I bought this camera about a month ago and didn't like it at first- the noise was noticeable. After changing the resolution to 5MP and 3MP settings, much better (monitor) pictures were to be had. Also, in 5MP and 3MP setting, you have a 19.1X zoom. Since i am only concerned with pictures for the web and not print, this camera works very well in lower MP settings for me.
After some seroius playing with it, it came to deliver excellent pictures.
One accessory worth buying for this camera is an external flash unit. I got an inexpensive Vivitar unit on ebay which works very well with this FZ30K, it made all the difference in the world. The built in flash seemed to obliterate close ups (less than 3 ft) but at 20 ft takes great flash pics.
Overall, the build is quite sturdy and it fits my hand very well. You can squeeze it from any angle and no plastic can be felt bending or squishing.
I had bought and returned a Canon Powershot 2 IS and liked the pictures but did not like the cheesy squishy plastic feel and the USB cable access was almost inaccessable.
The FZ3O is very easy to hold with your right hand and work the zoom and focus rings with your left, very comfortable. Both the battery and USB doors feel sturdy and not flimsy waiting to break.
It has a very bright LCD screen on the back but even better is the EVF viewfinder. If you need glasses to read up close, you will appreciate the diopter adjustment in the EVF, I can read everything without the need for glasses.
Battery life seems pretty long without using the internal flash. Good thing because it's a proprietary battery, not AA's.
Menus are navigable.
Overall, it is a good camera not to be confused with a Digital Rebel. The Rebel is a far better camera at twice the price, out of my $$ range!
Pros:
-Long battery life
-Manual zoom and focus (focus can also be one touch AF or complete AF)
-Choice of 8, 5, 3, 2 or 1 MP setting
-19.1 X zoom at 5MP and below (good nature pics)
-Solid feel and design
-Handling is superb, comfortable right hand, lays in palm of left hand well to work zoom and focus
-Zoom & sound work in movie mode, manual zoom is appreciated in movie mode!!!!!
-Very quick turn on, no waiting for lense extension (just under one second)
-Vey quick write to disk/card time with hi-speed memory
-Great color rendition
-Built in stabilizer works very well at long end of zoom in bright daylight.
All in all, this is a very acceptible camera for the money ($~550). To get the very best pictures out this, be prepared to familiarize yourself with the controls and menus. The manual exposure is the key to getting outstanding results with this camera.
If you absolutley need low light pictures (surviellance, etc) spend a lot more for a camera with at least a 2/3" chip, this camera won't do that. For 98% of everything else, it is great.
Problems:
Cons:
-Noisy at very low light (use an external, off axix flash).
-No remote included, wired or IR, would have been soooo nice!
-No UV filter included, if you buy this cam, you MUST buy a UV filter to protect this beautiful lense
-Zoom and focus rings a little too close (but bought for this reason)
-Slower than expected USB transfer time. USB 2.0 but not "Fast USB2.0"
-Built flash too bright up close, must use external flash or reduce exposure manually internally. (Use an external flash)
After some seroius playing with it, it came to deliver excellent pictures.
One accessory worth buying for this camera is an external flash unit. I got an inexpensive Vivitar unit on ebay which works very well with this FZ30K, it made all the difference in the world. The built in flash seemed to obliterate close ups (less than 3 ft) but at 20 ft takes great flash pics.
Overall, the build is quite sturdy and it fits my hand very well. You can squeeze it from any angle and no plastic can be felt bending or squishing.
I had bought and returned a Canon Powershot 2 IS and liked the pictures but did not like the cheesy squishy plastic feel and the USB cable access was almost inaccessable.
The FZ3O is very easy to hold with your right hand and work the zoom and focus rings with your left, very comfortable. Both the battery and USB doors feel sturdy and not flimsy waiting to break.
It has a very bright LCD screen on the back but even better is the EVF viewfinder. If you need glasses to read up close, you will appreciate the diopter adjustment in the EVF, I can read everything without the need for glasses.
Battery life seems pretty long without using the internal flash. Good thing because it's a proprietary battery, not AA's.
Menus are navigable.
Overall, it is a good camera not to be confused with a Digital Rebel. The Rebel is a far better camera at twice the price, out of my $$ range!
Pros:
-Long battery life
-Manual zoom and focus (focus can also be one touch AF or complete AF)
-Choice of 8, 5, 3, 2 or 1 MP setting
-19.1 X zoom at 5MP and below (good nature pics)
-Solid feel and design
-Handling is superb, comfortable right hand, lays in palm of left hand well to work zoom and focus
-Zoom & sound work in movie mode, manual zoom is appreciated in movie mode!!!!!
-Very quick turn on, no waiting for lense extension (just under one second)
-Vey quick write to disk/card time with hi-speed memory
-Great color rendition
-Built in stabilizer works very well at long end of zoom in bright daylight.
All in all, this is a very acceptible camera for the money ($~550). To get the very best pictures out this, be prepared to familiarize yourself with the controls and menus. The manual exposure is the key to getting outstanding results with this camera.
If you absolutley need low light pictures (surviellance, etc) spend a lot more for a camera with at least a 2/3" chip, this camera won't do that. For 98% of everything else, it is great.
Problems:
Cons:
-Noisy at very low light (use an external, off axix flash).
-No remote included, wired or IR, would have been soooo nice!
-No UV filter included, if you buy this cam, you MUST buy a UV filter to protect this beautiful lense
-Zoom and focus rings a little too close (but bought for this reason)
-Slower than expected USB transfer time. USB 2.0 but not "Fast USB2.0"
-Built flash too bright up close, must use external flash or reduce exposure manually internally. (Use an external flash)