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FZ150 v FZ200

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rolandb

rolandb

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This has probably been asked before, and if so, please excuse my asking again, but,,,,

I have an "aging" FZ150, that I'm not 100% is as sharp as it should be after being dropped a few weeks ago,, first time EVER that I've dropped a cam,,

Now although I still have and use the TZ25 / LX5 combo, I'm thinking I will replace the 150,, I had a very brief ownership of a FZ1000 which (to cut the story short) wasn't for me so can you guys answer me this,,

Do I pick up another used FZ150 or is the FZ200 that much better ?. Looking at the camera comparison bit on DPR, most things look the same, sensor size , reach, etc etc, apart from the obvious 2.8f constant lens.

I'm looking at a used one on one of the auction sites that seems in real good condition with spare battery (save a few pounds) or go for a new one from Amazon UK, its £249 here, lowest price for a while.

So guys, will I see an improvement in iq from the 200 over the 150 to warrant my spending the money ?.

Thanks for looking guys.

Roland.


"" I'm a snap-shooter! I shoot anything that interest me. Sometimes, I get lucky and some of my snap-shots turn into a photograph.""
 
rolandb said:
So guys, will I see an improvement in iq from the 200 over the 150 to warrant my spending the money ?
Click to expand...
The FZ200 doesn't have a better sensor, and it doesn't have a sharper lens. And some people are of the opinion that the FZ150 renders better JPEGs, although I think that's largely a matter of taste and how you set up the camera. So what that leaves is the f/2.8 lens, which can give you more subject isolation and better low-light performance. Do you want either of those things?

There's your answer :)
 
Have you a branch of LCE - the London Camera Exchange - nearby? Four say they've got used FZ200s at around £200..

Loading…

www.lcegroup.co.uk

.. whilst a couple have the '150, at £120 or £150.

As we're somewhat off the beaten track here, I bought used lenses for my Samsung, and an NX10 body as well, from them and everything was delivered as promised.

Hadn't made the comparison before, but today I see that different branches seem to have different guarantee periods - at least 3 months though!

Think I rang, rather than ordering online, which would also let you ask whether "just don't get on with it" is an acceptable reason for sending back an unwanted item?

Good luck, whichever you choose!

Peter
 
cainn24 said:
rolandb said:
So guys, will I see an improvement in iq from the 200 over the 150 to warrant my spending the money ?
Click to expand...
The FZ200 doesn't have a better sensor, and it doesn't have a sharper lens. And some people are of the opinion that the FZ150 renders better JPEGs, although I think that's largely a matter of taste and how you set up the camera. So what that leaves is the f/2.8 lens, which can give you more subject isolation and better low-light performance. Do you want either of those things?

There's your answer :)
Click to expand...
Thanks cainn, and there's 2 good reasons for me to buy,,

I"m quite "into" flower snapping so think the 200 would be useful. Also think a 200 might have helped with my Blue tit snaps posted a few days ago.

Thanks again.

Roland.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rolandb52/

"" I'm a snap-shooter! I shoot anything that interest me. Sometimes, I get lucky and some of my snap-shots turn into a photograph.""
 
Last edited:
Isola Verde said:
Have you a branch of LCE - the London Camera Exchange - nearby? Four say they've got used FZ200s at around £200..

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhan...ic&SHModel=fz200&SHType=&Location=&Results=12

.. whilst a couple have the '150, at £120 or £150.

As we're somewhat off the beaten track here, I bought used lenses for my Samsung, and an NX10 body as well, from them and everything was delivered as promised.

Hadn't made the comparison before, but today I see that different branches seem to have different guarantee periods - at least 3 months though!

Think I rang, rather than ordering online, which would also let you ask whether "just don't get on with it" is an acceptable reason for sending back an unwanted item?

Good luck, whichever you choose!

Peter
Click to expand...
 
I have had both cameras and think that image quality is on a par, but the FZ200 has some better features, which aside from the F2.8 ( a biggie all by itself) is as follows (not a comprehensive list, just what I can think of at the moment) :

No black out when pressing the video button.

Way better viewfinder

AFC function that will change focus as you follow something. I first thought this was a fault, but its a very handy feature.

iA+, I don't think the FZ150 had that from memory.

The F2.8 lens is a beauty and in reality is a constant aperture lens. You set it at F4 and it stays at F4 throughout the zoom range. You don't loose shutter speed, or light as you zoom. It changed the way I used the camera when compared to the FZ150.

So if you can get a good FZ200, go for it.
 
Rodger1943 said:
I have had both cameras and think that image quality is on a par, but the FZ200 has some better features, which aside from the F2.8 ( a biggie all by itself) is as follows (not a comprehensive list, just what I can think of at the moment) :

No black out when pressing the video button.

Way better viewfinder

AFC function that will change focus as you follow something. I first thought this was a fault, but its a very handy feature.

iA+, I don't think the FZ150 had that from memory.

The F2.8 lens is a beauty and in reality is a constant aperture lens. You set it at F4 and it stays at F4 throughout the zoom range. You don't loose shutter speed, or light as you zoom. It changed the way I used the camera when compared to the FZ150.

So if you can get a good FZ200, go for it.
Click to expand...
 
I too have had both. For me the constant aperture and the viewfinder alone make it worth it. But why stop at that? If you can afford it get the FZ300/330 - apart from anything else, it doesn't have the thumb-wheel adjuster that some people have had problems with.
 
I just bought the FZ200 on BH Photo open box for 219$
 
I did have a brief notion to get an FZ150 instead of the 200. Because I had never used a bridge camera and was not sure it would produce the images I wanted. The f2.8 is what mainly sold me on the FZ200, plus all around better reviews.
 
Rodger1943 said:
I have had both cameras and think that image quality is on a par, but the FZ200 has some better features, which aside from the F2.8 ( a biggie all by itself) is as follows (not a comprehensive list, just what I can think of at the moment) :

No black out when pressing the video button.

Way better viewfinder

AFC function that will change focus as you follow something. I first thought this was a fault, but its a very handy feature.

iA+, I don't think the FZ150 had that from memory.

The F2.8 lens is a beauty and in reality is a constant aperture lens. You set it at F4 and it stays at F4 throughout the zoom range. You don't loose shutter speed, or light as you zoom. It changed the way I used the camera when compared to the FZ150.

So if you can get a good FZ200, go for it.
Click to expand...
The FZ200 also has faster and longer shutter speeds available and more powerful flash and battery.
 
Cpljacko said:
I too have had both. For me the constant aperture and the viewfinder alone make it worth it. But why stop at that? If you can afford it get the FZ300/330 - apart from anything else, it doesn't have the thumb-wheel adjuster that some people have had problems with.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply,,

From what I can see/read the 300/330 is larger and heavier that the older 200, and having just bought and then quickly sold a FZ1000 because of size/weight (it just wasn't for me) I"m worried that I may have the same thoughts/feelings about the FZ330.

Roland.


"" I'm a snap-shooter! I shoot anything that interest me. Sometimes, I get lucky and some of my snap-shots turn into a photograph.""
 
kkardster said:
Rodger1943 said:
I have had both cameras and think that image quality is on a par, but the FZ200 has some better features, which aside from the F2.8 ( a biggie all by itself) is as follows (not a comprehensive list, just what I can think of at the moment) :

No black out when pressing the video button.

Way better viewfinder

AFC function that will change focus as you follow something. I first thought this was a fault, but its a very handy feature.

iA+, I don't think the FZ150 had that from memory.

The F2.8 lens is a beauty and in reality is a constant aperture lens. You set it at F4 and it stays at F4 throughout the zoom range. You don't loose shutter speed, or light as you zoom. It changed the way I used the camera when compared to the FZ150.

So if you can get a good FZ200, go for it.
Click to expand...
The FZ200 also has faster and longer shutter speeds available and more powerful flash and battery.
Click to expand...
 
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