Panasonic FZ200
Jan 2, 2016 12:33:35 #
Check this guy out he's really very knowledgeable on the FZ200, etc. In fact you can even subscribe to his newsletter....
http://www.grahamhoughton.com/about
BTW - I have the FZ200 and it's a great camera!
John
http://www.grahamhoughton.com/about
BTW - I have the FZ200 and it's a great camera!
John
Jan 2, 2016 13:00:42 #
I'll add another "two thumbs up" for the FZ200. I've had mine for about three years and, even though I've also added a D5300 & D7100 since then, still use the Panny most often. The size is perfect and never having to change lenses is helpful, especially since I live in and shoot mostly in the Sonoran Desert.
I'll differ with those who have any issue about the number and location of buttons, but that's probably because I've used it for so long. I sometimes now get those feelings of bewilderment with the D7100, so I do understand. :)
Others have mentioned the constant f/2.8, which is wonderful, but I don't think anybody has said that it's a Leica lens.
I'll only replace this when/if Panasonic lowers the price on the FZ1000, which does have the much larger 1" sensor. But at $249, I think the FZ200 is a terrific bargain. For most of its life (before the FZ300), Panasonic held their price close to or at the original $599, and Amazon and the others weren't much lower.
I'll differ with those who have any issue about the number and location of buttons, but that's probably because I've used it for so long. I sometimes now get those feelings of bewilderment with the D7100, so I do understand. :)
Others have mentioned the constant f/2.8, which is wonderful, but I don't think anybody has said that it's a Leica lens.
I'll only replace this when/if Panasonic lowers the price on the FZ1000, which does have the much larger 1" sensor. But at $249, I think the FZ200 is a terrific bargain. For most of its life (before the FZ300), Panasonic held their price close to or at the original $599, and Amazon and the others weren't much lower.
Jan 2, 2016 13:29:20 #
suntouched wrote:
I am buying camera for my DIL. Trying to find something with zoom and wifi for under 300.00 or even less. I have read the reviews on many many many point and shoots but still not sure. However the FZ 200 might fit the bill. She has a good eye but not technical, will be using it for her kids activities, family outings and animals. She asked for zoom and high pixels (this does not have high pixels) and
wifi. Anyone have this camera- any other opinions on other cameras? Thanks.
wifi. Anyone have this camera- any other opinions on other cameras? Thanks.
I love the FZ200. Don't let the megapixels fool you, the Leica lens is a beauty and more than compensates for the option of 9 or 12 megapixels. Here's a couple of shots taken on a trip to Norway when I first got the camera. BTW, don't get hung up on all the options. set the camera for your DIL's preferred style of shooting and click away.
Jan 2, 2016 14:44:28 #
bsprague wrote:
Few, if any, cameras come with books anymore. They come with disks that include processing software and manuals. We may not like it, but that is the way it is. There are some advantages in that you can have the manual on your computer for easy search and on your phone or tablet for reference while traveling. Some print the manual or have it printed at places like Staples.
The forest I live in is thankful!
Jan 2, 2016 22:17:39 #
wolfd
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
I have had the FZ200 for over 2 years now.
It is an excellent camera, shoots great photos the iA (Intelligent Auto) setting is awesome. Please note that it does not have WiFi.
It is an excellent camera, shoots great photos the iA (Intelligent Auto) setting is awesome. Please note that it does not have WiFi.
Jan 2, 2016 23:13:54 #
Wingpilot wrote:
I have had my FZ200 for a couple years, now, and h... (show quote)
First, it would be a HUGE camera if it had a large sensor and f/2.8 constant aperture lens. Physics.
Second, f/8 is pretty heavily into the diffraction limit for the small sensor. Diffraction impacts IQ from the start, although the sweet spot for the camera is f/4.
Manual focus with the camera is difficult; but that's common for all these kind of cameras.
The display does show DOF and hyper focal indicators. One feature of the camera; just set it for the hyper focal distance and shoot without focusing. See Graham Houghton for more on this.
I hardly use mine anymore; just haven't got interest in super zoom cameras. But it was a really nice camera to use. But it's also a bit big (although tiny compared to the FZ1000).
In my opinion, it would be a total killer if it had a second control wheel and if it had a manual focus ring instead of the control wheel or toggle switch (on the lens).
Jan 3, 2016 00:26:43 #
Graeme
Loc: El Cerrito, California
A fan of the FZ150 I switched to the FZ200 for the constant f2.8 over the full zoom. And the day it became available a few months ago moved to the FZ300.
More substantially built body and larger screen. More of a learning curve than from the 150 to 200 as controls moved. But another great camera using the same battery and charger (for a change) as the previous model.
Graham Hughton's newsletter and videos of great help as with previous LUMIX models.
More substantially built body and larger screen. More of a learning curve than from the 150 to 200 as controls moved. But another great camera using the same battery and charger (for a change) as the previous model.
Graham Hughton's newsletter and videos of great help as with previous LUMIX models.
Jan 3, 2016 04:47:19 #
seagull5 wrote:
i have had the pleasure of having the FZ200 for 14... (show quote)
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: I have used one for the past two years. Fabulous with Graham Houghton's help.
Jan 3, 2016 09:55:08 #
Sorry to be so late with a reply.
I wrote a review on this camera soon after it came out for the Royal Photographic Society Journal.
Having used only Nikon and Canon cameras and lenses for over 50 years I was initialy dubious about the FZ200.
For me the biggest drawback was no Bulb. As I only use that setting so very rarely it was a small price to pay.
To cut a long story short I sold all my Canon gear, 2 bodies and eight lenses and bought an FZ200.
The later model has some bells and whistles added but if you can still get the older model you will not regret it
I wrote a review on this camera soon after it came out for the Royal Photographic Society Journal.
Having used only Nikon and Canon cameras and lenses for over 50 years I was initialy dubious about the FZ200.
For me the biggest drawback was no Bulb. As I only use that setting so very rarely it was a small price to pay.
To cut a long story short I sold all my Canon gear, 2 bodies and eight lenses and bought an FZ200.
The later model has some bells and whistles added but if you can still get the older model you will not regret it
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