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View Full Version : Panaonic FZ3 vs. FZ15 - Still can't decide!



quinn
12-13-2004, 09:14 AM
I know there has been some discussion in the past on the FZ15 vs. FZ3 but I would really love some more recent feedback from anyone who has purchased either or has been doing research similar to myself.

I am very close to purchasing the FZ3 and feel comfortable based on what I have read that is a high quality camera. However, there are 2 primary reservations I have with the camera:

1) The 3.1 MP (vs. the 4.0 of the FZ15)

2) The 1.5 LCD (vs. the 2.0 of the FZ15)

Still can't figure out why Panasonic put the 1.5 LCD on the FZ3 when there is plenty of room on back for a 2.0 screen! (oh well)

While I would love to have a larger LCD, I think my bigger concern is the MP. While I don't necessarily plan to print pictures above 5x7 or 8x10, I do like to have the flexibility of being able to crop pictures to some extent. My concern with the FZ3 is that this would be somewhat limited with only 3.1MP.

There is no question the size of the FZ3 is much more compact than the FZ15 and would be easier to carry around. However, neither can fit in your pocket so in either case you would have to have a camera bag.

My head has been spinning over the last couple of weeks in going back and forth between the two cameras. The other thing I like about the FZ3 is that I can purchase through a local retailer (Circuit City) which would probably help if I need to get it serviced or have a problem.

It appears the FZ15 is only available through on-line merchants. While they have service plans, I suspect the camera would have to be mailed back to them if there is a problem.

Would love to hear from some FZ3 users who have not found the MP limiting in editing photos or other users who believe the FZ15 is worth the extra $100 for the extra MP and much larger LCD.

Thanks!

John_Reed
12-13-2004, 10:05 AM
However, there are 2 primary reservations I have with the camera:

1) The 3.1 MP (vs. the 4.0 of the FZ15)
I've printed great 8X10s from the smaller images of the 2MP FZ1; I think you'll do fine with 3.1 MP. Remember a couple of things:
• With respect to linear dimensions, the FZ15 images are only 14% larger in each X & Y dimension than those of the FZ3;
• I don't know how much experience you've had with the benefits of a long-zoom stabilized lens, but it will let you "crop in the camera," i.e., set the scene you want "right out of the box," with little other cropping needed in many (if not most) cases. You're totally free to use the zoom control as a composition tool to select the perspective and framing you want, confident of a sharp capture at any focal length, in reasonable light.

2) The 1.5 LCD (vs. the 2.0 of the FZ15)Personally, I find that I hardly use the LCD, in favor of the EVF. (on either my FZ1 or FZ10) I select "Quick Review" in the menu for 1 second, and every shot I take is instantly reviewed right in the EVF. I'm afraid my FZ10's LCD only has smudge marks on it from my nose!

Jeff Keller
12-13-2004, 10:39 AM
Does anyone read the forum rules (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/announcement.php?f=2) around here? Please do not post the same question in two threads!

Further responses can go here (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3056).