Considering an FZ80 or similar…

[Redhenry]

I recently moved to north-eastern England. There is a lovely stretch of coast nearby and a nature reserve where one can see a wide variety of waders, other seabirds, seals and occasionally, dolphins. I hadn’t previously had the opportunity to photograph wildlife but after spending a wonderful afternoon there with no possibility of taking acceptable pictures, it occurred to me that an inexpensive bridge camera would be a nice thing to have. I am aware of the various models on the market, and had an FZ300/330 for a few months three years ago until I decided that it was wasted on the type of pictures I take, and sold it. I might buy another one, but have also been looking at the FZ82, which I can get from MPB in England for around £250. The older FZ80 is available for even less. I’m aware that these cameras have small sensors but I view my pictures on my iPad or on a small laptop so ultimate image quality isn’t necessary. I’m also very gentle with cameras and whatever I get won’t be banged around or stuffed in a bag. I would be grateful for any comments or recommendations- do I get another FZ300/330 or go for an FZ82 or would an older model still be OK? Thanks!

 

[Dak on cam]

I might buy another one, but have also been looking at the FZ82, which I can get from MPB in England for around £250. The older FZ80 is available for even less.

They are the same camera (hooray for the magic of Panasonic's model numbers). You may be thinking of the FZ70/FZ72 which is its predecessor.

 

[Keit ll]

Another camera you might consider is the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS. This camera gives quite good Jpegs & is actually slightly smaller than the Panasonic FZ 80/82D

Some users have issues with the FZ-80, which yields better results if you are adept at Post-Processing RAW files.

 

[Sranang Boi]

Great choice, as long as you remember that you might need a o use DxO Photolab to get rid of the noise in pictures taken early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

 

[Dak on cam]

Another camera you might consider is the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS. This camera gives quite good Jpegs & is actually slightly smaller than the Panasonic FZ 80/82D

Some users have issues with the FZ-80, which yields better results if you are adept at Post-Processing RAW files.

I think a good deal of the problem is the combination of lens and sensor resolution, and raw processing will not be able to get out more than what is put in. Modern AI-supported processors fill in the missing information with plausible guesswork, but while that works well at completing regular image parts without high detail level, it cannot supply actually missing detail resolution.

 

[ANAYV]

You might want to ask yourself a question:

Do I need/want the 1200mm reach at the telephoto end?

Or, will 600mm reach be enough?



If 600mm is enough, then the FZ300 will give you better I.Q.

The Older FZ200 will give about the same I.Q. but non weather resistance, and a few less features, like 4K video 4K capture, etc...for even less.



If you find that 600mm reach is not enough, then other options are there.

Older FZ80 is similar in features of the FZ300, but I.Q. will be less, especially with lower light.

The lens is over 2 stops slower at 1200mm, and the sensor a bit more noise than the 12MP sensor of the FZ300.



The Canon SX50 was mentioned, BUT... you will be frustrated by the much slower AF, the EVF is of lower resolution and small and not bright. Though, If shot in RAW, you will get better I.Q. than the FZ200/300/80/80D.





I had it, as well as the FZ200, FZ80 and newest FZ80D.

The Best Superzoom (not considering 600mm or less) is the P950, IMHO.

The sensor and lens competes with any other 1/2.3" type sensor and lens. Sharp even at 2000mm!

For small images posted on the web, and/or viewing on a cellphone, the FZ80 might fit the bill for you.



Here are some favorites while owning the FZ80:



















Few more recent, with FZ80D (same sensor and lens as FZ80) :

.

















For all the naysayers. who would NEVER recommend the FZ80..this guy says it all



.

Hope this helps

ANAYV

 

[Keit ll]

Perhaps you could give us all some of your RAW processing tips?

 

[Redhenry]

Plenty to think about here. I think that the idea of “60X” zoom may indeed be too much for my needs - I’d find it difficult to hold steady at full extension. I don’t want to spend a lot of money but I think a used FZ300/330 might be best, or, I’ve checked MPB in the UK and they have a couple of good used FZ200s for very modest prices. I’ve also always been a SOOC jpegs guy, soo would prefer not to have to process the pictures beyond a few small adjustments. This will be a birthday present to myself in a couple of months, so will report back then. V impressed with those FZ80 pictures though!

 

[WiltshireMoonraker59]

I also had a FZ330 in the past and also a FZ200, both which I sold but I have just recently bought another FZ200 off E-Bay. The FZ330 is bigger and better built but I prefer the FZ200 because it is smaller and lighter but still has the same 25-600mm f2.8 lens, which is the most important part for me.

 

[Redhenry]

I also had a FZ330 in the past and also a FZ200, both which I sold but I have just recently bought another FZ200 off E-Bay. The FZ330 is bigger and better built but I prefer the FZ200 because it is smaller and lighter but still has the same 25-600mm f2.8 lens, which is the most important part for me.

Hello, thanks for that. As this is going to be a small part-time project for me, I think an FZ200 might be plenty good enough for my needs. I might just get on in the next week or two. Thanks to everyone for the helpful comments and suggestions.

 

[kkardster]

I also had a FZ330 in the past and also a FZ200, both which I sold but I have just recently bought another FZ200 off E-Bay. The FZ330 is bigger and better built but I prefer the FZ200 because it is smaller and lighter but still has the same 25-600mm f2.8 lens, which is the most important part for me.

Hello, thanks for that. As this is going to be a small part-time project for me, I think an FZ200 might be plenty good enough for my needs. I might just get on in the next week or two. Thanks to everyone for the helpful comments and suggestions.

Note that the FZ300 includes WiFi whilst the FZ200 does not. The FZ300 can be more convenient for getting the photos from the camera to your tablet. I have the FZ200 and I actually use my wife’s ZS100 WiFi to transfer its image files.

 

[WiltshireMoonraker59]

I also had a FZ330 in the past and also a FZ200, both which I sold but I have just recently bought another FZ200 off E-Bay. The FZ330 is bigger and better built but I prefer the FZ200 because it is smaller and lighter but still has the same 25-600mm f2.8 lens, which is the most important part for me.

Hello, thanks for that. As this is going to be a small part-time project for me, I think an FZ200 might be plenty good enough for my needs. I might just get on in the next week or two. Thanks to everyone for the helpful comments and suggestions.

Note that the FZ300 includes WiFi whilst the FZ200 does not. The FZ300 can be more convenient for getting the photos from the camera to your tablet. I have the FZ200 and I actually use my wife’s ZS100 WiFi to transfer its image files.

I really have never used the wi-fi feature on any camera because I have just always transferred my photos using a SD card reader on my PC, it's quick and easy. Wi-fi transfer I find too fiddly and it's just another thing to drain your battery.

 

[ANAYV]

Perhaps you could give us all some of your RAW processing tips?

OK......I'll post a new thread with some images..and give my workflow.

Few notes:

1. RAW conversion software varies, as will the settings,layout and results.

2. The first 4 images, and the last image I posted in This thread were Not shot in RAW.

I used my original FZ80 in 8MP EZ Zoom mode, most of the time.

This used less area of the sensor, basically giving an in camera crop.

Metering and AF , at times would benefit from this.

It's not a digital zoom, just uses less resolution.

So my FZ80 was giving me (35mm equiv) 1699mm reach @8MP resolution.

Can't use RAW with this feature, and I wasn't into RAW at the time.

I did process every image posted. The non RAW (original FZ80 images) were processed using FastStone Image Viewer.

ANAYV

 

[Redhenry]

I ordered an FZ200 in good condition from MPB UK this morning. I also prefer using a card reader with SD cards and have one which works with my iPad. The camera should arrive by the end of this week and I will post a picture or two once I have had some practice. Thanks again.

RH

 

[kkardster]

I ordered an FZ200 in good condition from MPB UK this morning. I also prefer using a card reader with SD cards and have one which works with my iPad. The camera should arrive by the end of this week and I will post a picture or two once I have had some practice. Thanks again.

RH

I get it - needs differ. I rarely fire up my computer nowadays and usually just upload to my phone, so no convenient SD reader. I also had an SD card corrupted by a tablet using a USB/SD adapter and had to purchase recovery software to get most of my vacation photos to Puerto Rico back, so a bit wary about that route.

Good luck with your new FZ200 - I’m still shooting with mine!

--
Bruce
You learn something new every time you press the shutter

 

[Senojbor]

Hi,
I've just bought one, new from Amazon Warehouse for £288
Early days but results are good
Suitable for advanced and beginners
Lacks connectivity or a flip screen if that is important to you, however it's not for me so I'm happy.
Shoots in RAW which is.
I'd recommend

 

[Sranang Boi]

Doesn’t it connect even via Bluetooth? What is the viewfinder like?

 

[Jon_T]

Hi,
I've just bought one, new from Amazon Warehouse for £288
Early days but results are good
Suitable for advanced and beginners
Lacks connectivity or a flip screen if that is important to you, however it's not for me so I'm happy.
Shoots in RAW which is.
I'd recommend

Real nice composition.

Realize your new with camera, in bright sunlight would recommend you try using some negative exposure compensation to help prevent highlights being overexposed/ blown. In 'Custom' settings can set 'Highlight' on and when you review image overexposed areas will flash black and white.

Noticed in the image's EXIF Data that SILKYPIX Developer Studio 8 SE was used. Was this a PP RAW image?

I downloaded your image and "played" around with it in PhotoShop Elements to show how you can adjust highlights/ shadows to "your" preferences. Also did some sharpening; on my monitor original image at 100% image was soft.

The highlights (white boats, etc.) were too overexposed to correct.



Cheers

 

[Owlsfan]

I go to the same stretch of coast.

I have taken photos of the seals with the FZ330.

They look great on my phone but a little soft in comparison to my M43 gear because cropping the 12mp is a stretch. But they look ok to me.

But for birds around there you probably need longer. The FZ80 might do the trick.

I'd always recommend the FZ330 but for that area I think you need reach.

 

[arrow501]

Hi,
I've just bought one, new from Amazon Warehouse for £288
Early days but results are good
Suitable for advanced and beginners
Lacks connectivity or a flip screen if that is important to you, however it's not for me so I'm happy.
Shoots in RAW which is.
I'd recommend

Congratulations on your new camera. Was the lens dirty when you took this shot? Something has caused a foggy patch on your photo?