Panasonic FZ3 475.00 USD

[RossZ]

Hello all;
I have been lurking (although I've never liked the term, I prefer anonymous research) for ~ 1 month now researching my new digital cam purchase. Thanks to this incredible forum and the honest input from you members I am 95% there! I believe the Pana FZ3 is definitely the camera for me except perhaps for the indoor shots with flash, my one hesitation! This camera will be exclusively used for everything a family man needs. Portraits, skiing, birthday parties, people pics, days at the beach etc.

My one question for you all is that even with the glowing reviews this camera received would you still recommend this camera if you had to pay
$475.00 USD plus 14.5% tax for it, for that is what the camera costs where I live. For some reason Panasonic does not bargain as well with Canada as it does down South.

Is it worth that amount? Any and all input would be greatly appreciated!

Ross

[m123456]

tough call. doesn't seem like you really have many options if you want the fz3 features.

Too bad you can't just buy online from JandR or bhphoto.

Sorry I don't have better info but that's a tough price range. Not sure you'll find anything with fz3 feature set. I'm sure you've compared and know there aren't many cameras in it's class.

oly 770 or 765 (no IS)
dimage z3 (some think dimage produces images that are too soft.)
pana fz20 I assume would also be very expensive
minolta a200 or a2
nikon 8800

[Mary]

Is there absolutely no way to order on-line and have it shipped to Canada? (not sure how Canadian internet sales work...)

I just ordered an FZ3 for $312 shipped to my door (of course that's in US currency).

I don't know if I'd spend the amount you mentioned... but if I had the money and everything else seemed "sub par"... then I'd probably go for it. What's the return on the investment?? Beautiful pictures that will be priceless in the end.

BTW, we're going to using our FZ3 for the exact same purpose as yours. Hope it keeps upwith our busy family!

Mary

[leadeater]

Is it worth that amount?

Well, it might be. What do the other cameras cost where you live?

On the face of your question, no. But if you are going to shop only where you live, then it would depend more on what the other cameras that are available to you cost as well. If a Canon S1 costs USD $700 where I live, then I would jump on a $475 FZ3 in a heartbeat.

I'm not sure why the FZ3's indoor shots with flash would cause hesitation. The FZ3 does have a flash, and it works as it was designed to do. If by chance you need more power, you could always add a slave flash, otherwise you would have to look elsewhere.

PhilR.

[m123456]

how much is the canon s1 up there?

[RossZ]

Thanks all for the input so far...

Mary, I thought of ordering via internet but you would be surprised how many will not ship to Canada! Further by the time you add on our PST,GST duty shipping etc. too often it ends up costing around the same. I once had to order some omni speaker mounts from California, they cost ~ 30.00 USD online: to my door the final cost was over 100.00 CAD! Anyway I am kind of a look touch and feel person. I like to see the physical camera and have a store that I can count on for service and accessories, call me archaic but I still like to order products from a face :)

Leadeater and m123456:
Some prices as follows:
Panasonic DMC-FZ20 742.00 USD
Pana DMC-FZ3 475.00 USD :o
Minolta Z3 528.00
Canon S1 IS 495.00
Canon A95 372.00
Coolpix 4800 440.00
all plus 14.5 % tax

Maybe these prices are all in line?

[leadeater]

Pana DMC-FZ3 742.00 USD
Minolta Z3 528.00
Canon S1 IS 495.00
Canon A95 372.00
Coolpix 4800 440.00
all plus 14.5 % tax

Maybe these prices are all in line?

Hmmm - not really, not to me at least. IMO that is too much of a premium for the FZ3. Over $200 USD over the Z3, and almost $250USD over the S1. I love my FZ3, but I woudn't pay those premiums over those other two cameras. At those prices, I would go with the Z3, but that's just me....

PhilR.

[Mary]

wow... based on THAT price difference, I'd probably go with the Nikon CP 4800 (for the 4mp, 8x optical zoom, 1.8 LCD, focus assist lamp and nice "red eye reduction" mode)...

OR you could go with the S1 IS... which is comparable to the FZ3... but I hear it doesn't take as good of pics in low light as the FZ3 but has a better "movie mode" (if you care about that).

Yeah... maybe you should get the Coolpix.

Good luck!! :)

[m123456]

I'm confused I thought you originally said the fz3 was 475 usd? now you write it's 742? If so I agree that's too much and would probably also try the z3 over the s1 just b/c I like image stabil and why not have the extra mega pixel. And would try to buy from dealer with good return policy just in case.

BTW all the cameras are def significantly more than US.

At 475 I would probably go with the fz3 it's still cheaper than the s1, z3 and IS alone and 12x zoom is worth the extra 35 over the coolpix.

Pana DMC-FZ3 742.00 USD
Minolta Z3 528.00
Canon S1 IS 495.00
Canon A95 372.00
Coolpix 4800 440.00
all plus 14.5 % tax

[RossZ]

I meant the Pana FZ20 is 742.00 the FZ3 is 475.00. Sorry :o

[m123456]

If the prices you listed are all USD then I would say the fz3 is priced well and I would def feel good about the fz3

Pana DMC-FZ3 475.00 USD
Minolta Z3 528.00
Canon S1 IS 495.00
Canon A95 372.00
Coolpix 4800 440.00
all plus 14.5 % tax

In US, online, the approx prices would be...

Pana DMC-FZ3 $340
Minolta Z3 $375
Canon S1 IS $345
Canon A95 $320
Coolpix 4800 $359

So even at $475 the fz3 is a good deal in canada, hope that made sense.

[RossZ]

Thanks m123456 that does make sense and it looks like all Canadian cameras are artificially elevated at least around the same ~ rate. I can't help but wonder why? I appreciate you posting those prices now I know it is not just panasonic, some small comfort!

Ross

[m123456]

don't feel badly we pay 50% more for our medication so you save the money there. Enjoy the camera I can't wait to pick mine up.

[73dodo]

FutureShop has recently added the FZ3 to their lineup. CND $599 regular, but a modest $30 rebate if you buy before 12/31. This works out to CND $660 assuming 15% sales tax. Not great, but cheaper than what you've quoted ... I'm still looking for a better price if possible.

[fffun1]

Hi, I was lurking and thought you should know I just ordered my Fz3 through the Bay in Canada...10 percent off the camera, 10 percent off for using my bay card, that brought the $599 price tag down to $485 (Canadian dollars), along with the $30 dollar rebate I'll get, that's $455 Canadian, cheaper than a lot of cameras out there with half the features...I do have to wait 3 weeks for it, but it's worth it. I think if you hunt around, you'll find a good deal somewhere! Good luck!