I am in a state of RAGE right now!!!

[DarkThinker]

So after waiting forever to get my 12X Optical Zoom Panasonic DMC-FZ8K (long story) and getting an 8GB SDHC card to accompany it for video recording because I was planning on using that a lot during conferences and conventions. I run into two things while testing it.

1- I discover that video mode is limited to 2GB total!! WHY Panasonic WHY???
One of the main reasons I got the DMC-FZ8 is because it supports SDHC and with good enough capacity it would double up as a handy camcorder (or that's what I thought).

2- While in the damn video mode, the user can't change the optical zoom level!! So if you need to zoom in, you pause the shooting, change the optical zoom go back to recording!


Am I missing anything here?

This camera was almost perfect for me, until I stumbled into these imposed limitations. This is crazy, I feel like calling Panasonic and giving them a piece of my mind.
I am never buying a Panasonic product again F that. If I return this camera, I will lose %10 and I will have to ship it back, and the shipping charge initially, that will be somewhere near $40 of wasted money. I am going to tell Panasonic to take it back not the retailer and let them foot the bill. And I am putting up one hell of a fight if they don't.

Panasonic mentions nothing about these limitations on their site which I have examined very well before ordering.

I have an important event on Sunday that I will be attending and thanks to Panasonic my recording will suck!

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I feel your pain. Unfortunately, TONS of cameras have limitations on how much video they can take, and probably a whopping 95% of cameras can't zoom optically during recording.

I agree that it's absolutely ridiculous these features aren't standard... I mean, zooming during recording and file size limitations are purely software. Manufacturers purposefully disable zooming and add file size limitations to the camera's firmware. Why? Perhaps some manufacturers don't want their own digicams competing with their own line of camcorders. Perhaps they don't want the zoom motor noise to be recorded during video. All are stupid reasons IMO. At least give the consumer a choice whether to have these limitations or not.

The only cameras in the super zoom category that I know can zoom while recording are:

Canon S2/S3/S5 - S2+S3 have file size limitations, not sure about S5
Panasonic TZ1 - but does not support larger than 2GB SD cards, so about 20min of recording per card
Canon TX1 - more of a camcorder than a camera, expensive

EDIT: Before purchasing these kinds of things you've gotta read reviews on this stuff. Any review would have pointed out the limitations to the Panasonic video recording mode. Don't rely on the manufacturer to state their own products' weaknesses.

 

[alfa147x]

Dude thats horrid, hope your next is better...

 

[The Stigenator]

S3IS has the capablity to zoom while recording .. and i believe can take an 8gb SDHC (check canons website.).

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
...
EDIT: Before purchasing these kinds of things you've gotta read reviews on this stuff. Any review would have pointed out the limitations to the Panasonic video recording mode. Don't rely on the manufacturer to state their own products' weaknesses.

I did do my homework, I read many reviews on many sites, heck I even watched all the reviews I was able to find on Youtube. No one mentioned the limitation

Originally posted by: alfa147x
Dude thats horrid, hope your next is better...

Thanks, it better be, or else I am jumping of the nearest bridge

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
S3IS has the capablity to zoom while recording .. and i believe can take an 8gb SDHC (check canons website.).

Hmm, that's a good suggestion it does support SDHC and has a nice flexible LCD, it's like $60 more, however, if I return the DMC then that's $40 + $60 = $100 lost money over something that shouldn't have existed

My camera's firmware is crying out to get hacked!

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
...
EDIT: Before purchasing these kinds of things you've gotta read reviews on this stuff. Any review would have pointed out the limitations to the Panasonic video recording mode. Don't rely on the manufacturer to state their own products' weaknesses.

I did do my homework, I read many reviews on many sites, heck I even watched all the reviews I was able to find on Youtube. No one mentioned the limitation

From now on stay with reviews from real photography websites.

dpreview
dcresource

Do NOT use things like CNET or PCWORLD or crap like that.

http://www.google.com/search?h...FZ8+review&btnG=Search

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz8/page10.asp
http://www.dcresource.com/revi...fz8-review/index.shtml

Canon S3IS, SDHC, but 1GB FILE LIMIT!!
http://www.dcresource.com/revi...n/powershot_s3-review/

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
...
EDIT: Before purchasing these kinds of things you've gotta read reviews on this stuff. Any review would have pointed out the limitations to the Panasonic video recording mode. Don't rely on the manufacturer to state their own products' weaknesses.

I did do my homework, I read many reviews on many sites, heck I even watched all the reviews I was able to find on Youtube. No one mentioned the limitation

From now on stay with reviews from real photography websites.

dpreview
dcresource

Do NOT use things like CNET or PCWORLD or crap like that.

http://www.google.com/search?h...FZ8+review&btnG=Search

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz8/page10.asp
http://www.dcresource.com/revi...fz8-review/index.shtml

Canon S3IS, SDHC, but 1GB FILE LIMIT!!
http://www.dcresource.com/revi...n/powershot_s3-review/

LOL I was just going to ask if it has a limit too, those companies are a bunch of motherf*ckers that is horrible. I mean really, how much competition can a small camera with very simple video taking capabilities, 12x zoom and an 8GB total capacity be to full pledged digital camcorder with all the features, bells and whistles?
Keep in mind that the price tag on such cameras is near the $300 range, so it's not like the consumers are getting anything for cheap here!

So after all is said and done, what's my best option ATM?
Are there any digital cameras out there that don't have such crappy limitations?
Are there any digital camcorders that take high quality pics and don't sport an insane price tag?
Why aren't the consumers taking action and demanding those features?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
...
EDIT: Before purchasing these kinds of things you've gotta read reviews on this stuff. Any review would have pointed out the limitations to the Panasonic video recording mode. Don't rely on the manufacturer to state their own products' weaknesses.

I did do my homework, I read many reviews on many sites, heck I even watched all the reviews I was able to find on Youtube. No one mentioned the limitation

From now on stay with reviews from real photography websites.

dpreview
dcresource

Do NOT use things like CNET or PCWORLD or crap like that.

http://www.google.com/search?h...FZ8+review&btnG=Search

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz8/page10.asp
http://www.dcresource.com/revi...fz8-review/index.shtml

Canon S3IS, SDHC, but 1GB FILE LIMIT!!
http://www.dcresource.com/revi...n/powershot_s3-review/

LOL I was just going to ask if it has a limit too, those companies are a bunch of motherf*ckers that is horrible. I mean really, how much competition can a small camera with very simple video taking capabilities, 12x zoom and an 8GB total capacity be to full pledged digital camcorder with all the features, bells and whistles?
Keep in mind that the price tag on such cameras is near the $300 range, so it's not like the consumers are getting anything for cheap here!

So after all is said and done, what's my best option ATM?
Are there any digital cameras out there that don't have such crappy limitations?
Are there any digital camcorders that take high quality pics and don't sport an insane price tag?
Why aren't the consumers taking action and demanding those features?

The closest to your requirements would be the Canon S5IS:
http://www.dcresource.com/revi...n/powershot_s5-review/

But it's not cheap. And there is still a limit of 4GB.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: alfa147x
Dude thats horrid, hope your next is better...

Thanks, it better be, or else I am jumping of the nearest bridge

There is a nice bridge by my house, PM if you would like address...if i get a chance tomorrow i can stop by if you would like pictures so you can prep for your leap....

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: alfa147x
Dude thats horrid, hope your next is better...

Thanks, it better be, or else I am jumping of the nearest bridge

There is a nice bridge by my house, PM if you would like address...if i get a chance tomorrow i can stop by if you would like pictures so you can prep for your leap....

There isn't much prep necessary, just a nice solid surface to optimize my fall

 

[mruffin75]

I'm sorry this isn't supposed to be a flame or anything but...

People still buy digital cameras for their video capability??

I always thought that was a nice "add-on" feature.. but not something you'd rely on..??

Hence why I've got a Digital Rebel XTi for pictures, and a Sony HDR-FX1 for video....

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: mruffin75
I'm sorry this isn't supposed to be a flame or anything but...

People still buy digital cameras for their video capability??

I always thought that was a nice "add-on" feature.. but not something you'd rely on..??

Hence why I've got a Digital Rebel XTi for pictures, and a Sony HDR-FX1 for video....

The man can't buy a special camera for pictures + a camcorder for video. It's nice to be able to have a specialty item for everything you do but most people don't want to carry all that stuff and/or don't want to or can't pay for all that stuff.

 

[DarkThinker]

I talked to Panasonic tech support, the 2GB limit is for continuous recording only not on the total movie recording. So I can record up till 2GB of any quality, then record again for another 2GB. it has something to do with data compression as I was told.
Now this is not ideal, but I usually record in small to medium clips instead of long shots, so I can live with that. I experimented with that today and that works.

Now as for the second problem, as soon as I mentioned the issue of not being able to change the zoom while in motion picture mode, the rep started acting weird and he mentioned something about he can't say anything about that, and that he will need to transfer this case to a product tech, he said it would take 24 hours for that to happen, I said that's fine. He said OK and he hanged up, he didn't even give me a chance to give him my contact info! I called again but the center was closed, so I will have to call back tomorrow.

 

[magomago]

No ability to zoom while recording might deal with the fact that the motor makes too much noise when actuating and would kill the sound at that moment.

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: magomago
No ability to zoom while recording might deal with the fact that the motor makes too much noise when actuating and would kill the sound at that moment.

Hmm, that might be plausible, but that's much better to me than having to stop shooting, readjusting the zoom and shooting again. At least I would like to see a firmware update that would give me the option you know.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: magomago
No ability to zoom while recording might deal with the fact that the motor makes too much noise when actuating and would kill the sound at that moment.

Hmm, that might be plausible, but that's much better to me than having to stop shooting, readjusting the zoom and shooting again. At least I would like to see a firmware update that would give me the option you know.

perhaps - i think the ones that allow zoom in the middle of recording are USM based ones. AFAIK (correct me someone if i'm wrong), its motor operates at frequencies so high that we do not hear it. Although that has to be pretty high as I know we hear up to 22Khz or so =)

and i can easily see how many customers could complain about just hearing a motor during zoom...even if they were told that it would make noise

Your best bet would be one that suppports zooming while recording while getting as high of a recording limit as possible. I'd rather have 15 minute chunks with quite zoom, than stuck at one zoom and be given 30 minutes of straight recording.

Althougggh...mayybe its a sign you should simply get a camcorder. Its just not there yet - I would think within a few years we will have true hybrid still image and video p&s. It could be because they don't want cameras cutting into their camcorder businesses, or that cost is still an issue, etc. etc.

 

[DrPizza]

Even if the zoom did add noise, I'd think that noise would be somewhat predictable, and thus could be filtered out electronically or via software - maybe not perfectly, but at least enough to keep it from being bothersome.

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Even if the zoom did add noise, I'd think that noise would be somewhat predictable, and thus could be filtered out electronically or via software - maybe not perfectly, but at least enough to keep it from being bothersome.

True.

Believe it or not, when I talked to Panasonic Technical Support today, and complained about the second problem (the zooming), I was told by the rep that "hey, this is a still camera, that's why it doesn't zoom!", I told here
"WOOT?? If this is a still camera and that's your excuse, then please why I can record videos with it? Intuitively I wouldn't expect the camera not to be able to take videos at all Nothing in your specifications says it can't zoom while in motion picture mode, but after a person buys the camera, he/she is told in the manual that they just spend big bucks on a camera that can't use the zoom that is already available in the camera while taking videos. It doesn't make sense, this isn't an incapability, it's a limitation that Panasonic is putting on their customers in order to prevent them from using the already functional zoom in still mode. I as a customer feel fooled by your company, and I demand that I get to talk with someone that is more knowledgeable about the technical development of this very model".
Eventually I was told that a product tech will get in contact with me in 24-48 hours.

I know I am not in much of a position of any authority, but allowing me as a customer to control the zoom while in motion picture mode would cost Panasonic almost nothing, I am sure this is all controlled by 1 bit in the firmware, they can issue me a firmware update that I can apply to my camera so that I can utilize my camera to it's fullest potential.

If they can't justify why, then I am going to escalate this issue, I want to see how well Panasonic lives up to it's reputation of satisfying their customers.

I am afraid my voice might not be enough, I wish I could get more people to back me up and voice their distaste about this to Panasonic directly.

 

[Wekiva]

Originally posted by: mruffin75
I'm sorry this isn't supposed to be a flame or anything but...
People still buy digital cameras for their video capability??
I always thought that was a nice "add-on" feature.. but not something you'd rely on..??
Hence why I've got a Digital Rebel XTi for pictures, and a Sony HDR-FX1 for video....

I was thinking the same thing. DarkThinker states he is planning on using this a lot for conferences and conventions...just take a video camera that can capture pics. Nothing will do video and pics to everyone's satisfaction. DT...what are you using these videos for? I'm assuming you don't need quality if you're wanting to use a glorified point/shoot for the video capture. Could you settle for lower quality pics that you can take w/ a video camera that would give you great video?

***EDIT****
As I reread my post it sounds a bit confrontational...which wasn't intended. My point is that I doubt you'll find one gadget that will do both great...so are pics or video more important? Knowing that will help focus the advice given in the right direction.

 

[kerf8545]

you bought a camera that is mainly used for pictures, not video....buy a video camera...some of the newer ones are smaller and a lot less bulky than the panisonic.

 

[mruffin75]

Originally posted by: Wekiva

Originally posted by: mruffin75
I'm sorry this isn't supposed to be a flame or anything but...
People still buy digital cameras for their video capability??
I always thought that was a nice "add-on" feature.. but not something you'd rely on..??
Hence why I've got a Digital Rebel XTi for pictures, and a Sony HDR-FX1 for video....

I was thinking the same thing. DarkThinker states he is planning on using this a lot for conferences and conventions...just take a video camera that can capture pics. Nothing will do video and pics to everyone's satisfaction. DT...what are you using these videos for? I'm assuming you don't need quality if you're wanting to use a glorified point/shoot for the video capture. Could you settle for lower quality pics that you can take w/ a video camera that would give you great video?

***EDIT****
As I reread my post it sounds a bit confrontational...which wasn't intended. My point is that I doubt you'll find one gadget that will do both great...so are pics or video more important? Knowing that will help focus the advice given in the right direction.

Exactly...my post wasn't mean to sound bad either but...

The OP's Panasonic DMC-FZ8K is a point and shoot camera...worth a little over $200..

It's basically designed for digital photos... not digital video..(hell in one website I found it for sale it didn't even list that it had video capability!! That should've been a sign)..

At this current time, it really boils down to what you want the camera for:

- If you want to shoot great digital photos, but don't care about video - Get a digital camera
- If you want to shoot great video, but don't care about the quality of the pictures - Get a digital camcorder

or

- If you want to do both of the above - buy *both* sets of equipment..

Just like if you were to buy a digital camcorder and then complain about the apparently lack of picture quality in photos... you're just not going to get the same functionality as on a dedicated piece of equipment built for the task.

As I said before, the "video" capability of photo cameras is horrid.. a refurbished $150 digital camcorder will blow any digital camera's video quality out of the water..

As for why the Pansonic won't use zoom while recording? No idea.. most likely that's reserved for more *expensive* models... so you're probably SOL... There's most likely no *technical* reason why you can't do it...it's more likely a $$$ reason..

Your best option is to return the camera.. bite the $50 or so loss (write it up as experience gained)... and just buy a digital camcorder if video is what you're after...

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: Wekiva

Originally posted by: mruffin75
I'm sorry this isn't supposed to be a flame or anything but...
People still buy digital cameras for their video capability??
I always thought that was a nice "add-on" feature.. but not something you'd rely on..??
Hence why I've got a Digital Rebel XTi for pictures, and a Sony HDR-FX1 for video....

I was thinking the same thing. DarkThinker states he is planning on using this a lot for conferences and conventions...just take a video camera that can capture pics. Nothing will do video and pics to everyone's satisfaction. DT...what are you using these videos for? I'm assuming you don't need quality if you're wanting to use a glorified point/shoot for the video capture. Could you settle for lower quality pics that you can take w/ a video camera that would give you great video?

***EDIT****
As I reread my post it sounds a bit confrontational...which wasn't intended. My point is that I doubt you'll find one gadget that will do both great...so are pics or video more important? Knowing that will help focus the advice given in the right direction.

You are missing the point. This camera can do everything I want it to already, if it allowed me to utilize the already available zoom for motion picture mode I would have been very satisfied, I want an all in one device. an HD camcorder is too expensive and a bit of an overkill, a miniDV is impractical and when it comes to pics is low quality. My camera has the best of all. It's not too expensive (got it NIB for $240 shipped not bad), records on SDHC cards, allows me to take high quality pictures at good distances thanks to the 12x optical zoom.
But it all boils down to if Panasonic wants to allow me to use the product that I own as I need to or not.

 

[mruffin75]

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

You are missing the point. This camera can do everything I want it to already, if it allowed me to utilize the already available zoom for motion picture mode I would have been very satisfied, I want an all in one device. an HD camcorder is too expensive and a bit of an overkill, a miniDV is impractical and when it comes to pics is low quality. My camera has the best of all. It's not too expensive (got it NIB for $240 shipped not bad), records on SDHC cards, allows me to take high quality pictures at good distances thanks to the 12x optical zoom.
But it all boils down to if Panasonic wants to allow me to use the product that I own as I need to or not.

It doesn't do *everything* you want..otherwise you wouldn't be here!! Sorry.. couldn't resist..

Anyway... I'm guessing it's a limitation, either technical, or self-imposed on the camera, that it cannot zoom while shooting video..

I just quickly tried it on our old Kodak 5MP point-and-shoot camera...and that had the same limitation...won't zoom while recording video.. (although it will while it's just previewing the video)..

I'm afraid that you're probably not going to get much help from Panasonic on the issue. I'd guess that they're just going to tell you it's a limitation with the camera, and to deal with it. (probably not in those words)

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: mruffin75

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

You are missing the point. This camera can do everything I want it to already, if it allowed me to utilize the already available zoom for motion picture mode I would have been very satisfied, I want an all in one device. an HD camcorder is too expensive and a bit of an overkill, a miniDV is impractical and when it comes to pics is low quality. My camera has the best of all. It's not too expensive (got it NIB for $240 shipped not bad), records on SDHC cards, allows me to take high quality pictures at good distances thanks to the 12x optical zoom.
But it all boils down to if Panasonic wants to allow me to use the product that I own as I need to or not.

It doesn't do *everything* you want..otherwise you wouldn't be here!! Sorry.. couldn't resist..

Well, note that can is a keyword
It can do everything I want it to, but it doesn't.

Anyway... I'm guessing it's a limitation, either technical, or self-imposed on the camera, that it cannot zoom while shooting video..

I just quickly tried it on our old Kodak 5MP point-and-shoot camera...and that had the same limitation...won't zoom while recording video.. (although it will while it's just previewing the video)..

I'm afraid that you're probably not going to get much help from Panasonic on the issue. I'd guess that they're just going to tell you it's a limitation with the camera, and to deal with it. (probably not in those words)

Well I am expecting a really mean response from Panasonic and a big NO, but at least I can say that I didn't let go without putting up a fight for the right to use my camera as I desire, rather than bending over and it taking it doggy style

 

[gsellis]

Funny, my DMC-FZ20 does zoom while shooting. It makes a horrible video camera though. The audio is marginal, the zoom does add noise, and that camera was the last of the bad low-light performers of the series. I added 640x480 to a DV project from it with marginal results. Probably OK for Youtube though, but the audio still is pretty bad through that pinhole mic.