>>Panasonic Lumix FZ8<<

[snappy001]

I want to purchase me a new digital camera, and have been strongly considering the FZ8, but after reading a lot of reviews about it, everyone came to the conclusion that the images have too much noise.:confused:

I am hoping that someone could shed a bit of light on this situation. Are they talking about terrible, unacceptable noise on the images or do your images still look acceptable? (I won't be printing photos any bigger than 4x6, and when I view them, it will not be at actual size, but maybe "fit to screen")

If you have any real-world photos that you can post as examples, it would be greatly appreaciated.

Thanks

[tim11]

Here is the link of DCRP Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_fz8-review/)
About 3/4rd down the page there are indoors shots on different ISO settings (from 100 to 1250) that you can use as samples. And nearly right at the bottom there is also an PHOTO GALLERY (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_fz8-review/gallery.shtml). Click on each image to see full size image. I suggest you download a few to make prints on your regular sizes then decide if Panasonic noise level bother you or not.

[genece]

Tims advice is very good and you should follow it.....
I have been using Pansonic ultrazooms since the FZ10......and the comments about the noise has always been there and may even be increasing.....At first I used NR software because everyone told me I should...
I hate NR software more than the noise.........Once I quit looking for the noise I am much happier with my photos and I never notice the noise except at high ISO's.
The noise is way over blown by pixel peepers.

[snappy001]

Firstly, thanks Tim and Genece. I went to the DCRP review, and viewed the test photos as well as the photos in the gallery.

In the test photos I really can't see any noise at 100 ISO and the noise levels up to ISO 400 or even 800 are acceptable if you make some small prints. I definitely don't find these levels of noise disturbing, since I will definitely not make big poster prints or view the photos at full size on my screen.

This has definitely showed me that the panasonic FZ8 is actually a very nice camera for the price, and I will go buy it for me some time.:)

[digicamdude]

Firstly, thanks Tim and Genece. I went to the DCRP review, and viewed the test photos as well as the photos in the gallery.

In the test photos I really can't see any noise at 100 ISO and the noise levels up to ISO 400 or even 800 are acceptable if you make some small prints. I definitely don't find these levels of noise disturbing, since I will definitely not make big poster prints or view the photos at full size on my screen.

This has definitely showed me that the panasonic FZ8 is actually a very nice camera for the price, and I will go buy it for me some time.:)

I agree. Although there is some noise in the photos, this is true of almost any point and shoot camera. There may be a few point and shoots that get it a little better, like the Fuji s6000fd, but you give up IS. In general, if you stick to lower ISOs, you will get good photos. You can also shoot in RAW if you find the noise reduction too powerful. If you will be printing huge posters, this may not be the camera for you, but then again if you are printing huge posters you should be getting a DSLR anyway. Besides, a DSLR is way more money than this camera.
I am also probably going to get this camera. I had though about a DSLR, but since this is only my second camera, and I don't have money for a DSLR, I have decided this is a good choice for me.

[PixelPacker]

What does ISO stand for?

[genece]

What does ISO stand for?

http://www.photoxels.com/tutorial_iso.html