Panasonic FX1

[Gabriel W]

Hi,I'm into buying my first digital camera.The FX1 seems to fit my budget and requirements.Before I make the decision,can any FX1 users advice the pros & cons of this cam?How's the Mega OIS feature.does it really provide an advantage over the rest of similar categories of camera for a novice like me?Thanks for any advice

 

[Bluegrass]

Hello Gabriel,

The FZ1 is a great camera and should give you good results as a beginner.

It might be a good idea to read the reviews:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/fz1.html

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_fz1-review/index.shtml

http://www.megapixel.net/cgi-bin/fs_loader.pl?p=http%3A//www.megapixel.net/reviews/panasonic-fz1/fz1-review.html

Pros: Sharp 12x optical stabilized lens which will allow you to take hand-held pictures that other cameras might miss.

Cons:The flash is not very powerful. I think the manual says max flash is 6 feet at wide angle.

I highly recommend this camera for a beginner, or any one else for that matter. Regards,bob

 

[Tels]

Hello Gabriel,

The FZ1 is a great camera and should

FZ1? The headline says FX1 (I don't know if a FX1 exists or if it is a type, the Z beeing side-by-side with the X on the american keyboard).

Pros: Sharp 12x optical stabilized lens which will allow you to
take hand-held pictures that other cameras might miss.

And you need to mention the 2.8 through the entire range, which let's you capure fotos like these:





Note the wonderfull blurred background, but the sharp objects. Bigger versions can be found in my gallery:

http://bloodgate.com/photos?c=bluegrey

Cons:The flash is not very powerful. I think the manual says max
flash is 6 feet at wide angle.

I own the FZ2 and I find the flash much more powerfull and actually working than the one from the Nikon 5000.

The only thing someone might miss is the external flash shoe.

I highly recommend this camera for a beginner, or any one else for
that matter.

I agree. You can even get a firmware update that brings in the Fz1 all of the functions of the FZ2 (minus some things that have to be selected per menu, instead of the dial).

The FZ1/FZ2 are so small to be carried always with you - something that should not be underestimated!

Best wishes,

Tels

--
You will be offended by my photos*:

http://bloodgate.com/photos?c=black

• If not, I'll refund your money and try again.

 

[Gabriel W]

Hello Gabriel,

The FZ1 is a great camera and should

FZ1? The headline says FX1 (I don't know if a FX1 exists or if it
is a type, the Z beeing side-by-side with the X on the american
keyboard).

Pros: Sharp 12x optical stabilized lens which will allow you to
take hand-held pictures that other cameras might miss.

And you need to mention the 2.8 through the entire range, which
let's you capure fotos like these:





Note the wonderfull blurred background, but the sharp objects.
Bigger versions can be found in my gallery:

http://bloodgate.com/photos?c=bluegrey

Cons:The flash is not very powerful. I think the manual says max
flash is 6 feet at wide angle.

I own the FZ2 and I find the flash much more powerfull and actually
working than the one from the Nikon 5000.

The only thing someone might miss is the external flash shoe.

I highly recommend this camera for a beginner, or any one else for
that matter.

I agree. You can even get a firmware update that brings in the Fz1
all of the functions of the FZ2 (minus some things that have to be
selected per menu, instead of the dial).

The FZ1/FZ2 are so small to be carried always with you - something
that should not be underestimated!

Best wishes,

Tels

--
You will be offended by my photos*:

http://bloodgate.com/photos?c=black

• If not, I'll refund your money and try again.

Hi,it's indeed FX1.It's the same as FX5 only diff is that it's a 3.2MP cam.Rgds

 

[GeorgeWong]

Here is an review for FX5:
http://oxygen.ee.unsw.edu.au/fx5review/

In my opinion, FX1 has ISO400 which should be more useful in low
light condition.

Hi,I'm into buying my first digital camera.The FX1 seems to fit my
budget and requirements.Before I make the decision,can any FX1
users advice the pros & cons of this cam?How's the Mega OIS
feature.does it really provide an advantage over the rest of
similar categories of camera for a novice like me?Thanks for any
advice

 

[Tels]

Here is an review for FX5:
http://oxygen.ee.unsw.edu.au/fx5review/

In my opinion, FX1 has ISO400 which should be more useful in low
light condition.

The FZ1/FZ2/FZ10 also have ISO 400 and from the fire-extinguisher shot in the review above I would say the FX1 is also quite noisy (e.g. not mor ebad or better than the FZ series). Maybe it even uses the same sensor.

I didn't see any advantages of the FX over the FZ, so unless you get it much cheaper, or it is much smaller etc I would suggest the FZ1/FZ2.

For instance, the battery of the FZ2 is enough for a couple hundred shots. Usually my 256er SD is full befor the battery runs out I still got a spare, though.

Both FZ and FX are very similiar, but the FZ series have a much longer tele lens. (You don't have to use it, but it is very addictive

Best wishes,

Tels

--
You will be offended by my photos*:

http://bloodgate.com/photos?c=black

• If not, I'll refund your money and try again.

 

[Tels]

Here is an review for FX5:
http://oxygen.ee.unsw.edu.au/fx5review/

In my opinion, FX1 has ISO400 which should be more useful in low
light condition.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/

Bah, should have looked before writing non-sense.

The FX has more megapixels. However, whether this is better is debateble, because it might produce more noise than the FZ1.

The FX also has a smaller lens e.g. not so big zoom.

On the plusside the FX is much smaller.

Try to find a dealer who has both in stock and handle them to see which one fits you better

best wishes,

Tels
--
You will be offended by my photos*:

http://bloodgate.com/photos?c=black

• If not, I'll refund your money and try again.

 

[Leslie Kerr]

Gabriel,

I assume (unlike others) that you have already made a decision about the form factor of the camera you want to buy.

I have 2 cameras. An FZ1 which I carry anywhere where I might get the opportunity to make use of the 12x zoom, and a Minolta F100 which I carry EVERYWHERE. Like a 3 day business trip where I managed to fit in a visit to a sports ground (tour, no action) and Paris (no time for the attractions).

I was considering the FX5 to replace my Minolta F100, mainly looking for 2 things. OIS and smaller camera. I know how useful OIS is. Today I bought a magazine that had a review of the FX5. It didn't rate particularly well, however the main reason I probably won't change is the additional features on the FX5 over the F100 are not enough to warrant the cost to me.

If I was buying one camera to replace both of my cameras I would probably look for something with more megapixels and more zoom but stiil pocketable - eg Pentax Optio 555. This may be out of your budget range.

If I lost the F100 and had to replace it I would probably go for the FX1 or FX5. Apart from the OIS, I also like the faster start-up time, the burst mode, and the controls/menu system (similar to my FZ1).

The main criticism that the magazine had was under-exposure - which is easy to cater for (I find my FZ1 prone to over-exposure and have it permanently set to 1/3 stop underexposure).

Hope this helps

Les.

Hi,I'm into buying my first digital camera.The FX1 seems to fit my
budget and requirements.Before I make the decision,can any FX1
users advice the pros & cons of this cam?How's the Mega OIS
feature.does it really provide an advantage over the rest of
similar categories of camera for a novice like me?Thanks for any
advice

 

[Leslie Kerr]

I should have mentioned that if your budget resticts you to the FX1 and not the FX5, 3.2mp is still plenty. In fact I doubt if FX5 is worth the extra dough for 0.86mp.

Les.

 

[GeorgeWong]

I mean that the FX5 only has ISO200 due to the noise increased by
extending pixels of ccd from 3 million to 4 million.

I already owned a FZ10 and I am now considering to buy a FX1 for snapshot. 3 million pixels in enough for me.

Here is an review for FX5:
http://oxygen.ee.unsw.edu.au/fx5review/

In my opinion, FX1 has ISO400 which should be more useful in low
light condition.

The FZ1/FZ2/FZ10 also have ISO 400 and from the fire-extinguisher
shot in the review above I would say the FX1 is also quite noisy
(e.g. not mor ebad or better than the FZ series). Maybe it even
uses the same sensor.

I didn't see any advantages of the FX over the FZ, so unless you
get it much cheaper, or it is much smaller etc I would suggest the
FZ1/FZ2.
For instance, the battery of the FZ2 is enough for a couple hundred
shots. Usually my 256er SD is full befor the battery runs out I
still got a spare, though.

Both FZ and FX are very similiar, but the FZ series have a much
longer tele lens. (You don't have to use it, but it is very
addictive

Best wishes,

Tels

--
You will be offended by my photos*:

http://bloodgate.com/photos?c=black

• If not, I'll refund your money and try again.