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I want to upgrade from my Sony Cybershot. Is the Panasonic FZ20 a good choice?

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I've got one and love it. The 12X optical zoom is great, and the camera takes great pictures. Be advised that while you can use it as a point and shoot, the camera is much better when you learn to use its many features. Having an auxillary flash is also very good for indoor flash pictures.

Personally, I don't think you can beat it unless you want to spend big bucks on an slr digital and lenses.

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The 12X optical is appealing to me. I've not been very happy with the 3X optical of my Sony. Is this a fairly easy camera to operate, as my 16 yr. old would like to use it too? And how are the videos? Is the audio good? Thank you for your input. I would like to purchase a new camera, possibly this Panasonic Z20, within the next 2 weeks.

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Operation in auto mode is pretty simple...navigation and menus on this camera is quite logical and simple. You still need to read the manual...but if you put the camera on P and shoot, you will get some good pictures...make sure the auto/manual focus switch is set properly, use the diopter adjustment to make sure the viewfinder is in focus, and use the shutter properly to focus the shot.

Video is not considered one of this camera's strong points....I've only played around with it a couple of times. Seems to me that I read that the video on the Canon S1 (?) is much better. I'm not a video person, but believe that if you want video...buy a video camera....they will do a better job...period!

The FZ20 is a camera that has a learning curve if you are going to really get the best out of it. For me, Im still learning. The ability to use and aux. flash is really a plus for indoor shots...I use the Sunpak 383. And, I will agree with other owners that unless you are going to spend big bucks on a digital SLR and lenses, the Panaonic line is hard to beat IF you want the 12X optical zoom and image stabilization. After the Panasonics, your choices boil down to the Canon, or other cameras such as the Olympus that have a long zoom but no stabilization. I really think that Olympus will have to come out with some new models to compete with the Panasonics....and I hope they do because I think my son's Olympus 750 is one nice little camera...thought of getting one myself until I researched the Panasoncs.

Hope this has been helpfull...sorry for the length!

Steve

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