FZ50 - Enhanced Optical Zoom Question

[Honest Gaza]

I currently have the FZ20 and understand the "uselessness" of the Digital Zoom Function.

I am interested in upgrading in the soon to be released FZ50 and am particularly interested in the "Enhanced" Optical Zoom function. My understanding of this (and please correct me if I am wrong), is that I can accept a lesser pixel count, from the 10MP default, but gain additional optical zoom. This would give me greater optical zoom capability than my FZ20 but at an equal picture quality (if accepting the 5MP quality)....and even greater optical zoom if I accept 3MP quality etc.

I believe that the FZ30 has similar functionality, so for those owners of the FZ30, is this how it works....and is it successful ?

[genece]

You are correct with the FZ30 you get a picture similar to that from a FZ5 when using the 5mp setting and the zoom is increased to 535mm or about 15X.

Here are a bunch of photos my wife took most of them are taken at 3EZ ...even those that should not have been.

You can see the photos at any size and the exif is included.
The first 3 albums marked Alaska.

http://imageevent.com/grc6/fz30

[tim11]

Honest Gaza: Are you going to replace FZ20 with FZ50?

Genece: Are those grisly inside some sort of enclosure or something? I sure like to see wild animal up close but not without some sort of barrier in between. LoLz.
http://photos.imageevent.com/grc6/fz30/fz30goestoalaska/icons/P1140213%20_Large_.JPG
http://photos.imageevent.com/grc6/fz30/fz30goestoalaska/icons/P1050828%20_Large_.JPG

[jcon]

Honest Gaza, other than the previously mentioned "Enhanced Zoom" function, what else interests you in the FZ50 and why would you want to "upgrade" from the FZ20 to the FZ50? Just curious.....

[Honest Gaza]

Honest Gaza, other than the previously mentioned "Enhanced Zoom" function, what else interests you in the FZ50 and why would you want to "upgrade" from the FZ20 to the FZ50? Just curious.....

It's like this Jason.....me and the missus are going to Hong Kong in October.....and if she's gunna spend $$$ on handbags and clothing.....I'm gunna have to buy something aren't I :)

In addition to the "Enhanced Zoom" I like the zoom ring being located on the lens barrel rather than the lever as used on the FZ20. I can't justify upgrading from the FZ20 to the FZ30 for this feature alone....however, Enhanced Zoom, Manual Zoom Ring, and Extra Pixel count......I hear the FZ50 calling me (and even then, only if I can get it significantly cheaper than here in Australia).

[Honest Gaza]

Honest Gaza: Are you going to replace FZ20 with FZ50?


If the price is right......

[Honest Gaza]

You are correct with the FZ30 you get a picture similar to that from a FZ5 when using the 5mp setting and the zoom is increased to 535mm or about 15X.

Here are a bunch of photos my wife took most of them are taken at 3EZ ...even those that should not have been.

You can see the photos at any size and the exif is included.
The first 3 albums marked Alaska.

http://imageevent.com/grc6/fz30
Thanks Gene....fantastic photos.

Those pics are justification for what I want to do. Using an Olympus TCon17 on the FZ20 and then comparing the clarity of the photos with what you have captured with the FZ30 (using EZ)....amazing differences. I always get faded edges to the photos when using the TCon17.

[jcon]

Good luck with the camera and enjoy your time in Hong Kong! I look forward to seeing pictures!

[tim11]

Honest Gaza, other than the previously mentioned "Enhanced Zoom" function, what else interests you in the FZ50.....
I think TTL flash is cool. I am not likely to change my FZ20 for 50 though.

[genece]

All the animals in those Alaska albums are wild .....none are in a fence.
the only photo of an animal in a fence is the musk ox....we saw those in a farm. And at Santa's house we took a few pictures of his reindeer.
I believe those photos are marked as not being wild.
All the grizzlies were wild, we saw a total of 14 grizzlies some not very close but 6 were quite close.
Those photos you included ,,were black bear and there were many days we saw 6 to 8 black bear a day. All the black bear were very close to the road.
There was one section of road above Skagway in about 10 miles we photographed 4 different bear.One of those is the lower picture you posted.

There are lots of animals in Alaska and Western Canada.


Honest Gaza: Are you going to replace FZ20 with FZ50?

Genece: Are those grisly inside some sort of enclosure or something? I sure like to see wild animal up close but not without some sort of barrier in between. LoLz.
http://photos.imageevent.com/grc6/fz30/fz30goestoalaska/icons/P1140213%20_Large_.JPG
http://photos.imageevent.com/grc6/fz30/fz30goestoalaska/icons/P1050828%20_Large_.JPG

[tim11]

All the animals in those Alaska albums are wild .....none are in a fence.
:eek:
Thanks goodness for 12 - 15x zoom.

[Honest Gaza]

You are correct with the FZ30 you get a picture similar to that from a FZ5 when using the 5mp setting and the zoom is increased to 535mm or about 15X.

Here are a bunch of photos my wife took most of them are taken at 3EZ ...even those that should not have been.

You can see the photos at any size and the exif is included.
The first 3 albums marked Alaska.

http://imageevent.com/grc6/fz30

Gene...while continuing my research, I've investigated the "other option" which is to move in the DSLR direction. The biggest hurdle appears to be cost. I would want to replicate the zoom factor of the FZ20 and this does not appear to be easily achieved without departing with some big $$$.

I revisited your link and noticed the Alaskan photos that you took with the D50. From your perspective, what helps you to decide when to use the FZ30 v D50 ? My understanding is that the D50 would be better in low light conditions....but for daytime photography, is there a particular reason you chose one over the other ?