Panasonic FZ150 (4 Viewers)

Hey guys

KenM:
I have a very "Untrained" eye but Ill tell you what I see in the pic in post #9.

Far right shot (HX100V?)
Tree foliage:
Looks darker and has more darker shade/shadow spots.

Area coverage:
I don't know if it's zoomed in more or the area coverage is less than the other 2 pics, mabey abit of both. Notice less water below boats and on top of tress.

Water:
Water on top of tress looks darker as does the water below boats.

Grass and two part color sections of the "field":
Look almost grey/dull , especially the top section of the field.





To tell you the truth I dont see much difference of the sharpness of the 1st and 3rd shot. Just a darker hue of blue for 3rd pic and top trees.
And darker less dull green grass and most of the trees for the 1st pic.

The 2nd shot looks the least sharp of the 3 pics and looks like it has a slightly brighter hue for the tree foliage, grass, water (everything) than the other two. Side of the boat is blurry/smudged cant even tell there a blue stripe running down the side of the middle boat like the others look like.

Only spot in photo 3 that looks sharper "slightly" is the bottom water section, yes it's darker but to me it look very slightly sharper especially around the boats.

Again this is an VERY untrained eye looking at this. Id like to say that I think the HX100V is a nice camera. I wanted this camera first when I was shopping for superzooms , but I wanted a camera with RAW. I LOVE the panorama Sony has, and the stills/video looks awesome too.




scodgerott:
Thanks for pointing out some of the features of the FZ150K! I cant wait to learn/work with this camera and learn to get good shots and such.

I pretty excited and have a quick question for an item(s) I seen on Amazon.
I seen this kit on amazon are these add on lens gonna be worth it and If I do get the lenses, I think I need this adapter too? Im gonna need the bag/tripod too. They have panasonic versions of there lens but they are more expensive.
Also the Tele lens is 1.7x for Pana's , the kit on amazon is 2.2x.
Dont know if its worth it or not.

Kit:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC...PECK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1317778079&sr=8-3


Adapter:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMW...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317778198&sr=1-1


Thanks,
DamianJP

Hi Damian, I am getting excited too, as the FZ150 due very soon, either this week or next. In the mean time I can live quite comfortably with the FZ100. With regards to those items on Amazon. The lens kit is pretty good, but cheap and with lens you get what you pay for, so while it looks like good value, it may just be crap. The other link - the lens tube adapter could be quite useful, although I have seen non-Panasonic ones on ebay for about $7. On occasions, I use a 2x Sony teleconverter, which was designed for a video camera and with a couple of step down rings, that will screw straight onto the front lens of the camera. The lens I use isn't very heavy and therefore doesn't put too much strain on the screw thread, which is really designed only for lightweight filters. If you get a bigger (in size and weight) lens, the adapter tube becomes necessary, as it screws into the body of the camera. Its not very expensive, even at $20+, so its probably worth buying.

scodgerott said:

Hi Damian, I am getting excited too, as the FZ150 due very soon, either this week or next. In the mean time I can live quite comfortably with the FZ100. With regards to those items on Amazon. The lens kit is pretty good, but cheap and with lens you get what you pay for, so while it looks like good value, it may just be crap. The other link - the lens tube adapter could be quite useful, although I have seen non-Panasonic ones on ebay for about $7. On occasions, I use a 2x Sony teleconverter, which was designed for a video camera and with a couple of step down rings, that will screw straight onto the front lens of the camera. The lens I use isn't very heavy and therefore doesn't put too much strain on the screw thread, which is really designed only for lightweight filters. If you get a bigger (in size and weight) lens, the adapter tube becomes necessary, as it screws into the body of the camera. Its not very expensive, even at $20+, so its probably worth buying.

Click to expand...

I'd second what you say about being wary of cheap lenses.

My son was after a 1.7x teleconverter for his Lumix . He didn't want to listen to advice and went ahead and bought a cheapie on E-Bay.

When the lens came I set up my wife's FZ50 on a tripod and fired off some test shots with the new lens and her Panasonic lens.

When he saw the results he soon changed his mind and got the Panasonic lens. The cheapie went back, and after a fair bit of trouble and threats he got his refund.

Buyer beware.

The results are shown below - same images, same distance, same conditions, tripod mounted. No sharpening or other adjustment. They are just as they came out of the camera. Panasonic first, cheapie second. There's also an example of how the cheap lens coped with text, at greater range than the flowers.

It's hard to believe something as bad as this gets manufactured.

DamianJP said:

scodgerott:
Thanks for pointing out some of the features of the FZ150K! I cant wait to learn/work with this camera and learn to get good shots and such.

I pretty excited and have a quick question for an item(s) I seen on Amazon.
I seen this kit on amazon are these add on lens gonna be worth it and If I do get the lenses, I think I need this adapter too? Im gonna need the bag/tripod too. They have panasonic versions of there lens but they are more expensive.
Also the Tele lens is 1.7x for Pana's , the kit on amazon is 2.2x.
Dont know if its worth it or not.

Kit:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC...PECK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1317778079&sr=8-3


Adapter:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMW...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317778198&sr=1-1

Click to expand...

As others have suggested, the kit is probably junk. Also, the FZ150 is not an interchangeable lens camera, so these are not really what I would call "lenses" but converters that are attached to the front of the built in lens on the camera. Moreover, the camera already comes with a lens with a vast zoom range down to 25mm or so, which is already wide angle. So you don't need a converter to get wide angle. It also gives you a high level of magnification, to 600mm or so. I'd see whether you feel you want more for the type of photography you do first before ordering a teleconverter. If you want something cheaper than Panny's teleconverter the TCON 17 by Olympus is decent and used by many of us here on previous panny ultrazoom models.

Best,
Jim

Man you guys are awesome!! I know this thread wasn't started by me so is it accpetable that I keep posting my personal interests and buying options of the FZ150? I mean it would help out others in the same position or have the same questions about the FZ150 I think but let me know. I don't wanna break forum etiquette.

I will not get the kit bases on everyone advice and those pics. Ewww man your right how does a company A)Feel comfortable putting out crap, B)Is let to be able to put out crap like that. I guess it all comes down to money talks... I will use the camera stock and see how I like it, like J.Moore said.

I ordered a Transcend 32 GB Class 10 SDHC Flash Memory Card TS32GSDHC10E, should be enough of space right now without breaking $50.

I just found a old but good condition tri pod , its older though. Have they changed the mounting system over the years, mainly the screw/thread of the screw part?


Any have a good recommendation on a good case to get for the FZ150?


Thanks again guys !,
DamianJP

KenM said:

Looking at the comparatives in post 9....I'm seeing the Sony as looking (sharper) and more contrasty than the Panasonic...whats the consensus on that?

ps..I have the Sony :t:

cheers

Click to expand...

I think that the Sony has less detail that the Panasonic, even though it has 30x zoom, and that the green is a funny colour. Check out the flat blocky areas on the Sony where there should be foliage detail. There seems, to my eye, to be a little more detail on the Panasonic, though there is not much in it. Either way it shows that the higher zoom and the higher megapixel count in the Sony is not worth anything when it comes to resolving foliage (and therefore feather?) detail.

Mind you, have you read about the Fuji X-S1? Oh my god, here we go again!!

Sean

Don't forget that the Cameralabs people were using the old firmware, not the one that is in the cameras that are on sale. Have a look at this site and there will be no doubt which camera has the better image quality between the Sony and the Panasonic. The Sony image is quite poor in comparision.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidchinphoto/6123193148/

Barred Wobbler said:

.............The results are shown below - same images, same distance, same conditions, tripod mounted. No sharpening or other adjustment. They are just as they came out of the camera. Panasonic first, cheapie second. There's also an example of how the cheap lens coped with text, at greater range than the flowers.

It's hard to believe something as bad as this gets manufactured.

Click to expand...

Incredible! Thanks for this eye-opener!:t:

Not sure about the text picture though, nothing to compare it with.

scodgerott said:

Don't forget that the Cameralabs people were using the old firmware, not the one that is in the cameras that are on sale. .....

Click to expand...

All the reports that one can find at this point are with the preliminary firmware in the camera.
I hope we'll get some reports when the definite version is out. I would like to be sure they have not added any new problems instead.

Camerlabs have updated the firmware - with not much difference.
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_FZ150/firmware_02_vs_1.shtml
Sean

Swissboy said:

All the reports that one can find at this point are with the preliminary firmware in the camera.
I hope we'll get some reports when the definite version is out. I would like to be sure they have not added any new problems instead.

Click to expand...

Here is a link to photos taken in the last day or so with an FZ150 by a person who has just had his camera delivered and is testing it out using different iso levels.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kgravett1/sets/72157627821424850/

About the Fuji X-S1...

1)Sensor size/features gonna be much better than the FZ150k?
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/digital-camera-sensor-size.htm
Purple is the F150? Light Blue the Fuji X-S1?

2)What the price range you think Fuji will set?

3)Worth to wait over the FZ150k?


Just when I have things all sorted out. Reason why I ask it seems every time I get into this "I gotta have it mode" I jump the gun and then something comes around the corner to make me wish I would have waited.


Thanks,
DamianJP

DamianJP said:

Reason why I ask it seems every time I get into this "I gotta have it mode" I jump the gun and then something comes around the corner to make me wish I would have waited.


Thanks,
DamianJP

Click to expand...

Cannot be helped. There is always something never and better coming within maximally the next half year -- quite often you just do not know what it will be or what it will cost. My personal solution is to purchase when I cannot wait any longer (the I need it NOW syndrome) but when I do, I try not to follow the marked too closely for a while to avoid the disappointment

Niels

LOL njlarsen So Im not the only one?

I don't have any camera right now, and Im finding myself after this week of researching and looking around finding myself saying "Wow that would be a good shot" or "Damn I wish I had my camera for that".

And spring 2012 is along ways away. If I wait that long and then Fuji drops a wicked price on it it would bum me out.

Found a new sensor size (Relative)
http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com/2010/07/sensor-sizes.html

I guess Ill just have to make a decision.


Thanks again,
DamianJP

DamianJP said:

......I don't have any camera right now, and Im finding myself after this week of researching and looking around ........
I guess Ill just have to make a decision.

.... DamianJP

Click to expand...

Hi DamianJP, I think you need to just relax a bit. But that's difficult as you say you don't have a camera right now. So from that point, ANY camera would be better! So as others have said, it's also a question whether you really need a camera now or whether you can wait till spring 2012.

I'm sure, if you can wait that long, then your present itch to get a camera is not well founded. Otherwise, I think you have done your homework fairly seriously, and you should be able to decide on a very high level of confidence. There is no perfect camera ever. So the important point is whether a camera fulfills your major needs.

In my case, I take videos quite often. And the cameras I have had so far all show that awful streaking whenever there is bright light, such as from an oncoming vehicle's headlight, or from reflections of the sun in the water. To see what I mean, have a look here around 0:15: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpj1yRYwBqo
And that is one of the more harmless cases, as I felt the streaking was still sufficiently tolerable not to insult potential viewers.

Thus I feel I very urgently need a model with a CMOS sensor. And as I really like the Panasonic's Leica lens, I will most likely opt for the FZ150. But I already have two FZ models, an FZ8 and a FZ35, so I think I can wait a bit till I see more reviews, and maybe the price might drop a bit. But then, I would have to see very convincing arguments against getting it. That was the case with the FZ100 that had too many reports about picture quality being lower than my present cameras.

seanofford said:

Camerlabs have updated the firmware - with not much difference.
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_FZ150/firmware_02_vs_1.shtml
Sean

Click to expand...

Thanks Sean. The question is how much of the observed slight differences are due to sample variation. Nevertheless, I think the old firmware provides slightly warmer colors, whereas the new firmware seems to provide a slightly more evenly exposed picture. All this on a rather minuscule scale considering the crops' size.

Robert

Thank you for the response. I think the FZ150 will fit most of my needs as it's my first camera that I actually will be learning how to get the best shot possible in different scenarios and really using the camera for whats it's built for and just a tool. The only thing that was turning my head was the new sensor size (2/3") in the X-S1.

Seems like the first bridge camera you can get that sensor size (2/3")with a superzoom camera with a non interchangeable price, though no one really knows the price yet. I didn't know if the new fuji X-S1 with the 2/3" will blow the FZ150 outta of the water with still image quality.

Other than that the features and 1080p 60/30fps vids are all fitting my needs right now.


Thanks,
DamianJP

I’ve taken some shots in the field

See: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2258476&postcount=13379

and: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2258804&postcount=13388

and: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2258847&postcount=13390

The above shots were of my first bird with this camera, with only a cursory read of the manual.

Macro seems good, too- but I haven’t really given this a proper try-out.

HD video is stunning, even in low light.

As others have said, you don’t need a tele-converter, when you can zoom optically to 46.9x.

Having owned an FZ50, then FZ18, then FZ38, I can confidently state this is the best- in terms of both image quality and features.

firstreesjohn said:

See: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2258476&postcount=13379

and: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2258804&postcount=13388

and: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2258847&postcount=13390

The above shots were of my first bird with this camera, with only a cursory read of the manual.

Macro seems good, too- but I haven’t really given this a proper try-out.

HD video is stunning, even in low light.

As others have said, you don’t need a tele-converter, when you can zoom optically to 46.9x.

Having owned an FZ50, then FZ18, then FZ38, I can confidently state this is the best- in terms of both image quality and features.

Click to expand...

The image quality of your photo does look very good. Thanks for posting this.
Hobbes

firstreesjohn said:

See: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2258476&postcount=13379

and: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2258804&postcount=13388

and: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2258847&postcount=13390

The above shots were of my first bird with this camera, with only a cursory read of the manual.

Macro seems good, too- but I haven’t really given this a proper try-out.

HD video is stunning, even in low light.

As others have said, you don’t need a tele-converter, when you can zoom optically to 46.9x.

Having owned an FZ50, then FZ18, then FZ38, I can confidently state this is the best- in terms of both image quality and features.

Click to expand...

hi john
if you don't mind,could you tell me where you purchased the camera from,many shops in the uk don't have the stock as yet,at least where i have looked anyway.
thanks