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What camera to buy after FZ20?

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Wes Peterson

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Hi,

My FZ20 has been a great camera; I love the 12x and the look and feel of an SLR. But now my friends have gone SLR and I am thinking of getting something new. But on one hand I can't say I want to pack around several lenses all the time and I know I would miss tons of shots by not having the correct lens and quick zoom I have now. But I am wondering if the quality if the new FZ18 (I'm guessing that the latest) is as good as say a under $1000 SLR camera and lenses to match what the Panny does. The only two complaints I have with my FZ20 are red/purple fringe at higher zooms. And the inability to blur out the back ground like I could do with my 35mm SLR's.

Does the FZ18 have the same fringe problem? And can you blur the background now?

Or is there a new SLR like that is better then the Panny now? I have not seen another brand that has over a 12x zoom so the 18 with the 18x is real cool!

Help me decide if I should go SLR or even just stick to the FZ20!

Here is my family ATV web site I made with all photos taken with the FZ20.

http://myjetmotos.8k.com/photo.html
 
Wes Peterson said:
Hi,
My FZ20 has been a great camera; I love the 12x and the look and feel
of an SLR. But now my friends have gone SLR and I am thinking of
getting something new. But on one hand I can't say I want to pack
around several lenses all the time and I know I would miss tons of
shots by not having the correct lens and quick zoom I have now. But I
am wondering if the quality if the new FZ18 (I'm guessing that the
latest) is as good as say a under $1000 SLR camera and lenses to
match what the Panny does. The only two complaints I have with my
FZ20 are red/purple fringe at higher zooms. And the inability to blur
out the back ground like I could do with my 35mm SLR's.

Does the FZ18 have the same fringe problem? And can you blur the
background now?
Click to expand...
The 18 does not purple fringing problems. YOu can also blur out the background by using selective focus and a wide aperture. However, do not mistake it for an SLR. It is a small sensor camera with the limitations of a small sensor: lots of noise at any ISO over 400.

I have an SLR and three point and shoots. The 18 gets used the most, followed by the 50. However, there are times when I absolutely need the SLR to get the results I am looking for.
 
I think you sound ready to venture into dSLRs and they are so many right now that are an amazing value ! I would check out deals sites for Sale on either Nikon d40 or d50 or Pentax K100d or of course the Canon Rebel. And get a Prime lens for the really nice blurry backgrounds ! And keep the FZ20 as yeah, it IS a great camera! I have a Pentax dSLR but also just bought a FZ8 from eBay as I do not always want to carry all the lenses with me - the FZ cameras are more than capable for most occasions but it is fun to whip out the various lenses from time to time !
Wes Peterson said:
Hi,
My FZ20 has been a great camera; I love the 12x and the look and feel
of an SLR. But now my friends have gone SLR and I am thinking of
getting something new. But on one hand I can't say I want to pack
around several lenses all the time and I know I would miss tons of
shots by not having the correct lens and quick zoom I have now. But I
am wondering if the quality if the new FZ18 (I'm guessing that the
latest) is as good as say a under $1000 SLR camera and lenses to
match what the Panny does. The only two complaints I have with my
FZ20 are red/purple fringe at higher zooms. And the inability to blur
out the back ground like I could do with my 35mm SLR's.

Does the FZ18 have the same fringe problem? And can you blur the
background now?

Or is there a new SLR like that is better then the Panny now? I have
not seen another brand that has over a 12x zoom so the 18 with the
18x is real cool!

Help me decide if I should go SLR or even just stick to the FZ20!

Here is my family ATV web site I made with all photos taken with the
FZ20.

http://myjetmotos.8k.com/photo.html
Click to expand...
--
Kimnicho
http://kimnicho.smugmug.com/

 
Hi Wes,

I went from the FZ20 to the KM 5D DSLR and now to the Sony Alpha 700.

My "pocket" cam through all of this had been a Canon S410 and now the TZ5.

I think that the TZ5 makes a great combo with a DSLR.

FYI...Sony now has the A300 / A350 with live view that works as well or better than a P&S. I prefer the nice bright, large optical viewfinder on the A700 though and really don't miss live view on the DSLR.

As for DSLR lenses, the Tamron or Sony 18-250mm (28-375mm equivalent) 14x zoom lens is a great all-around walk-about lens.

When I want or need to travel light, (such as for our upcoming trip to Disney World) I will just grab the TZ5 and have nearly the zoom range (28-280 mm equivalent) and sharpness in a package that I can carry around all the time on my belt. (using the Tamrac 5691 case)

Of course the TZ5 cannot match the larger sensor in the DSLR for low-light performance, cropability or the ability to do bounce flash etc. but when you need to travel light, I am finding that it holds its own pretty well, especially outdoors in good light.

--Mark--
Wes Peterson said:
Hi,
My FZ20 has been a great camera; I love the 12x and the look and feel
of an SLR. But now my friends have gone SLR and I am thinking of
getting something new. But on one hand I can't say I want to pack
around several lenses all the time and I know I would miss tons of
shots by not having the correct lens and quick zoom I have now. But I
am wondering if the quality if the new FZ18 (I'm guessing that the
latest) is as good as say a under $1000 SLR camera and lenses to
match what the Panny does. The only two complaints I have with my
FZ20 are red/purple fringe at higher zooms. And the inability to blur
out the back ground like I could do with my 35mm SLR's.

Does the FZ18 have the same fringe problem? And can you blur the
background now?

Or is there a new SLR like that is better then the Panny now? I have
not seen another brand that has over a 12x zoom so the 18 with the
18x is real cool!

Help me decide if I should go SLR or even just stick to the FZ20!

Here is my family ATV web site I made with all photos taken with the
FZ20.

http://myjetmotos.8k.com/photo.html
Click to expand...
 
IMHO FZ18 is the best value for money camera around. See some night snaps I posted here

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=27896740

Of course nothing can beat a SLR but if you are not ready to make huge investment (high zoom lenses with IS) and carry load with you, I think Fuji F20/30 and Pana FZ8/18/50 is the best combo one can have around 400 to 600 dollars.

Bottom line FZ18 is a good camera and you will not regret.
 
kharenitin said:
Of course nothing can beat a SLR but if you are not ready to make
huge investment (high zoom lenses with IS) and carry load with you...>
Click to expand...
True a DSLR is a load to carry but therte is no need for IS lenses with the Sony Alpha DSLRs because they have built-in sensor-based stabilization.

So the regular 14x Tamron or Sony 18-250mm will be a stabilized 28-375mm equivalent lens on the Alphas.

--M--
 
Well I took about 50,000 photos with a FZ20 and I never noticed any excessive fringing.
The FZ20 is also better at blurring the background because of the constant F2.8

And I much prefer the FZ30/50 to the FZ18, I hate the size and the stupid joystick. But the FZ18 takes nice photos.
I am still hoping for a FZ60
--
Gene from Western Pa

http://imageevent.com/grc6
http://grc225.zenfolio.com/
FZ10....20 and 30 and FZ18

D50 ....D80 - 18 to 200VR- 50mm 1.8 - 80 to 400 OS



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!
 
MarkyM said:
So the regular 14x Tamron or Sony 18-250mm will be a stabilized
28-375mm equivalent lens on the Alphas.
Click to expand...
Thanks for info, I wasn't aware of this. Actually the price gap between bridge cameras and entry level DSLRs is reducing. It boils down to individual's preferences and budget. To me, a DSLR or even a FZ18/50 is too much of size and weight to carry in social gatherings. At such occasions, a pocketable camera with decent low light and 3x or 4x zoom is good enough. For outdoor shooting zoom matters. I have friends who have DSLRs (D40, KD 100) with kit lens under 55mm. In parties, they stick out as pro photographers due to large SLRs :) and when they go out they are constrained by less zoom lenses :)
 
Sounds like you may want to look at the Olympus 510. It's got a crop factor of x2 (since it's a Four-Thirds camera), and built-in sensor shift stabilization.

And the Olympus lenses are pretty small and lightweight, and sharp.
 
What really matters for blurring the background is the absolute size of the aperture.

The lens on the FZ30 and FZ50 actually has roughly the same max aperture size at telephoto, and a higher one at wideangle, as the FZ20. The sensor is larger, meaning the absolute focal length of the lens is larger (lower crop factor), meaning the aperture is about the same at f/3.7 as the FZ20's is at f/2.8.
 
Wes Peterson said:
The only two complaints I have with my
FZ20 are red/purple fringe at higher zooms.
Click to expand...
I know exactly what you mean.

To control it when I zoom between 6x to 12x I keep my aperture between f6.5 and f8. Unfortunately that means that I can't get those nice bokeh shots under certain lighting conditions.

Also of late.... lots of hot pixels are showing up, especially in the heat after the camera has been on for more than 5 minutes. I saw something similar with my Canon G1 that I used between 2000 and 2004. After 3 years the imager seemed to be showing signs of old age.

I'm looking at DSLR's atm as I plan to use the DLSR mostly for sports shots with a 200mm+ lens and want higher ISO and faster focusing. However, I've never handled the FZ50 on the sports field so am wondering how much better the focus system is than the FZ20. One thing I did not like about the FZ50 was its' fps in continuous shooting mode as it was slower than the FZ20's high speed burst mode.

--


Newsy FZ20 user
http://newsy.smugmug.com

.
 
I went from the fz20 to the Canon Rebel XT (350D) and love BOTH cameras. I 'll never sell my '20. It's my back up always.

In fact , I now have 2 XT's so I don't have to change lenses so often; mostly hardly at all. The price on the XT is so low right now and it's such a great camera, I'd highly suggest your getting one.

:)

just my humble $.02.
Wes Peterson said:
Hi,
My FZ20 has been a great camera; I love the 12x and the look and feel
of an SLR. But now my friends have gone SLR and I am thinking of
getting something new. But on one hand I can't say I want to pack
around several lenses all the time and I know I would miss tons of
shots by not having the correct lens and quick zoom I have now. But I
am wondering if the quality if the new FZ18 (I'm guessing that the
latest) is as good as say a under $1000 SLR camera and lenses to
match what the Panny does. The only two complaints I have with my
FZ20 are red/purple fringe at higher zooms. And the inability to blur
out the back ground like I could do with my 35mm SLR's.

Does the FZ18 have the same fringe problem? And can you blur the
background now?

Or is there a new SLR like that is better then the Panny now? I have
not seen another brand that has over a 12x zoom so the 18 with the
18x is real cool!

Help me decide if I should go SLR or even just stick to the FZ20!

Here is my family ATV web site I made with all photos taken with the
FZ20.

http://myjetmotos.8k.com/photo.html
Click to expand...
 
Of course, it's still hard to get good bokeh with the FZ50, but it can be done -- you just need a small subject close to you.

I resorted to shooting a friend's engagement photos at 420mm with a teleconverter (!) to get more background blur. Probably the world's first engagement photos done at 714mm, but hey.
 
The FZ18 to me sound like what I would want. With a 28mm over my 37mm wide and 504mm zooms. And it's $200 cheaper then what I paid for my FZ20!

I still don't feel comfortable about the Blurring background issue. I have tried everything on mine and can not get the effect I can with my SLR 35mm. I will have to look through all the FZ18 threads to find pics and see what this camera can do. I'm kind of too cheap to buy a DSLR with all the lenses needed to accomplish what the FZ18 can do for a fraction of the price. Thanks for all your input and advice.

I always wondered if perhaps something was wrong with my FZ20 with the Fringing I get at around 8-12x zoom. I will see if I can find a photo to post and see what you think!
 
As for blurring background issue, I am not an expert by any means but "cheat" by using MACRO feature for Portraits...maybe someone else can explain the science but it does work ! Btw, I just bought a "new" FZ8 off of eBay and it's a FUN, FUN camera...FZ18 should be even more fun with the 28 mm and 18x zoom lens !
Wes Peterson said:
The FZ18 to me sound like what I would want. With a 28mm over my 37mm
wide and 504mm zooms. And it's $200 cheaper then what I paid for my
FZ20!
I still don't feel comfortable about the Blurring background issue. I
have tried everything on mine and can not get the effect I can with
my SLR 35mm. I will have to look through all the FZ18 threads to find
pics and see what this camera can do. I'm kind of too cheap to buy a
DSLR with all the lenses needed to accomplish what the FZ18 can do
for a fraction of the price. Thanks for all your input and advice.
I always wondered if perhaps something was wrong with my FZ20 with
the Fringing I get at around 8-12x zoom. I will see if I can find a
photo to post and see what you think!
Click to expand...
--
Kimnicho
http://kimnicho.smugmug.com/

 
NewsyL said:
Also of late.... lots of hot pixels are showing up, especially in the
heat after the camera has been on for more than 5 minutes. I saw
something similar with my Canon G1 that I used between 2000 and 2004.
After 3 years the imager seemed to be showing signs of old age.
Click to expand...
I noticed the same problem recently. One pixel seems permanently "stuck" and I've only put about 7,000 shots through my cam. But the healing brush fixes that with one click!

Photoshop and other editing programmes can also be used to blur the background - would seem easier to me than resorting to tcons!

But whatever the decision, you only really appreciate how good the FZ20 is when you use other cameras. I have a compact, the FZ20 and DSLR. They all get used. (The compact the least, probably.) But warts and all the 20 still never ceases to amaze with its results! I agree that you should keep it as well.
 
So is the FZ18 smaller in size then the FZ20? I just was looking at it and it does not even have the movavble LCD screen like the FZ30. Will they make FZ60 with 18x zoom. is that what is the only thing missing from the FZ50? I love the size and feel of the FZ20 and I like the added weight and the over all feel of the FZ30.
 
FZ18 just slightly larger than the FZ8 and smaller than the FZ20. I like the size of the FZ20 better than any other FZ model. But, I didn't like being frustrated by the EVF that was pretty poor in my view. The one on the FZ is fairly decent. If you like to use an external flash, then only the FZ30 and 50 offer the hot shoe.

I'm hoping Panny will consider replacing the FZ50 with a slightly more compact model with RAW, hot shoe, and articulating LCD. Problem with that idea is that most LCDs are now 3 inches or 2.7 inches and that makes it harder to downsize the body. That being said, look at the Sony H50. It has a movable LCD and a nice compact body.

I know I will be attacked as a heretic for suggesting the FZ50 be made smaller, but that's my opinion. I don't see Panny selling many of their L1 or L10 DSLRs, so they need something to appeal to prosumer level buyers. I want lots of advanced features in a smaller body. If I were to carry an FZ50, I might as well carry my D80.
 
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