get them anywhere, etc. But I bought two extra batteries for $25 on eBay, so the cost difference is neglible. And a single battery weighs less. And it's MUCH easier to pop in/pop out. Again, it's a usability issue; each person has to decide what works best for him/her. I would MUCH prefer a single battery, and with the new K10D it appears Pentax is going that direction. But the K100D uses AA - good or bad? You decide.

4. Flash systems. I don't know this is an issue, ubnless truly TTL-dedicated flash is a big deal to you. Both have hot-shoes, both take standard flashes, many people are happy with "auto-ness" of the thyristor approach. Not all, true. But, if you go with a dedicated flash, that adds at least another $150 to the DSLR cost. I'm perfectly happy with my Vivitar 285 and Sunpak 433D; I usd them on my Nikon, I use them on my FZ, I use them on my Pentax.

(to be continued)

(continued)

5. OVF. It is brighter. But that also is a try-it-and-see-for-yourself thing. I can nol longer accept the "OVF is better" argument. I have a number of very good, older, MF-only lenses for my Pentax DSLR; I still have some trouble focusing. Yeah, maybe it's just me. But if the OP has little experience, he won't be up to speed for MF, either.

My point is: The EVF on the FZ30/FZ50 is VERY good, better than anything else out there - like, 230,000 pixels or something like that. They blew away what was available for the FZ20 by like 80% more pixels. As a result, MF on the FZ30/FZ50 is NOT all that much harder; not wuite as good, true, but the difference is another each-person-must-decide issue. FOr me, I could MF the FZ30 very fast in a typical department store. I don't own one, so I have not tried it in lower light than that. But I HAVE tried it on my Pentax in low light, and it's HARD! (And the AF didn't work well in that situation, either - I wish I had an AF lamp on the Pentax!)

6. Flexible EVF. DSLRs don't have them. Sometimes they are a godsend, e.g., for macro work, for when you have to hold the camera over your head to get a shot (parades, concerts, crowds, etc.) or out to the side. It's a usability issue. I'd LOVE it if my Pentax had an EVF!

7. Deep DOF: Often a a minus for the FZ30/FZ50; I find that I like shallow DOF more, ergo I like the DSLR better for that. But for macro work, the deep DOF is a PLUS for the FZ30/FZ50.

For me, at least, and I think for most, based on the frequency of posts and the arguments on this forum, the only two REAL BIG issues between the DSLR and the FZ30/FZ50 is the noise and to a slightly lesser degree, the dynamic range.

The other issues are factors, of course. But most of them are close enough on each camera that I STRONGLY suggest the OP try each and decide if it's:
1) "WOW, this is much better on Camera A than on Camera B!" or
2) "You know, the difference just ain't that much."

Good Luck!

--Greg

gkreth said:

My point is: The EVF on the FZ30/FZ50 is VERY good, better than
anything else out there - like, 230,000 pixels or something like
that.

Click to expand...

I should point out (nice detailed post btw) that while the EVF on the FZ30/50 might be good as far as EVFs are concerned, they are by no means the best out there. That would probably have to go to the Konica Minolta A2, which has a 922,000 pixel EVF.

FrostyinOz said:

Actually 4 aa batteries work really well in the Pentax range of
cameras. I don't have the K100D but I have been using the DL for
about 6 months. I use rechargeable 2500 mAH Ni-MH batteries. I
find they consistently provide between 400-500 shots. Also if you
do ever find yourself with flat batteries it is generally very easy
to find a set of alkaline batteries just to get you out of trouble.

Click to expand...

I also get 400-500 with my 2500 mAH. but you do need that level; my 1800 mAH's were pitiful! I had to upgrade batteries.

Also, it IS more of a PITA to use AA; changing four batteries (with that alternating top-bottom thing) is not the quick-7-fast thing it is with a single battery. I'm glad the K10D has a single battery.

FrostyinOz said:

If you want some more feedback from K100D users you should ask your
question over in the Pentax DSLR forum. Just be warned you may
feel ignored because they may not see you in amongst the new K10D
posts.

Click to expand...

Ha, ha! That's SO true. The K10D is quite the talk of the town, er, the forum! I can't answers for my newbie-lens-questions anymore!

But the Pentax forum is a GREAT place for info! The people ther are very helpful, and just a great bunch in general!

Hi Joe,

Do u mean tat you can only focus manually when using DSLR?

Joseph DeFelice wrote:
I would stick the the FZ50 you can

Joseph DeFelice said:

always shoot manual with it if you want but with the the pentex you
have no choice and I reallly think if you are getting the camera to
have fun with you will get sick of having to keep readjusting for
almost every picture with the FZ50 set it and forget.
--
Joe D

Click to expand...

--
Best Wishes,
Phantasmal

http://phantasmal.zoto.com

MrXpress said:

I should point out (nice detailed post btw) that while the EVF on
the FZ30/50 might be good as far as EVFs are concerned, they are by
no means the best out there. That would probably have to go to the
Konica Minolta A2, which has a 922,000 pixel EVF.

Click to expand...

Thanks; I thought your poste were very good, too! It's nice to know there are objective people that can have opinions, but see other sides, and don't fall into either the fan-boy or bash-boy categories.

As for the Minolta A2 - Whoa! That's some great EVF! No wonder that camera was considered such a classic! Or was that the A200? But 9K of pixels - jeez, I would LOVE to look through the EVF of THAT thing!

--Greg

Being a long-time advocate of AA batteries (readily available, cheap, and can use any AA's in a pinch), I no longer feel the same way. After using the lithium batteries in the FZ20 and 30 for a while, the AA's in my Oly2100 are a real pain.

NIMH batteries lose charge when sitting, and it's a substantial amount, to where when I pick up the Oly, I always expect (and usually get) low batteries. So you have to think ahead and charge them just before use.

It's so quick to slip in a single battery in the Panasonics, they last well to where 2 batteries will get you through a full day with the camera on most of it. Using several sets of AA's at auto races, I often had them charging in the parking lot so that the 3-4 sets I had would last into the evening.

Even price isn't the issue it once was. $12-18 for a much better battery for the FZ than the $10 AA's isn't much of a sacrifice.

There are, available now, lithium CRV2 batteries that replace AA's in sets of two in some cameras; I think this would be an OK solution, but they and the chargers are pretty expensive, or were when I looked...something like $50 for one battery and a charger, and you need the special charger.

Several family members have point and shoot pocket cameras with AA's, and they're so unreliable as to charge (because they often sit, and people don't always have charging batteries on their minds) that I now consider AA's a big liability instead of the best choice. The spare set of batteries you can keep in the camera bag is of little value, they will be dead too, from sitting.
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Gary
Photo albums: http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse