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Hi folks. I'm considering getting a new digital camera as a replacement for my old and trusty 35mm SLR. The camera I'm leaning toward is a Panasonic Luminix FZ35, priced on sale at $379.00 Cdn. It's a wide angle lens with an 18x zoom capability. Do any of you have a Panasonic camera, and if so, what's been your experience with them ? Good, mediocre, bad ? There are memory card options with this one as well as a rechargeable battery unit. It has the option for interchangeable lenses ( made by Leica )
If there are good alternatives within this price range that you've had a positive experience with, I'd be interested in hearing about those as well.
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.
[ May 18, 2010, 02:17 PM: Message edited by: Ken Henry ]
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2684 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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posted
I have a five year old Nikon Cool Pix 5600 and it has not held up well. The battery cover broke and I have to keep it closed with clear tape! It does not shut off automatically and runs down the batteries all the time. I am surprised that it is a Nikon, as they usually are the top notch quality. Would love to replace it. My 12 year old Sony Mavika still works great, but the resoluion is way too low. It was cool when I got it, but... It was $800 back then! The one in my phone is way too weak, as well. I need a new one, I guess.
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18. I bought it after seeing that 'Which' Consumer guide awarded it camera of the Year. The optical Zoom is the best thing about it. I can't recommend it enough.
The anti shake feature really works. I love it for so many of it's features so If the one you are looking at comes from the same stable then jump at it. I'll see if I can upload a shot or two to show you what I mean.
then this is what I could see after that.
[ May 18, 2010, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: Miles Cullinane ]
-------------------- Miles Cullinane, Cork, Ireland.
From the sometimes sunny south of Ireland, Posts: 913 | From: Cork, Ireland | Registered: Jul 1999
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Wow!!! Thanks Miles for that demonstration. That's the feature I was most interested in, and it looks to be more than capable. Back when digital cameras first came out, a camera with that sort of capability was priced from $1,200 to $1,400.00 How things have changed! These cameras were "the official camera of the 2010 Olympics" and I was quite impressed with the quality of the images they provided, particularly the telephoto close-ups and action events.
Thanks ever so much for your input.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2684 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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OK, seriously, I have the FZ28 and I'll tell you right now, snap it up at that price. The FZ38 is the next improved model over mine, which was the next improved model over Miles' FZ18. I have absolutely nothing to complain about this camera. Well, maybe one thing, the zoom is a little fast. I usually over zoom and have to back off a bit, but that is my only complaint. It has plenty of controls for those that want to make their own settings, and the AI setting works great for point & shoot. It also has a whole host of specific point and shoot settings that I've found really work.
Battery life is outstanding. I bought a second battery and my son bought me a third (not knowing I had 2 already) but I've never had a need for a third. A second charged batter is nice to have. The way most cameras chew through standard batteries, I'll take Panasonics proprietary battery any day.
I like the controls, they are all easy to use, the camera feels solid and balanced. It takes great pictures and the stabilization feature really works good which is very important when you are zooming in as close as this camera can. I can say with complete confidence that you will love the FZ38 as much as I love my 1 year older version.
I went to www.digitalcamerareview.com but the camera must be so new they haven't reviewed it yet. But you may still want to go there and check out the reviews on the FZ 18 and FZ 28 to see what they thought of it's predecessors.
Good luck
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5397 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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I don't think you can go wrong with the Lumix cameras. I bought the FX150 last year and it's great for a small point & shoot. It's built rock solid. 14 megapixels, camera raw, 28mm Leica lens and it will fit in the palm of your hand. The FZ35 looks like a good camera as well. I've been very happy with mine.
posted
Thanks, Dave & Brent. Your positive endorsements have convinced me that this is the camera I'll be getting. Now, it's off to that Camera Store, before their sale expires. I'll probably get an extra battery & memory card as well.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2684 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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quote:Originally posted by Preston McCall: I have a five year old Nikon Cool Pix 5600 and it has not held up well. The battery cover broke and I have to keep it closed with clear tape! It does not shut off automatically and runs down the batteries all the time.
Ditto. what a POS.
-------------------- Ed The Signwerks 1951 SR 254 Orangeville, Pa. Posts: 199 | From: Orangeville, Pa. USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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