LUMIX dmc dx-200: Well, trying to make a decision. I have enough Nikon cameras: d5200, d5500, d7000, d7500. I hardly ever use the d5200 anymore, so am thinking about trading it for a...

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

Well, trying to make a decision. I have enough Nikon cameras: d5200, d5500, d7000, d7500. I hardly ever use the d5200 anymore, so am thinking about trading it for a LUMIX dmc fz-200 (about $189 exc condition). Used to have a Nikon p520 but it finally quit turning on. So thought the LUMIX bridge would be a lightweight carry around camera with up 600mm range & constant 2.8 aperture when I don’t want to carry my heavier & bulkier cameras. Old tech, but good ratings for a bridge camera. Got good lenses on my DSLR’s(18-300 Nikon & 18-270 Tamron) & can’t afford longer lenses. Thoughts please, including anyone who still uses the LUMIX fz-200. Thanks.

jonsailhob

Have ZS-200 for several years and love it. The 1” sensor is a real plus, but more expensive. Bought it used from B&H. Our other camera is a Nikon p510 which has more zoom but smaller sensor. It has more raw reach, but is only better for far distant birds.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

jonsailhob wrote:

Have ZS-200 for several years and love it. The 1” sensor is a real plus, but more expensive. Bought it used from B&H. Our other camera is a Nikon p510 which has more zoom but smaller sensor. It has more raw reach, but is only better for far distant birds.

Completely different camera. The FZ-200 has a 1/2.3” sensor. There’s no way you’re getting f/2.8 at 600mm equivalent on a 1” sensor unless the lens is huge. The ZS-200 maxes out at 360mm and at something like f/6.4.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Since I can't find any info on a DX200, we need clarification. There was a bridge camera DMC-FZ200, now the DMC-FZ300 and there is the pocketable 1" model the DC-ZS200. There was also a bridge camera the Lumix DC-FZ80 which is still on the Panasonic website but no longer available new at some retailers. There are the 1" bridge cameras the DC-FZ1000 II and the DMC-FZ2500.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

PHRubin wrote:

Since I can't find any info on a DX200, we need clarification. There was a bridge camera DMC-FZ200, now the DMC-FZ300 and there is the pocketable 1" model the DC-ZS200. There was also a bridge camera the Lumix DC-FZ80 which is still on the Panasonic website but no longer available new at some retailers. There are the 1" bridge cameras the DC-FZ1000 II and the DMC-FZ2500.

If you read the post and not just the header you would know the OP is talking about the FZ200.

jonsailhob

SuperflyTNT wrote:

Completely different camera. The FZ-200 has a 1/2.3” sensor. There’s no way you’re getting f/2.8 at 600mm equivalent on a 1” sensor unless the lens is huge. The ZS-200 maxes out at 360mm and at something like f/6.4.

Sorry

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

PHRubin wrote:

Since I can't find any info on a DX200, we need clarification. There was a bridge camera DMC-FZ200, now the DMC-FZ300 and there is the pocketable 1" model the DC-ZS200. There was also a bridge camera the Lumix DC-FZ80 which is still on the Panasonic website but no longer available new at some retailers. There are the 1" bridge cameras the DC-FZ1000 II and the DMC-FZ2500.

I’m looking at the fz200. The fz300 is waterproof but cost considerably more & I don’t believe it has a constant 2.8 aperture throughout the range (28 -600) of the lens. Looking at the fz200, with an evf, forthe size & weight. At the price it’s listed it at it not be a lot to lose if it got damaged. Reviews spoke favorably considering the age.

dreff Loc: Bow, WA

My fz200 is not great for landscapes but excellent for birds. The long reach and digital zoom gives an equivalent of 1200mm and it is sharp if you have a reasonable amount of light

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

Do you mean 600mm in 35mm terms?

Glad to hear you like it. My Nikon d5500 does pretty good with my Nikon 18-400 lens, but thought for the price the fz200 would be a good lightweight addition with the extra reach.

dreff Loc: Bow, WA

I guess not with the smaller sensor

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

whatdat wrote:

Do you mean 600mm in 35mm terms?

Glad to hear you like it. My Nikon d5500 does pretty good with my Nikon 18-400 lens, but thought for the price the fz200 would be a good lightweight addition with the extra reach.

If you would use “quote reply” we would know who you’re responding to.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

Just to clarify in the title to my post I meant to say Lumix dmc fz200, NOT, dx200. My bad. Fat fingers on a small keyboard. Need to put my fingers on a diet. :-)

User ID

whatdat wrote:

Do you mean 600mm in 35mm terms?

Glad to hear you like it. My Nikon d5500 does pretty good with my Nikon 18-400 lens, but thought for the price the fz200 would be a good lightweight addition with the extra reach.

Theres not really any extra reach there.
Problem solved: Forget the whole idea.
Your Nikon has 400 real actual mm of FL. Bridge camera has about half of that and operates at around f:8. Fergeddabouditt.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

Oops. The d5500 wears a 18-140. However,
Bridge camera fz200 reaches to 600 with a constant 2.8.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

whatdat wrote:

Oops. The d5500 wears a 18-140. However,
Bridge camera fz200 reaches to 600 with a constant 2.8.

Once again using “quote reply” will allow us to know who you’re responding to. What User ID was referring to when he said you’re at f/8 at 600mm was the fact that the lens has an actual focal length of 108mm. The small sensor size means that it will give you the same angle of view as a 600mm lens on a full frame camera. They call the difference the “crop factor”. Any sensor smaller than full frame has a crop factor. Your Nikons all have APS-C sensors. They have a crop factor of 1.5. That means the 18-400 lens on the D5500 is equivalent to a 27-600 lens on FF. The FZ200 has a crop factor of 5.6. The thing with the crop factor is it also applies to the aperture, not in the light capturing, but in depth of field. So while that 108mm lens at f/2.8 still works for exposure like an actual 600mm lens, the depth of field will be equivalent to a 600mm lens at over 5 stops higher, closer to f/11.