Got my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35. (updated thread)

[dennilfloss]

Been eyeing this baby recently. Waiting for a sale or price drop as it just started to show up in Canada.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catal...65000FS10129011&catid=

Two reviews (same camera, -38 is the UK number, -35 North American) that emphasize very good image quality. I don't care much about the video mode but I am in the market for an extended-zoom camera at a reasonable price and the other offerings I have seen from Olympus, Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm all seem to have more barrel distortion and chromatic aberration than this model. The new image stabilization also seems top notch.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/...onic-Lumix-DMC-FZ38/p1
http://www.dcresource.com/revi...asonic/dmc_fz35-review

+Another review.

http://www.photoreview.com.au/Panasonic/reviews/advanced/panasonic-lumix-dmcfz35.aspx

Just looking for opinions from the experts and maybe user feedback.

 

[dennilfloss]

Can you at least give me an opinion on the two reviews? They look very favorable but I'm a layman. Someone just made me a $60 offer for my 6yo point-and-shoot.

http://www.steves-digicams.com...a-pdr-4300-review.html

 

[jpeyton]

Why do you want an extended zoom camera?

For the price of a FZ35, you can get an entry-level SLR which won't be much bigger in size, but will have much better image quality.

 

[dennilfloss]

The extended zoom will be handy for taking pics of creatures I cannot approach on the river, like ducks, etc... and other birds in trees too. Ditto for the gargoyles on gothic buildings and other things high up. That camera will be my jack of all trades for the next 6-7 years, so there will be some compromises. However, this model is supposed to have the best image quality of the current superzooms.

 

[dennilfloss]

Another review with several videos.

http://www.photographyblog.com...mc_fz38_review/videos/

 

[shortylickens]

No official review on DPReview.com but the user reviews are good.
I have to agree with whats his face though. Power zooms are only good if they are cheaper than an SLR. They are just as big as a small SLR and take worse quality images. If they are as expensive, or more expensive than a low-end SLR, then you may as well just skip it and move up.
This sucker seems to be retailing between 430 and 519. For that kind of money you had better have a darn good reason to not buy a cheap SLR, like you NEED video or some other cool feature, which a cheap SLR will not have.

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
No official review on DPReview.com but the user reviews are good.
I have to agree with whats his face though. Power zooms are only good if they are cheaper than an SLR. They are just as big as a small SLR and take worse quality images. If they are as expensive, or more expensive than a low-end SLR, then you may as well just skip it and move up.

While I agree that a DSLR will be more flexible, give way better IQ (I'm reading there is noise even at ISO 80), and give the OP tons more control and speed, in order to reach the Focal length covered by this superzoom (27-486), he would need to cover 18mm-324mm (w/1.5 crop). 300mm with Image Stablilization is not cheap or a small lens.

Still for that price, I'd save some more pennies and go with a DSLR. Even if the OP has to settle on a 200mm lens, he can always crop a little and still have better IQ than a P&S thats uncropped.

 

[dennilfloss]

Well, I am looking for a point-and-shoot camera first, with a big zoom second and after watching the videos, this could also replace my bulky 1990-vintage VHS camera. Buying a DSLR body+macro lens+telephoto lens would cost me a lot more. This camera is about as expensive as I'm willing to get and I'll wait for a sale or coupon. Took me a while to save this money.

The image quality seems quite satisfactory in those pics. If it appears, I can easily remove a little noise using Noiseware.

http://www.photographyblog.com..._review/sample_images/

Someone at Ars Technica has one and another's brother has the previous model and both are happy with it.

 

[ElFenix]

these things are easily half the size of a small SLR + 2 lenses and easily half the price of a small SLR + 2 lens kit. no idea what you can do about price in canuckistan, but the fz35 is $330 on beachcamera.com while a d3000 2 lens kit is $850 before $150 MIR.

 

[bigpow]

dennilfloss, from my experience with Panasonic and Canon P&S and DSLR, this is the best bridge camera you could buy today.

Look up the definition of bridge camera, if this is what you really need - then get it, you won't regret it.

I'm not aware of any DSLR system (body + lens(es) that can replace the FZ35 for its price.
Hmm, maybe a used Rebel + used tamron lens LOL

 

[dennilfloss]

A bridge camera is indeed what I'm looking for.

These pics show that it is pretty small still. Think I've read somewhere that it is the smallest of the superzoom point-and-shoots.

http://www.t3.com/news-gallery?articleId=9853

 

[twistedlogic]

How well does the Image stabilization actually work on this? I see its optically stabilized.

 

[dennilfloss]

It's improved from the previous model. Works better than the competitors it seems. The reviews say it's working very well even at the end of the telephoto range. One review has pics that show the difference with and without IS.

 

[dennilfloss]

Read some more on the competitor models in the same price range and I am still aiming for this one at the moment.

 

[dennilfloss]

Camera shop a few blocks from where I live has it in stock for $469.99CAN (They also have the FZ-28 for $140 less but I want the newer model for its improved IS and video). Gonna go get it tomorrow morning with a sleeve/pouch and a 4/8GB memory card. A friend is buying my old PDR-4300. As per his wish, I'm including an extra 256MB SD card and 6 AA NIMH batteries plus the charger for an extra $30 so that will make it $90.

Prince Charles and Camilla will be at the Remembrance Day ceremony next week. I plan to take pics with the big zoom and maybe some video. That will give me a few days to get used to the camera.

 

[dennilfloss]

Got it. Combined Christmas and birthday gift from my parents and my ex-wife.



It is sooooooo light, like it weighs half what my PDR-4300 weighs. Bought a padded camera bag (Lowepro Rezo TLZ 10, just the right size) that can be placed on my belt but also had a handle and a shoulder strap. However, the camera fits in my winter coat pocket, so I'll probably just carry it that way inside its little plastic wrap, with the lens cap on while taking my walks.

Got an 8GB SDHC card for it. Also decided to get the store extended warranty of 2 years for $69. I know it's a bit of a gimmick but that warranty also gives me a 1h one-on-one course with one of their salesmen to show me how to use the camera and also gives me 100 free 4x6 prints.

 

[jpeyton]

Sexy. I love camera porn.

 

[dennilfloss]

Here's a gallery of pics shot with this camera.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/fz35/pool/

 

[bigpow]

Enjoy your new camera
It's definitely one of the best P&S today.

I wouldn't get that warranty if I were you, $69 for $3XX is too much.
I personally don't care for any extra warranty, but most people that use Square Trade are saying they only paid $60-70 for a $1000 DSLR.

 

[dennilfloss]

The warranty price change at this place takes place at $400 and my camera was $469.99.

 

[slackerinabox]

Your ex-wife buys your gifts? That's kinda awesome

 

[deanx0r]

Your ex-wife buys your gifts? That's kinda awesome

It's a little consolation after she took half of his net worth! ha

 

[dennilfloss]

The ex- and I parted on good terms and she remains my best friend. We talk at least once a week (I'm still her confident).