Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ15

[Pssycatt17]

I have a Canon Rebel 2000 35mm camera, which I love, but I am looking to play around with digital photography. I love to take pictures at concerts. I’m an amateur photographer looking for a digital camera with around 4 mega pixels, 3X optical zoom or more, F 2.0 – F 2.5, little lag between shots and SLR. I realize this will be impossible to find within my 300-dollar budget. Any suggestions for a camera that takes great photos in low light situations that isn’t horribly expensive? I am currently considering stretching my budget for a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ15.:D

[PhilR.]

Since you like the FZ15.....

Lately I've seen prices for the Panasonic FZ3 for around $300. This camera also has a 12x zoom with image stabilisation, like the FZ15. This lens is also f2.8 as well. The nice thing about the FZ3 (besides being cheaper) is that it is much more compact in dimension, yet retains all the manual modes and has a focus assist light. What you give up by going to the smaller package is manual focus and a hotshoe. Also, if I remember correctly, the 15 is 4mp, so you would also give up 0.8mp, which to me is insignificant.

hth,
PhilR.

[Pssycatt17]

Since you like the FZ15.....

Lately I've seen prices for the Panasonic FZ3 for around $300. This camera also has a 12x zoom with image stabilisation, like the FZ15. This lens is also f2.8 as well. The nice thing about the FZ3 (besides being cheaper) is that it is much more compact in dimension, yet retains all the manual modes and has a focus assist light. What you give up by going to the smaller package is manual focus and a hotshoe. Also, if I remember correctly, the 15 is 4mp, so you would also give up 0.8mp, which to me is insignificant.

hth,
PhilR. The only thing that bothers me about the FZ3 is that it's 3.2mp. I will probably want to make prints as large as 8X10 sometimes and I'm worried the picture quality will suffer at that size with 3.2mp. I now have my eyes on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20K (http://dcresource.pricegrabber.com/search_techspecs_full.php/masterid=3787433) but I'm wondering why it's cheaper than the FZ20? Do you think 3.2mp will be enough for me?

[John_Reed]

The only thing that bothers me about the FZ3 is that it's 3.2mp. I will probably want to make prints as large as 8X10 sometimes and I'm worried the picture quality will suffer at that size with 3.2mp. I now have my eyes on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20K (http://dcresource.pricegrabber.com/search_techspecs_full.php/masterid=3787433) but I'm wondering why it's cheaper than the FZ20? Do you think 3.2mp will be enough for me?Don't let the 3.2mp scare you away from the FZ3. Plenty of people have made great 8X10s from 2mp cameras like the FZ1, so the only thing the FZ15 would offer you in that regard is a bit more cropping room. If you like the size of the FZ3, and don't mind giving up the manual focusing ring of the FZ15, it'll work fine for you.

[Pssycatt17]

I settled on a Panasonic DMC FZ10K for $400 on onecall.com. Hopefully it's a good choice. :D Thanks for the relies!!!
http://im1.onecall.com/Image%5fProducts%2fpanasonic%2fdmcfz10k%2ejpg