Panasonic FZ3 awesome 12x leica lens

lellie

aria are good for cards..

but this camera? my camera has died.. my spec for a new one runs pretty much as the spec for this camera.. should I buy it?

I'm particulary after a camera with AF assist lamp as most of my photography is in dark conditions at gigs.. (I run a music webzine..) I would like a good zoom.. 12x is spoiling me a little!! I want something with a good lens that takes SD cards.. and I'm not bothered about any more than 3mpx.. it's not necessary as most of my images will only be printed small or will be used on the web.

My previous camera was a canon powershot A70 until it died of the dreaded E18 error a couple weeks ago - just out of guarantee.. That camera was an absolute dream when using it at gigs.. the af assist lamp was fantastic and helped keep my shots in focus even when it was very dark and people were pushing me from all directions..

basically I'm very very very very very tempted by this - I'm getting a new camera for my birthday (which is weds) so should it be this one??

I'm starting to think so..


EDIT: Ok... doing some research on dealtime/pricerunner and co..

it's between a few cameras.. if only I knew which were best in dark light..

there's this and then.. the minolta Z3, fuji s5500, olympus 765 UZ.. all at around 200-240..

Then there's the minolta Z10 at a measly £140-150..

and a couple others that seem interesting but maybe not worth pursuing - need to cut this list down somehow..

lellie

talkshop wrote:

It's very expensive for a 3 megapixel camera.

Probably was a good camera in it's day.

Amazon are selling HP R707 5 megapixel camera for £149.99,
Also the Kodak CX7530 5 megapixel for £149.99, both of which are highly rated cameras.

5 megapixel cameras allow you to have good quality enlargements.

some people are so uninformed.. if you don't know what you're talking about don't talk.

HP and Kodak aren't reknowned for their digital abilities.. the kodaks I've used have been absolutely terrible and wouldn't own one even if people paid me.

it's not necessarily true more megapix = better camera.

3mpx is fine for people that only want to use digital images (ie web graphics etc) and print small prints (up to 7x5 say?).. there are other features such as a decent zoom lens and good autofocus which are much more important.. The sensor and lens is the important thing.

rizla01

Hi,

Don't suppose it's of any interest but i just phoned photoptix, where I ordered this from and they do a LEXAR 128 Mb card for £19.99 if it's included with the camera.

Not as good a deal as the ones on Emartbuy.com but if you only have £20.00 to spare it might be of use.

What I don't understand is the difference between the SD cards that are listed on Emart.

There are different types and prices.

Anyone help?

Riz

lellie

rizla01 wrote:

Hi,

Don't suppose it's of any interest but i just phoned photoptix, where I ordered this from and they do a LEXAR 128 Mb card for £19.99 if it's included with the camera.

Not as good a deal as the ones on Emartbuy.com but if you only have £20.00 to spare it might be of use.

What I don't understand is the difference between the SD cards that are listed on Emart.

There are different types and prices.

Anyone help?

Riz

there are always loads of types - branded ones like crucial, fuji, olympus are generally more reliable.. but then you pay more for the name..

in computer ram though it's always always worth going for branded ram.. if you can afford it for camera memory it's probably worth it.

rizla01

But what is the difference between

1GB ADATA SAMSUNG SECURE DIGITAL CARD (HIGH SPEED 50X) for £45.00 and

1GB PQI SAMSUNG SECURE DIGITAL CARD (HIGH SPEED 45X) for £50.00?

Riz

shrek101

Well said.

lellie wrote:

it's not necessarily true more megapix = better camera.

3mpx is fine for people that only want to use digital images (ie web graphics etc) and print small prints (up to 7x5 say?).. there are other features such as a decent zoom lens and good autofocus which are much more important.. The sensor and lens is the important thing.

lellie

rizla01 wrote:

But what is the difference between

1GB ADATA SAMSUNG SECURE DIGITAL CARD (HIGH SPEED 50X) for £45.00 and

1GB PQI SAMSUNG SECURE DIGITAL CARD (HIGH SPEED 45X) for £50.00?

Riz

not much.. the £45 one is faster so get that!

shrek101

I have a 80x Lexar in my camera but that handles 8mp images you need to speed for large files and taking rapid shots and or fast action images.

pepperoni_2

Well I bought one..hope there are some still in stock. My husband is off to the Paris Airshow later in the year so the zoom will be put to good use.
Thanks to OP Looked at this camera when it came out last year...fantastic reviews;now at an excellent price so why not.

SaleHunter

Thought i'd add to this thread, I phoned Photooptix today to confirm if they have enough of these camera's in stock to satisfy demand. When I opened with "I'd just like to check that an online order placed yesterday will be honoured, as there's no indication of stock levels on the website...." the bloke said "Is that for a Panasonic FZ3? we have had a load of orders for these, but we've plenty in stock".

That was at around, 3:30 today (14th) and the guy was more than confident that they have enough in stock to satisfy demand...so far.