AbeFlags Loc: Northern Va (Fairfax & Vienna)

Greetings, everyone.

I'm the newbe who mentioned that "my passion is taking girls video and pictures." I should have been more clear. I've been taking video of my daughter's house-league, travel softball and high school team's games for years. I just love the sport and the action and doing the videos and turning them into combinaton video/slideshows using Corel Video Pro.

Bob Dee suggested I take a hard look at the new Panasonic FZ-150. I did and looked at many other DSLR's and P&S Cameras as well. I'm buying myself the Panasonic FZ-150 for Christmas! Money was a big part of my decision but so were all the capabilties of this camera. All the research clearly indicates this is the best camera for the price -- and man oh man, all the extras. I can't wait til Christmas ...

I do have another question which I'm posting separately and that subject concerns attaching a portable DVD monitor
to the USB Jack on the camera.

Again, thank you everyone for helping me select my Christmas present to myself, the Panasonic FZ-150! The Softball Team parents and coaches are going to love the results too.

John (AbeFlags)

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

AbeFlags,
From what I've read, the LUMIX FZ-150 is a great camera and has some decent reviews. I'm not sure if you looked at it but another one you might want to consider before you buy is the Canon SX40 HS. I just bought this camera myself and am very glad I did, even after looking at the FZ-150, the Nikon P500, and the Sony HX100 V. I wanted a super zoom bridge camera that had a longer reach yet didn't sacrifice on IQ. I found this in the SX40. It is VERY easy to use, has a longer reach than the FZ-150 (840mm vs. 600mm), has better IQ than the FZ-150 (according to several sites I visitied including pcmag.com), and is less expensive than the FZ-150. Having said that, both cameras are still fairly equal and can capture great-looking photos. Here are the links to pcmag's review on both cameras:

LUMIX: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2395411,00.asp

Canon: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2394565,00.asp

AbeFlags Loc: Northern Va (Fairfax & Vienna)

Hi, Buckeye Billy, Thank you for the info and the useful links. You're making me look at more cameras ... They're all so functional.

Thank you again.

John (AbeFlags)

PaulR

Bought the FZ150 over the Canon because the Panasonic has more features. The FZ 150 is just fun to use. I.Q. is fantastic. Passed over the Canon because they cut some corners. The Panasonic to me is a complete point and shoot.
Can't put it down. You will love it.

AbeFlags Loc: Northern Va (Fairfax & Vienna)

Thank you for your reply, Paul.

I must say, not owning one yet, I keep comparing various cameras against the FZ-150, some a bit pricier and some less ... thinking I might change my mind ... but as I look at the specs side-by-side ...they seem to have more positives than the others I've looked at.

Paul, I've been using my Sony camcorder to do all my video work of my daugher's softball games ... and the monitor screen is the only way to follow waht's going on and its usually affected by any kind of sunlight. I'm serously looking at a external monitor to attach to the FZ-150 either via a bracket or mounted to he hot shoe.

I've missed so many plays because I can't find the runner or the fielder on the screen ... I know the screen on most of the point & shoot cameras is 3 diagonal inches, but I'm wondering if its enough. I continue to look at a reasonably priced monitor. Have you had any kind of issues using your camera? Also, any attachments/accessories that you suggest?

Right now, besides an external monitor (gerry-rigged portable battery-operated DVD player), I'm thinking about
an external microphone -- the kind that cuts down the noisy wind, as well as 2 exra batteries, a lens hood, a monitor hood (maybe that would work in place of the external monitor??). Also, on the SD card or the other ones that it accepts ... which ones do you recommend and, if I'm going to be primarily video-ing about 90 minutes at a time -- interspersed with still shots. Gee its going to be fun experiementing and learning how to use this puppy. I always use a tripod.

I'd be grateful if you send tips along to this great forum anytime. Lastly, I've been looking as to where to buy the camera / accessories. I know Sears carries them, but do you think its more wise to buy from a true camera retailer as they'll have many of the gadgets & accessories ...

Sorry to throw a bunch of t hings your way ... I feel great knowing someone else is as excited about this camera as I am ... The last time I felt this way about any product was my first ELECTRIC TRAIN -- about 55 years ago! -- like 1950 or so.

John (AbeFlags).

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

AbeFlags,
I'm really not trying to confuse you or discount anything that PaulR has said. The Lumix FZ-150 is a fine camera from what I've learned....but, like I said earlier, I chose the Canon SX40 over the LUMIX because of it's capabilities, NOT because of its features. After all, a camera can have all the bells and whistles it can hold but the truth is, image quality is what counts the most. So what advantage is there with a camera that has everything imaginable but isn't quite as good (although admittedly very close) in image quality as other cameras? Almost every site I've seen that reviews these super zoom cameras puts the SX40 at the top in IQ, which is what you really want, isn't it? Here is another site that rates cameras and it is already linked up to the comparison between these 2 cameras. I'm sure that, in the end, you're going to be happy with whichever camera you buy. And, by the way, I'm actually a Nikon admirer and I even chose the Canon over Nikon's super zoom!

http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-SX40-vs-Panasonic-FZ150

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

AbeFlags,
One last thing....before you buy any camera, go to a Best Buy or some other electronics store, pick them up, and see which one feels good in your hands. You already know the features and capabilities of these cameras so now let your hands, your senses, and your common sense tell you which one is THE CHOICE.

AbeFlags Loc: Northern Va (Fairfax & Vienna)

Hi, BuckeyeBilly,

I'm just not back on the computer. I bookmarked that link you sent. Boy, when I compare apples and applles like that link does, one can see the clear differences, taking into account what features are most important. And like you say, touch and feel it before buying.

As I look at the differnces and although some are great, for my purposes the price is good and many of those features on the FZ150 I like ... but you made me take a closer look at these 2 cameras side-by-side as well as some others that that link allows me to compare.

I've got to make up my mind soon. This is a fun adventure getting great feedback both from this fantastic forum as well as from YouTube reports and comparisons.

Thank you, BuckeyeBilly.

John (AbeFlags)

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Glad to help and offer my opinion. As I said earlier, I know you're doing your due diligence and the decision you finally make will be the best one. Have fun with your new camera!

ronjay Loc: york Pa.

hello i am a owner of a fz100 and my daughter has a canon sx 40 i have shot photos with both cameras. i have to say can't really tell any differances. i like the video alittle better on the fz100. zoom on the canon is 35x and 32x on the panasonic when in the ia mode. also in the ia mode if you reduce the megapixales to 5 you can have a 50x zoom with very good quality pics when you have good light. i would buy the fz150 for sure it has better goodies for the same money.