[scodgerott]

Thanks Ric, you echo a lot of my thoughts about the FZ150 (still awaiting delivery), I think as a camera for bird photographs, it is one of the best around. Its not a DSLR, but seems to produce excellent quality as opposed to the superb quality of a DSLR, although I think that on some occasions (like sunny conditions) it may produce images that are very close in quality. I'm also pleased to hear your practical experiences, as they confirm what I was hoping the camera should do. I currently have the FZ100 and have three batteries myself, but I have never been in a situation where I have needed more than two. I can also get well over a thousand shots out of a single battery, but that involves lots of "bursts". Bursts of 50 shots runs up the numbers quite quickly, but don't seem to drain the battery.

[scodgerott]

I see what you mean, but I don't consider the blurred back leg and antenna a problem. That simply came about because of the wide aperture you used. The bits that are in the front are super clear.

[garry1366]

Does anyone have any hands on thoughts of how the light speed autofocus performs?

I had a Canon S2 several years ago and found speed of focus to be the limiting factor of it when taking bird shots so upgraded to a DSLR, which has died. So I'm trying to decide whether to get rid of my lens and go back to a super zoom or spend lots more money on a new DSLR body. I only ever use my pics for the web so I don't really need the outright quality of a DSLR.

Cheers
G

[Swissboy]

Originally Posted by ric alexander

......One word of warning, Dont expect 1 battery to be enough. This is the BIGGEST pitfall. no optical viewfinder is going to mean you need some spares. .....
. This, IMO is the best superzoom and is well worth investment

ric alexander WELCOME to BirdForum. And thanks for sharing your experiences. I fully support your opinion that one needs a spare battery. I'd guess a single spare would do for most regular users though.

You certainly have added to my confidence that this ought to become my next camera.

[scodgerott]

Hi Garry, This may or may not answer your question about the "light speed" autofocus. For starters, I don't own an FZ150 - yet. On order still waiting delivery. The "light speed" autofocus is the same system as used on the G3 and GH2. Trusted Reviews said this about the autofocus
"We’re impressed by the G3’s overall performance, especially its super quick autofocus system. Used in good light the G3’s contrast-detect AF system is as good as instantaneous, and also holds up pretty well in less than optimal light too, with a bright orange AF assist lamp coming to the camera’s aid if required. Overall, if you’re looking for a camera that’s quick enough to capture the moment before it’s gone, the G3 is a sound bet. "

Photographyblog's test on the G3 said the following about the "light speed" autofocus

"Panasonic have published marketing data which suggests that the G3's AF is as fast, if not faster, than a typical DSLR camera's, with a claimed speed of less than 0.1 second when used with certain lenses, and a still impressive 0.18 second with the 14-42mm kit lens. In practice I noticed very little difference in speed between the G3 and a DSLR, and there were also very few occasions when the G3 failed to lock onto the subject, especially when using the centre AF point."

While both these reviews apply to a different Panasonic camera, the system used in both is the same, so performance should be similar. Ric is actually using one and hopefully he will be able to add some real life experiences with this camera.

[scodgerott]

Here's a review by Photographyblog on the FZ150' autofocus

"The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150's new Light Speed auto-focus system lives up to its name and is very fast to determine focus at around 0.1 seconds, plus there's virtually no shutter delay to speak of when you take a shot"

[al-Natural]

Hello to all,
I am a proud owner of a Lumix FZ150, also owning a FZ45. I used to be a Nikon DLSR addict but also a professional naturalist, birdwatcher and wildlife tour leader, so it came a day that telescope, tripod1, cameras, tripod 2, binoculars, books, notebook, GPS and other stuff turned me into a kind of Mediterranean Sherpa. No way, I thought! and I sold my heavy photo stuff.

After having tested many models I arrived to the Panasonic Lumix FZ series pier, where I first bought a FZ100 model. After a couple of days, I gave it back because of the poor quality of the images taken with zoom at high range which gave a 'watercolour effect' more than neat images, due to the noise effect driven by the CMOS sensor.

Then I tested a FZ45 camera, where Panasonic partially solved the former noise effect as the camera has a built-in CCD sensor. Images started to be crispy enough for me. I have enjoyed many pictures with this gear, but I consider that speed focusing and a tilting LCD screen is a must for Nature photography, that's why I tested -and then bought- a FZ150.

FZ150 is a superb camera for me. Its new MOS sensor 'not an old CMOS one' on the FZ100 is a kind of CCD and CMOS hybrid, and the the sensor noise given now is lesser than the previous one in the FZ45 model. Superb!

But... have in mind! A bridge camera IS NOT a DSLR, and a wildlife image probably never will beat one taken with a 600 mm f:2.8 tube and a Nikon/Canon professional camera body, but who can afford expensive gear like that?

If you, as me, are interested in very decent shots, a satisfactory zoom range (unbeateable to document rarities or species seen very far), a superb macro with a comfortable Manual focus mode for insects and wildflowers, a very good quality landscape and general shots, the FZ150 should be nominated as your camera.

'The better the light, the better the shot', an obvious saying that in a brigde camera is a must. This, and use a tripod as oftenly as you can!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6303749...7627865634808/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6303749...7627741299431/

Saludos

Jorge
PS. I enclose links to both pictures taken with a FZ150. Hope you like them!

[scodgerott]

Hi Jorge, I agree with everything you've said, although I kept my FZ100. I got the FZ150 today and really haven't had a proper play with it yet, as its getting dark here in Australia. Tomorrow I'll give it a better test. I like your pics as well.

[speckled wood]

I had the FZ45 until I dropped it, the only downside for me on the FZ45 was the lack of a tilting screen, (other than the lack of a tilting screen) ,I would have been happy with it now had I not dropped it and would certainly not be upgrading to the FZ47 or the FZ150.

As it is after I dropped my FZ45 and not being able to quickly obtain another FZ45 or FZ100 at a reasonable price I took an alternative route to the Fuji HS10 and then HS20 and I don't see myself making an upgrade from there any time soon.

[scodgerott]

Today I was going to try out the FZ150, but currently its raining, so I'll have to wait a little while and hope it clears. However, I have a couple of thoughts on the camera, both positive. Firstly the Ai mode now allows you to set the size of the image, eg 8mp, the result being that it then allows you to use the izoom feature, which isn't available in the Ai mode on previous FZ models. The other interesting feature (especially for bird shots) is that when you are in autofocus and you half depress the shutter button to focus (which seems quite fast), if the side lever is set to focus, you can then manually focus the camera. In other words, if the camera focuses on some leaves or branches, rather than the bird, all you have to do is continue to hold the focus button down and at the same time move the lever up or down to focus on the subject. How good is that? That's way better than the arrangement on the FZ100. Another feature is that the 12 fps will fire at that rate even when the ISO is greater than 100, unlike the FZ100, where once you upped the ISO the burst rate dropped to around 5 fps. I hope to have more information about the camera once I really get into using it properly.

[Swissboy]

Originally Posted by scodgerott

....izoom feature
...... you can then manually focus the camera......

Great news, indeed. Not sure what the izoom feature brings, though. But that manual focus is exactly what I need. Now if only the EVF were a bit better to allow more precise focus adjustments.

I notice, by the way, that the price of the camera is starting to drop a bit. At least on US internet platforms.

[firstreesjohn]

Originally Posted by scodgerott

when you are in autofocus and you half depress the shutter button to focus (which seems quite fast), if the side lever is set to focus, you can then manually focus the camera.

I tried this out today. It also magnifies an area in the EVF.

It proved almost impossible to get the focus sharp 'in' the EVF- but I will try again and take some test pix.

Here's a link to the same shot, just cropped and then edited: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.ph...ostcount=13661

[Mabs]

Hi there folks.
I'm thoroughly enjoying this camera and I've had some lovely portraits out of it and action shots of my dog jumping.
I've not had any good bird shots yet but here's a link to a video I shot today of a squirrel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIRGt_bHCiE

I need to resize the photos but in the meantime here is a link to one on facebook. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...1&l=7e3030b1b5

Cheers.

[Swissboy]

Originally Posted by Swissboy

....You certainly have added to my confidence that this ought to become my next camera.

Ok, mine is on the way now. It will still take a bit till I actually have it though.

[al-Natural]

Originally Posted by Mabs

Hi there folks.
I'm thoroughly enjoying this camera and I've had some lovely portraits out of it and action shots of my dog jumping.
I've not had any good bird shots yet but here's a link to a video I shot today of a squirrel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIRGt_bHCiE

Hi Mabs,
Congrats for the clip, I find it very good indeed. How did you edit it to become a Youtube video?

Thanks in advance.

Jorge

[al-Natural]

Here I am again
Just to show you one of the FZ150 shots I took last night at sunset, using the tripod, and no crops!!! Zoom at about 50% of its total range!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6303749...4694/lightbox/

Saludos!
Jorge

[scodgerott]

Beautiful shot Jorge. I am getting some good results with mine as well. I will do some posting on Flickr soon.

[al-Natural]

Thank you!! I will do an autumn tour tomorrow hoping to get shots to show you. Waiting for your images to see!!
Saludos!

Jorge

[Marys1000]

Heres a rather stupid question....are the 150 and 150K the same thing?
Price on Amazon US is now 419.00 dollars.
My priorities are ease of use and sharp pictures, no tripod. Don't care about much else. Have an old Z3 and must say that the viewfinders, both electric and optical were awful. Sometimes it was just point and hope. This has made me wonder about other brands but honestly it just gets too exhausting to try to figure out. Don't understand why the tilt viewfind is so important, just hoping its better than the old one.

[Swissboy]

Originally Posted by Marys1000

Heres a rather stupid question....are the 150 and 150K the same thing?
Price on Amazon US is now 419.00 dollars.
......... Don't understand why the tilt viewfind is so important, just hoping its better than the old one.

Can't answer the first part, but I have wondered about that too.

As for the viewfinders, the one most important feature on ANY camera to me is an EVF, or an optical one for that matter. But one that allows to stabilize the camera while taking pictures or videos, and one that works under all light conditions.

[njlarsen]

With Pana, letters following the number often denotes color, but can also seemingly be filler. The GH2 for example, have the following two models:
DMC-GH2K-K Black
DMC-GH2K-S Silver

according to Amazon.com. What the first K means I don't know, but it makes me believe that the 150 and 150K indeed are the same thing.

Niels

[Dryocopus]

Originally Posted by scodgerott

The other interesting feature (especially for bird shots) is that when you are in autofocus and you half depress the shutter button to focus (which seems quite fast), if the side lever is set to focus, you can then manually focus the camera. In other words, if the camera focuses on some leaves or branches, rather than the bird, all you have to do is continue to hold the focus button down and at the same time move the lever up or down to focus on the subject.

iA? or A?

which side focus - MF ?

I found ia was great for scenery - but not for birds in trees - this would help -
just need clarity above thanks

[firstreesjohn]

Originally Posted by Marys1000

Don't understand why the tilt viewfind is so important

It’s particularly useful when taking, for example, insects that may be too high for one’s eye or at an odd angle.

Also, and similarly, video.

I have noticed that there is a concentration of ‘buttons’, on the rear of the camera and around the thumb plate: it is very easy to activate one of these inadvertently. The ‘Playback’ and ‘Video’ could also do with being less flush to the body and, as a result, are slightly difficult to locate by feel- usually necessitating a quick glance.

I am still more than happy with it, though.

[scodgerott]

Hi, yes the fz150 and fz150k are the same camera.
Not sure why the now superceded fz100 is more expensive
than the fz150. The K stands for black. There is no other colour
variant on this model.

[Hobbes2]

Apologies if this has already been covered in the thread (if so, please point me back in the right direction ), but I wondered if it was possible to attach the 1.7 teleconverter to the FZ150 (with a suitable adapter)?
Thanks
Hobbes