FZ20 vs new FZ5

[stonehill]

O.K. I was set to but the FZ20 and now the new FZ5 appears-ugh! What to do now? I like the zoom ring on the FZ20 but the smaller size of the FZ5 is appealing. I dont know if I would use the hot shoe and I wouldnt buy any additional lenses for the Fz20 anyway.

Is the Fz20 faster shot to shot and start up? Otherwise the 5mp and 12x zoom with IS is now in the smaller package. Can anyone convince me otherwise? Or now do I wait for the new FZ20? However if they up the mp I dont think I would want more than 5mp anyway. What chgs on the updated fz20 do you guys think there will be? What's a girl to do?

[KoolBreeze]

good question, but I'm a guy so my suggestions are going to be biased. ;)


now about the camera...

huh. and here I were just weighing the FZ15 against the FZ20. now the FZ5 is coming along. but alas I can not wait until then (the release date) so I will make my decision and live with it.

[genece]

It will be interesting to see how it all goes but it is suppose to be faster.

The multi-task image processing LSI realizes outstanding response of industry-leading release time lag of 0.008(FZ5)/0.006(FZ4) sec minimum and a shutter interval of approx. 0.4(FZ5)/0.3(FZ4)* sec for achieving more stress-free operation. It also boasts high consecutive shooting performance, providing shooting at 3(FZ5)/4(FZ4) frames per sec at full resolution. The Unlimited** Consecutive Shooting function allows limit-free consecutive shooting up to the capacity of the memory card or built-in memory.

* Not including the time for AF.

**The speed of the consecutive shooting varies depending on the memory card or built-in memory.

The number of recordable picture depends on the memory card size, battery life, picture size, and compression.

4. The Industry-leading Short AF Time for a High Zoom Model

An AF method can be selected according to the shooting situation: 9-point, 3-point high-speed, 1 point high-speed, 1-point normal-speed and Spot. In the newly incorporated 1 point high-speed AF, the shutter time lag (including AF speed i.e. the time from “shutter full pressing” to “capturing picture”) has dramatically been reduced to one-third the level* of the previous DMC-FZ3 model, and has resulted in achievement of industry-leading short shutter time lag for a high zoom model.

Although screen-freeze in high-speed AF is now minimized, if you take the picture of subject with fast movement, you can select 1 point normal-speed AF which does not have any screen-freeze while focusing. In addition, AF assist lamp is

[stonehill]

Gene, What happened to the rest of your post?

I meant to note that there is no manual focus ring on the FZ5. I guess they both have zoom rings. I also read that the FZ5 has a slower and "less impressive" lense due to 1/2.5" vs.1/3.2 and F2.8-F3.3 vs. F2.8 at all times.
Also 1/4shutter speed in P mode?

What does that really come down to? Will these make a big difference?

[RayGun]

Stonehill, I guess FZ4/5 don't have manual focus rings.
It's only logical, considering they don't have manual focus!! :D

A quote from dcresource.com front page:

Full manual controls (sans focus)

This refers to FZ4, and in the list of differences of FZ5 there's no mentioning
of this desirable feature... too bad.. :mad:

BTW - I wonder why Panasonic decided to use "4" (as in FZ4) despite Asian prejudice against this number (There's no Minolta Z4 or Canon G4)

[Karloch]

I'm in the same situation, was decided to buy the FZ20 when I saw the FZ5 specs. Does someone knows if the lense issue to 1/2.5" vs.1/3.2 and F2.8-F3.3 vs. F2.8 at all times. Will these make a big difference?

There's some pretty good improvements on the FZ5, better battery life, larger LCD than the FZ3 and FZ4 (still smaller than the FZ20 but the camera is a whole lot smaller too!!!).

It's a tough choice; FZ20 or FZ5 ???

Thanks for your time!

[gary_hendricks]

Gene, What happened to the rest of your post?

I meant to note that there is no manual focus ring on the FZ5. I guess they both have zoom rings. I also read that the FZ5 has a slower and "less impressive" lense due to 1/2.5" vs.1/3.2 and F2.8-F3.3 vs. F2.8 at all times.
Also 1/4shutter speed in P mode?

What does that really come down to? Will these make a big difference?

Yes, these I are the downsides to the FZ5 I heard. But the FZ5 is not out yet right? I think it's only out in Apr 2005. Can you wait that long? :)

[viztyger]

.....no, these spec differences probably won't make a huge difference. But what will make a difference is whether you will have the smaller camera with you more often, and hence take more pictures. The differences in image quality also seem important to me. When I compare similar images taken by Jeff with both cameras, I prefer the image quality of the FZ20. The differences may be subtle, but worth a look.

[Divine_Madcat]

.....no, these spec differences probably won't make a huge difference. But what will make a difference is whether you will have the smaller camera with you more often, and hence take more pictures. The differences in image quality also seem important to me. When I compare similar images taken by Jeff with both cameras, I prefer the image quality of the FZ20. The differences may be subtle, but worth a look.
*Without being disrespectful*..

Im not sure why they size of the FZ20 is every really an option. Considering waht the camera has, it is in many ways smaller than what one might expect. Most regular camera bags will hold it, and its not really heavy... :confused:

[Phill D]

I have also been trying to make this decision but FZ5 release date in UK of sometime in April was too late for my holiday (earliest seems to be March 15th in Germany). So I have now ordered an FZ20 it should arrive in a few days. I'm sure it will be brilliant in most areas but I will post my views on the key issues such as size/weight & AF speed where the FZ5 should be better when I have had time to play.

[Calchan]

I have downloaded the owner's manual for each camera and compared them. I may have forgotten a few things but the following list is supposed to be pretty exhaustive. I only list differences.

FZ20 has :



Manual focus mode and ring
Picture adjustment controls: contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction (FZ5 only has a vivid/natural switch)
Optional conversion lens (although Yoshida adapter seems to make that possible for FZ5)
External flash hot shoe and external flash burst mode
'DPOF slide show' flag which allows selecting only some images for slide shows
Optional remote shutter
FZ5 has :

High-speed AF (1 and 3 area)
Simple menu mode
Tele macro (focus down to 1 m at full tele instead of 2 m for FZ20)
AF trigger (I haven't completely figured out that one)
During display optional automatic rotation of pictures according to direction recorded by sensor

Numbers :
FZ20 FZ5
size (mm) 128x87x106 108x68x84
weight (g) 520 290
flash range (m) 7 4.5
LCD size (inches) 2.0 1.8
That's 90% more volume and 80% more weight for the FZ20.

Then there's image quality, and honestly I don't see any really significant difference.

[gary_hendricks]

I have downloaded the owner's manual for each camera and compared them. I may have forgotten a few things but the following list is supposed to be pretty exhaustive. I only list differences.

FZ20 has :



Manual focus mode and ring
Picture adjustment controls: contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction (FZ5 only has a vivid/natural switch)
Optional conversion lens (although Yoshida adapter seems to make that possible for FZ5)
External flash hot shoe and external flash burst mode
'DPOF slide show' flag which allows selecting only some images for slide shows
Optional remote shutter
FZ5 has :

High-speed AF (1 and 3 area)
Simple menu mode
Tele macro (focus down to 1 m at full tele instead of 2 m for FZ20)
AF trigger (I haven't completely figured out that one)
During display optional automatic rotation of pictures according to direction recorded by sensor

Numbers :
FZ20 FZ5
size (mm) 128x87x106 108x68x84
weight (g) 520 290
flash range (m) 7 4.5
LCD size (inches) 2.0 1.8
That's 90% more volume and 80% more weight for the FZ20.

Then there's image quality, and honestly I don't see any really significant difference.

Frankly I couldn't wait ... got my FZ20 yesterday.

[ckmw]

Hi there everyone and greetings from a wintry United Kingdom. I have just found this site and it is fantastic to be able to read all sorts of comments about the various camera packages available on the market!

This thread is particularly interesting to me as I have ventured to the 'dark side' only about a year or so ago but I feel I may already be outgrowing my lovely and trusted Minolta Dimage F300. I am hoping to go on a trip to Namibia later this year so was thinking about getting a new camera with more zoom but with not too much bulk.

The FZ20 looked ideal but seemed a bit too bulky....any suggestions/comments/clues for a keen but rather clueless photographer?? :confused:

Cheers.

[propwash]

If you think the FZ20 is a little too big, then check out the FZ3. It is just the right size for me. Of course, you will give up a couple megs, manual focus and the hot shoe. I can live without these, and the camera has worked out very well for me. Good luck.

[Tyler]

The FZ20 looked ideal but seemed a bit too bulky....any suggestions/comments/clues for a keen but rather clueless photographer?? :confused:

Cheers.

Despite its bulky "appearance" the FZ15/20 are both light weight and nimble to use. I was leery at first, too, but have since grown to love the way the fz20 fits in my hand. I have a Sony Cybershot and it's a pain to hold and keep steady. The FZ 15/20 are considerably less bulky in both size and weight than the dSLRs on the market today. If you want a pocket camera then they likely won't suit your purposes. The FZ3 and soon to be released FZs 4&5 are smaller and are reported to be comparable in performance to the big guys with the noted exceptions earlier in this thread.

[mocax]

found this page http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/lumix/popup/comparison_fz/

[Calchan]

found this page http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/lumix/popup/comparison_fz/
Thanks for the link, it's very interesting. Hopefully I didn't know about it before I did my little research, because if I had I wouldn't have compared them myself.

Obviously, this table is a marketting document for the FZ20. It forgets about anything on the FZ5 that is new or better than the FZ20. Of what is in the FZ20 and not in the FZ5, what I would miss the most is the flash hot shoe. The focus ring ? No thanks. In desperate cases I zoom-in/prefocus/zoom-out/reframe/shoot, and that's usually faster than manual focus (I use spot AF almost all the time). Not talking about it being a lot more accurate than my less than sharp eyes. The manual picture controls ? I would use them but I'd rather shoot all standard and post process if necessary.

What really attracts me though on the FZ5 is the size and weight, and the high-speed AF mode. Also the tele-macro, I guess I could find good use for that. My wife loves the red heart symbol for the simple menu mode, and I'm sure she's going to use it a lot. That's also of importance, since this camera is sooner or later going to become hers (I just need some time to sell one or two children and buy an SLR and proper lenses). Hence my interest for the smallish size, since my wife's purse is huge but usually... erm... crowded. And if she can't carry it easily in her purse, she won't use it.

So the real question is am I willing to sacrifice a flash hot shoe for size and a high-speed AF mode (not even talking about the red heart...)? Most probably, yes.

[emotepix]

Hi All
Chris here, newbie to the group but not to the camera.
I'd say this:
there's two main style of shooters, in my book:

those who are into taking shots on the fly, snapshots, home memories plus, and who are used to carrying a camera on a belt mounted pack and little else,

and those who are into making shots - i.e. who are used to dragging along one camera bag/case at least, plus a tripod and a set of filters,

Notice I didn't say anything about picture quality in either case. I"m not talking about better or worse shooters, just ones with different missions. And of course a shooter can have different photo missons too.

More controls mean finer-dialled shots, but also more acquisition time. If the subject won't hang around, then a point-and-shoot will get the shot whereas a more sophisticated camera will still be setting up.

However, if the shot opportunity is repeatable, or not fleeting, or the shooter has time to set up before the shot happens, then the point-and-shoot will not do as well.

The difference will be apparent between a real point-and-shoot and the FZ20, but I think with the 4/5 it will be pretty much the same situation.

Maybe I'd clarify this point simpler, and make the distinction between AF and MF modes, and also both auto exposure modes. It seems from here that the 4/5 will get to a shot marginally quicker, but that the 20 will do beter once it gets there, so to speak.

That being said, I'd go with the 20 every time. (But then again I have Leicaflexes and M cameras as well...)

Cheers
Chris

[Calchan]

It seems from here that the 4/5 will get to a shot marginally quicker ...Marginally ? I haven't tried any of them yet, but Jeff did.

FZ20 :
"You'll get the best focus speeds by using center-frame AF instead of 9-point AF (which is the default setting). At wide-angle the FZ20 locked focus in about 1/2 a second, with times closer to one second near the telephoto end."

FZ5 :
"Anyhow, with the high speed focus mode turned on, the camera focuses VERY quickly -- we're talking 0.2 seconds here folks."

That's 2.5 to 5 times faster. Not that marginal.


... but that the 20 will do beter once it gets there, so to speak.As I said, I fail to see any significant difference in Jeff's shots. Maybe a studio comparison could tell us more, but with the same sensor, same processor and a very similar lens, I'd be surprised if the difference is that big.

So in the end the only advantage that the FZ20 has in use is the manual focus. And as I explained I know I will rarely (if ever) use it. Then, there's the hot shoe...

Anyway, I have to wait before I can try and buy any of these, so I have time to make up and change my mind.

[emotepix]

Hi there
Well now...
If you're talking about a shot where the difference is in the order of 0.2 of a second then you're probably in a press situation (news, war, sports etc).
Most of us, professionals included, simply aren't in that situation. As a working professional, I use models most of the time, talent for others, and so can do take after take, shot after shot. The 0.2 seconds is immaterial for that kind of shooting, also, I'd dare to say, for most landscape, nature or other non-moving subject photography.
I'm not talking about performance numbers here, I'm talking about taking photgraphs in the real world.
This is a little like comparing the subsecond speed of a 1.2GHz computer vs. a 3.4GHz computer - and having both of them wait around while the human thinks of the apropriate word to type on either machine.
Don't quote me, but I also think that if you measured the shutter lag time of, say, an M3 as operated by Henri Cartier-Bresson, you'd find that whatever it was, he'd be pushing his shutter release down just that amount sooner so that the shutter would work at the exact millisecond he wanted to record...

[Calchan]

Well, I'm not a pro, which means you certainly know a lot more about this than I do. Anyway, here's the story. I'm looking at an FZ20 or FZ5 to replace my trusty and old (but also heavy) Olympus IS3000 that died recently. Actually, I will probably have it fixed some day, but I want to try digital for a change. For more or less static pictures, I have an even older Canon A1 that I love too.

Thus, the FZ will do mostly kids pictures, and the good ones are closer to sports (or war ;)) shots than anything else. It looks like both cameras are exacty what I need, although, as you probably understood, right now I seem to prefer the FZ5 (at least on paper).

So, to answer your question, yes the difference between a focus lock in 0.2 second and another in 1 second matters to me, as kids don't wait and I confess having no particular talent to compensate for it. My IS3000 focused 99% of the time almost instantaneously, and I would really miss this.

[emotepix]

Hi there

I have a kid too and it's a rare occasion that I'll use anything else but my point-and-shoot on him since he doesn't wait around either!
In a situation where there's no repeats and speed matters, I think you have your answer already.
BTW I also use my F3 MOT on him but that's very rare...
Cheers!
Chris

[ckmw]

Thanks for that guys....I have just noticed the FZ5 is starting to get a lot of press coverage here as it is due out in the UK in April so I guess my choice will be between the 5 and the 20 then....decisions, decisions.... :rolleyes:

[Donnie]

Hi guys,
so the FZ5 is due in April.
Any indication of how much will it cost as I cannot find such info anywhere on the net.
Donnie

[argo0]

Hi guys,
so the FZ5 is due in April.
Any indication of how much will it cost as I cannot find such info anywhere on the net.
Donnie
MSRP is $500: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=680

[Donnie]

Thanks Argo, silly me not to have located that
Donnie

[ProAm]

This is a great forum. Very, very helpful. From the discussion, I'm inclined to the FZ5 over the FZ20. Does anybody happen to know when the FZ5 will be available in Singapore?

[ProAm]

In case anyone is still looking for the answer to my question, I think I found it. Cnetasia claims the FZ5 will be available in Singapore in April, which is too bad as I need the camera for a trip to Hawaii starting 1st April. I suppose it will have to be the FZ20 then, which is no bad thing except perhaps the picture quality. Does anyone disagree that the picture of Mickey taken by Jeff with the FZ5 looks better than the one taken with the FZ20? Also, he mentions grain / noise for the FZ20 pictures but not for the FZ5 ones, which is funny as they both use the same image processor and CCD and have very similar lenses.

[niknik]

Hi there!

I have the same choice, FZ20 or the FZ5..

My thoughts are:

1. The aperture range.. What does this difference means when it comes down to everyday use? Is there maybe some concrete examples that can illustrate this!?

I would like to "grow" with the camera -so I'm thinking if this is a important shortcoming of the FZ5? Right now it's mostly numbers in my head :-) Can anyone explain this to a newbie like me?


2. The new high speed autofocus feature of the FZ5. Will it be worth going for the FZ5 because of this?


3. Size/weight. I had the opportunity to play around with a FZ20 a couple of days and although I mostly hear that people complain about the size of it being to big I really liked the feel and build quality of the camera. I mean none of the FZ's are what you can call a pocket-camera anyway. So the portabilty comes down to weight and not size as far as I'm concerned.

I was considering to buy a FZ3 before I heard about the FZ5 -but after I played around with the FZ20 I think I would have great difficulties "going back" to the build of the FZ3. The fact that the FZ3 only comes in silver made the decision clear for me.

I'm still thinking though. The fact that the FZ5 is almost half the weight of the FZ20 will maybe get you to carry around with you even more? I don't know.

Cheers!

[ProAm]

Hi NikNik,

I'd like to grow with my camera too and that's exactly why I think the 20 is more suitable. The manual focus ring and the hotshoe are great for exploring one's creativity. I got a chance to play with a 20 yesterday and it was great. I also played with the Konica Minolta Dimage Z5 and it surprised me. It didn't feel as well built as the Lumix but I loved the way the handgrip felt in my palm. It's also got a hotshoe and manual focusing. I'm very keen to see what Jeff has to say about the Z5 (his promised review has yet to appear).

But that aside, the Z5 has a smaller maximum aperture at the zoom end of the lens (smaller even than the FZ5). I'm no expert but I understand this means that it would be difficult to use a high shutter speed at the zoom end to capture fast movements as you can't open the aperture big enough, and of course night shots would be more challenging. This means the Lumix FZ20 lets you do much more with that beautiful big zoom lens than the FZ5 and for that matter the Z5, which is worse in this respect.

[niknik]

Yes I also looked at the Z5 but it feels too plastic to me. And the design is not my cup of tea. It has f/ 2.8 - f/ 4.5 and they reduced the longest shutter speed from 15 sec. (Z3) to 4 sec. for the Z5 -just for the info:
http://www.photohobby.net/webboard/show.php?Category=alldata&No=2200


Right now I'm leaning towards the FZ20. As i mentioned before you can't really put any of these cameras in your pocket so the extra weight of the FZ20 actually feels appealing to me. The build quality of this camera and the way it fits in your hand is excellent im my oppinion. Also the hotshoe for flash will maybe become very useful in time..

Then there's the newly announced Sony DSC-H1, but It'll take a while untill it comes out and it has F 2.8 - F 3.7 ... I like the 2.5" LCD though ...

[wmussatto]

I ended up being an FZ-20 owner (vs. FZ3) because I thought that I might need the manual focus. For most shots I've taken so far this has not been an issue. However, I occasionally take pictures of birds in trees (may also apply to kids in bushes) and have found the manual focus vital. The auto focus works fine (of course faster is better), but even the spot mode won't work when the bird has branches in front of it.

I'd recommend that you think about where and how you plan to use your camera. If possible walk in similar areas. Your eyes should tell you whether manual focus is useful IN YOUR CASE.

I'm still trying to get my eye's photo 'sensitized' since its been several years since I used my 35 MM film camera.

If I could change one thing, it would be when the camera goes into power save mode it retracks the lens. Walking through the woods, I have lost many shoots waiting for the camera to wake up so I can zoom out. To me this overwelms the 0.5 vs. 0.2 focus debate. <sigh>

Bill Mussatto

[24Peter]

Bill - I'm sure you know you can turn off or alter the timing of the power save on the FZ 20... (I think from your post you wanted power save function without lens retraction but that you can't do.) (Would love to see some of your birds shots... :) )

[Marc Sabatella]

I have no trouble believing that 0.2 versus closer to 1.0 seconds (foucs time) would make a noticeable difference in certain types of shots. But 0.2 seconds is still noticeably slower than 0 in taking action shots or even capturing fleeting facial expressions.

So given that the FZ5 does not have manual focus but does have the "focus button" method of locking focus, I am trying to understand better how this works. I gather it is probably similar to how it works on the FZ3 and perhaps other models in the line, so perhaps someone can answer this:

Can you use this button to set the focus, and then get several shots in a row all with the same focus? Seems logical, but the specs or a review I saw somewhere say something along the lines of, "locks focus until pressed again *or until the shutter is pressed*". If the latter is true, then this doesn't seem particularly more useful than pressing the shutter half-way as a means of focusing - either way, you only get one shot off. But then, it seems this would be an odd way to design a camera - with the camera in this mode, what exactly would happen if you *did* try to take consectuvie shots? Surely it doesn't return to some sort of "home" focus state, but would remain where you last focused it?

[jaynads]

I'm in the same situation, was decided to buy the FZ20 when I saw the FZ5 specs. Does someone knows if the lense issue to 1/2.5" vs.1/3.2 and F2.8-F3.3 vs. F2.8 at all times. Will these make a big difference?

There's some pretty good improvements on the FZ5, better battery life, larger LCD than the FZ3 and FZ4 (still smaller than the FZ20 but the camera is a whole lot smaller too!!!).

It's a tough choice; FZ20 or FZ5 ???

Thanks for your time!

I guess the biggest thing to look at is what you plan to use the camera for. If you want to have a camera that supports filters and conversion lenses and a separate flash, then go for the Z20. If you want a similarly capable camera but don't care that it can't expand, go with the Z5.

Personally, I like the versatility of being able to add to a camera - that's why I went for the Z20 - I liked the idea of being able to use a polarizing filter, or a bounce flash. Overall, those features (plus practice) produce better pictures, but you have to be willing to lug that stuff around, and on vacation, that means an even bigger camera bag. I looked for a camera that could grow with me but that didn't require me to buy a dozen lenses (2 filters - UV&polarizer, 2 conversion lenses - wide and tele, and a bounce flash will round out my accessory grab bag when I finally purchase them all). I couldn't find any other cameras that met enough of my requirements to be my number two choice.

That said (sorry if I'm getting redundant), if you like the camera without the add-ons, you probably won't notice the small differences between the two cameras and will be happy with the somewhat lighter, smaller camera.

[Calchan]

I finally made up my mind. My FZ5 is in the mail, I should be receiving it friday at the latest.

So, at that time, if you have any more questions, don't hesitate.

[Riddick51]

My FZ20 should be here Friday or Monday. :cool:

[Marc Sabatella]

I finally made up my mind. My FZ5 is in the mail, I should be receiving it friday at the latest.


So, these are now shipping? I hadn't heard any sort of announcement or seen one in stores...

[herc182]

You said that your FZ5 was in the mail.

could you elablorate on your ownership of it! is it what you expected.
my BIGGEST concern is that it feels too light and cheap which is why
i am considering the FZ20.

any info on the camera would be greatly received (considering getting it
or the FZ20!)

thanks

[Calchan]

You said that your FZ5 was in the mail.

could you elablorate on your ownership of it! is it what you expected.
my BIGGEST concern is that it feels too light and cheap which is why
i am considering the FZ20.

any info on the camera would be greatly received (considering getting it
or the FZ20!)

thanks
I received it today. I started charging the battery at lunch time, so if I can make some time tonight I'll try and shoot some pictures.

It is definitally small, but not that light. I can imagine big handed guys may feel it's too small to get a good grip. My hands are medium-sized, and I have no problem holding it. The relatively big lens (compared to the camera size) makes it possible to have it rest in my left hand. And since most of the weight is in the lens, it feels perfectly stable. I love it, but YMMV.

It does not feel cheap one bit. It looks as tough as plastic can be. Doors, locks and buttons have sturdy mechanisms, and do not seem to indicate they'll break anytime soon.

I'll keep you posted.

[gary_hendricks]

Hey Calchan, really excited for you ... let us know!

[herc182]

thanks calchan.

I am very interested in your opinion so do keep me in the picture.
glad to hear that it isnt as cheap feeling as the FZ3. have been very tempted
lately to just spend the extra £40 and get the FZ20.

looking forward to your reply!

thanks

Phil

[herc182]

I am thinking about getting the FZ20 because:

1 - it feels more reliable (will last longer?)
2 - can add lenses
3 - manual focus ring
4 - better lens (can maintain f2.3 throughout zoom)
BUT the battery life is not as amazing.....

[24Peter]

BUT the battery life is not as amazing.....

I must be missing something, but I wear out long before the battery in my FZ20. I'm good for only about 300 shots at a time. In 5 months of almost daily use, I have never run my battery down more than 1/2 way. I bought a spare and have never used it. I don't use on the on-camera flash much but I do use external flashes (which are tirggered by the camera.) And while I normally shot with the EVF, I do review every shot on the LCD using the zoom feature to make sure my focus is good. So I am stressing the battery. For me, FZ20 battery life is more than adequate.

[herc182]

thanks for the battery life info.
Pretty invaluable. will bear that in mind come the 24th April (my bday!)

[herc182]

for gods sake why cant it be easy. all i want now from the FZ5 and the FZ20 is photo quality.

I want the best one from these two. i read that the FZ20 has quite a lot of noise.

anyone clear this up? tell me like it is...FZ20 or FZ5! :confused:

[Shenook]

Closest thing you can get to an DSLR.

The only thing is you don't have to pay for those super expensive DSLR lenses (albeit they can be of very high quality).

The FZ20 is a noisy camera, which noise ninja or other software can help reduce as long as you have the time to batch process them after each outing.

FZ20 external flash. This can make a huge difference. No if's ands or buts.

FZ20 or you probably will be disappointed. Peter and Genece has frequented this site much I'd vote for some extra credibility in their opinions IMO.

Hope that helps.

La VIVA resistance! Go FZ20 anything less is uncivilized.

[Shenook]

Oh wanted to add. You will get better picture quality in low light with an external flash. Not a straight answer but it helps out in shots. Recently acquired a 285hv and even though it's bulky it makes a world of difference. Still trying to figure out optimal settings but the quality in low light situations is superb compared to using just the internal flash.

Fz20 :)

[herc182]

if it is a noisy camerea then then the photo quality is not that amazing?
if the FZ5 will take less noisy picutres then i think i will get that. right? :rolleyes:

[herc182]

it is starting to get to me the amount of people that have mentioned it takes noisy pictures. how often and at what settings will it start getting noisy?

Furthermore, am i right in thinking that it doesnt have an AF assist lamp?

thanks

[Calchan]

I don't know the FZ20, but I don't see any reason why the FZ5 would be less noisy than the FZ20. Same sensor, same processor, very similar lens, so...

OK, I'm still at the "reading the manual" stage, but I have shot a few pictures. The problem is I have only the 16 MB SD card and an old 16 MB MMC to play with, as I wanted to check something before I buy a bigger SD card. Card speed makes a difference, so go for a fast one. The included SD card is a Panasonic, and I must say with it everything is close to instantaneous. A 1GB Panasonic is too expensive for me, so I'll go for a Sandisk Extreme III, and hope it's almost as fast.

The few pictures (about a dozen, but don't laugh, that's 2 full cards for me) I have made are all indoor with flash. No time during daytime and bad weather anyway, so no choice. I tried some without flash, and assuming you shoot at ISO80 and natural setting, I think noise is liveable. Not inexistant, but liveable. And I'm picky about such things.

I'm not going to post any pictures just yet for many reasons, sorry guys. First because I would have to look around for a proper site to host them in full size, and upload them, and I don't have time for that now. Maybe over the weekend, but I don't promise anything. I must tell you I'm a linux-only user, and of the worst kind: I recompile anything that goes on my computer. Recompiling a kernel with SD/MMC, SCSI (looks silly for you windows-guys, but that's mandatory), mass-storage and USB SD reader drivers, plus compiling and installing hotplug and hald, all this took me about half an hour, which is roughly equivalent to my daily dose of spare time.

Also, it's my first digital camera, and I must admit it's a different world. I had always resisted the digital temptation, but recently my do-everything IS3000 developped a mechanical problem. Focus, for example. On my previous cameras, there was only one setting: fast and accurate. Here it's different. The high-speed focus mode does focus in 0.2 second, sometimes even faster, and that seems like an eternity to me. Hopefully I bought an FZ5, as if it was any other digicam, I would be sending it back right now. I have also experienced some slight backfocus in portrait mode at f2.8 indoor and without flash (yes, I know, I shouldn't do this, but I couldn't help), and I still don't know wether it's me or the camera. My theory, right now, is I was a bit too close (small appartment) and focus lock did what it could. No focus problem with flash or in program AE mode.

And finally, because almost all I can do right now is indoor flash pictures, since the weather is awfull at the moment, and that wouldn't tell you much about the camera. I'll try and do better in the coming days.

Although it's a cultural shock for me, I'm very happy with my first digital camera. More later as it arrives...

[Calchan]

Furthermore, am i right in thinking that it doesnt have an AF assist lamp? thanks
Sorry, missed that one. Yes it does have a focus assist lamp.

[herc182]

I was refering to the FZ20 when asking about the AF assist lamp.

I mention the noise because i have read several reviews about the FZ20 and they all mention above average noise (but does this mean when you zoom in on the picture on a computer or is it clear to see on a standard sized photo?) whereas i have not heard anything really on the FZ5 except at high ISO.

:confused:

[Shenook]

A question posted above is when does noise get unacceptable. I'd say over 200 ISO then there is too much noise.

Bottom line is if you area always shooting in low light (ie probably higher iso) then the Fz20 is probably not your gig.

There are a couple cameras in the Canon line that are priced similarly and do better in low light apparently. (according to other posts in this forum).

The bottom line is to get less noise you probably have to buy a camera with a larger sensor. A larger sensor is usually found in higher-end cameras usually in the DSLR range.

The problem with this is :
DSLR
#1 = Cost (lenses, the body itself and accessories)
#2 = Takes more experience to take pictures with DSLR. The fz20 is an in between as you can go nearly completely automatic or full manual or in between.

I know there are autofocus lenses for DSLR cameras. But pound for pound it takes a bit more expertise with a DSLR.

I'm sure some will argue that point.

I'm just saying the quality difference you will get is marginal for the price. How many super zooms can do what the fz20? I can't think of any.

Any another of my 2 cents. Much of what I know is through what I read on the net, this forum and a couple books. I feel I get more out of this forum than anywhere else thus far.

[RUDY]

Calchan,

Very infomative post. Thank you.

May I add that the FZ5 exhibits about 25 % greater battery life and the LCD is 11% smaller.

I was ready to get the FZ 20 until I found out about the faster auto focus advantage of the FZ5. Now I'm not sure.

Rudy

[Calchan]

I now have a few more shots. I find out I like the natural image setting a lot, instead of the standard one. Colors are more realistic and there is less noise. No doubt though, that the average point-and-shoot user will probably like the standard one better. It is more vivid and more pleasing at first sight. I haven't tried the vivid mode yet, but i suppose it will be too much for me.

I'm slowly getting used to focusing with a digital camera. I've settled on 1-area (not spot) high-speed. This way I can prefocus on the target and still benefit of the high-speed focusing option that spot focusing doesn't have. I always get an almost instant focus-lock, except sometimes in low-light. The fact that the image freezes when focusing in high-speed mode is a non-issue when focusing is so fast. I couldn't reproduce the backfocusing problem I had on my first day, so I suppose it was the zoom/distance combination which wasn't OK.

Does anybody know where I can post full size pictures ? Because posting resized and recompressed pictures is of no interest to evaluate the performance of the camera.

[SteveW]

Calchan,

You mentioned you have now received your FZ5 camera. Where did you get it? I was under the impression it would not be release until sometime next month.

[pmnapier]

...So given that the FZ5 does not have manual focus but does have the "focus button" method of locking focus, I am trying to understand better how this works.

I didn't see a response to this question Marc had. My question is, how does one manage without manual focus in situations where the camera won't auto-focus? Is it just a case of missing the shot? I too am interested in the FZ5 as a smaller alternative to the FZ20, but the thought of relying entirely on the auto-focus makes me nervous. Is there a work-around?

[Calchan]

Calchan,

You mentioned you have now received your FZ5 camera. Where did you get it? I was under the impression it would not be release until sometime next month.I live in Europe (most of the year) where the FZ5 has been available since april 21st.

[DonB]

There is a very comprehensive review of the FZ5 at-

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ5-Digital-Camera-Review-.htm

Interestingly, while the review is very positive, the noise problem still exists. They say the noise is bad above 100iso, and so bad at 200+ as to be unusable...wonder when Panasonic will get this right?
Donb

[Calchan]

There is a very comprehensive review of the FZ5 at-

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ5-Digital-Camera-Review-.htm

Interestingly, while the review is very positive, the noise problem still exists. They say the noise is bad above 100iso, and so bad at 200+ as to be unusable...wonder when Panasonic will get this right?
DonbThere were talks about this review on the dpreview.com forum. My comment was:
"Do these people know that digital cameras are used to take pictures ?"

Lots of numbers, only one still (studio) picture that is not even commented. A few people also noticed errors proving they did not properly test what they are discussing (the burst mode paragraph, for example, is pathetic).

All in all, a useless review.