Gpa-15 Loc: Tinton Falls, NJ

Re: "Which would YOU choose (come March)"
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Come March 2017, the FZ80 hits the streets 20--1200mm for $399.95. --- Currently you can get a refurbished SX60HS 21--1200 for $399.95.
--- --- Since I take pictures of parties and groups and 'tables at weddings', I need a good flash geared {i.e. diffused} to the 20mm lens shooting at 12-15ft distance at f8--f16.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Neither. I'd get a Lumix with a Micro 4/3 sensor and viewfinder.

There are many models to choose from.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

None. Unless I win a lottery, I've got all the cameras I want.
--Bob

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I'd be embarrassed!
That would be like walking a toy poodle and having a fishing buddy see you actually doing it.
What if he snapped a pic, put it on FB, and it went viral? Then what ?!?!
SS

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I know nothing about the FZ80, but from its zoom range I'm guessing it is yet another small sensor bridge camera. If I understand correctly, the others who have recommended other cameras are questioning the image quality you'd get from one of these. They tend to have issues with noise and other IQ-destroying problems.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Yes. They are 1/2.3 inch...about a centimeter. A 4/3 is 1 1/3 inch...over three centimeters or nearly six times the area. They give much better low light/ high ISO performance.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I'd never buy a camera immediately upon release. I always wait for the price to drop, which is always does... eventually. By the time the price goes down, there are usually plenty of reviews on the camera too.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

I have the FZ70 model and it has become my favorite take everywhere rig. Yes the sensor is small in size but the lens is excellent and I get better pictures than I ever expected from it. The image stabilization is so good that I no longer carry a Tripod. I left all of the DSLR cameras and lenses behind on this trip to Taipei and have not regretted it yet.

Here a couple of shots from the FZ70.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-428847-1.html

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

The only way you are going to get "diffused" flash is by using an external flash, and either shooting it through a decent softbox, Brolly, or pointing several into a 60" or larger umbrella. That flash at 12 ft is just a point source - harsh, contrasty light. This camera does have a hotshoe, which is a good thing. As a camera, the about to be released GX850 would be a better choice, but it cannot fire an external flash - no hotshoe, no port for flash sync cable.

But you definitely want a larger sensor, and the smallest I would go would be a M4/3.

This is an affordable APS-C camera, with a "prime" lens that has a field of view equal to 28mm, a hot shoe, very compact, and it shoot raw (dng).

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1159252-REG/ricoh_175843_gr_ii_digital_camera.html

if you need something that has interchangeable lenses, then this would fit the bill

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1029860-REG/sony_ilce6000l_b_alpha_a6000_mirrorless_digital.html

The last two will give you everything you need, including a nice large sensor for good low-light performance, and you don't have to wait until something is released in March. The A6000 in particular has gotten strong reviews.

So given your intent, I would suggest you consider a larger sensor, and a slightly higher budget so you won't be back here asking about another camera in 12 months. They are worth a look, don't you think?

Gpa-15 Loc: Tinton Falls, NJ

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Hi 'MtnMan'... I'm confused. Please specify a Lumix that has an ULTRA wide lens (20mm) that sells for UNDER $400.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

What is your definition of "ultra wide"?

Is this 20mm actual or 20mm "35mm equivalent"?

Gpa-15 Loc: Tinton Falls, NJ

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Hi 'MtnMan'... It's a "35mm equivalent". I can see how you could have been confused.
BTW... It's the reason I coupled it with the 21mm (35mm equivalent) of the Canon SX60hs when I posted the Question.

BebuLamar

I didn't read the specs but can you set the aperture on these camera to f/16?

Gpa-15 Loc: Tinton Falls, NJ

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Hi 'BebuLamar'... Not SURE without going back to my source and Looking. HOWEVER, If I'm standing 10ft - 12ft from the center of a round table for 12 people, do you feel that f8 would give Crisp focus for all People (husbands would be standing behind seated wives.)
BTW... This is HOW I would use this camera. --- Yes, I would use the internal flash, provided its Horizontal-range was adequate; otherwise I would look to a Peter Gregg solution for Difussion of the Internal Flash.

tropics68 Loc: Georgia

I bought a refurbed SX60HS from Canon a couple of months ago for $299. Believe me the long zoom is over rated at best. AF is OK at short focal lengths only. MF is junk. Fine tuning MF is a fantasy. Honestly I have an old SX150IS that takes better snapshots. Stick with the DSLR. The new mirrorless models are just as small and take much nicer pictures. My Sony A6000 with a Rokinon 12mm is smaller that the SX60 and is light years ahead in IQ.