I need a new camera

[pathalla]

A couple of weeks back I managed to accidently drop my digital camera in the drink, it inadvertantly got wrapped up in a towel. Although it was in its carry bag and only in the water for about 5 seconds it was too late, its working days are over. I would appreciate the opinions of the folks out there as to a reasonably priced digital that has decent features. I am a casual picture taker but would like something with a decent zoom for shots over the water, anyone impressed with a specific brand?

[codprawn]

Unless you want to spend silly money on a digital SLR and a bagful of lenses then the very best camera I have seen in the Panasonic Lumix FZ50. It's best feature is the lens - 12x optical zoom made by Leica. It is also image stabilised. Equivelent to a 35 - 420mm zoom on a normal camera. I had the 1st one - the FZ10 and now have the FZ50 - awesome!!!

Value for money is amazing - it is about $500 - to get an SLR with the equivelent lenses would be about $2,000!!!

Beware of one thing - ignore megapixel ratings - the Lumix is 10mp but it would have been a better camera if they had made it 6mp. All the makers are at it - boosting the mp because that's what sells cameras.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...ic_dmcfz50.asp

[pathalla]

thanks for the info Cod, I am real uneducated when it comes to cameras... I will look into that one.

[robin]

Try this website.

www.dpreview.com

I have always found it to be a mine of information about cameras.

There is also this one. Excellent site.

www.dcviews.com

Happy shopping.

Robin

[Hugh Jardon]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Unless you want to spend silly money on a digital SLR and a bagful of lenses then the very best camera I have seen in the Panasonic Lumix FZ50. It's best feature is the lens - 12x optical zoom made by Leica. It is also image stabilised. Equivelent to a 35 - 420mm zoom on a normal camera. I had the 1st one - the FZ10 and now have the FZ50 - awesome!!!

Value for money is amazing - it is about $500 - to get an SLR with the equivelent lenses would be about $2,000!!!

Beware of one thing - ignore megapixel ratings - the Lumix is 10mp but it would have been a better camera if they had made it 6mp. All the makers are at it - boosting the mp because that's what sells cameras.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...ic_dmcfz50.asp

how does the fz50 compare to the fuji 9500/960?

[codprawn]

Well the FZ30 was considered slightly better and the FZ50 is an improvement on that.

I like Fujis - had a few of them but the lens on the Panasonic really is unbeatable for any sensible money!!!

[Andy Moore]

Have a look at the Nikon D40:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/

I have the older model, the D70, which is a great piece of kit.

[codprawn]

SLRs aren't as convienient. How much would it cost and how many lenses to get the same as the FZ50?

Obviously if it's top notch quality you want (and you stop dust getting on the ccd) then go for an SLR - but put up with a bag full of lenses and loads of money!!!

I have been a photography nut for many years - still got my 35mm gear and used to have medium and large format as well. Digital photography is all about convienience!!!

[wavecrosschris]

i Had an FZ30 (all but identicle to the FZ50 but for 2mp) until recently - they are an excellent allround camera. Its lightweight has a great lens and takes a very good picture in good light conditions. I'd buy another simply for convenience, ease of use and gauranteed good result nearly every shot.

However in replacement and wanting to taking photography a bit more seriously I got a Canon EOS400D with a 28-200 Ultrasonic lens. The results in comparason blow the Z30 out of the water and the focus speed is incredible. I ony have one lens, as above and since selling the FZ30, to be honest I really haven't noticed any loss of zoom - In general the noise levels on the 400D are so much lower at greater focal length than the FZ's that anything small is so much clearer making for a sharper picture.

If you want a pocket camera, I'd go for that Panasonic Lumix they've been advertising on tv lately, the TZ3? if you want something that is a brilliant at nearly everything go for an FZ50 and if you want out and out quality then go a for an EOS SLR with a decent canon USM or stabilized lens!

[codprawn]

I never had the FZ30 - it was a bit of a stop gap. The FZ50 is in a different league in handling terms - focusing and zooming etc are much more SLR like.

I agree about the quality aspects but a mate of mine - after having spent about £3000 on Nikon digital gear now uses a compact digi camera far more.

To get a Canon image stabilised zoom with a wide range you are talking about spending $2000 - that's a lot of dosh!!!