Panasonic FZ20

[SBrasure]

Haven't been around here lately, but I'm now a proud FZ20 owner. Any other FZ20 owners acive here?

It is by far a big move up from my Sony 1.3 Cybershot, and I have a lot to learn.
I've posted one picture, and will post more in my gallery as I have decent or better shots to post.

Say a prayer for all those who have suffered and lost so much due to the tsunamis, and for our troops and their families!

[bikerben55]

I've got an fz-10. i was to anxious to wait the extra couple of months for the fz20. If i was smart though, i would've bought an slr, but oh well. Im satisfied with my cam. Not super impressed, but its a great camera still.

[SBrasure]

Sure, you can do a lot with an SLR...but at a great cost. Personally, I've got a lot to learn and my FZ20 will be more than adequate for quite some time. That will give time for the SLR market to drop in price.....think what you would bay to get an SLR, and then a 400 mm zoom lens that is stabilized.

$500 for the FZ20, plus $100 for memory and $80 for a Sunpak 383 flash makes for a pretty good setup at less than a very basic Rebel outfit.

Do believe that with some practice, and a little post processing, you can do some fine photograpy with the panasonic cameras.

[matrixneo]

HI...

just owned this FZ20....was impressed by the review and sort of believe the performance of Leica lens...however, after using this so-called impressive gadget...it disappoints me as it does not perform as well as I expected....in fact, right before I got this, I owned Canon's A80, other than the short battery life, despite its purple fringing...the image really turns out really well without much adjustment.

As for this FZ20...even at factory's default setting and after adjusting the exposure level, the picture just turn out soft...meaning...colours are not as rich as Canon's A80....there seems like a 'mask' creating the hazy effect.....other than that, under indoor condition, the camera can't really balance the white well...after adjusting the EV with flash on, pics taken were seen to be darken instead...argh...is there something wrong with my FZ20 or there is some setting problems?

Anyway, the soft images were also mentioned in the dpreview. sigh...wondering whether should stick to Canon or Nikon D70

[Medic1210]

Matrixneo,

Don't write your camera off just yet. Chances are you haven't learned how to use it properly, as it is a very capable camera. It will produce stunning images quite easily. Take a look at my gallery which is made up of 95% Panasonic FZ20 images. Leave comments if you like the images.

Here's My Gallery

Mike

[matrixneo]

Originally posted by Medic1210
Matrixneo,

Don't write your camera off just yet. Chances are you haven't learned how to use it properly, as it is a very capable camera. It will produce stunning images quite easily. Take a look at my gallery which is made up of 95% Panasonic FZ20 images. Leave comments if you like the images.

Here's My Gallery

Mike

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your response and encouragement. Also, must really say that your pics are so well taken, I especially like the water droplet.

Anyway, if you dun mind, would you be able to guide me with the use of FZ20 along the way?

For now, would like to know which settings works best for indoor? S or P mode? Whichever mode I use, using the default factory settings, seems to be very pixelated...wondering whether there's anything wrong with the lens.

Thanks

[jerseyjg]

I just purchased this camera 2 days ago and so far I am not impressed, all my photos are doing the same thing, very hazy and not clear. I definitely need help or else this camera is going back. I used to own and Oly 750 and loved the crisp clear photos from that, but dropped it and broke so I figured I'd move up. Anybody Please Help!!

[matrixneo]

Originally posted by jerseyjg
I just purchased this camera 2 days ago and so far I am not impressed, all my photos are doing the same thing, very hazy and not clear. I definitely need help or else this camera is going back. I used to own and Oly 750 and loved the crisp clear photos from that, but dropped it and broke so I figured I'd move up. Anybody Please Help!!

Hi jerseyjg,

So where are u located? Are you a novice or advanced user for these digicam? If located in sg...maybe we can come out one day and see if the results are the same...

till now....the best mode that works is the manual where you manually adjust the exposure and aperture...the turnout is better than before except that it still needs software to enhanced the 'crisp' of the picture.

more often than not, the so-called OIS is performing worse than my Canon A80....whether using mode 1 or mode 2...pictures taken were blurry with double image....if OIS still needs a tripod to work .....it so contradictory....where OIS is supposed to work under movements and dun think you need OIS on normal camera while on tripod....

just my view....pls correct me if Im wrong...

[Medic1210]

Originally posted by matrixneo
Hi jerseyjg,


more often than not, the so-called OIS is performing worse than my Canon A80....whether using mode 1 or mode 2...pictures taken were blurry with double image....if OIS still needs a tripod to work .....it so contradictory....where OIS is supposed to work under movements and dun think you need OIS on normal camera while on tripod....

Not sure why you are having problems with the OIS, but I have found it works superbly. I have handheld several shots at 1/10 second at the equivalent of 105mm. Given normal standards without OIS, you can expect to get blurry at any speed slower than 1/100 second at that focal length if you don't have OIS. The rule of thumb is the reciprocal of the focal length is the slowest you want to handhold without optical stabilization. If you are trying to zoom all the way out to 432mm and then hand hold the shot at 1/60 second, you are expecting way too much. At 432mm, without OIS, you would need a shutter speed of around 1/400 second to adequately stabilize the image. OIS will generally allow you 2-3 stops slower shutter speed if you have steady hands. The consensus is that Mode 2 works the best, but doesn't stabilize the image during framing. Like I said, you need to be realistic with your expectations of the OIS. It works great, but it isn't a miracle worker. It does have it's limitations. Also, you need to consider what shutter speed you are using if the things you are shooting are moving. At full zoom, you will need a faster shutter speed to stop a moving object than you would if you were using a wide angle. Don't give up, just know that you can't expect miracles from the OIS. It does work great, you just have to know what it's limitations are.

Mike

[jerseyjg]

Having some time to play around with the camera, I feel its getting better, still not as crisp as I would like, but I haven't really found anything in the Olympus that could compare to this, so I think I'll keep it and keep on working!

[matrixneo]

Originally posted by jerseyjg
Having some time to play around with the camera, I feel its getting better, still not as crisp as I would like, but I haven't really found anything in the Olympus that could compare to this, so I think I'll keep it and keep on working!

yup...pics are getting better with adjustments and playing ard with the ISO, aperture and shutter. However, noise level are rather visible in dark areas....and pictures still look soft until edited by software...will post one my pictures taken with it for comments....anyway..is there any software to remove the noise or how to set the camera so that pics taken will be sharp without editing?

[jerseyjg]

I forgot in my earlier reply that I'm located in NJ, wished we did live closer to help each other with this camera. I'm not a beginner, and not close to professional, have alot to learn, just like to play. Actually my 2 weeks is up with this camera tomorrow and have been playing with the idea of taking it back and just seeing what else they have, any suggestions?

[jerseyjg]

How do you attach photos?

[matrixneo]

Originally posted by jerseyjg
I forgot in my earlier reply that I'm located in NJ, wished we did live closer to help each other with this camera. I'm not a beginner, and not close to professional, have alot to learn, just like to play. Actually my 2 weeks is up with this camera tomorrow and have been playing with the idea of taking it back and just seeing what else they have, any suggestions?

Me too, like you, not a beginner and neither a pro...and WOW! You mean you can return the camera back after 2 weeks of use....MAN! You are lucky....if we have this in SG, a lot of shops will close down sooner or later....hahaha...anyway...if you want to try...which I have in mind is the Nikon 8800...where there's this swivel screen allowing you to take weird angle photos.

[matrixneo]

Originally posted by jerseyjg
How do you attach photos?

bro, goto USER CP, under the Photo Gallery Box that appears on the mid-left side of the screen and choose Upload....try resizing yr pics....me size to 640X480...then you will be able to upload more pics cheerzzzzzzzz