Panasonic Lumix ZS 50 w/ Leica 30X lens (Page 2): You must have "the shakes" if you can't get "a decent handheld image." I just took several handheld shots with my ZS50 at 720mm and...

louparker Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

DStone wrote:

I've had the ZS50 for 18 months or so and the only negative I'd mention is the ridiculous (720 mm?) zoom. Even with stabilization, it's nearly impossible to get a decent handheld image at half that range. If you need that reach, you need a good tripod, and if you're carrying a tripod, you might as well carry a bigger machine with better glass. The later ZS models went to a more reasonable zoom range.

You must have "the shakes" if you can't get "a decent handheld image." I just took several handheld shots with my ZS50 at 720mm and they are very sharp. Here are some examples with absolutely no PP (including no sharpening, clarity or color enhancement) other than for converting them from RAW to JPG.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Here is a looksee comparison of the 50 and the 60

http://cameradecision.com/compare/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS50-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS60

Interesting that the last look I had at pricing you can get the 60 for less money than the 50 on Amazon?

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

DStone wrote:

I've had the ZS50 for 18 months or so and the only negative I'd mention is the ridiculous (720 mm?) zoom. Even with stabilization, it's nearly impossible to get a decent handheld image at half that range. If you need that reach, you need a good tripod, and if you're carrying a tripod, you might as well carry a bigger machine with better glass. The later ZS models went to a more reasonable zoom range.

My Sony HX-50 with same lens specs does fine at "720 mm" with respect to stabilization. The newer models of that camera also have a viewfinder which I often miss a lot. The Sony and the Panasonic are very direct competitors with some advantages and disadvantages for each. I'm only saying that the image stabilization is very good in my experience.

DStone Loc: Outside Winston-Salem, NC

Just to clarify my remarks on the long zoom: The ZS50 is a great camera and is almost always in my pocket. Images are excellent. Lou's photos (earlier) are amazing (and yes, maybe I DO have the shakes), but I maintain that a prospective buyer needs to consider that any lens at that length will have some trade-offs like a softer image, a higher minimum aperture, and (for me) a camera support of some kind. I rarely use the zoom over 200 or so, so my next pocket camera will be one with a faster lens, a shorter zoom, and a larger sensor. Personal preference. Not dissing the camera -- I highly recommend it.