Is the Panasonic dmc fz40 for me?? Hi...I am looking for a new camera....am really a beginner! I like to take shots on vacations and of my children mostly. Not looking for a camera that has to be great with action shots though.I noticed the fz40 and the good reviews and like the looks of it. I would like to learn a little bit about using the different settings but am afraid it may be difficult for me to learn. Love the large zoom though...Any thoughts or suggestions? Is the Panasonic dmc fz40 for me?? Hi...I am looking for a new camera....am really a beginner! I like to take shots on vacations and of my children mostly. Not looking for a camera... » Read More Is the Panasonic dmc fz40 for me?? Hi...I am looking for a new camera....am really a beginner! I like to take shots on vacations and of my children mostly. Not looking for a camera that has to be great with action shots though.I noticed the fz40 and the good reviews and like the looks of it. I would like to learn a little bit about using the different settings but am afraid it may be difficult for me to learn. Love the large zoom though...Any thoughts or suggestions? « Show Less
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Get an FZ35. The control system and layout are nearly identical to the ZS7. Take away the EVF and the big zoom and it would be a ZS7. The ZS7 has the same IA, SCN, dial modes, and PASM as an FZ. If you can use a ZS, you can use an FZ.The advantage of the FZ is the EVF. If you don't intend to use it, you don't need an FZ.All the camera manufacturers have simple tutorials on their sites. Kodak, Canon, Nikon are all good for beginners.
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I had the same problem. I too am frustrated trying to learn this camera - in the past all I had was a very basic digital camera. My issue was having the burst feature on. If you hit menu, and next to picture burst if it does not day "off" the flast will not work.
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No, I don't think it would be too much. You would have to be patient , however and learn how and when to use the various settings.
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I bought it a month ago and am frustrated. I need to spend some time going through the manual and really learn how to use it. It is a point and shoot camera but not really as far as ease of use. I was at an indoor christmas party and couldn't get the flash to work. 2 other people tried as well and we gave up. But its not the camera's fault...just need to really read the manual and learn how to use it. If you aren't willing to spend the time, don't get it. If so, it looks like a really great camera and takes beautiful pictures. The videos are crisp and clear, good sound. I also love the zoom. I can't wait to find out what this camera can really do! I bought it a month ago and am frustrated. I need to spend some time going through the manual and really learn how to use it. It is a point and shoot camera but not really as far as ease of use. I was at an indoor christmas party and couldn't get the flash to work. 2 other people tried as well and we gave up. But its not the camera's fault...just need to really read the manual and learn how to use it. If you aren't willing to spend the time, don't get it. If so, it looks like a really great camera and takes beautiful pictures. The videos are crisp and clear, good sound. I also love the... » Read More I bought it a month ago and am frustrated. I need to spend some time going through the manual and really learn how to use it. It is a point and shoot camera but not really as far as ease of use. I was at an indoor christmas party and couldn't get the flash to work. 2 other people tried as well and we gave up. But its not the camera's fault...just need to really read the manual and learn how to use it. If you aren't willing to spend the time, don't get it. If so, it looks like a really great camera and takes beautiful pictures. The videos are crisp and clear, good sound. I also love the zoom. I can't wait to find out what this camera can really do! « Show Less
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Actually just looking on the boards here I found out the answer. I had it set to Burst Mode in the settings because I was trying out all the features the week before. So even on the IA setting, it would not take photos with flash. I am sure that was somewhere in the manual or it might just be a known photography thing.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to help me out...I appreciate it.I am leaning towards getting the fz40....it is $50 more but will ship in one day free from amazon...the fz35 is shipping from adorama in one day at a charge...My husband is showing me a flyer with the Nikon L110 for $179...really don't want that one....lolThanks again!
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Hi Mr. Hewitt (I wonder if we have any relation?) Anyway, for a true beginner (as in you've never used anything but a point-and-shoot) I'd recommend you get a Nikon D40 and an 18-200 VR. Keep the 18-55 kit lens, you'll find it lighter when your just taking snapshots of the family or whatever. The D40 is an excellent starter camera, it has almost all the tweaks of this much more expensive camera without the weight and cost. The D300 has many advantages over it, but I really feel you'll learn a lot faster with a simpler camera, and step up to this when your ready. I actually started out with a D40 a bit over a year ago, it made starting out quite fun. The 18-200VR will follow you as a great lens on the D300 too, and you can use any newer AF-S lenses on it. If you have older AF-D Nikon lenses lying around that you want to use, a D80 is also a good place to start. It's easier to make the custom tweaks you'll learn about in your photography classes on the D80, but it still has Auto modes as well to get you started. Checkout www.kenrockwell.com, especially his recommended camera page. He's a bit more eloquent than I am. And I wouldn't be so fast to recommend the D60 to anyone, it's just the D40x's guts (plus active D-Lighting, but without the other enhancements of the D300/D3) with a different name stamped on it. I wouldn't recommend the D40x or D60 to anyone, they exist to fill a price point to compete with Canon. If your eyeballing either, jump to the D80 and don't look back.
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I have not used a canon point and shoot recently, put I purchased a Panasonic fz8 about 9 months ago specifically for concerts and I haven't been disappointed. Be sure to stick with the fz8, not the upgraded fz18.
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How easy is this camera to use for a novice? I bought my husband a smaller pocket sized camera and it is very difficult to get it to focus on what YOU want it to focus on. It is always trying to be smart. I need a camera that I can set up some default settings and he can just point at shoot at moving grand children.
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Hello,On EXR and Auto mode I've found my images in low light to be sub par without using the flash - which then can unfortunately cause it's own set of problems. However, as I learn the camera I find adjusting the settings and really depending on the manual as a reference guide, along with youtube tutorial videos that my low and dim light photos are improving. I'm an Amateur at this stage of course but more advanced photographers would have an effortless time taking great shots in low light conditions. If you're shopping around check out the Panasonic FZ200 and the Sony DDSC-HX300 both have won tremendous accolades for low light performance. Hope this helps! Hello,On EXR and Auto mode I've found my images in low light to be sub par without using the flash - which then can unfortunately cause it's own set of problems. However, as I learn the camera I find adjusting the settings and really depending on the manual as a reference guide, along with youtube tutorial videos that my low and dim light photos are improving. I'm an Amateur at this stage of course but more advanced photographers would have an effortless time taking great shots in low light conditions. If you're shopping around check out the Panasonic FZ200 and the Sony... » Read More Hello,On EXR and Auto mode I've found my images in low light to be sub par without using the flash - which then can unfortunately cause it's own set of problems. However, as I learn the camera I find adjusting the settings and really depending on the manual as a reference guide, along with youtube tutorial videos that my low and dim light photos are improving. I'm an Amateur at this stage of course but more advanced photographers would have an effortless time taking great shots in low light conditions. If you're shopping around check out the Panasonic FZ200 and the Sony DDSC-HX300 both have won tremendous accolades for low light performance. Hope this helps! « Show Less
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WOW, seems like you did everything but actually use the cameras...The Panny FZ-50 can't touch the s100fs in image quality, noise, AF speed in low light, shutter lag, etc...I've owned the FZ-30/50 and there is no comparison...The s100fs is a far superior camera if you're actually worried about pictures..Now if your main concern is which is lighter or how much of your old stuff will function with it, then that's another matter...
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I think both are great cameras...Canon seems to perform a little better, but the difference is very slight, this, according to the reviews I read...I think the bottom line is; Canon performs a little better, the LCD screen can be moved, and it has a hot shoe for a better flash unit, but Panasonic has RAW format and HD video, and also, the zoom can be used with the video format, something most cameras don't have...I guess since both are equally good, you should buy the one you feel more comfortable with, or you like the most...you can't go wrong with either one...Good luck!!
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hi Holly, honestly this camera was buyed by my mother in law, i highly recomended her to buy another brand, lumix by the way. What i think about nikon is that is a very triky brand, too complicated sometimes, mostly for amateur users (like me), so in that matter, i´m agree on somethings Joseph said about it.finally, to answer your question, in general is not a bad camera but i rather another brand, thats personal, but if i buy any kind and it comes with any issue, i definitly wouldn´t buy it again, even of the same brand
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The D300 was my first SLR Camera. Before that I was using point and shoots. I would say it is appropriate for a beginner who is learning actively. When I bought this cam I had started taking courses and I evolved rapidly to a serious hobbyist. I would say you shouldn't buy it if you're not planning to learn how to be a better photographer, otherwise, the Canon 40D which is also a medium sized SLR would be much more suited. It has many kinds of automatic modes that you would select. The D300 has only four modes: Manual, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Program mode.Personally I'm glad I ended up choosing the Nikon D300, it's such an amazing camera...I hope this was helpful The D300 was my first SLR Camera. Before that I was using point and shoots. I would say it is appropriate for a beginner who is learning actively. When I bought this cam I had started taking courses and I evolved rapidly to a serious hobbyist. I would say you shouldn't buy it if you're not planning to learn how to be a better photographer, otherwise, the Canon 40D which is also a medium sized SLR would be much more suited. It has many kinds of automatic modes that you would select. The D300 has only four modes: Manual, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Program mode.Personally... » Read More The D300 was my first SLR Camera. Before that I was using point and shoots. I would say it is appropriate for a beginner who is learning actively. When I bought this cam I had started taking courses and I evolved rapidly to a serious hobbyist. I would say you shouldn't buy it if you're not planning to learn how to be a better photographer, otherwise, the Canon 40D which is also a medium sized SLR would be much more suited. It has many kinds of automatic modes that you would select. The D300 has only four modes: Manual, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Program mode.Personally I'm glad I ended up choosing the Nikon D300, it's such an amazing camera...I hope this was helpful « Show Less
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Thank you so much for the tip. I never intended to use the camera for video, so therfore I never read the instructions. I really wish the camera came with a manual. We travel a lot and the camera has so many functions I don't keep up. But I must say I love the Panasonic, the pictures are terriffic. I'm a SLR person, and got the Pansonic for ease of use and not having to lug all the lenses etc. around.
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The Canon SX10IS is much better than the Nikon P90, despite having a shorter zoom and less Megapixels. Image quality and responsiveness is what you should be looking for, and the P90 does not have either of them.I would look also at the Panasonic FZ28, specially if you prize weight - this is the choice I made, after testing Nikon, Canon, Panny and Olympus.
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Thank you! I haven't heard of the sx40 i'll check it out. I really like the specs. On the sx230. The images looked better than the Sony hx9 I was gonna get. But the canon seem to beat it with quality of picture. Thanks again
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Thanks again. I'll be deciding by the end of the week, because I'll have to return the Canon by Saturday! Another thing re: the Panasonic is that you can attach certain lenses to it to extend the zoom and possibly some other stuff. I like that Idea. I love cameras with big wide lenses on them!Take care, and thanks for your thoughts.
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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
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That is what I needed to hear! I have the Canon EOS 7D and love it, But...as you said by the time you carry around all the gear for "sight seeing", I'm exhausted. I too am looking for that mid level (super zoom) companion to go along with my Canon when called of. I was a little hesitant to go with a Panasonic but everything I have read about this camera has been positive.I have yet to actually find a store who has one on display, looks like I will have to order it blindly and pray!
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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.
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Shutter lag is almost zero - one of the principle reasons I opted for the Panasonic brand. WYSIWYG results. The FZ50 fits this old SLR guy like a glove, and I don't have to carry multiple camera bodies around my neck. The Leica lens doesn't hurt either. However, I think if you are looking to shoot fast action sports there are better choices out there if multi-image features are important to you. This one camera has all my old equipment sitting dusty on a shelf somewhere...