Panasonic Lumix series (Page 3): I have been using Lumix Point-And-Shoot cameras for about 10 years now. Always purchased on the secondary market a few years later. My current Pride...

delder Loc: Maryland

I have been using Lumix Point-And-Shoot cameras for about 10 years now.
Always purchased on the secondary market a few years later.
My current Pride and Joy is a Lumix DMC-ZS6. This has a 12 MP Sensor and a 12X Zoom in a smallish package.
It replaced a DMC-FS3. [Still works but Selector Knob broken stuck on Auto]

I have allways been impresed with the Build Quality, Low Light performance and pleasing results I obtain with these.
My comparison is generally similar priced Kodak Point & Shoots, which never seemed to measure up to the Lumix.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

J. Cricket wrote:

Anyone with comments, good or bad, about Lumix cameras?

Fantastic line of cameras! I have owned at least 4 different models over the last 13 years

RolandDieter

For lightweight, versatile travel you cannot beat m4/3. Panasonic Lumix or Olympus, but the better Olympus cameras and lenses are heavier. I use Lumix for travel and Oly for action. Lenses are interchangeable. (Caveat: for larger prints such as landscapes I also have full-frame.)

radiojohn

PHRubin wrote:

I have 2 pocket model Lumix cameras and am very happy with them. One is better at low light (ZS100) and the other has a greater zoom lens (ZS80).

Maybe we should call them "Leicix" just to annoy some people?

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

bkwaters wrote:

Any idea why M43 cameras are poor in tracking? I rented an OM systems OM-1 and despite the claims, the tracking is still not great. The LUMIX M43 are even worse in that one area. Otherwise, as you so clearly detailed, LUMIX M43 cameras can’t be beat when it comes to compactness of lenses, video features, clarity of menu system and computational features.

The OM-1 tracking is not at the exact same level as the full frames but close. And it can be dependent on the settings. The Panasonic 4/3rds will receive dual focus in the very near future (this year?) which should bring Lumix to the same level as the OM-1. As Bill at Burkphoto has indicated, 4/3rds right now holds the video spot, specifically Panasonic Lumix, even against full frame video. And right now, full frame is really not quite as well developed as 4/3rds video. And full frame is definitely more expensive. And even though Olympus did not seriously pursue video, now OMDS is seeking to increase their video presents.

As far as both still and video go, Lumix would be a wise way to go.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

bkwaters wrote:

Any idea why M43 cameras are poor in tracking? I rented an OM systems OM-1 and despite the claims, the tracking is still not great. The LUMIX M43 are even worse in that one area. Otherwise, as you so clearly detailed, LUMIX M43 cameras can’t be beat when it comes to compactness of lenses, video features, clarity of menu system and computational features.

I shoot an OM-1 and it tracks just fine. What camera are you used to? I find a lot of people have issues when first switching from DSLR to mirrorless. I switched from a Lumix G9 to the Olympus E-M1X because the G9’s focus was too slow. I shoot M4/3 and Nikon full frame. I ended up selling my Nikon D500 after determining the E-M1X was pretty close in tracking. I’ve since upgraded to the OM-1 and find its tracking very good, pretty close to my Z9.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

RolandDieter wrote:

For lightweight, versatile travel you cannot beat m4/3. Panasonic Lumix or Olympus, but the better Olympus cameras and lenses are heavier. I use Lumix for travel and Oly for action. Lenses are interchangeable. (Caveat: for larger prints such as landscapes I also have full-frame.)

May I ask - what size "larger prints"? and how many pixels is your FF sensor?
Reason I ask is that Landscapes are one of my main photographic interests - I have used Lumix M43 exclusively for fifteen years with satisfying success, however my "large" prints are 16x20". Mostly A4 home prints (Canon printer).
I changed from a GX8 (20mpx) to a G80/G85 (16mpx) for a better electronic shutter. I see no difference in IQ. I do tend to fill the frame and have used most Lumix lenses (not Leica branded) over the last few years, and have now returned to the original 14-45 (Once voted best kit lens ever) for most landscapes. Happy shooting, Del.

bkwaters

SuperflyTNT wrote:

I shoot an OM-1 and it tracks just fine. What camera are you used to? I find a lot of people have issues when first switching from DSLR to mirrorless. I switched from a Lumix G9 to the Olympus E-M1X because the G9’s focus was too slow. I shoot M4/3 and Nikon full frame. I ended up selling my Nikon D500 after determining the E-M1X was pretty close in tracking. I’ve since upgraded to the OM-1 and find its tracking very good, pretty close to my Z9.

I've used the AR7M5, EOS R8 and EOS R50. The OM-1, in my one week Lensrentals trial, did not track birds as well as any of those. The OM-1 was good, but not as good. It was also less reliable with initially locking onto the birds eye. I did not get to test the OM-1 in sports tracking, but online reviews suggest it's not quite up to the best Sonys and new Canons. Of course, to a large degree the percentage of "keepers" is overcome by the OM-1's superior burst speed. I know nothing first hand about tracking during video.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

J. Cricket wrote:

Anyone with comments, good or bad, about Lumix cameras?

I have a DMC FZ300. It is a bridge camera with excellent zoom. Very good camera and affordable.
Bruce.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

bkwaters wrote:

I've used the AR7M5, EOS R8 and EOS R50. The OM-1... (show quote)

The best setting is to not use C-AF+Tracking but to just use C-AF+Subject detection.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

SuperflyTNT wrote:

The best setting is to not use C-AF+Tracking but to just use C-AF+Subject detection.

Thanks for the tip, just got an OM-1 for my new Oly 300 primarily for birding. Keeping my G9 for general photography as it takes great travel photos.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Lagoonguy wrote:

Thanks for the tip, just got an OM-1 for my new Oly 300 primarily for birding. Keeping my G9 for general photography as it takes great travel photos.

That OM-1 can do it all. I do a lot of wildlife with it but I pretty much kept the 12-40 f/2.8 Pro on it for my trip to Scotland last August and it was great.
Check out their YouTube channel. They’re always doing live events on video that are also recorded. Today is was about shooting birds.

bkwaters

SuperflyTNT wrote:

The best setting is to not use C-AF+Tracking but to just use C-AF+Subject detection.

Thanks. I'll have to retract my tracking assessment as I did not try that.