FZ50 vs FZ28K: What is it about this camera that makes it worth nearly a thousand dollars?
825630
&gt;&gt;I didn't realize this camera was out there when I bought my FZ28! I notice that in the copy under the camera description, significantly more bought the FZ28K than the FZ50. Presumably the price is the reason, I suppose along with the 18x optical zoom.&lt;&lt; this one came out before the fz28, but at the time i only paid about $440 &gt;&gt;Many reviewers above said the FZ50 is "almost" a dslr - but many, many dslrs are considerably less expensive than the FZ50, which I think costs more now than when it came out....and I think I saw on the digital review site that the camera has been discontinued. &lt;&lt; i didn't know about it being discontinued so soon. it compares to a dslr in many ways. but the ISO settings are pretty noisy above ISO 400, whereas in good dslr's you can get good results up to ISO 3200. this is a very good review that gives all of its specs. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz50/ here it is compared to the canon rebel XT where you can see the ISO 1600 on both cameras. the canon is better. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz50/page17.asp &gt;&gt;The user photos for this camera are wonderful! I have a Canon Rebel XS, which cost quite a bit less than this camera, and an FZ28K....I'm now wondering if I should sell the FZ28 K, return the Canon, and get a used FZ50.&lt;&lt; yeah, i get better pictures than i ever have. &gt;&gt;What is it about this camera that makes it worth nearly a thousand dollars? &lt;&lt; i don't know. i don't understand. i haven't seen that happen with any other camera.
257215
I wholly agree with the FZ 150 camera assessments on this forum. I have been shooting with a Nikon D90 and an Olympus EPL-2. Two months ago I got this Panasonic and sold the EPL-2 because it is basically a smaller and lighter version of the APS-C SLRs. Whereas the FZ150 is not only packed with features and produces great but not professional images, it does have a built-in zoom and that's what I wanted outside of an SLR. After using it on my Beijing vacation for the past 8 days averaging about 200 images a day, the one wish list I have is for an extended battery grip. This camera is so useful it is with me all the time, so the grip will play a big part in ergonomic comfort where portraits and the handling will be easier. As is, I do find the camera grip to be too small for comfort. Obviously this is my personal opinion since outside of SLR's this thing is not physically small relatively speaking. If anyone knows of such a grip, please share. Finally though sometimes I really do miss the high quality images only an SLR could achieve with the right fast lens. When I hiked 2 hours up, and then 2 hours down, the Great Wall of China, I did not miss the extra weight a bit. :)
2050935
Like I stated in my review here on Amazon, the Panasonic FZ200 vastly outperformed the X-S1 in image stabilization, autofocus (especially in video mode), optics, and even image quality (because of the previous issues). I was surprised and disappointed in the X-S1 and really wanted to like this camera.
1174443
Its the FZ200. Just got back from Safari and this camera is amazing. Great zoom, no loss of light and clarity. I am really impressed and happy with this camera.
1196602
Lol you think the FZ18 is featureless... It is an awesome camera. & what exactly is your point2. The cameras 18X zoom is the optical variety & not the digital type so why would 18X spoil image quality. As long as your hand is steady enough it makes no diff to IQ; Even if not steady the improved image stabilization will be handy...
1595862
I was also on the fence between these cameras. Tried both out at the local camera shop. I will probably be doing a fair amount of video too, and the Nikon P500 had the worst image stabilization I have ever seen. The FZ100 was rock solid in comparison. I also recently found out that the FZ100 can have filters and telephoto extensions added to the lens. I'm going to wait a few weeks to see if it gets upgraded, but if not the FZ100 seems the way to go. The Nikon felt cheap in comparison.
1196605
Hi, recently bought the FZ18K.At first look i loved it. Still goin over all the modes and features the cam provides.As far as memory card and batteries are concerned they use the same as FZ8I would say go for the FZ18K/S
1296629
There is 300 USD difference for a start!You are correct about the mirror. The video auto-focus is far faster and 10fps is the fastest you'll get at that price.
148820
Ignacio, the new Lumix cameras are pretty amazing. I have the ZS3 which shares some features with the FZ35. Primarily, the Venus HD chip with the AVCHD video compression, is amazing and the key advantage in my opinion. Take a look at www.panasonic.NET/lumix for more details. The panasonic.COM website hardly tells you anything for some reason.
907595
Not much has been said about whether or not the 'improved' image stabilization is actually improved that much. I have the FZ28 and at 18X it can be a little shaky. Has anyone found it improved in the FZ35?
490818
I am also looking at these two cameras. My needs are a good low light performance as well as action sport shots. I had purchased the Panasonic FZ8 but have returned it because the inside low light pictures were very noisy and grainy. It took great outside pictures and was responsibly fast. I'm currently wanting to try the Sony but don't like the idea of having to buy a memory stick for it, I have a few sd cards that the Canon takes.
1607382
Interesting question. If you still have the 300, changing your viewpoint may make more sense than changing your camera. You get to keep the 300's excellent IQ... and keep your money. Just set it to EXR Automatic and forget those other features. Which is the exact setting you'll do best with on the 660. So, settings/ease of use-wise, it's a wash. About the only substantive difference between the two cams lies in their respective sensors. I don't think you want to have that discussion, but if you did, many knowledgeable folks would argue the edge goes to the 300. On paper, at least, the 660 offers much faster continuous shooting: 11 fps versus 2. And it costs about 70 bucks less than the 300, new, on Amazon. I don't see you going wrong with either choice...if I've read you right.
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!
646068
I purchased my FZ200 on a 2014 Black Friday sale on Amazon for less than $300. The camera was made in Communist China. I am disappointed about the image quality and EVF. I am not sure if the relatively poor image quality and EVF are unique to the Chinese version of the camera.
1943433
I did a lot of research between these two cameras before I bought mine (the Panasonic FZ35) and the most helpful website was cameralabs.com. They have side by side comparisons of pictures and video footage so you can see for yourself the difference in image quality.
577687
I currently use an FZ30 and I was thinking of replacing it with an FZ50 because my FZ30 has exactly the problem you've experienced. Only mine is a C-shaped mark in the upper right. There are no detectable marks on the lens and the camera has never gotten wet. I've always wrapped it up when I brought it in from the cold. I can't imagine how the sensor could have gotten dirty. I haven't checked out getting it repaired yet, but I'm disappointed to hear the problem can occur on a FZ50 too. Aside from this, it's the perfect camera.
1721984
The FZ28 is a really nice camera -- arguably slightly better than the Canon on image quality and IS and almost certainly better on the UI, where Canon just does a terrible job in some ways. (Who came up with the rotating wheel on the SX10? It drives me crazy every time I have to use it.)The make-or-break feature for me, though, and the reason I went with the Canon, is that the Lumix lacks a hotshoe for external flash. A good off-camera flash gives you so much more versatility in what, when, and how you shoot.