Lumix FZ80 Good for Macro? My brother has become interested in closeup pictures of flowers. He asked me if the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 would be a good camera for that and I have no idea.

MikWar Loc: Chicago, Western Suburbs

My brother has become interested in closeup pictures of flowers. He asked me if the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 would be a good camera for that and I have no idea. Please let me know if that would meet his needs or if there is another camera at about the same price point that would do a better job. Thanks.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

There are two forums here that deal with closeups and macro photography. Study up on the posts to get a handle on the techniques involved in making small items fill the frame. Most camera and lens combinations can do this. Some have a special setting called "Macro" that isn’t technically macro but allows the lens to focus closer to the subject then it normally would so that it fills the frame. It’s all in the lens design.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

MikWar wrote:

My brother has become interested in closeup pictures of flowers. He asked me if the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 would be a good camera for that and I have no idea. Please let me know if that would meet his needs or if there is another camera at about the same price point that would do a better job. Thanks.

Mikwar, all you need to do is to tell your brother to do a bit of homework on-line. There you will find plenty of professional advice such as this 10 second search I did for you; https://expertphotography.com/best-macro-photography-camera/... and yes, it can do "macro" fairly well.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

MikWar wrote:

My brother has become interested in closeup pictures of flowers. He asked me if the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 would be a good camera for that and I have no idea. Please let me know if that would meet his needs or if there is another camera at about the same price point that would do a better job. Thanks.

The FZ80 isn't bad for macro. I just took these with mine. You realy need to crop and post process to get the full macro effect. The first two are jpgs right out of the camera. The next two are processed crops of the first two.

Thr red flower and the dime are about the same width.

The dime had a 40W desk lamp shining on it. It was sitting on a folded paper towel. The flower just had room light from the open blind.

The shots were handheld, f4.5, 1/60 sec, iso-80, equivalent focal length 20mm.

(Download)

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Bobspez wrote:

The FZ80 isn't bad for macro. I just took these wi... (show quote)

I'd say it doesn't do a bad job at all. Nice.

deanfl Loc: Georgia

MikWar wrote:

My brother has become interested in closeup pictures of flowers. He asked me if the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 would be a good camera for that and I have no idea. Please let me know if that would meet his needs or if there is another camera at about the same price point that would do a better job. Thanks.

I believe the FZ80 would meet your brother’s needs....costing under $300.

I recently purchased a Panasonic Lumix ZS60, a smaller model, but otherwise similar to the FZ80. I paid under $200, as a Renewed model from Amazon. I liked the photos in good light, but was not happy with photos in low light and shade, and returned the camera.

I was considering buying the FZ80 and studied reviews and videos. The Wirecutter picked the FZ80 as their recommended superzoom camera.

Here are flower photos from the ZS60. I expect flower photos from the FZ80 would be similar.

Good luck with your decision.

(Download)

MikWar Loc: Chicago, Western Suburbs

Bobspez wrote:

The FZ80 isn't bad for macro. I just took these wi... (show quote)

Thanks so much for taking the time to demonstrate the capabilities of the Lumix. The camera did a pretty good job - I will pass it on to my brother.

MikWar Loc: Chicago, Western Suburbs

deanfl wrote:

I believe the FZ80 would meet your brother’s needs... (show quote)

Thanks for sending the pics from the ZS60. They look very good for that price-point. I'll share with my brother.

grandkids6

I have one and its fits the bill. I use it almost daily taking flowers on my walks and on my doggos, they are crazy bunch of joy. I have almost mastered the P S M on the camera, with the help of my brother-in-law { thanks Pete}

Dale Evans - Amaetur Loc: Baton Rouge, La

My ZS70 has made me lazy. I now shoot in 4K Burst mode and let the camera do the work.

MikWar Loc: Chicago, Western Suburbs

grandkids6 wrote:

I have one and its fits the bill. I use it almost daily taking flowers on my walks and on my doggos, they are crazy bunch of joy. I have almost mastered the P S M on the camera, with the help of my brother-in-law { thanks Pete}

Thanks for the recommendation.