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Voting Thread: FZ200 vs FZ150

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cmpman1974

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At this point in the game, how many feel the upgrade from a FZ150 to a FZ200 is the 'right' move? Your decision can be based on personal experience with both units or evaluation of known examples/data.

I've heard mixed opinions. I'm hoping to get opinions in a single thread for reading ease. In other words, is the $250+ cost variance acceptable?

I have the FZ-150. I definitely like the specs of the FZ200, but am not sure if it truly offers that much better image quality.
 
Yes, the f/2.8 lens is worth it...virtually same IQ better lens...

One example today I shot the Great Blue Heron...wind was gusting to 20-25 blowing camera on tripod around, blowing the Herons feathers around and the Heron was moving his head panting consistently like a dog does as he was standing in the sun in his feather coat...IF I had tried this shot with FZ150 it WOULD have blurred EVERY shot because the shutter speed would have been TOO low to freeze the movement at f/5.2...as it was the FZ200 pulled it off at f/2.8 w 1/1000 shutter (ALL of the photos at 1/500 were blurred even 1/800):

This is just one of the MANY shots that would have blurred IF I did not have the f/2.8 to get the shutter speed high enough to freeze the subject...IF you do not shoot moving subjects then the FZ150 will be fine...

Also price a F3.5 to 5.6 lens for a dslr and then price a f/2.8 zoom or prime...BIG difference in price...



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Without question a good upgrade (financial wisdom is a personal thing).

Main reasons are faster lens and noticeably better EVF. I prefer the control layout too.

For me it was $600 well spent. Totally changes how I shoot (zoom vs. wide) in low light situations.
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Phil
 
Well, I see a lot of enthusiasm on this forum for the FZ200, and I suppose the cost difference is only significant if you are on a limited income. There are always choices to be made. Those with the means can become early adopters easier than those who must decide what $250 must go for: camera, food, medicine, school books, etc.

So, all that consideration aside, if one owns the FZ150 and has some monetary limitations, then I would say stick with the FZ150 for now and consider upgrading next year unless Panasonic decides to abandon the FZ concept. There are some changes that I would like to see them make and some that would really turn me off. When Nikon decided to discontinue using a viewfinder on their P7700 this year, they lost me. I definitely have to have a viewfinder.

I hope to resist the temptation to buy the FZ200. I really want to see Panasonic step up to the plate and add an eyecushion. A little larger EVF would tempt me also. Bottom line is that the FZ150 meets my needs right now and I can't justify ditching it unless I suddenly become rich. And, honestly, if I receive a windfall, there are some other things ahead of the camera.
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Really nice shot of the heron. Extremely sharp and bright. As they say, a picture is worth 1,000 words.
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Having the FZ150, I just couldn't spend $600 for just the 2.8. If I spent $600 it would be on a dslr and one or two inexpensive lenses, just to get a larger EVF and better dynamic range.

Don't think I would upgrade in the future if Panasonic retains the current body style and small EVF on the FZ's. I'd like a camera the size of the FZ50 that's large enough so that I'm not pushing the wrong buttons. I know the longer zoom isn't possible on an internal lens like the FZ50, but zoom and focus ring are (Fuji has done it, but their images are not as good as Panasonic's).
 
Having sold the 150 for the 200 my upgrade cost me £160. So £160 for much better EVF and I mean much better EVF and a constant 2.8 its a no brainer. Living in the North of England I need as much light in the lens as possible. Problem solved !
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Regards

Steve
 
cmpman1974 said:
At this point in the game, how many feel the upgrade from a FZ150 to a FZ200 is the 'right' move? Your decision can be based on personal experience with both units or evaluation of known examples/data.

I've heard mixed opinions. I'm hoping to get opinions in a single thread for reading ease. In other words, is the $250+ cost variance acceptable?

I have the FZ-150. I definitely like the specs of the FZ200, but am not sure if it truly offers that much better image quality.
Click to expand...
I'm currently faced with this exact dilemma. Not with the FZ but rather my Fuji HS20 is rapidly dying after I knocked it off the desk at home. While the newer HS30 does have a better EVF, and the sensor is reportedly even more noise free, this isn't translating into better IQ. In fact I see little difference in IQ between the two models. This is entirely due to the short comings of the f2:8 to f 5:6 lens that Fuji uses. It isn't bad but a constant f ratio lens like the FZ200 would be a giant killer on the HS series cameras.

And that's what its all about for these small sensor cameras. The more light on the sensor the better. The FZ150 & FZ200 may have almost identical resolution but the faster light bucket lens is going to win hands down. The only reason I haven't yet bought one is that to date I'm not convinced that the motorized zoom is as fast or accurate as the manual zoom of the Fuji's.

However I have no problem with someone proving that to be wrong, I'm just not sure how you would demonstrate it.
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Tried the 200, didn't like it, sent it back. Maybe I'll give it another try once DxO adds its profile to Optics Pro. In the meanwhile, I'm glad I kept the 150.
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morepix said:
Tried the 200, didn't like it, sent it back. Maybe I'll give it another try once DxO adds its profile to Optics Pro. In the meanwhile, I'm glad I kept the 150.
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What didn't you like about it? And why would DxO review make a difference to you?
 
There haven't been any significant professional reviews or comparisons between the two cameras, so I'm in no hurry to upgrade my FZ150. Both cameras probably perform best in good light, i.e., shooting wildlife and birds, so the constant f/2.8 is not a big deal for me at this point. I'll wait for more reviews and price drops.
 
After seeing some great photos by various posters, I am convinced that there is very little significant difference in image quality between the FZ150 and the FZ200. Both cameras take some excellent photos.

While there is no question the f2.8 lens is a big plus, as well as the improved EVF, I am just not able to justify running out and spending $600 to upgrade my FZ150 for my personal photographic needs.

I am going to stick with the FZ150 for now. Hmmm... Maybe when the FZ250 comes out next year I will spring.

Jerry
 
Jerry045 said:
After seeing some great photos by various posters, I am convinced that there is very little significant difference in image quality between the FZ150 and the FZ200. Both cameras take some excellent photos.

While there is no question the f2.8 lens is a big plus, as well as the improved EVF, I am just not able to justify running out and spending $600 to upgrade my FZ150 for my personal photographic needs.

I am going to stick with the FZ150 for now. Hmmm... Maybe when the FZ250 comes out next year I will spring.
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I don't have either model, but I've been looking at hundreds of photos from them. I see a distinct improvement in the color, sharpness and overall look of the FZ200 photos. Don't look at those on Flickr. Almost all of them are very poor. Most are either overexposed, poorly-framed or just not generally pleasing. It's surprising, as so many good ones are seen elsewhere. There's only about four people who have posted more than a few there, so that might explain it. One person has hundreds of FZ200 shots there and almost every one that's from outside, is overexposed.
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If you didn't have the FZ150 already, I would say go for the FZ200, the price difference is worth it just for the improved EVF. However, the FZ150 is still a great camera, and the lens is still excellent at f5.2 (and super sharp!) provided there's enough light. I took these yesterday under overcast skies, f5.2, shutter speed 1/1000 and 1/800, if I was shooting with the FZ200 I would have stepped down the aperture for increased sharpness anyway (probably to f4).

There was an insane amazon deal on the FZ150 on Black Friday, if they do something similar this year for the FZ200 you could save some serious money.





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morepix said:
quezra said:
What didn't you like about it? And why would DxO review make a difference to you?
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I think this thread was about voting, not about justification. Please remove my vote.
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Sorry, didn't realise you were so touchy. There's been a ton of excellent photos of both cameras, but not many people can say they've used both. Some who have both said they prefer the FZ200 but I haven't seen many opinions the other way - other than you, the only other person I've seen who said they prefered the FZ150 later retracted. If there is slightly poorer performance in the newer model, it sounds like massive fail from Panasonic. I don't have either camera. I genuinely want to know which is better, and why. On paper everyone can tell the FZ200 is better, but it's only those who've had both who can honestly give a view on what the differences are.

Is it worth upgrading? I don't care, I don't have either. Is one better than the other? This is what I care about and why (because it could be that what you're looking for is different than me, so I can disregard those particular things).
 
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