FZ30 Noise Reduction

[New2Lumix]

I'd looked at the 12x cameras available and was leaning toward the FZ20. When the FZ30 came out it was a slam-dunk. I based the decision on it being an upgrade to a very well regarded camera in reviews and camera shops - I'd never seen a review on the 30 beyond a "preview".

I got the FZ30, took it out and did close to 100 photos. I really love this camera!! The feel, focus and zoom rings, other menus, features and controls. But, I noticed a lot of noise compared to my previous digital cameras. Then I read these reviews and saw I'm not alone in this concern.

So what results has anyone gotten with the built-in noise reduction? Is the noise a similar problem with the camera set at 5 megapixels? I'll try these approaches, just curious on others' experience.

[genece]

The noise is the same regardless of the picture size.
If the Exposure is correct I do not think the noise is a problem, and it is the same as other superzooms from what I have seen.
Do yourself a favor and quit looking at the Photos at the original size.
I see very little noise at full screen on a monitor or printed at 8 X 10.
I guess everything is a compromise but as I say I notice very little noise and I think it does real well in situations where older cameras really suffered from noise.
And I set the NR at low ...and on a photo I want to print at a larger size or show to lots of people, I run a little Neat Image on it, about 1/3 the default seems to be about right.
Also for the special picture Raw really makes it easy to remove the noise.