Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1S 12X Opt. Digicam + Free CD player for $223.20

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
P

PicPop

Golden Member
Aug 18, 2000
1,798
0
0
VikingOp has the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1S 2.1MP camera w/ 12X Optical Zoom for $223.20 after 20% off + Free CD player + Free shipping. Search for Q13-DMCFZ1S. Coupon can be found at TDC. Review

Update 6/15: Viking added a new coupon today. You will get an extra BBQ set when ordering with the Camera now.

Update 7/4:Free computer bag (choose Order by Catalog # and search for: Q07-TRAVL0055)


upldate 7/11: new 20% off coupon available (exp 9/15)

update 7/11: $20 off $75+ coupon available (exp 7/31). Maybe Stackable?
 
T

ttown

Platinum Member
Oct 27, 2003
2,412
0
0
I don't know anything about VikingOp, but the camera is awesome....

I bought the FZ1K (black version) from vanns for $250 shipped -- and think it's great at that price
Now with vikingop, it's a little cheaper and comes with a gift....

Best feature is the 12X optical, with image-stabilization

There is a lot of user discussion over at dpreview.com under forums/panasonic-talk

Also, there is a bios flash floating around that transforms this baby into an FZ2 -- which eliminates
most of the annoyances mentioned by some reviewers -- mainly low-light focus, shutter priority and
aperature priority -- and a few other improvements.

Only negatives are: shipped with 8MB SD card, so count on spending another $50 for a 256MB card;
and the battery is proprietary (translation == expensive) -- but some people have built a battery pack
that plugs into the DC-in jack for "emergency" power.

hope this helps-
ttown
 
P

PicPop

Golden Member
Aug 18, 2000
1,798
0
0
Originally posted by: ttown
I don't know anything about VikingOp, but the camera is awesome....

I bought the FZ1K (black version) from vanns for $250 shipped -- and think it's great at that price
Now with vikingop, it's a little cheaper and comes with a gift....

Best feature is the 12X optical, with image-stabilization

There is a lot of user discussion over at dpreview.com under forums/panasonic-talk

Also, there is a bios flash floating around that transforms this baby into an FZ2 -- which eliminates
most of the annoyances mentioned by some reviewers -- mainly low-light focus, shutter priority and
aperature priority -- and a few other improvements.

Only negatives are: shipped with 8MB SD card, so count on spending another $50 for a 256MB card;
and the battery is proprietary (translation == expensive) -- but some people have built a battery pack
that plugs into the DC-in jack for "emergency" power.

hope this helps-
ttown
Click to expand...

It's an OD company. I only don't like it's just 2.1MP. Want higher resolution. But You can't go wrong with it at this price + CD plaer + the sweet 12X Opt. zoom.
 
T

ttown

Platinum Member
Oct 27, 2003
2,412
0
0
Originally posted by: PicPop
It's an OD company. I only don't like it's just 2.1MP. Want higher resolution. But You can't go wrong with it at this price + CD plaer + the sweet 12X Opt. zoom.
Click to expand...

I was a little hesitant about the 2MP thing too... thinking I should hold out for 4MP or higher

But after using this a couple months, plus comments from more experienced photographers at dpreview -
I am convinced that the whole megapixel count is a bunch of hype -- and 2MP is plenty for normal use
I've only printed at 4x6, but it should be fine for prints up to 8x10
 
M

Mac

Senior member
Oct 31, 1999
728
0
76
I am convinced that the whole megapixel count is a bunch of hype -- and 2MP is plenty for normal use
Click to expand...
Well, yes and no. (BTW, I am not a John Kerry wannabe).

You can get surprisingly good pics with 2MP but have little or no room for cropping. But that should not be an issue with a camera like this. With the 12X zoom, you should be able to frame the pic exactly as you like it which is the key with a 2MP. You want to frame the shot as tight as possible to make full use of the sensor.

Because this camera has an image stabilized Leica lens, it is very tempting. Do not underestimate the value of the image stabilization, that is the key to this camera. It should be a whole lot of fun to use. The only downside I could gather from the reviews was that the autofocus in low light performance was pretty dismal. If you restrict your photography to well lit scenes, ie. daylight and outdoor, then the autofocus should not be a problem.

If you want to go to the next level, Panasonic does have a 4MP ultra zoom now but it goes for around $550-$600. More interesting is the "new" Canon Powershot S1 IS 3.2MP but that is around $450 or so. So, the FZ1S is pretty good deal for what you are getting, even if it is only 2MP.

Re the deal, I was disappointed to find out that they charge sales tax. I live in FL and according to their website, Viking is based in CA...what gives? Also, it did not give me the 20% discount, but only $20, so I didn't complete the transaction (take a deep breath, plastic goes back into billfold...but wait, there is an 800 number...take a deep breath, leave plastic in billfold).
 
T

Threader

Senior member
Jan 13, 2004
219
0
0
I just called Viking up by phone yesterday and got the 20% off. Website wasn't showing me a discount either.

BTW. I also ordered a spare battery for $30 and a 128mb SD card for $20 after rebate from Amazon .

My FZ1 is shipping today. My girl friend got her's yesterday. It's her first digicam. It's my third. I current own a Casio 4mp 3x optical but after a few outdoors events I found the 3x optical lacking.

I decided to use my 4mp for family events where I can get close to my subjects and the FZ1 will be for sports events and exhibitions where my subjects are far.
 
T

ttown

Platinum Member
Oct 27, 2003
2,412
0
0
mac -- some of the low-light autofocus issue is addressed with the fz1-->fz2 upgrade
there is an issue when focusing in very low-light where the display goes pretty much black when
the shutter is half-pressed (focus hold). with the fz2 upgrade, the display remains viewable.

...and you are correct, the image-stabilization is a huge feature. prior to buying the fz1 (now fz2),
i went to a b&m that sells cameras and played around with a 10x optical.... and found that there was
nothing i could do to keep the subject in the viewfinder when at 10x and holding it by hand.
how anyone lives without image stabilization is beyond me.... unless they lug around a tri-pod.

more details can be found HERE

ttown
 
T

Threader

Senior member
Jan 13, 2004
219
0
0
Just got mine yesterday from Viking. They just plooped the Panasonic box bare into a larger brown box with NO pellets or stuffing to keep the panansonic box from smacking around inside the shipping box.

I give Viking an extremely low score for packaging but a good score for fast shipping.

Luckily the camera is well packaged inside it's own Panasonic box and everthing seems alright.


I just had a chance to play with it last night after a 90 minute battery charge wait. I immediately upgraded the Firmware to from version 1.05 to 2.0 no problems.

I like the burst mode, 12x zoom with image stabilizer and sound capture all things my Casio 4mp RV40 lacks.

For $224 bucks it was worth getting.
 
0

0ptimist

Platinum Member
Dec 2, 2003
2,089
0
0
"Megapixel" is just a marketing gimmick, if you don't print larger than 8*10" then 2mp is enough, at least with good quality cameras, it was fine on my Olympus C2100UZ, haven't printed FZ1's images yet. I love the zoom of this camera, but the shape of C2100UZ allowed for a more tight grip and less shake. Also, the image quality is not as good as that of the UZ, there is vignetting (dark around the corners). The low-light photos are noisy. No manual mode, at night, it either takes 1/8s shutter, or the only other option is to shift to night mode, where it takes 8seconds' shutter. I'll try that FZ2 upgrade.
If you know the downsides of this camera, you won't be disappointed.
BTW at zoom greater than 4x, image stabilization is must. 10X optical w/o image stabilization is BS.
 
B

BoKingWen

Senior member
Mar 31, 2002
821
0
0
So temped I already own a Sony DSC-P9, and my GF have a Sony T1. I was thinking of ebaying my P9 since my GF had the T1, than this deal the only thing that keeps me thinking is the megapixel thingy. According to all the reviews I read this is a great carema, but I use to have a Fuji 2.3 and it is kind of suck don't know if it is a Fuji or not.

By the way they only had the silver one?

Can someone confrim the color of the camera they got from Vilking group is "black or silver". The more I look the carema the more i like it......
 
T

Threader

Senior member
Jan 13, 2004
219
0
0
Only silver at Viking. Take it or leave it. Order by phone and tell them to pack it right. Mine was packed without pellets or airbags.
 
G

gabegarwick

Member
Feb 10, 2001
169
0
0
Fudge! I might end up getting this silver one... :)

I had seen the black FZ1 on amazon for $250 both Fri, and yesterday...
Just went back there now to purchase... price now up to $392, ouch!
 
H

HFC

Senior member
Apr 8, 2001
245
0
0
Originally posted by: gabegarwick
Fudge! I might end up getting this silver one... :)

I had seen the black FZ1 on amazon for $250 both Fri, and yesterday...
Just went back there now to purchase... price now up to $392, ouch!
Click to expand...

Was it on sale at Amazon? Vann's went OOS over the weekend and I looked high and low but didn't check Amazon.
 
H

HFC

Senior member
Apr 8, 2001
245
0
0
Originally posted by: Threader
BTW. I also ordered a spare battery for $30 and a 128mb SD card for $20 after rebate from Amazon .
Click to expand...
Where did you find spare battery for $30? They typically run $50 each.
 
G

gabegarwick

Member
Feb 10, 2001
169
0
0
Originally posted by: HFC

Was it on sale at Amazon? Vann's went OOS over the weekend and I looked high and low but didn't check Amazon.
Click to expand...

Must have been on sale, yes... the price of the silver one at amazon ($314) never changed... only the black.

Amazon has the spare battery for $42.

I wanted the black cause it looked so cool (and matched the lens hood). But I think I'm going to have to settle for the silver body since the black is hard to get and/or more expensive everywhere it's found.
:)

Cheers,
Gabe
 
T

Threader

Senior member
Jan 13, 2004
219
0
0
Originally posted by: HFC
Originally posted by: Threader
BTW. I also ordered a spare battery for $30 and a 128mb SD card for $20 after rebate from Amazon .
Click to expand...
Where did you find spare battery for $30? They typically run $50 each.
Click to expand...

I found it for $30 at Amazon then they jacked the price to over $40. Just got lucky.
 
G

gabegarwick

Member
Feb 10, 2001
169
0
0
Originally posted by: BoKingWen
Just checked Amazon the Black one is $392.....
Click to expand...

Umm... yeah. That's what I said (6 posts above yours).?

It's okay, great minds think alike and so do ours. :)

Gabe
 
H

HFC

Senior member
Apr 8, 2001
245
0
0
Originally posted by: Threader
My FZ1 is shipping today. My girl friend got her's yesterday. It's her first digicam. It's my third. I current own a Casio 4mp 3x optical but after a few outdoors events I found the 3x optical lacking.
Click to expand...

Did you get silver or black lens tube and shade with your silver camera?
 
T

Threader

Senior member
Jan 13, 2004
219
0
0
Originally posted by: HFC
Originally posted by: Threader
My FZ1 is shipping today. My girl friend got her's yesterday. It's her first digicam. It's my third. I current own a Casio 4mp 3x optical but after a few outdoors events I found the 3x optical lacking.
Click to expand...

Did you get silver or black lens tube and shade with your silver camera?
Click to expand...

we both got a silver FZ1 with a black lens tube and shade
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom