No adapter needed on the Panasonic FZ150. It's threaded to accept 52mm filters. Use them all the time....

I disagree one must shoot EVERYTHING in RAW. A lot of "in camera" .jpg processing these days is just fine. While I can, and do, shoot sometimes in RAW, I just don't have the time to process everything in RAW. And I'm sure you'd agree lmost all of the shots you get from a pure RAW photo need processing. Shooting both RAW + jpg takes a lot of memory, as do just plain RAW shots alone, so while I prefer RAW when it's practical for me (i.e., when I have lots of time to work on processing each photo afterward and when I really, really need a series of top quality photos), most of the time I just shoot jpg's. With PSE 10 and Topaz plug-in's one can produce a lot of good work from just jpg's. I do agree, however, that I wouldn't want a PRIMARY camera that didn't also shoot in RAW. For me it just isn't practical to shoot everything in RAW.... To each his/her own.

Is the Canon SX40 a recent model? I don't recall it being available when I bought my FZ150 or I probably would have bought the Canon. Glad to see it has a hot shoe also. Many of the Nikon bridge cameras don't, so no external flash can be used on them.... Nice photos!

feather... you'd find a big increase in image quality if you moved up to the FZ150. Worth doing....

The FZ150 accepts 52mm filters, same as Nikon DSLR cameras...

Love those Sony optics!!!

Yes, one of the first things all of us with these megazoom cameras do is to take some moon shots. Here are a couple I took with the FZ150....

Bridge cameras are pretty good. I've been using a Panasonic DMC-FZ150 since it came out (replacing my FZ100) and overall I've been very happy with it. It shoots in jpeg and RAW, brackets shots, has a ton of scene settings, plus P,A,S and M modes, hot shoe, articulating large LCD screen, electronic viewfinder, etc. And of course a mega 25mm to 600+ zoom. If it had a bigger sensor and faster lens it would be a perfect camera. But it doesn't, which is why I use my Sony HX9V 80% of the time. Equal image quality and fits in my pocket. Can't wait to see how the Sony RX100 performs, as the NY Times calls it the "perfect compact camera." Just very expensive at $650. Still, that f/1.8 lens and huge sensor has me drooling.... we'll see....

First time I've ever used a scene mode. I never think to use them, but am going to try to experiment with them a little more. Thanks!

Thanks, and nice work. I love being able to "go outside the box" with digital. Topaz Labs is the creator of the software. If you go to their web site you should be able to download it.

Here are a couple I took last night in a local restaurant using the Sony DSC-HX9V. I used the SCENE mode, and selected handheld in low light. The camera then fires off 5 or 6 shots in burst mode, then selects the best shot for the scene. I then edited them a little in Topaz Adjust (the best editing software out there in my opinion). Before and after taking the shots I just slipped my camera into my pocket. No way I could have done that with my Pany FZ150! ha.

Sony HZ9V, low light hand held, processed with Topaz Adjust and Star Effects


Sony HZ9V, low light hand held, processed with Topaz Adjust.

Wish I had the money. I'd order one, too. Will be anxious to hear how you like it. As far as I can tell it will not accept any filters, or external flash or mic, shutter cable, etc. So that certainly simplifies things. You only need to learn how to maximize the features that come with it as you can't add any. I'm waiting to see how the IQ comes out, as in the end that's all I REALLY care about.... Good luck with it....

I have a Panasonic FZ150 and Sony HX9V, and I find I use the little Sony much more than the bigger, heavier, bulkier Pany. I can't WAIT for the RX100 to become available in quantity when hopefully that rarefied air price will drop a little. With no hot shoe I'd have to rely on the little pop-up flash for many interior shots, and I'm not sure that would be sufficient (I do a lot of photoshoots for real estate agents), but the f/1.8 lens may solve that issue. As I said, can't wait for it to be out there with lots of real users evaluating it. Wonder if it takes filters. Haven't checked that yet. Overall it sounds like a fabulous little camera!!!

FLandWVMIKE... "current wife" as opposed to "ex" wife. This one is forever, believe me!!! BobD

Sands, yes, I agree. An Austin Healy 3000 has always been my favorite sports car. My son, daughter, and current wife all owned MGB's, and they were cool, too, but the Healy's were the epitome of those classic British sports cars we all wanted. Closest I ever came to one was a Fiat 124 Sports Spyder, which was pretty nice, too, but certainly no Healy....