Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 review

[Gerry Hanna oldie]

I am considering an update for my old? Canon Pro 90 IS and the specs of the Panasinics are very attractive. But as soon as I picked up the FZ5 I realised this was not the camera for me; though I did use it for a week or so to confirm or discard my initial feeling. Having used just about every Make, Model Shape and size of camera during SIXTY YEARS; and some then; I believe I can now tell the difference between a plastic, built to price, machine from the real thing. Over ten days of use I took around 800 shots in various conditions and settings (a couple of years shooting for some) I consider this more than a casual look! Though the camera performs well for its 5meg output; there were signs of noise at the lowest ISO setting - a BAD start. The images do seem to be over-sharpened, so a tweak in sharpening in Adobe can be disasterous, and ISO 400 - forget it!. Also the same for manual focus. In fairness, I would agree with most users that in everyday use this camera does a good job in the picture department, it is the build and handling that urge me to place it back on the shelf. The body seems to be totally plastic; accounting for its fair price and super-light weight. I constantly had the feeling I was using a TOY. Comparing this model with the old Canon is like comparing the Canon 350D with the 10D - no contest. It is not intuitive in use; It took me ages to find out how to change shutter-speeds for example, a move done without hardly thinking on any other camera. The FZ20, on the other hand feels like a real camera but there are now numerous models in the super-zoom field, Sony's H1 and Canon's S2 IS. The gallery samples from the Canon seem to my eyes to be very good, but I have not seen or tested that model as yet. For anyone needing a small, light big zoomer the FZ5 would indeed be well worth a good workout. But don't squeeze it too hard! NOTE: I did some prints from the old 2.6meg PRO 90 and the FZ5 and asked photographers for choice. In EVERY case, the shots from the OLD Canon were considered better than the super 5meg Panny!

Problems:

Suggestions only. A swivel LCD; like the Canons! A PC socket, but you can't have everything at a budget price.