Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 v DMC-FZ20

[camelgrass]

I was originally looking at the FZ5 as it was within my price range but now I have found an online shop selling the FZ20 for about the same price.

I am basically after some feedback on whether there is much difference in the image quality between the two cameras?

Overall, which camera do you think is better?

Thank you for any feedback,

Marty

[spielnicht]

I'd go for the FZ20. It has the 16:9 image ratio which is sweet for wider pictures and the aperture range is much better on it than the FZ5. They both are relatively priced the same, so I'd get the FZ20.

[TampaJim]

The FZ-20 is a much better camera - hotshoe, manual focus, RAW mode, etc. I wouldn't even consider the FZ-5.

Ciao!

[timmciglobal]

To be the odd guy out, I think it's going to depend on what you want to do with it.

The FZ-5's high speed focus (and regular focus) is much faster then FZ20's, it's much smaller, and it has less noise then the FZ-20's (though noise is still an issue indoors)

If you plan on using a flashgun or manual focus then the fZ-20 is nice but the FZ-5 does a great job and F 2.8 vs 2.8>3.3 isn't a huge difference.

Tim