Panasonic Lumix FH20 or FS15K? advice appreciated! Hi there, I'm contemplating buying the FH20 but wonder if it's still made in Japan or have Panasonic shifted their production to China like everybody else?
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blanchedebeaulieu, The FH20 is a much newer camera with more developed technology. The number of megapixels has little to do with the quality of the camera or the pictures from the camera. The size (and quality) of the sensor are far more important and I believe each of these cameras has the same sensor. With the FH20 you'd be getting a newer camera, with greater zoom, new instead of refurbished and for less money. While I think each of the cameras would prove satisfactory to you, I don't think there is really any doubt- go with the FH20. Also, I haven't read anywhere of anyone complaining about a Panasonic lens, whether it's licensed from Leica or not. I'd put more faith in the Amazon guarantee and Panasonic warranty than the label on the lens (For what it's worth, I often buy refurbished- computers, ipods, ipod speakers- and the only time I've had a problem was with a refurbished camera. Sure, it's a small sample size, but I wouldn't recommend refurbished in this category). Hope my experience helps you.
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Hi there kkrome25! Panasonic has been known to manufacture high quality electronics at low prices. Its a brand name without the brand price just like with Sony, Canon or Nikon. It is no exception with the FZ-50. Unlike some companies which engages in quality over quantity (much like German brands), Panasonic does both--mass producing products with high quality. It is also one of the few Japanese brands that still proudly displays "Made in Japan". A lot of Japanese products now are either made in China or some other countries. I have a Sony Bravia TV that is made in China and a Canon mini-DV camcorder that is also made in China. But my FZ-50 is made in Japan. Hi there kkrome25! Panasonic has been known to manufacture high quality electronics at low prices. Its a brand name without the brand price just like with Sony, Canon or Nikon. It is no exception with the FZ-50. Unlike some companies which engages in quality over quantity (much like German brands), Panasonic does both--mass producing products with high quality. It is also one of the few Japanese brands that still proudly displays "Made in Japan". A lot of Japanese products now are either made in China or some other countries. I have a Sony Bravia TV that is made in China and a... » Read More Hi there kkrome25! Panasonic has been known to manufacture high quality electronics at low prices. Its a brand name without the brand price just like with Sony, Canon or Nikon. It is no exception with the FZ-50. Unlike some companies which engages in quality over quantity (much like German brands), Panasonic does both--mass producing products with high quality. It is also one of the few Japanese brands that still proudly displays "Made in Japan". A lot of Japanese products now are either made in China or some other countries. I have a Sony Bravia TV that is made in China and a Canon mini-DV camcorder that is also made in China. But my FZ-50 is made in Japan. « Show Less
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Thanks Dave,I was just thinking yesterday . . . "What I need is to get out of this Sony and back into a Fuji!" I am looking for the one with the nuanced blacks, grays, browns . . . the Sony renders all darker shades of the above as "BLACK!" C'mon, give us some depth, Sony! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!I had the F-10 once and color-wise it was great. Anyway wonder which $400-$600 Fuji now gives most detail in dark color areas?
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Myrna, Have you gotten your camera, yet? If so, what do you think of it? This would be my first digital camera, and what attracts me to this is that it has manual controls. I would be learning photography on it, so I figure I should have manual and auto controls. I am looking to get a Panasonic because a sales person at Best Buy raved about them and said they have the best lenses. To be honest, I know practically nothing about photography, but have had an interest in it for many years. Do you think this camera would be a good plact to start, at least digitally? Thanks, M
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This camera with the 20mm pancake lens is out of stock EVERYWHERE as far as I can tell. Panasonic's own web site lists it that way, as do every online store I've checked.... except, as you note, for the ones who are taking advantage of the temporary scarcity to charge hundreds of dollars more. I understand it's supply and demand, but I still think it's slimy, and I refuse to deal with those companies. Panasonic pretty clearly underestimated the demand for this model. I think everyone who reacted to the Olympus E-P1 with "Oh, cool idea, pity the auto-focus sucks so badly and they used such a low-res LCD display" wants a GF1 now. Best of luck on getting your camera before Christmas, but my guess is it's a long shot.
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Has anyone seen any actual reviews of this camera as opposed to marketing spec lists? Sometimes I've seen pre-production models of cameras that get reviewed prior to actual release. It is the low light ability claims of the Nikon that I'll need to see put to the test. That's probably the biggest Achilles heel of all these superzooms. It may have a CMOS sensor (which explains the burst speed of this camera) but it is still the same small size sensor as all the superzooms so I'm dubious about any huge improvement in low light. All of the previous versions of this new crop of superzooms (Nikon, Sony, Fuji) only got a flat four star rating in Amazon while the Panasonic FZ35 and FZ40 both are at 4.6. This new group has longer zooms than the Pansonics but I need to know if the picture quality is improved in any way.
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Whoa, buying and having it shipped straight from Hong Kong? Did you ever do that in the states or only in the UK? BTW, thanks for the great posts Mark, they're turning out to be very very helpful. I am currently shopping around for a telephoto and have to make a decision soon about the aperture f/4 or f/2.8, the $$ i want to spend on it and whether I want IS or not. You may be able to help with the $$ on the Hong Kong issue. Thanks again! Nino
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I purchased a FZ200 on Amazon during a 2014 Black Friday sale for less than $300. That camera was made in Communist China. I am not sure if this is a result of the camera being made in China, but I have been disappointed in the image quality as well as the EVF.
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Thanks for your great response NLee the Engineer. I already put in for a return to Amazon. Worse case, if I decide to re-purchase, I will be getting a free SD card in the deal. Its really a shame that the "Made in China" has such a negative stigma to it. I am sorry to hear that streamlined processes get moved to off-shore factories. I guess if I never read the responses posted here, I would never notice the difference but once you are informed, there is no going back. I looked at my last Canon SD500 camera and it was "made in Japan".
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I got camera from Amazon yesterday. I've done lots of playing with it. You can change white balance and even set it to a custom level.Auto-stitching of panoramas is quite nifty.Zoom motor very noisy during movies.Battery life is only fair and re-charging seems a bit slow.Pretty impressive stills in full sun. I bought Sony to replace Panasonic DMC-ZS3 that died and Panasonic service department has not satisfied me.
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I just purchased my Powershot S5IS from Bestbuy. I paid a few more bucks for it than getting it on-line. $369.95 on sale. Made in Japan baby. I looked at the box and it said made in Japan and I made the guy open the sealed box and checked on the camera. Made in Japan. Needless to say I didn't mind spending a few extra dollars to ease my mind a little. I purchased a Powershot SD1000 while I was there so I could have a portable pocket sized camera and it too was made in Japan.
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The camera says made in Japan. I have found this camera to be amazing when I don't want to carry my big camera or am not able to (concerts). A little extra time spent truly learning the functions of the camera will save you headaches later.
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Late to respond, but my previous camera was a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ18, a point and shoot camera which I thought took outstanding pictures...until I bought the DMC-FZ150. Holy cow! What a jump in performance that even an unsavvy enthusiast like myself can actually use. I am, however, shocked by the price increase. I had to buy it online because it wasn't available locally but with the reviews and my past experience with Panasonic, I took a deep breath and did it, purchasing it through Amazon for $439 in early April 2012. I consider it top echelon of the "amateur" use cameras.
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The GF1 20mm kit lists as available (ships 3-5 days, with free shipping) direct from Panasonic. I'm not sure if links to other retailers are allowed in amazon discussions so I'm hesitant to post it, but it is there. I am waiting for amazon because Panasonic charges sales tax in California and that's nearly a 10% addition to the final price -- even so, I'm tempted to order it direct as the waiting is getting old and I would really like to have the camera before Christmas, which is looking more and more unlikely.
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This Canon EOS-1DX was made in Japan for U.S. market. I hope it helps. I have no problem with it so far.
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I am looking to buy my first camera in 7 years. I too am looking for something a little more portable than a DSLR. But I want a camera that effortlessly takes great pics. I am torn between the new Panasonic ZS20 and the Panasonic DMC LX5. If anyone could give a good compare contrast I would be glad to listen. Thanks
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It's a very nice camera but if you have little camera knowledge, another camera would work just as well. I suggest the Sony HX10V, it's a lot cheaper than this camera and the black and red models of the HX10V are made in Japan.