I thought I'd post a link to the first "proper" review of this camera, as I know a few here are interested in it. No surprises for me; it's what I expected from seeing the sample images a few weeks ago. I won't be selling my FZ150 to get this camera
The thought was nice, but including the link would be even nicer.
Dear Chriskten
Thank you for posting the link. I am a novice with cameras, although I got the chance to try out the Canon Powershot 50 x optical zoom camera when birding, and thought it was great.
Now Panasonic have come out with a 60 x optical zoom. I would have thought this is even better. However I noted you werent impressed.
Would you not recommend the FZ72 and if so why not please
Ian
I am a novice with cameras, although I got the chance to try out the Canon Powershot 50 x optical zoom camera when birding, and thought it was great.
Now Panasonic have come out with a 60 x optical zoom. I would have thought this is even better.
Just wanted to note that the Canon and the FZ72 both have the same maximum zoom magnification even though one is 50x and the other is 60x. (The maximum mag is 1200mm 35mm equivalent--which is like a 24x binocular or scope (human eye is appx 50mm), or 48x with the teleconverter option enabled). The panny can claim "60x" because it has a lower minimum magnification--i.e. the maximum is 60 times the minimum. It's unfortunate camera manufacturers use this misleading terminology.
Best,
Jim
Hi Ian,
It's not that I wouldn't recommend it, it's just that my Panasonic FZ150 already does everything that I want.
If I didn't already own the FZ150, I'd be more likely to get the FZ200 than the FZ72. In the UK we get poor light often, and the constant Aperture of the FZ200 would allow lower ISOs to be used in poor light.
And... just because it's newer, doesn't mean it's better
I have used mine as a 'scope'. I could see a sparrow in the distance and thought I think thats tree but with the binos I couldn't quite make out enough. With the camera I could id the bird! 60*optic plus 5 times digital is a massive 300times...
There are some pictures on here:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=269164
I should point out that I'm no David Bailey (if people remember him) and also don't reel off hundreds of pictures of the same bird.
I have stated on other threads that I think I will probably use about 20% of the cameras ability. I have upped the ISO to 400 which gives a good compromise for speed and quality. I also shoot in 'A'perture priority which tends to take pictures in the region of 'f' stop 8. Any advantage is gained with depth of view. I'm still experimenting with the focussing modes to try and get the best option for birds in flight but at the moment whilst not perfect is miles better than my old panasonic.
phase detect AF for much faster AF lock-on