Bridge Digital Cameras [Archive]

PostmanPot

31-07-2008, 10:05 AM

Hi all

What do you think about them?

I am highly considering the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 as a beginner camera. It appeals to me because of the versatility of the lens, not having to carry around different lenses, price, quality of the lens, ƒ2.6 - ƒ11, swivel LCD etc. All reviews on DPReview are really good too.

Thanks for your input. :)

bwana

31-07-2008, 10:19 AM

Hi all

What do you think about them?

I am highly considering the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 as a beginner camera. It appeals to me because of the versatility of the lens, not having to carry around different lenses, price, quality of the lens, ƒ2.6 - ƒ11, swivel LCD etc. All reviews on DPReview are really good too.

Thanks for your input. :)You dont have to start off by getting several lenses if you have a dslr. On of my first purchases was a fairly compact Sigma 28-300mm lens.

Do you think you'll ever want to get a dslr? If not then sure - go for it. :)

xrapidx

31-07-2008, 10:25 AM

Great camera. I had the FZ20 until recently, and know someone with the FZ50.

PostmanPot

31-07-2008, 10:29 AM

You dont have to start off by getting several lenses if you have a dslr. On of my first purchases was a fairly compact Sigma 28-300mm lens.

Do you think you'll ever want to get a dslr? If not then sure - go for it. :)

I'm sure I will get a DSLR one day. If I went the DSLR route now, I'd get the 1000D or 450D (really want live view) so I'd be looking at a minimum of around R8000 including a 28-300mm. The money saved will be put towards the future, which is also a bonus. And I think the FZ50 will suit my current needs.

bwana

31-07-2008, 11:02 AM

I'm sure I will get a DSLR one day. If I went the DSLR route now, I'd get the 1000D or 450D (really want live view) so I'd be looking at a minimum of around R8000 including a 28-300mm. The money saved will be put towards the future, which is also a bonus. And I think the FZ50 will suit my current needs.Then go for it - as long as your needs dont change in the near future its a bonus. My mate has one and, while he'll freely admit that he wishes he had got a dslr now, he really enjoys it. :)

mercurial

31-07-2008, 11:11 AM

What's the price difference between this camera and the 450D? I'd rather save up and get the 450D, but that's just me :)

mancombseepgood

31-07-2008, 11:34 AM

I'm sure I will get a DSLR one day. If I went the DSLR route now, I'd get the 1000D or 450D (really want live view) so I'd be looking at a minimum of around R8000 including a 28-300mm. The money saved will be put towards the future, which is also a bonus. And I think the FZ50 will suit my current needs.

I have had the Konica / Minolta Dimage Z6 (Now Sony) for a couple of years - best purchase ever for me. I am still considering extending the 12x optical zoom with a 2x / 3x telephoto and maybe a macro / filter or two - there is so much you can do for (comparatively) little $$$ with these prosumer cameras - I don't think I'll ever go DSLR.
DSLR = good for professionals and very serious photographers and those without kids and with spare cash IMO :D.

BigAl-sa

31-07-2008, 11:45 AM

I've never been impressed with Panasonic sensors - very noisy even at low ISO. Another downer for me would be that the FZ50 is realtively old technology (DPR review Sept 2006).

bwana

31-07-2008, 11:45 AM

I have had the Konica / Minolta Dimage Z6 (Now Sony) for a couple of years - best purchase ever for me. I am still considering extending the 12x optical zoom with a 2x / 3x telephoto and maybe a macro / filter or two - there is so much you can do for (comparatively) little $$$ with these prosumer cameras - I don't think I'll ever go DSLR.
DSLR = good for professionals and very serious photographers and those without kids and with spare cash IMO :D.The kids were probably the biggest reason I was successfully able to "sell" my wife on why I needed half my gear :D
I've never been impressed with Panasonic sensors - very noisy even at low ISO. Another downer for me would be that the FZ50 is realtively old technology (DPR review Sept 2006).It looks like the sensor is very small when compared to even the most basic dslrs.

mancombseepgood

31-07-2008, 11:46 AM

The kids were probably the biggest reason I was successfully able to "sell" my wife on why I needed half my gear :D

Man, I need to take those psychology lessons :D

PostmanPot

31-07-2008, 11:47 AM

What's the price difference between this camera and the 450D? I'd rather save up and get the 450D, but that's just me :)

R4k.

My thoughts: The FZ50 lens has IS and does 28-420mm so you save a lot on having to buy a R2500 zoom lens for a DSLR. Of course, if you were to get a decent zoom lens for a DSLR, the DSLR would outperform the FZ50. But it would cost around three times as much as the FZ50. The Canon kit lens is very limiting.

mercurial

31-07-2008, 12:22 PM

I guess it all comes down to budget and what you will be using it for. If you want the best quality, get the SLR range. The 450D comes with a 18-55mm IS lens.

bwana

31-07-2008, 12:25 PM

I guess it all comes down to budget and what you will be using it for. If you want the best quality, get the SLR range. The 450D comes with a 18-55mm IS lens.You'll particularly need that IS if you're planning on shooting with live mode. :)

mercurial

31-07-2008, 12:32 PM

You'll particularly need that IS if you're planning on shooting with live mode. :)

Indeed :) I had a look at some videos on YouTube and the one video clearly illustrated the difference between switching on the IS or leaving it off. TBH, I don't really know why they would give that as an option. Surely if it's an IS lens, it should just be IS automatically? Why would they give the user the option to switch it off, which would mean worse pics? :confused:

bwana

31-07-2008, 12:40 PM

Indeed :) I had a look at some videos on YouTube and the one video clearly illustrated the difference between switching on the IS or leaving it off. TBH, I don't really know why they would give that as an option. Surely if it's an IS lens, it should just be IS automatically? Why would they give the user the option to switch it off, which would mean worse pics? :confused:I guess that battery life could be an issue - also whats the point of having it on when you really dont need it? Of course I'm just speculating as I've never seen the point of spending that much more for a lens just to have IS. :)

mercurial

31-07-2008, 12:44 PM

I guess that batter life could be an issue - also whats the point of having it on when you really dont need it? Of course I'm just speculating as I've never seen the point of spending that much more for a lens just to have IS. :)

Lol ok. I will ask another question but I will post it in the photography thread.

BigAl-sa

31-07-2008, 01:04 PM

Indeed :) I had a look at some videos on YouTube and the one video clearly illustrated the difference between switching on the IS or leaving it off. TBH, I don't really know why they would give that as an option. Surely if it's an IS lens, it should just be IS automatically? Why would they give the user the option to switch it off, which would mean worse pics? :confused:When the IS lens is on a tripod, it tries to compensate for movement that is not there, which does result in bad pics. Sometimes, when tracking things, you also want to switch the IS off.

mercurial

31-07-2008, 02:07 PM

When the IS lens is on a tripod, it tries to compensate for movement that is not there, which does result in bad pics. Sometimes, when tracking things, you also want to switch the IS off.

Oh ok! Thanks.

bwana

31-07-2008, 02:18 PM

Not sure if it works or not but most modern IS lenses are supposed to detect when the camera is attached to a tripod.

PostmanPot

31-07-2008, 03:46 PM

I guess it all comes down to budget and what you will be using it for. If you want the best quality, get the SLR range. The 450D comes with a 18-55mm IS lens.

Yip, budget is key. If I was to get a 450D, I'd need to fork out another R2500 for a 28-300mm lens.

bwana

31-07-2008, 03:51 PM

Yip, budget is key. If I was to get a 450D, I'd need to fork out another R2500 for a 28-300mm lens.You wouldnt need to - you could always move closer to the subject :D

arf9999

31-07-2008, 04:31 PM

The difference between a "bridge" (or high zoom compact) is the size of the imaging chip. Given the choice, there is no good reason to go with a compact over a DSLR apart from price.

In addition, I wouldn't spend so much extra to get Canon's version of live view either... it's so slow as to be crippled to the point of being useless for most tasks. Rather save the money and buy a model like the 400D or even the 350D, both of which are capable of images faaaaaaaaaaar superior to anything you'll get on a Pana compact.

Just my 2 cents.

If you're on a budget, look around for second hand 350Ds and 400Ds or even consider the Nikon D40, Pentax K<something>D or the Sony A100 or 200. All of these are good cameras, and if you shop around you can generally find some nice glass at good prices. It's much more fun than getting it all in the box ;)

MrSmith

03-08-2008, 10:58 PM

Whatever you get buy from these guys http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
BTW there is no import duty on cameras so you just pay the shipping and VAT, you should save a bundle ;)

bwana

03-08-2008, 11:00 PM

Whatever you get buy from these guys http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
BTW there is no import duty on cameras so you just pay the shipping and VAT, you should save a bundle ;)**Grumble-Grumble** sure, if customs ever releases the stuff . . .

mercurial

03-08-2008, 11:05 PM

Lol. I take it your lens has still not arrived?

bwana

04-08-2008, 11:32 AM

Lol. I take it your lens has still not arrived?Nope and now customs is demanding proof of payment and have decided only a creditcard statement will suffice. :rolleyes:

mercurial

04-08-2008, 11:41 AM

Nope and now customs is demanding proof of payment and have decided only a creditcard statement will suffice. :rolleyes:

Oh boy.

mercurial

05-08-2008, 12:10 PM

Whatever you get buy from these guys http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
BTW there is no import duty on cameras so you just pay the shipping and VAT, you should save a bundle ;)

Are you sure there are no import duties? Cos then I might as well buy directly from B&H and save a ton of money.

bwana

05-08-2008, 12:12 PM

Are you sure there are no import duties? Cos then I might as well buy directly from B&H and save a ton of money.There's no import duty on lenses and cameras but you do have to pay vat.

. . . . and dont ask - I dont want to talk about it.

mercurial

05-08-2008, 12:13 PM

There's no import duty on lenses and cameras but you do have to pay vat.

. . . . and dont ask - I dont want to talk about it.

LOL! Ok :D

bennycoza

05-08-2008, 01:09 PM

There's no import duty on lenses and cameras but you do have to pay vat.

. . . . and dont ask - I dont want to talk about it.

There are no duties on lenses, there are duties on cameras - new from this year.

If for any reason you not paying duties on cameras, you are getting lucky but customs now charge 7% schedule 1 part 2 b on digital cameras which is basically a luxury tax
plus vat

bwana

05-08-2008, 01:11 PM

There are no duties on lenses, there are duties on cameras - new from this year.

If for any reason you not paying duties on cameras, you are getting lucky but customs now charge 7% schedule 1 part 2 b on digital cameras which is basically a luxury tax
plus vatFair enough then. :)

arf9999

05-08-2008, 02:10 PM

There are no duties on lenses, there are duties on cameras - new from this year.

If for any reason you not paying duties on cameras, you are getting lucky but customs now charge 7% schedule 1 part 2 b on digital cameras which is basically a luxury tax
plus vat

Aaah, but remember that SARS has a byzantine way of working out this "7%". It is based in the retail value of the item, not the FOB value. Thus they work out (for some reason - I cannot get any good answer as to why) 7% of 110% of 110% of the FOB price which means that the excise is actually around 8.5%.