Reading mode: Light Dark

Any Expert Opinions for my next Camera?

Go to last post
B

BillboTex

New member
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Houston, US
I need help with my decision to get the best camera possible, with a max budget of $1000. I need experts with experience to suggest cameras which meet what I am looking for, or what I should be looking for, and suggest my best options.

Here are the things that are important to me, in general order of importance (to me):
Full HD video
High quality still/video image
Superzoom
Speed (burst rate, slow mode video, good low light performance)
Good macro (for stacking experimentation)
Strong feature set

Here is where I have been looking:
CMOS superzooms, 4/3 cameras, and entry level DSLRs

Here is where I stand:
Two weeks ago I bought a Nikon Coolpix P100. I returned it after
two days because of what I felt was poor still image quality. All the other
features seemed to work great.
Now I am considering Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 (August release), Canon
Powershot SX30is (August release), Panasonic DMC-GH1, and Panasonic Lumix
DMC-G2

Specs look good for the Panny P100, and I have confidence about the reputation for Canon Powershots, but I am thinking the GH1 and G2 are at the top of my list and the low point is 720p with AVCHD lite on the GH1. If I am going to consider interchangeable lenses, I want an “all-in-one” type superzoom, which means that because of price, I need to get the the camera with the single lense that is closest to a super zoom. The GH1 comes with the 14mm-140mm, which is good for me, and with hard shopping, will just squeak into my budget. And the G2 comes with a pancake, so I would need to buy the body and the Panasonic 45mm-200mm separately to keep the price inside my budget.

Your suggestions can be a camera I am considering, or a camera that I SHOULD be considering. Suggestions for camera first, and if you think one with interchangeable lenses is “The ONE”, then after that, suggestions for the lense next, will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any help.
 
If you're not going to get additional lenses, I'd say the FZ100 looks like your best bet. It looks well designed and thought out, with a lot of manual control over video. And the flip out hi-res LCD is invaluable for shooting video as well. It will have longer telephoto reach than the 14-140mm GH1 lens, and may also have closer focusing distance as well.

The drawbacks vis-a-vis the GH1 primarily two-fold:

(1) Smaller, denser sensor will mean significantly more noise at ISOs higher than base ISO.

(2) Less control over the depth of field. The larger-sensored GH1 will offer a lot more creativity to play with depth of field when taking still photos and video.

I'd say there's a lot more room for personal growth if you go with an interchangeable lens camera, but that would most likely require getting more than 1 lens. On the other hand, getting a compact like an FZ100 would give you the convenience of all that you need in a single package.
 
The pictures i´ve seen so far from the FZ100 are so astonishingly bad that i´d wait for some reputable tests or advise to try one before buying it.

--
What´s that noise?

From one of the Canon Forums:

'I just came back from my first holiday with the 5D II (I think my wife was there as well). '
 
Not an expert opinion, but if features are slightly more important than IQ then any good superzoom is right on the money. The GH1 would have better IQ in almost every category you can think of, but the larger sensor means not as much zoom in a very compact package. It would be more expensive and introduces lens lust. That's just life though and the GH1 is smaller than DSLR and the video is very good with a large sensor.

Cheers,
Seth

--
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?

--
wallygoots.smugmug.com
wallygoots.blogspot.com
 
I won't tell you that the GH1 est better than the other cameras but only that it meets most of your criterion.
BillboTex said:
Full HD video
Click to expand...
Yes.
BillboTex said:
High quality still/video image
Click to expand...
Yes.
BillboTex said:
Superzoom
Click to expand...
By default, it comes equipped with a 14-140mm zoom lens (equivalent to a 28-280mm zoom lens on a 35mm film camera).
BillboTex said:
Speed (burst rate, slow mode video, good low light performance)
Click to expand...
Burst rate: Slow
Slow mode video: No
Good low light performance: With the Lumix 20mm F/1,7, yes.
BillboTex said:
Good macro (for stacking experimentation)
Click to expand...
I don't know what "stacking experimentation" means.

The 14-140mm lens is not a macro lens. However, with a reverse lens adapter (about $7), you can do anything you like with a m4/3 lens:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=35024996

The m4/3 platform is a paradise for close-up photography. Here are your possibilities:

A) a 52mm reverse lens adapter. Cost of the reverse adapter? About $7:
http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=35024996

B) Extension tubes with a legacy lens. In the following message, forget about the Andriano Lolli OM to μ4/3 Tilt Adapter: it is not essential. You just need an adapter, a legacy lens (even a non-macro one), and some extension tubes made for that kind of lens:
http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=34732172

C) An adapter and a macro legacy lens (the solution you want to try)

D) Close-up lens. Cost? About $10.
BillboTex said:
Strong feature set
Click to expand...
Absolutely.
 
BillboTex said:
Specs look good for the Panny P100, and I have confidence about the reputation for Canon Powershots, but I am thinking the GH1 and G2 are at the top of my list and the low point is 720p with AVCHD lite on the GH1.
Click to expand...
I have the GH1 and it is using regular AVCHD and not the AVCHD lite. It also shoots 1080p using the 24 "film look" as well as 720p. It has also been hacked with the result you can choose your own data rate. Some of the hacked footage on vimeo is amazing. See http://www.luminous-landscape.com for a quick and dirty review of the hack. Hope this helps you with your decision.
--
Curt on Cape Cod
 
Best camera?

Is that best IQ or best features? Is portability important?

The FZ100 is a superzoom bridge camera with a sensor 8 times smaller than the MFT sensor in the GH1 and G2. It will have markedly inferior dynamic range, low light and high iso capabilities. I doubt the detail and resolution of its lens will be anywhere near good MFT glass, either (judging by its predecessor, the FZ35/38).

It is, however, quite portable (for a superzoom), and should have decent mid to high ISO performance (again for a superzoom, which isn't saying much) on account of its CMOS sensor. It's cheaper than the MFT alternatives (except maybe the G1, which doesn't have video), but is not available yet.

The GH1 has excellent video and comes with a very good, albeit heavy, kit lens (for its class). With the firmware hack, its video performance is good enough for pro use (provided you have fast enough SD cards). It is quite a bit bigger than the FZ100, but is much more versatile - you can stick on a light fast prime on it (like the 20/1.7) when you don't feel like carrying the 14-140, or if you want a low light/shallow DOF lens.

The G2 is no great step forwards or upwards as far as IQ goes. I'd rather get the GF1 which is pretty good value at $700 these days, not to mention that the GF1 is compatible with the same firmware hack as the GH1 (the G2 has not been cracked yet, but it's only a matter of time).

To me, bridge cameras don't offer the portability of a travel compact (many of which have a huge 10x range these days) nor the versatility, creative possibilities and IQ of a system camera. Their saving grace is their ridiculously long zoom range at a decent price. It's up to you to decide if that is worth the other tradeoffs involved.
 
Nope - just in his budget

Get the GH1, but try to get one that is hackable if you can. I think B&H are advertising their new GH1s as being hackable.

The OP is quite wrong on the video capability of the GH1 - it is AVCHD and 1080p. The limitation comes from the crappy low bit rate codec implementation chosen by Panasonic, that causes the image to break down into mud where there is movement in highly detailed scenes. Even with this limitation, it was one of the best dslrs for video. The hack overcomes this limitation
 
1080p is great. However, I would take super high bit rate 720p over poor 1080p any day. The Super zooms can't be beaten for really long range photos. However, their image quality for wider shots isn't even close to what an m4/3s camera can do.

Right now if you want to shoot really good 1080p video then you will want to get the GH1 and hack it and learn to shoot movies with manual focus.

If you really need to shoot long range shots then buy the GH1 body only and get a manual focus 100-300mm or wait till the m4/3s 100-300mm is available.

Check out some of the movies in the links below. Those are good examples of what the GF1 is capable of in really low light.

--
GF1 & ZS3 Sample movies
http://www.youtube.com/user/mpgxsvcd#play/uploads
http://vimeo.com/user442745
GF1 Pictures
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/4222674355/albums
 
Greetings,

When you hack the GH1 video, do all the in-camera menus remain unchanged?
How can I tell if it's the old GH1 body or the new hackable GH1.
I don't see any hackable GH1 body only offered for sale.
If hacked, is the camera warranty still covered by Panasonic?
I already have a GF1 and 14-45 kit zoom so just interested in the GH1 body.

Thanks.
mdman said:
Nope - just in his budget

Get the GH1, but try to get one that is hackable if you can. I think B&H are advertising their new GH1s as being hackable.

The OP is quite wrong on the video capability of the GH1 - it is AVCHD and 1080p. The limitation comes from the crappy low bit rate codec implementation chosen by Panasonic, that causes the image to break down into mud where there is movement in highly detailed scenes. Even with this limitation, it was one of the best dslrs for video. The hack overcomes this limitation
Click to expand...
--
Like others here, I suffer from OCD. Other Camera Disorder.
 
Len_Gee said:
Greetings,

When you hack the GH1 video, do all the in-camera menus remain unchanged?
How can I tell if it's the old GH1 body or the new hackable GH1.
I don't see any hackable GH1 body only offered for sale.
If hacked, is the camera warranty still covered by Panasonic?
I already have a GF1 and 14-45 kit zoom so just interested in the GH1 body.
Click to expand...
I believe the 1.32 firmware is the most recent hackable firmware. Some UK users are reporting that their GH1s are unhackable.

As far as I know, the GF1 has not been locked down yet.

Speaking for the GF1, the function of some camera menus are changeable with the latest hack - for instance, I can choose when hacking the firmware to have the TV out format affect the recording framerate, or leave it be. There are also some new menus enabled that are not available with the stock firmware.
 
mpgxsvcd said:
Right now if you want to shoot really good 1080p video then you will want to get the GH1 and hack it and learn to shoot movies with manual focus.
Click to expand...
Since I have the chance to speak to an expert :-) , I have two questions:

First question : If later, Panasonic issues a GH1 firmware enabling that camera to deal with news lenses marketed after the hack's creation, will I have to wait until this hack is also upgraded to be able to use thoses lenses?

On vacation, I might take a photo and next, half a second later, shoot a video. So I won't switch from one lens to another one (it takes too much time). My second question : Which hack would you recommand for someone living in North America, shooting stills and Full-HD videos mostly with a UK-bought GH1 equiped with a Lumix 14-45mm, but at night with a Lumix 20mm and, in narrow alleys or temples, with an Olympus 7-14mm?
 
BillboTex said:
BillboTex said:
Here are the things that are important to me, in general order of importance (to me):
Click to expand...
Full HD video
High quality still/video image
Superzoom
...
slow mode video, good low light performance
Click to expand...
Go over to dvxuser.com and see what the professionals have to say about the GH1. There are tons of great films and commercials that are now being shot with this great little camera. They are not going to post their feature films, but you can get an idea about what they are filming. Here is an example...
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=217250

For anyone wanting to do slow-motion, check this out...
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=218557
 
I do macro with a 4/3rds sensor and wanted to give some feedback.

First, the availability of good and inexpensive legacy macro lenses are phenomenal. I have favorites: Tamron 90mm f2.5, Kiron 105mm f2.8. I've also hear from an expert macro stacker, that the Nikkor 105mm f4 is exception accompanied with the Raynox macro adapter for extreme closeups. The Raynox snap on adapters fit all these lenses and many more great legacy macro lenses. Of course the are modern macros as well in 4/3rds mount (not so much with micro 4/3rds native mount).

Second, at very high magnification, the depth of field is extremely shallow. Shooting at f8 or f11 and stacking become more of a need, however, 4/3rds sensors are slightly smaller than APS-C and provide a bit more depth of field for each f stop. That's nice for macro and a slight advantage over larger sensors, especially 35mm.

Finally, live view on a flip swivel screen is a great macro aid, however, you need more equipment for stacking. You need a good tripod and head and a good macro rail. Good macro rails are hard to find at a decent price. I have a vintage novoflex which is really quite good, but the new novoflex rails are ~$400. I use a Slik 500DX and a Triopo head with Arca swiss plate. The tripod (new) and head (used) are simply incredible for the cost, but good new macro rails are really expensive imo. Currently I use CombineZP for stacking, and would like to upgrade to Zerene stacker.

Here's a link to John Hallmans stacked shots. His work is incredible.

Here is one of my recent shots. (non-stacked). There are lots more macro all done with legacy lenses on 4/3rds sensors in my galleries.



Best of luck,
Seth

--
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?

--
wallygoots.smugmug.com
wallygoots.blogspot.com
 
Len_Gee said:
Greetings,

When you hack the GH1 video, do all the in-camera menus remain unchanged?
How can I tell if it's the old GH1 body or the new hackable GH1.
I don't see any hackable GH1 body only offered for sale.
If hacked, is the camera warranty still covered by Panasonic?
I already have a GF1 and 14-45 kit zoom so just interested in the GH1 body.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
The in-camera menus remain unchanged unless you opt to switch languages

One change with the newest iteration of the software is that switching output from PAL to NTSC now also changes the format you record in

You have the hackablity back to front. It's old bodies that are hackable. New bodies with firmware 1.34 installed aren't. You need to go into service menu to figure out what the firmware is - if the box says 1.3, the firmware may be 1.32 (hackable) or 1.34 (unhackable) so it's not much help

Warranty issue is unknown - it's presumed it gets voided. It's easy to revert firmware back to unhacked state though, and we're not sure if Panasonic would know

In terms of finding a hackable GH1, good luck. There's a thread on dvxuser looking into serial number patterns, which might help figuring out without opening the box if a new GH1 is hackable or not. I'm guessing the value of hackable GH1s means we'll start seeing them advertised as such by retailers, and on ebay
 
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