Bridge Digital Cameras

P

PostmanPot

Honorary Master
Joined
Jul 16, 2005
Messages
35,014
Reaction score
81
Location
Cape Town
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. :)
 
PostmanPot said:
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. :)
Click to expand...
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. :)
 
Great camera. I had the FZ20 until recently, and know someone with the FZ50.
 
bwana said:
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. :)
Click to expand...

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.
 
PostmanPot said:
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.
Click to expand...
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. :)
 
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 :)
 
PostmanPot said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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).
 
Bradbowlllama said:
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.
Click to expand...
The kids were probably the biggest reason I was successfully able to "sell" my wife on why I needed half my gear :D
BigAl-sa said:
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).
Click to expand...
It looks like the sensor is very small when compared to even the most basic dslrs.
 
mercurial said:
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 :)
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
mercurial said:
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.
Click to expand...
You'll particularly need that IS if you're planning on shooting with live mode. :)
 
bwana said:
You'll particularly need that IS if you're planning on shooting with live mode. :)
Click to expand...

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:
 
Last edited:
mercurial said:
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:
Click to expand...
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. :)
 
Last edited:
bwana said:
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. :)
Click to expand...

Lol ok. I will ask another question but I will post it in the photography thread.
 
mercurial said:
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:
Click to expand...
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.
 
Not sure if it works or not but most modern IS lenses are supposed to detect when the camera is attached to a tripod.
 
mercurial said:
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.
Click to expand...

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 must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X