Bridge cameras: I had a Canon SX50 which worked great for surfing photos most of the time on bright days, but I gave it to my daughter and now I'm using a Panasonic DMC ZS40 which...

Frequent Flyer Loc: Kujukuri, Japan

I had a Canon SX50 which worked great for surfing photos most of the time on bright days, but I gave it to my daughter and now I'm using a Panasonic DMC ZS40 which doesn't shoot as far but still has a 720 mm range and is just over four inches long. I've heard a lot about the Canon as a bridge camera but not the Panasonic. Is there much of a following here for the Panasonic?

Canon SX50

Panosonic DMC ZS40

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

They are excellent cameras, I have a TZ20 which produces beautiful pictures so go ahead and buy one, you won't regret it.

shangyrhee Loc: Nashville TN to Sacramento CA

Frequent Flyer wrote:

I had a Canon SX50 which worked great for surfing photos most of the time on bright days, but I gave it to my daughter and now I'm using a Panasonic DMC ZS40 which doesn't shoot as far but still has a 720 mm range and is just over four inches long. I've heard a lot about the Canon as a bridge camera but not the Panasonic. Is there much of a following here for the Panasonic?

I shoot with Panasonic FZ 200 and love it very much. I am thinking to upgrade to FZ 1000 for a bigger sensor. Shang.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

I use an FZ70 which, I think, has Panasonics longest optical zoom. Am very happy with it.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Yes there are many Panasonic users here. I got into photography 6 yrs ago I have currently 4 Panasonic cameras they have a multitude of nice cameras. I shoot a fz200 bridge camera with a 24 x zoom with a constant f2.8 thru out the zoom. I think it compares very nicely to the sx50. probably dosen't get enough credit as the nikon and cannon names are the ones people think of. I also shoot a m4/3 G6 mirrorless camera which is capable of taking stunning images. I have learned in my limited experience that most of the new cameras are more then capable it the shooter who makes the biggest difference.Don't be afraid of Panasonic they have been around a long long time

Frequent Flyer Loc: Kujukuri, Japan

johneccles wrote:

They are excellent cameras, I have a TZ20 which produces beautiful pictures so go ahead and buy one, you won't regret it.

Thank you John. That's my DMC ZS40 of the Sun and sail boat on Kona this July. I' m asking about the popularity of the Panasonic as a bridge camera.

Frequent Flyer Loc: Kujukuri, Japan

insman1132 wrote:

I use an FZ70 which, I think, has Panasonics longest optical zoom. Am very happy with it.

Yes Insman I see the FZ70 has a great lens just like the Canon SX50 but is much better priced. I would have looked at it before I got my DMC ZS40 but didn't know about it. My 40 though is great for fast grabbing and taking along at the spur of the moment because it's so small. that's "one" of the reasons I got the Canon 6d for my SLR because of it's handy size.

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

I bought a ZS40 as my 'put in y pocket' camera when I don't want to take the DSLR. It takes amazing pictures of animal life, which is what I used it a lot for.
I also have gotten spoiled using the scenic, shoot through glass setting when I am traveling in a car, works pretty good.

Frequent Flyer Loc: Kujukuri, Japan

davyboy wrote:

Yes there are many Panasonic users here. I got int... (show quote)

Davyboy the F2.8 on the fz200 is awesome and I did consider it for my bridge. It was just a little expensive at the time. I'm pleased with the zs40 and its size is its best asset along with the Leica lens, but I'm sure the fz200 takes much better photos. Here's a shot from about a football field or more with my sz40. Also your G6 sounds fast. How is the lens selection? I'm very pleased with Canon's EF selection and L series; although, they do get pricey. Still there are some great deals like the 17-40 F4L and the 24-105 F4L IS as any Canon user here will tell you I'm sure.

Katagai storm surf

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Yep, another Panasonic user here. I would not change my FZ200 for any camera. It's just brilliant as you can set up your own multiple function settings with C1 and C2 controls. Plus for fast shooting the Intelligent Auto is amazing. The Leica lens is superb (as you would expect) and zooms out to 600mm and holds a f2.8 aperture all the way.
Plenty of tutorials online, lookout for Graham Houghton tutorials as he goes into great detail. As you guessed, I am a fan.
Here's an image as an example, not cropped. Click download for best view.

Santorini, Greece 2015

(Download)

zaidy

insman1132 wrote:

I use an FZ70 which, I think, has Panasonics longest optical zoom. Am very happy with it.

Yes, FZ70 is the compact enough good camera with 60x optical zoom and ability to shoot pictures in RAW and JPEG formats.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Frequent Flyer wrote:

I had a Canon SX50 which worked great for surfing photos most of the time on bright days, but I gave it to my daughter and now I'm using a Panasonic DMC ZS40 which doesn't shoot as far but still has a 720 mm range and is just over four inches long. I've heard a lot about the Canon as a bridge camera but not the Panasonic. Is there much of a following here for the Panasonic?

Yes, Panasonic makes very good photo equipment as your submitted photo of the sunset proves. And Panasonic is not limited to just excellent quality cameras, either. We bought a Panasonic plasma TV 6 years ago, the best-rated one they made at the time, and that thing produces breath-taking color still today. I wouldn't trade it for anything else. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Frequent Flyer Loc: Kujukuri, Japan

Yes I see the FZ200 is very popular especially with Graham Houghton's reviews and tutorials. I couldn't find anything on the ZS40 by Houghton, but there are other simpler reviews about the camera's basic works on U tube. Has anyone come across in depth reviews for the ZS40?

ray manclark

Ya, I can sure vouch for lumix. I had one of the early ones with Leica lens. Always kept it in the car for emergencies, until a sneak-thief riffled my car, as I had left one of the windows open. Got a new one recently, I think its a TZ 57, only cost £102 via Amazon. Regards, Bellwop

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

I have a Lumix ZS40 and it has become my "constant companion". I never leave home without it! This pocket sized powerhouse sports a viewfinder, a great Leica lens and a wide range of functions. Image quality? It shoots JPEG and RAW, and I find it difficult to distinguish between the ZS40 output and that of Olympus EM10. I wouldn't part with it for anything.