FZ30 showed in Argentina!!!

[acuberos]

See that links:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=14175109

http://img236.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fz307eb.jpg (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=14175109)

http://www.panasonic.com.ar (http://www.panasonic.com.ar/)

The camera look great, like a real SRL. It has 2 rings in the lens: one for zoom and the other should be the focus ring, the grip include a jog wheel and considering the lens focal lenths, the camera should have a bigger sensor (and probably higher resolution one).

Drawbacks: The lens is slower at tele end of the zoom and still have a non dedicated hot-shoe for flash.

Alvaro.

[lynchbird]

AARRRRRRRGGGHHHH!!!!

I'm on the verge of finally purchasing an FZ20, and now the FZ30 is coming out???!!!!!

I wonder what the price range is going to be? And I wonder what the prices of the FZ20 are going to do when the FZ30 is officially announced?

[LoveLife]

>We all saw the same picture and here are my views from viewing.



1. Rear rubber dial on camera barrel is for F-stops; front rubber ring is for focus both controls are fly-by-wire.

2. Rotary wheel in front below shutter button is for zoom.

3. Zoom lever moved to rear of shutter button for WYSIWUG preview.

4. Half depression of shutter is for automatic focus only.

5. Camera is still a 12X zoom FZ10, 15 and 20 (6-72) 12X, FZ30 (7.4-88.8) 12X.

6. After a convoluted math game, I think the zoom range is still 36 – 432.

7. The jog dial is moved closer to the right and down. A better location for thumb access.

8. There is a conspicuous space above it. A new battery compartment?

9. Now the tripod mount can be in the correct place.

10. I see six buttons now located in a more ergonomic place controlled by the thumb.

11. One of the buttons could be a much-needed ISO control.

12. The shutter button is moved forward for better contact with the index finger.

13. The LCD looks like it pops out so what.

14. I believe it will be a six or eight MP unit with the capability of ten. Panasonic had a press release about it in late 2004.

15. The lens hood is mounted to the fixed portion of the camera barrel. There is too much space between the lens barrel and the hood, which leads me to believe that the lens barrel still moves. Panasonic would have to do this if they wanted to continue selling their WA and Tele.

16. The top down picture seems to show a camera barrel trim ring which when removed would show male threads for Panasonic’s hood and lens accessories.

17. The right rear of the camera has an ergonomic thumb notch fro a better non-slip grip.

18. The diopter control is on the left side of the EVF.

19. There seems to be a larger diameter focus assist lamp.

20. There is still a bump on the right front of the camera for the MF/AF focus control.



>>BTW, this picture is no accident.This is Panasonic pump priming. Leak in July, press announcement in August and the product in September.
http://lovelife.smugmug.com/photos/27668731-O-1.jpg

[lynchbird]

Why would they release it in Argentina first?

[Divine_Madcat]

Why would they release it in Argentina first?
Something tells me it was a mistake, and was released too early. Just a guess though.

[LoveLife]

AARRRRRRRGGGHHHH!!!!

I'm on the verge of finally purchasing an FZ20, and now the FZ30 is coming out???!!!!!

I wonder what the price range is going to be? And I wonder what the prices of the FZ20 are going to do when the FZ30 is officially announced?
My quess FZ20 drops $70.00. The FZ30 a list of $975-$1,100 and a street price of $775.00.

[LoveLife]

Something tells me it was a mistake, and was released too early. Just a guess though.
This is Panasonic at their best. This is three years in a row. Same thing happened with the FZ10 and FZ20.

[LoveLife]

Why would they release it in Argentina first? Less obvious. Why not the last time was on their own web site.

[kuroneko]

arrgh...
i just bought mine.. (fz20) 6 months ago.. and the newer version already got out!.. ! hiks.. (T-T)..

but i think rather to buy FZ30 for replacing my FZ20.. i better choose to upgrade mine to dSLR!... i need wider lens!.. and larger sensor!..

but that is only if i want to upgrade mine!
because ... FZ20 still more than enough for me right now!

but i hope Panny fix the night shot problem with their LCD viewer!

For the model.. i like FZ20's more than FZ30's..... dont like the hotshoe design! and the round shape!..

[Phill D]

Hmm ... great camera as it looks I don't think I will rush to upgrade my FZ20 to an FZ30 either. Dslr was my thought also. Looking at the FZ30 picture I'm not sure I like the position of the EVF, the FZ20s left sided position is pretty easy to use and the fact that it sticks out a little gives something that helps casual holding on the LHS. A minor point but I'd miss it. A gain up EVF & high iso with low noise though might make me reconsider.

[LoveLife]

Hmm ... great camera as it looks I don't think I will rush to upgrade my FZ20 to an FZ30 either. Dslr was my thought also. Looking at the FZ30 picture I'm not sure I like the position of the EVF, the FZ20s left sided position is pretty easy to use and the fact that it sticks out a little gives something that helps casual holding on the LHS. A minor point but I'd miss it. A gain up EVF & high iso with low noise though might make me reconsider.
DSLRs do not have their viewfinders on the side. Yes, a higher resolution and a low light boost on the EVF would be nice.

[Balrog]

It isn't a DSLR .. and actually, some do (E-300) ;)

[jussi]

In any case I suspect there will be a stampede for them when they come out!
Makes me wonder if FZ6 will be a few months behind as well (early next year?).....
I've only had my FZ5 since April.....
At least I will wait for all reviews etc next time before buying. With FZ5 I just rushed in on the basis of good reputation of FZ20 and ordered it on eBay before reviews came out in the west...lucky it was a nice camera though! :)