FZ35 or FZ40: Should I wait and buy a FZ35 at a reduced price, currently at less then $300.00, or spend another hundred on the new FZ40?
288589
I have just ordered an FZ35. I was previously holding out for the FZ40, but after reading the reviews on the FZ100, I have concluded that the FZ35 is a BETTER product than the FZ40 will be! According to many FZ35 owners who have purchased an FZ100 (which has the same lens, zoom, and CCD chip as the FZ40) the image quality is NOT as good on the FZ100 as it is on the FZ35. This is attributed to the increased Megapixels that are jammed onto a SMALLER CCD chip. In order to add the increased zoom, Panasonic had to shrink the size of the CCD chip, and at the same time they jammed in more pixels. Consequence: loss of image quality. Low light photos on the FZ100 are apparently grainier on the FZ100 than on the FZ35 as well. Add to that the fact that the FZ40 will only accept microchipped Panasonic batteries (at 3-4 times the price of aftermarket batteries) and the choice is clear! Stop waiting! Buy an FZ35. I just did myself!
968162
Ahhh... Maybe this is the case. There is a great site I have gone to called Trustedreviews.com. It has high ratings there, but I have to admit that test photos are not as good as the Fx35. They are not significantly worse, though. I have been reading the user responses to the professional reviews to the various cameras. On the one hand that helps, on the other... just adds to my confusion about what to actually buy! :)
907598
I had own FZ28 before, i sold it cause i FZ35 has stereo sound, manual control of video, improve auto focus speed. Plus FZ28 right now cost nearly the same FZ35, i sold it for like $300 anyway. So is almost a free upgrade. You might also wanna try out Sony HX1 or Canon SX20 those camera has feature that this one doesn't, is all depend which feature you need more, no camera has all the feature you want.
577688
Definitely would not pay to repair an FZ30. Too often it produces images with too much noise to print a decent looking 11x14" enlargement. Suggestion: Save your repair money and upgrade to an DMC-FZ50.
684718
Thanks! that's very helpful, especially the tip that the price may drop.... I'll go with the ZS3 based on your recommendation and I can definitely wait a month or two.
842594
I understand, Blue Diver. I'm torn because I'm traveling along the Rhine River next month and really wanted to upgrade to the FZ150, but in the end I will probably just stick with my FZ35 which does a good job.
1268923
Todd,thanks for going ahead and providing the information even thought the OP is old. very useful for one like myself who recently got interested in the gorillapod and who wants to learn more about what is it and isn't good for. appreciate the tip about the quick-release clip. since I will be using it with the FZ150 it sounds like a good match.
1898922
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.
155654
I'm 50/50 on it. There are a lot of plusses for the 35 (1.3 stops faster, shallower DOF, phase detect autofocus points on the entire frame, image stabilization), but one big negative (twice the price). It's also less sharp, but it's not soft by a long shot. If you shoot in very low light, fast subjects, or video, the 35 is the better choice. Otherwise, the 30 is an excellent deal.
1173623
The wider field of view and the small camera size of the DMC-FX35 are things I like. The FX35 can be purchased today too while the TZ5 cannot. But, I am leaning toward the TZ5 because I also value the features of continuous autofocus and 10x optical zoom and its field of view is also wider than most cameras. This Panasonic page shows the differences between different fields of view. http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/lumix/popup/wide_angle/index.html This Panasonic page shows feature differences between the two cameras. http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelComparisonResults?storeId=15001&catalogId=13401&catGroupId=75047&surfCategory=Lumix%20Digital%20Cameras&cacheProgram=11002&cachePartner=7000000000000005702&items=214163|214166|213677|
1407357
If you compare prices you'll find you can buy this upgraded unit for around the same price as the older unit if you're including shipping. In my case I didn't need $35 worth of stuff at this time... and this unit actually wound up costing me $2 less than the older one by the time shipping was paid. Pro-shopping... it's almost an artform. :D
458494
I'm between the same two models, and was also considering the Canon SX30IS. I recommend you read the in-depth reviews on www.imaging-resource.com. Unfortunately, despite all the great features of the Panasonic FZ100 and the Leica lens, it's image quality doesn't compare to the Nikon. Compare the noise and detail of the sample images in both of these reviews. It's too bad, I was about to get the FZ100 until I saw how poor the image detail was up close. But that website ended up giving the Nikon P500 a high recomendation, while they could not in good conscience give the FZ100 any sort of recomendation at all. I'm between the same two models, and was also considering the Canon SX30IS. I recommend you read the in-depth reviews on www.imaging-resource.com. Unfortunately, despite all the great features of the Panasonic FZ100 and the Leica lens, it's image quality doesn't compare to the Nikon. Compare the noise and detail of the sample images in both of these reviews. It's too bad, I was about to get the FZ100 until I saw how poor the image detail was up close. But that website ended up giving the Nikon P500 a high recomendation, while they could not in good conscience give the FZ100 any sort of... » Read More I'm between the same two models, and was also considering the Canon SX30IS. I recommend you read the in-depth reviews on www.imaging-resource.com. Unfortunately, despite all the great features of the Panasonic FZ100 and the Leica lens, it's image quality doesn't compare to the Nikon. Compare the noise and detail of the sample images in both of these reviews. It's too bad, I was about to get the FZ100 until I saw how poor the image detail was up close. But that website ended up giving the Nikon P500 a high recomendation, while they could not in good conscience give the FZ100 any sort of recomendation at all. « Show Less
141042
I too have my heart set on the d300. I would have purchased it already if I had not also heard the rumors of the price drop with the release of the d300s. I hear it could go as low as $1200! I'm going to wait it out a couple more weeks but I don't think I can hold out any longer than that!
1572552
You should know that this replaces the fz-40. Go to the Panasonic website for info. Better yet, go to Dpreview and see what they have to say. Not worth the upgrade.
1041292
I agree with the 35 F1.4 response. It is a very sharp lens and with the sale, it's priced great. WELL worth the $.
294003
I would recommend a higher end bike for competition. This is a good starter bike and it is great for exercise or recreation, but it is simply not on par with Shimano or Fuji. It will do in a pinch, but I is not ideal.
59821
I looked at the pictures of the Vilano bike and I can see where the difference in price is. It looks like you would pay more, and you will get more. I own the "Hybrid Performance Bike", and it is doing what I was wanting it to do.