gblack67 Loc: Daytona Beach, Florida

I am thinking about getting a smaller camera to take on vacations and have been looking at the FZ70 Lumix. Does anyone have any experience with this camera? Also would like any other recommendations for a small camera with a good zoom to take on trips.

pc39

Hi gblack67

I have a FZ72 camera which I presume is similar to the FZ70.The FZ72 does NOT have a Leica lens - it has Panasonic's own lens, and the difference is very noticeable. I find my FZ72 gives very "soft" pictures - it does not give the biting sharpness which I have obtained with e.g. my old FZ100 which has a Leica lens. To that extent, it is disappointing.

My suggestion would be to get the FZ200 which has a Leica lens, together with the 1.7 x extender lens and extension tube. I have used this extension setup with my old FZ100 and the results have been acceptable.

I have seen several reviews which rate the FZ200 ahead of Canon's SX50. However, many hogs swear by the SX50!.

Your decision!

pc39

h1h1d4mje

Take a look at the Canon g series, if you want something smaller.

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

Lumix zs40 is very small, 30x opt zoom, great IQ.

Elcon

I own it and love it. I find it very easy to use and the lens is fantastic. I have only owned it for a short time but so far, so good.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

We're talking about a fully loaded excellent camera from Panasonic with a monstrous long 60X optical zoom, some form of "intelligent" 120X zoom extension process that's supposed to maintain image quality, then crappier digital zoom beyond that - which I believe takes it out to 180X. Just the 60X optical zoom is plenty for most shooters. With a 20mm-equivalent wide angle end this is a very flexible zoom.

The best part is that the FZ-70 is selling for $299 most places, it was $279 at Costco a couple weeks ago, and Panasonic themselves had a sale in September and you could buy it from their online store for $250 with free shipping.

The only drawback is that it's not an articulating LCD screen, it just stays flat against the back. But it has a viewfinder, internal HDR, built in flash, hot shoe, stereo mics for video, and lots of very nice features - abundant features for a $300 bridge model.

These two photos were taken today in Michigan by a rank amateur who can't even figure out how to get the camera to format an SD card without help. The FZ70 is set on iAuto which is automatic everything. It can also do shutter priority, aperture priority, or full manual if you want. I don't see these shots as disappointing with a Panasonic lens, although Leica is certainly better glass. And there was no editing done to these, they're straight out of the camera.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Are you sure it's an FZ and not two other letters? I'm not aware of this model.

pc39

Hi marcomarks and gblack67

The name on my camera is FZ72. I suspect the difference is that I bought mine in the UK, whereas you are looking at the USA version. My FZ72 has the optical 20 - 1200 range (i.e. 60 x), moreover the price is similar to that of the FZ70 once you realise that Panasonic charge the same number of £sterling in the UK as they charge USD in the USA. I suppose giving the same model camera different names in different parts of the world creates more jobs for the marketing staff.

I would add that it is my experience that the quality of the photo starts to fall off once you exceed 30 x magnifications.

I suspect that the FZ72/FZ70 has been built down to a price.

I am waiting to see whether Panasonic will bring out a new camera similar to the FZ1000 which is designed for stills photographers, and NOT for video photographers.

The photos you have posted are excellent, but I suspect that they were taken with the camera set at a low magnification. I usually use my FZ72 at high magnifications. I suppose it depends on what sort of photos you wish to take. Horses for courses!

Best wishes

pc39

pc39

Hi marcomarks and gblack67

My camera is marked FZ72. I suspect the difference is that I bought mine in the UK whereas you are looking at the USA version. MY FZ72 has the optical range 20 -1200, i.e. 60 x magnifications, and the price is similar once your realise that Panasonic charge the same number of £sterling in the UK as they charge USD in the USA.

I suppose giving a camera different names in different parts of the world creates more jobs for the marketing staff.

The photos you have posted are excellent, but I suspect they have been taken with the camera set a low magnifications. I tend to use mine at high magnifications, and it is my experience that the quality starts to fall off once I exceed 30 x magnifications. Another criticism of my FZ72 is the slow autofocus and also the delay between pressing the button and the shutter actually firing. However, this may not be important to some people.

I keep my old FZ100 as a standby. It has a flip out viewing screen, so that I don't have to lie on my stomach in the brambles if I want to photograph a flower on the ground.

I suppose it depends on what you want to do with the camera. Horses for courses!

pc39

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Yes, it sounds like it's the same camera with a different European model number. Sometimes they have a different Japanese model number too.

And yes, I suppose higher magnification would be where you'd see the difference. But what can one expect for $300? A 20-1200 lens for a dSLR would be so expensive you could probably buy a nice car for the same price, so a $300 camera with that focal range is a very good deal for non-critical newbies and those growing toward the dSLR world eventually - Leica or not.

pc39

Hi marcomarks

Agreed

pc39

seagull5

For as you say a rank amateur these are very nice shots...I guess you maybe are like me....if it looks good take a bunch of shots and one will always please me...they are nice

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

I actually wasn't the one who took the shots in Michigan. I actually work in photography in Florida. I just did the research, found the best according to all reviews, had experience with multiple Panasonic cameras already, and recommended it for purchase. These are from my X-Wife who holds the camera, composes a shot, maybe takes two (still in a "don't waste" film mindset), and then moves on. So all the exposure, focus, etc. were done by the camera itself with no help from the amateur holding it.

I just noticed that UHH presents these a little bit brighter than they were taken for some reason.

seagull5

hi ft Meyers Bradenton here

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Hi Bradenton. I have friends who live there.