Reading mode: Light Dark

Question to PANA-Profs: FZ50 or FZ8 ?

Go to last post
N

nemo6666

Senior Member
Messages
1,195
Reaction score
0
Location
W.O.R.L.D, DE
Well...i am now in doubt...as a long-years SONY adept (huh...what a word), i just discovered the world of PANAs and decided to take the plunge fully into Panasonics world.

After buying the FZ3, first just to test it, later to admit that i like it more than my T50 or T100 ;-), i am ready to sell my H5 and F828 (surely @ebay).

Now what would recomand me the PANA forum:

FZ8 (as a NEW and improved camera -2007), or
FZ50 (as an little older but still in first place camera) ?

The zoom differences are not important to me as i have the TZ3 already for everydays shoots.

Some questions:

-ist the mechanic of the lens the same on both cameras or is the fluid mechanism only on the FZ50?
-how is the build quality of the leightweight FZ8 over FZ50?
-how would u handle the extra weight and volume of the FZ50 over the FZ8?

-finally, how´s the picture quality of the FZ8 over the FZ50 (seen as a kinda newly camera)?

Thanks to all for helping in my decision :-)

--
nemo66...the best sniper in town!
 
All around the FZ50 is a better camera. The zooms are different. The FZ50 the zoom is on the lens which is great. Focus works that way as well. The FZ50 is bigger and heavier BUT in the grand scheme of things when you pick it up it is suprisingly light (to me at least). The FZ8 is smaller and lighter than your H5 and the FZ50 a bit bigger. FZ50 has a bigger sensor, more megapixels, a tilt and swivel screen and some more controls that the FZ8 doesn't have. I would not worry about the new vs. not new camera at all. Both are excellent I chose the FZ8 because I know myself and what size camera I was looking for. If you can hold/play with both at a store you should try to do that.
--
terry
http://tbanet.zenfolio.com/
 
I would agree with the previous comments, however haviing just upgraded from a fz20 the mem card/battery covers seem a lot more flimsy............but other than that build quality excellent.
 
Personally, I think the only thing you'll gain with the FZ8 over your TZ3 is a little more zoom . . .

Both of those cameras are not much different than each other as point and shoot cameras.

The FZ50 would at least give you a lot more options with the manual zoom and focus, better manual exposure adjustment . . . and, of course . . . more megapixels.

--
J. M. Daniels
Denver, Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator



Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!
 
Huh??
Differences between FZ8 and TZ3 aren't so minor

Manual controls
EVF
Better Flash
Filter ability
RAW
MusicDoctorDJ said:
Personally, I think the only thing you'll gain with the FZ8 over
your TZ3 is a little more zoom . . .

Both of those cameras are not much different than each other as
point and shoot cameras.

The FZ50 would at least give you a lot more options with the manual
zoom and focus, better manual exposure adjustment . . . and, of
course . . . more megapixels.

--
J. M. Daniels
Denver, Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator



Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!
Click to expand...
--
terry
http://tbanet.zenfolio.com/
 
So....i am still in doubt....
How a bout the weight and form factor?

I dont wanna buy an expensive camera like the FZ50 and then let it home just about the w&f factor.
I know that from my other cams i own (R1, F828 and alfa100).
So how big is the difference between FZ8 and FZ50?
--
nemo66...the best sniper in town!
 
TEBnewyork said:
Huh??
Differences between FZ8 and TZ3 aren't so minor

Manual controls
EVF
Better Flash
Filter ability
RAW
Click to expand...
What I was trying to point out is that, in reality, the FZ8, regardless of the few features you mention, isn't really a big major step up over the TZ3!

In reality (and the big picture), the TZ3 and the FZ8 are really both point and shoot cameras, and the FZ8 probably will not give him much more than what he already has in the TZ3!

For the FZ8, RAW is not that big of a deal . . . don't think the OP is into that (yet), the manual controls are clumsy (just like on my FZ10), the EVF is great, but even that dosen't make the FZ8 a big jump up from the TZ3!

Heck . . . even the TZ3 has one up on the FZ8 . . . the Function button!

The FZ50 would be a big major improvement over either of the other two cameras (with it's many DSLR-like features), the FZ8 is just a minor step up in P&S'dom) from the TZ3!

That being said, both are great cameras, but it sounded to me like the OP was looking for a big jump, not a little skip.

--
J. M. Daniels
Denver, Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator



Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!
 
from simons excellant reviews:

50:
668g 141X86X142mm

FZ8:
310g
112.5X72.2X79

its double the weight and size, so you have to decide if you want to lug it around. i checked out both, and decided the 50 was too big for what i wanted, BUT now im enjoying my first real camera! i wouldnt mind the 50 too!

the differnce between the TZ3 and FZ8 is huge, you can use the FZ8 as a good point and shoot, but you can also learn to use it manually, best of both worlds!

i have used intel iso a lot, and written down the f point and shutter speeds etc of my better pics, and am now starting to use M.

its a great learning tool!

joX
 
I posted athe same question four weeks ago and took the advice provided by Terry. I visited a store that had both cameras in stock and compared them.

The FZ8 was too small for me and didnt feel comfortable

I bought the FZ50 and have never regretted the decision. The manual zoom is superb

Good Luck

David
 
nemo6666 said:
So....i am still in doubt....
How a bout the weight and form factor?
Click to expand...
It is not that heavy . . . half the weight of your R1, roughly the same size as your 828!
nemo6666 said:
I dont wanna buy an expensive camera like the FZ50 and then let it
home just about the w&f factor.
Click to expand...
Carrying around a gallon of milk all day would be big and heavy . . . the FZ50, no big deal!

While it is heavier than the FZ8 (but not really that much), neither will fit in your pocket, so both would have to be on your shoulder with a camera strap!

Might as well have the features you are used to with your R1 and 828!

Try using that manual focus on the FZ8 . . . what a PITA!
nemo6666 said:
I know that from my other cams i own (R1, F828 and alfa100).
So how big is the difference between FZ8 and FZ50?
Click to expand...
The FZ50 is not quite twice the size of the FZ8 . . .

As I mentioned above, it is roughly the same size as your 828, only more ergonomic and a much better layout design.

And not as heavy, either . . .

--
J. M. Daniels
Denver, Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator
Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!
 
MusicDoctorDJ said:
TEBnewyork said:
Huh??
Differences between FZ8 and TZ3 aren't so minor

Manual controls
EVF
Better Flash
Filter ability
Click to expand...
For the FZ8, RAW is not that big of a deal . . . don't think the OP
is into that (yet), the manual controls are clumsy (just like on my
FZ10), the EVF is great, but even that dosen't make the FZ8 a big
jump up from the TZ3!
Click to expand...
if you know how to manipulate raw pics properly, its worth it! i may be new to cameras but not pp!

and clumsy controls?? .... im left handed and i have no trouble using my right hand on the controls!

best thing to do is go into a shop and try both cameras,

and take a look at TEBnewyorks pics to see what this little beauty can do!!
 
magpie5 said:
from simons excellant reviews:

50:
668g 141X86X142mm

FZ8:
310g
112.5X72.2X79

its double the weight and size, so you have to decide if you want
to lug it around.
Click to expand...
Oh no . . . 668grams . . . gonna have to eat an extra box of Wheaties just to 'lug that big 'ol FZ50 around!

Just jokin' with ya . . . the FZ50 really isn't very heavy . . . only 668 grams!

--
J. M. Daniels
Denver, Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator
Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!
 
i wasnt saying it was heavy, the guy asked the difference, instead of talking rubbish i was giving him the facts!

when i was in the market for a camera, i wanted something easy to carry.

sometimes size does matter, and big isnt always better!!
MusicDoctorDJ said:
magpie5 said:
from simons excellant reviews:

50:
668g 141X86X142mm

FZ8:
310g
112.5X72.2X79

its double the weight and size, so you have to decide if you want
to lug it around.
Click to expand...
Oh no . . . 668grams . . . gonna have to eat an extra box of
Wheaties just to 'lug that big 'ol FZ50 around!

Just jokin' with ya . . . the FZ50 really isn't very heavy . . .
only 668 grams!

--
J. M. Daniels
Denver, Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator
Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!
Click to expand...
 
I disagree.

I think you need to have another look at the FZ8.

The manual controls use the same joystick that is used in the LX2 and my understanding is that it is much better than the function button of the TZ3 (which takes you to menus). The joystick controls (without menus) the focus, metering, ISO, compression, aperture and shutter and manual focus. It is very fast and probably the least clumsy of any camera I tested.

Copied from Simon's review

The enhanced quick menu (using the joystick) means that everything you need for everyday shooting gets its own external control. The challenge for designers of such sophisticated cameras is to minimize the inevitable complexity of operation resulting from offering so many options and controls. The good news is that the guys at Panasonic have learnt many lessons over the last few years, and - though you need a few days to truly master it - the FZ8 is surprisingly easy to use
MusicDoctorDJ said:
TEBnewyork said:
Huh??
Differences between FZ8 and TZ3 aren't so minor

Manual controls
EVF
Better Flash
Filter ability
RAW
Click to expand...
What I was trying to point out is that, in reality, the FZ8,
regardless of the few features you mention, isn't really a big
major step up over the TZ3!

In reality (and the big picture), the TZ3 and the FZ8 are really
both point and shoot cameras, and the FZ8 probably will not give
him much more than what he already has in the TZ3!

For the FZ8, RAW is not that big of a deal . . . don't think the OP
is into that (yet), the manual controls are clumsy (just like on my
FZ10), the EVF is great, but even that dosen't make the FZ8 a big
jump up from the TZ3!

Heck . . . even the TZ3 has one up on the FZ8 . . . the Function
button!

The FZ50 would be a big major improvement over either of the other
two cameras (with it's many DSLR-like features), the FZ8 is just a
minor step up in P&S'dom) from the TZ3!

That being said, both are great cameras, but it sounded to me like
the OP was looking for a big jump, not a little skip.

--
J. M. Daniels
Denver, Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator



Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!
Click to expand...
--
terry
http://tbanet.zenfolio.com/
 
TEBnewyork said:
I disagree.

I think you need to have another look at the FZ8.
The manual controls use the same joystick that is used in the LX2
and my understanding is that it is much better than the function
button of the TZ3 (which takes you to menus). The joystick controls
(without menus) the focus, metering, ISO, compression, aperture and
shutter and manual focus. It is very fast and probably the least
clumsy of any camera I tested.
Click to expand...
I suggest you go and actually try the two cameras (FZ8 and FZ50) side by side, then tell me which one has better controls!

Quoting what somebody else said in an internet review is hardly any kind of testamonial!

As for the joystick vs. the function button . . .

The function button (which you have obviously never used) brings up the most needed features that you may need to make quick changes while shooting WITHOUT the need to go into the menu!

Bet the L2 will have the function button . . . not the joystick!

Hey!

I already said both are great cameras . . . I'm just trying to point out why the FZ50 is a more high end camera!

That's all!

By the way . . . I handle each and every one of these cameras every single day (I sell cameras for a living), so am probably more familiar with these cameras than most people who own them are!

Heck . . . I sold 3 FZ8's and 2 TZ3's last Saturday alone . . .

--
J. M. Daniels
Denver, Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator
Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!
 
Ooppss . . . meant to say LX3!

--
J. M. Daniels
Denver, Colorado
Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!
 
This was my first post on this thread...

"All around the FZ50 is a better camera. The zooms are different. The FZ50 the zoom is on the lens which is great. Focus works that way as well. The FZ50 is bigger and heavier BUT in the grand scheme of things when you pick it up it is suprisingly light (to me at least). The FZ8 is smaller and lighter than your H5 and the FZ50 a bit bigger. FZ50 has a bigger sensor, more megapixels, a tilt and swivel screen and some more controls that the FZ8 doesn't have. I would not worry about the new vs. not new camera at all. Both are excellent I chose the FZ8 because I know myself and what size camera I was looking for. If you can hold/play with both at a store you should try to do that."

I have used the FZ50 and am well aware of its better controls. I also own the d-lux 3 and Digilux 2. So, I've seen the evolution of the controls on these cameras. I was reacting to your comments about the FZ8 vs the TZ3. The controls on the FZ8 are superior to those on the TZ3's function button. If you see above I was in no way steering the poster to the FZ8 over the FZ50.
MusicDoctorDJ said:
TEBnewyork said:
I disagree.

I think you need to have another look at the FZ8.
The manual controls use the same joystick that is used in the LX2
and my understanding is that it is much better than the function
button of the TZ3 (which takes you to menus). The joystick controls
(without menus) the focus, metering, ISO, compression, aperture and
shutter and manual focus. It is very fast and probably the least
clumsy of any camera I tested.
Click to expand...
I suggest you go and actually try the two cameras (FZ8 and FZ50)
side by side, then tell me which one has better controls!

Quoting what somebody else said in an internet review is hardly any
kind of testamonial!

As for the joystick vs. the function button . . .

The function button (which you have obviously never used) brings up
the most needed features that you may need to make quick changes
while shooting WITHOUT the need to go into the menu!

Bet the L2 will have the function button . . . not the joystick!

Hey!

I already said both are great cameras . . . I'm just trying to
point out why the FZ50 is a more high end camera!

That's all!

By the way . . . I handle each and every one of these cameras every
single day (I sell cameras for a living), so am probably more
familiar with these cameras than most people who own them are!

Heck . . . I sold 3 FZ8's and 2 TZ3's last Saturday alone . . .

--
J. M. Daniels
Denver, Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator
Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!
Click to expand...
--
terry
http://tbanet.zenfolio.com/
 
Here are the links to the pictures of what you see on both cameras...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz8/page3.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz3/page2.asp

both have similar adjustments one from the joystick and the other from the function button. On the joystick you would simply then move the joystick up and down to change the setting and push it in when you get to where you want to be. With the function button you would then use the four way controller to do what you want and hit select.
--
terry
http://tbanet.zenfolio.com/
 
MusicDoctorDJ said:
TEBnewyork wrote:
By the way . . . I handle each and every one of these cameras every
single day (I sell cameras for a living), so am probably more
familiar with these cameras than most people who own them are!

Heck . . . I sold 3 FZ8's and 2 TZ3's last Saturday alone . . .

--
J. M. Daniels
Denver, Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator
Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!
Click to expand...
And I for one appreciate and read your opinions with great interest, on such threads. It is invaluable to have someone like yourself give us your experiences with different cameras. Keep up the good work !

Roger
--



If everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane !

FZ50 and FX50 ( soon to be, TZ3 )
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top