Choosing between Panasonic FZ10 or FZ15

[c peterson]

After HOURS of research, I've narrowed my choice down to a Panasonic FZ10 or FZ15. The FZ10 has a hot shoe, but no AF assist lamp. The FZ15 has no hot shoe, but has the AF assist lamp. I'm just getting into more advanced photography, and I'm not really sure which feature I'll want most. Any suggestions?

[John_Reed]

After HOURS of research, I've narrowed my choice down to a Panasonic FZ10 or FZ15. The FZ10 has a hot shoe, but no AF assist lamp. The FZ15 has no hot shoe, but has the AF assist lamp. I'm just getting into more advanced photography, and I'm not really sure which feature I'll want most. Any suggestions?Well, they're both good cameras. I have an FZ10, and I've never felt the need for an AF illuminator. Low-light focusing seems to work well without it. Some complain about the EVF "going dark" in manual exposure situations, but if you use one of the automatic modes, the EVF "gains up" a bit for framing shots. On the other hand, I've never used the hot shoe either. For me, the FZ15 features that are more interesting are due to the Venus II engine, which gives you faster focusing and shutter lag, supposedly better IS performance, and deals pretty well with chromatic aberration effects. So I think the FZ15 is probably a "better" camera than the FZ10, but then, why aren't you looking at the FZ20, which has everything both of your choices lack, plus another megapixel? :confused:

[freshlightphotographer]

I was in your position a few days ago. After a long time deliberating I decided to go with a refubished FZ20 which had both, or a Nikon Coolpix 5700 which has a $150 rebate because it is an older model. Both will cost around $400-450 after rebate.

Not having the option to use a flash can be very limiting if you want to take photos in dark situations. In my opinion an onboard flash is only good for use as a fill flash. The only way to get good range and totally eliminate redeye is to use an external flash. It is also the only way to bounce your flash off a wall/ceiling to diffuse the light.

AF Assist is also handy, but not as crucial if you have a manual focus option. I say go with the FZ10 if you must choose one.

Just remember that the FZ10 is a 2nd generation model and FZ15 is a 3rd generation model, as is the FZ20.

[c peterson]

Where did you purchase your refurbished Panasonic FZ20? Are there accessories that you would recommend? May as well get them when I order the camera so I don't have to pay shipping later.

[freshlightphotographer]

I have not purchased the FZ20 yet but I got that price from refurbdepot.com, although their price seems to have gone up $20 since last week and I also noticed that they have dismal reviews at resellerratings.com. The reason I have not purchased is because I am also considering a Nikon CP5700, partly because I currently have a Nikon SB-50DX flash and filters that will fit the Nikon.

I just ran a pricegrabber search and focus camera is selling a new one for $486 and free shipping and they have decent reviews with resellerratings.

As far as accessories go, I would get a UV filter and a polarizer filter, but unless you go with a cheapo brand those are going to cost you because the FZ20 takes huge (72mm) filter sizes (another thing I like better about the Nikon is the small filter size). However most of these online stores don't carry decent brands...I order those kinds of things at B&H Photo.

At some point I would also get that flash (SunPak is supposed to be a good and cheap brand) because once you see the difference an external flash makes, you won;t use the onboard for anything else than a fill flash. I might also recomment a tripod and a remote shutter release (which you can only get through Panasonic) but because of the FZ20s image stability feature you may not need these.