Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 - Lowlite Shots

[Croman]

My sisters and I decided to buy our parents a digital camera for our parent's anniversary. I found this on the LZ5 on sale at our local Futureshop bundled like so:

http://www.futureshop.ca/multimedia/products/large/10073241_A.jpg

Since my parents aren't high tech gurus I picked something simple for them to use. I read some disturbing info on this camera being a bad camera for lowlight. Well here is a few shots putting that issue to rest: As a comparison I took a picture of the same subject with my Nikon D50 DSLR.
Here goes:

First the LZ5

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/croman007/Lumix%20DMC-LZ5/P1000035.jpg

EXIF Image Details

Make: Panasonic
Model: DMC-LZ5
Width: 2816 pixels
Height: 2112 pixels
Focal Length: 9.9mm
F-Number: F/3.1
Exposure Time: 2.5 sec.
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Program: Auto bracket
ISO Speed: 80
Flash Mode: Off
Date: 2006-12-03 11:44:57

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/croman007/Lumix%20DMC-LZ5/P1000036.jpg


Now the Nikon D50

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/croman007/D50/DSC_0071.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/croman007/D50/TreeNitePic1.jpg

Looking at the picture comparison I would comment that the Panny does a marvelous job in lowlight - (no flash), but remember always to use a tripod.

Just my $0.02

[Croman]

Here is a closeup picture:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/croman007/Lumix%20DMC-LZ5/P1000042.jpg

[jcon]

Thats a joke, right?:confused: There is no way in hell the D50 would take that bad of a picture, especially with the lights from the Christmas tree. I assume you didnt use the correct settings with the D50? Also, what lens did you use???

So, wheres the punchline?:confused:

[Croman]

Thats a joke, right?:confused: There is no way in hell the D50 would take that bad of a picture, especially with the lights from the Christmas tree. I assume you didnt use the correct settings with the D50? Also, what lens did you use???


So, wheres the punchline?:confused:

No punchline I just wanted to point out how easy it is to use this camera. As for the D50 I am Noob to the DSLR. Let me have another go around to do those pictures again. Lense - stock lens. Also do you offer any suggestions on what settings to use for the D50.

[jcon]

Hop over to the Nikon DSLR forum and myself and others would be glad to help you, it would help to post a picture with EXIF(camera settings).

Just a guess but try a few diff settings with the D50...

Tripod.. Manual mode... Shutter a few seconds... Aperture around F15 and ISO 200.

Or, Shutter of 1/100 Aperture F7 ISO 400-800.

Like I said though see us at the Nikon DSLR forum ;)

[Mike63]

I see lots of red X's. I guess what goes around comes around if you remember the red X's that everyone saw on my post awhile back. Jcon has all the luck he see's all the pic's.:)

[John_Reed]

I see lots of red X's. I guess what goes around comes around if you remember the red X's that everyone saw on my post awhile back. Jcon has all the luck he see's all the pic's.:)Glad it wasn't just ME! What do we under-privileged types have to do to see those photos?

[jcon]

Thanks for jinx'n me, Mike :p I now see red "x" aswell. I think it depends on how the poster posts them, I am not quite sure though. I believe if they are uploaded from a hosting site like photobucket, once you remove them from that account, they wont show on here anymore. Not sure if thats the case here.

[Croman]

Thanks for jinx'n me, Mike :p I now see red "x" aswell. I think it depends on how the poster posts them, I am not quite sure though. I believe if they are uploaded from a hosting site like photobucket, once you remove them from that account, they wont show on here anymore. Not sure if thats the case here.

Exactly that's the case - my subscription went from full to free service the link gets severed:

Lets try this again:

[Croman]

Lastly what "free service" do you recommend to upload photos.

[John_Reed]

Lastly what "free service" do you recommend to upload photos....Your first photos "came to life," as if by MAGIC! ;) I guess a purist would say that it's not fair to compare your LZ5 photos against those of a D50 at some down-sampled image size like those you posted here. But as you posted, the LZ5 photos do indeed look at least competitive with the D50 photos.

[Croman]

How is this played around with settings on my D50:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/croman007/D50/DSC_0180.jpg

EXIF Image Details

Make: Nikon Corporation
Model: Nikon D50
Width: 2256 pixels
Height: 1496 pixels
Focal Length: 38.0mm
F-Number: F/5
Exposure Time: 4 sec.
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Program: Manual
Date: 2006-12-04 10:53:42

[jcon]

That is MUCH better, you did very well that time with your D50.

There is NO comparison between the 2 cameras, none what-so-ever. I do understand your "comparison" though, to simply show that the Pana is pretty easy to use. Thats where the comparison stops though!

Again, excellent job with the newest effort!

[Croman]

That is MUCH better, you did very well that time with your D50.

There is NO comparison between the 2 cameras, none what-so-ever. I do understand your "comparison" though, to simply show that the Pana is pretty easy to use. Thats where the comparison stops though!

Again, excellent job with the newest effort!

I also took off a filter that was sold to me at the camera store a "Optex 1A sky filter". I was getting some weird green little lights. Should I get a neutral filter to protect the lense?

[jcon]

That has been a topic thats been debated over and over on the Nikon DSLR forum, my opinion is that its not needed on DSLRs. Think about it, you spend hundreds on a great piece of glass and you want to degrade the quality by putting a cheap piece of glass in front of it? I have never used or needed a filter of any kind to protect the lens. Hoods(they come with your lens) do a fine job, if needed.

Have a look at this forum....

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=23

BTW, you saw the difference with and without the filter, I think you can come to your own conclusion ;)