Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7

[higabyte]

i think the noise is common with the panasonic lumix's. I bought the FZ50 and was completely unsatisfied with all the graininess in the pictures even at low iso's, I ended up returning it... =( I really loved that camera for the most part though, it took excellent videos. I think the video quality was better than the image quality.. lol

[Amigone201]

Originally Posted by higabyte

i think the noise is common with the panasonic lumix's. I bought the FZ50 and was completely unsatisfied with all the graininess in the pictures even at low iso's, I ended up returning it... =( I really loved that camera for the most part though, it took excellent videos. I think the video quality was better than the image quality.. lol

I'm looking to upgrade, and I've been VERY impressed by the DMC-FZ7. The only thing that scares me is this night noise business. Is it so bad that it's a dealbreaker?

I've been looking at the sample photos on Flickr here, and they all look absolutely stunning. Even the night shots look good, so obviously, it's not impossible to take a good one with the FZ7.

I'm also investigating the Canon S3 IS. I saw it's shots on Flickr, which were also beautiful, but I'm leaning away from it because it takes a NI-MH battery, and Li-Ions are superior in just about every way.

I also wanted to investigate the Kodak z712, because it has all the features I want, including the Li-Ion battery. The only problem is, the overall picture quality is not all that great.

Any words of wisdom, folks?

[vbsytp]

Wisdom lies within Fz8 ...

[Sime]

Was toying with the idea of one of the lumix' too... but now that the Ixus960 is headed my way... i'm thinking I MIGHT STAY WITH CANON!.......yeah baby!!...

[bostonwolf]

If you are taking pictures in good light, the noise is not an issue. However the Lumix does not have the low-light ability of a DSLR (nor should it at that price.)

I've never understood how people buy a Lumix and complain about the noise. It's not like it's a secret.

[Amigone201]

Originally Posted by bostonwolf

If you are taking pictures in good light, the noise is not an issue. However the Lumix does not have the low-light ability of a DSLR (nor should it at that price.)

Yeah, I didn't expect it to shoot like a Mark III, but with every review complaining about the night noise, I'm inclined to think it's worse than in comparable competitors. Is it? And if so, do you recommend a similar camera more?

I've never understood how people buy a Lumix and complain about the noise. It's not like it's a secret.

So, is this unique to the Lumixes? Because every time I try to fire a night shot with my Kodak point-and-shoot, I end up with more grain than a glass of Metamucil.

Originally Posted by vbsytp

Wisdom lies within Fz8 ...

You know, as brief and cryptic as this post is, it actually does seem to be pretty good advice. I've seen the FZ8 on sale on the Net for as cheap or cheaper than the FZ7. From reading the CNet review, the FZ8 seems a marked improvement over its predecessor.

This is something well-worth looking into, I must say. Thanks!

[magote]

I have been quite happy with my FZ7. I am not an expert on cameras, but the reason I bought this camera over other brands was because you can choose to shoot in a 2:3 ratio which other point and shoots don´t offer, the rechargable battery, and the Leica lens. The only problem i have had is with focusing in macro mode. sometimes the light indicates it is focused, but the photo cames out blurry.
magote

[krob]

Thank you everyone for posting on the Fz7. I have had mine for over a year and am just starting to use the other buttons (you know beyond macro and simple). I am taking a class and have lots of difficulty trying to get the photos write using the semi-manual features primarily because I find the whole ISO, Apeture, Shutter, F-stop jargon extremely confusing. Everyone in my class has a Nikkon or Cannon, so there is no real help with how to use my Panasonic. Anyway, I am glad to know that some of the problems I have had (i.e. low light photos or blur when too close) are natural to the camera and not due to me [well not entirely].
Thanks