Panasonic DMC FZ5

I had made a choice for my plunge into digital but waiting for my local
store to carry the one I wanted I had time for my mind to wander and more
important to educate myself a bit more.
I have learned perhaps I don't really need the highest mega-pixel P&S. I
don't plan on printing anything larger than 8X10 since that's all my printer
can do. I happened upon this Panasonic model which possesses the one thing I
would really miss from my current Minolta SLR and that is big telephoto.
My question is, since I identify Panasonic with a wide variety of item's,
none of them camera's, how is the reliability for their camera's? And what
do you all think of this particular model?

Thanks, Hank L.

 

Hi,
FZ5 is quite new model as little brother of FZ20 which I have. So can't
comment on reliability issue. My FZ20 never gave me any trouble/problem
tho. Anti-shake feature is real plus when you shoot on long zoom. I
often use this out at my cabin in the woods for many different wild
animals/birds. For every day casual use I find myself using Oly C5060
more. For serious work, I use Nikon D70 with few different lens.
If you're looking at FZ5, should consider Canon S2 as well as FZ20 for
bit more dough. Just my 2 cents worth.
Tony

 

I have an FZ10 which is effectivley a 4Mp version of the FZ20 and I
believe has been superceded by the FZ5.

I am very happy with this unit, the image stabilzation coupled with the
12x optical zoom and macro function make it very usable.

If you want to see some photos I recently took with this camera go to
http://tonystott.mysharedphotos.com/ . All the shots were taken in the
National Rhododendron Gardens at Olinda in the Dandenong Ranges east of
Melbourne (Australia).

 

Hank L. wrote:
[]

I've been delighted with my FZ5 - it's light, easy to use, and the image
stabilisation makes that long Leica zoom work very well indeed.
Hand-holding a 400+mm lens and getting sharp pictures was something I
didn't find easy on my SLR! My wife has a Panasonic FZ20 (the bigger
brother) which has survived a trip to Antarctica.

Highly recommended.

Cheers,
David

 

Thanks, Hank L

I have the FZ-15 (4MP) and it is the best camera I ever owned.
A Leica 12X optical (36-432mm equivalent) Zoom that retains f=2.8 at 432
mm is unique to the Panasonic FZ series cameras.
It lets me get shots that I was never able to get before with film or
digital cameras.
I still carry a Canon S-45 in my pocket for spontaneous unplanned photo
ops. But when I'm going out for some serious shooting I use the FZ-15.
Panasonic may not know a whole lot about lenses but Leica sure does and
Panasonic knows one helluva lot about electronics. I think the joint
effort produced a real winner.
Bob Williams

 

I bought an FZ5 for my wife and find that I am using it a lot. I have a 20D
with a 100-400 IS lens and am amazed at the quality of the long shots of the
FZ5, by comparison. Of course, the 20D is a tad better but consider the
cost, the size, and the weight! Here is an FZ5 sample:

http://home.comcast.net/~charlesschuler/wsb/media/291308/site1059.jpg

As to reliability, I have no idea.

 

Thanks everyone. I think I will search my local area for one of these.
Hopefully I can find someone competitive with the net.
Best, Hank L.

 

You may have a long wait for a local area merchant to get FZ 5 in stock.
I bought my FZ 15 from e-tronics and I can reccommend them highly.
In the same class as B&H but often cheaper.
If you live in the US, I'd give them a look-see.
Bob Williams
Click:

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?icatid=4024&stk_code=pandmcfz5k&svbname=308

 

It can't compare to the Canon S2 IS!

 

You guys are killing me LMAO. Every time I "Finally" decide on a camera you
mention something else and I start waffling.
When I checked reviews of the CanonS2IS, the reviewer suggested the Sony
H1. Man oh man, I guess I should just pick the one that looks the prettiest
hahahaha.

You all are great, thanks.
Hank L.

 

Got my FZ 20 a few days ago. Bought it from buydig.com on the web. Good
price. You will need an extra sd card (at least 512) . Buy it from them, or
probably cheaper from ebay. Also at least one extra battery (get a non
Panasonic from an ebay seller).

I like the "feel"of the camera (as opposed to my old Olympus. ) The IS
works well and most of the menu settings are intuitive.

I bought it largely because of the 12 x optical zoom.

Based on some preliminary pictures (I live on the 21st floor and have been
taking pictures of license plates and people at least a block away.) And
yes, ..the resolution with the Leica elms is excellent, even setting the
asa at 400 and you can recognize the people and read the plates using IS and
no tripod.

Like all other electronics, it will be obsolete in a few years. But,
assuming it is reliable, it was a good purchase so far.

 

Panasonic is great if you want a combination digital camera/microwave!

 

You can compare it quite easily. The FZ5 produces better images and uses
a more convenient single-cell battery, but the LCD doesn't swivel and the
movie resolution is restricted. It has fewer gimmicks. Oh, and it comes
in choice of black or silver.

David

 

Open your eyes. Go and try the Panasonic FZ5 or FZ20. The combination of
Panasonic electronics and Leica optics is a most effective one.

David

 

Does the lens have threads to accept filters and attachments? If so,
what is size?

Thanks

 

Vic Dura wrote:
[]

Yes, 55mm. Filters fit onto the lens-hood holder supplied with the
camera.

Cheers,
David

 

It is kind of an awkward system. There is a barrel that fits over the lens
(a ring has to be removed first). Then the filters/sun shade fit on the
barrel. The system is necessarily because, when the camera is turned on,
the lens moves from recessed to forward WITHIN the barrel. Accordingly, the
filter can't be attached to the lens directly.

Several web sites have reviewed this camera and have pictures.

 

"David J Taylor"

... that are utterly oversharped in the camera ... beyond the point of no
return ..

 

So adjust the sharpening level if it doesn't suit you.

David

 

"David J Taylor"

interesting .. there must be illimited hords of FZ5 users then that have no
clue on how to use their camera for "best" results ?
or is the camera aimed at the casual auto-P&S shooter ?