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View Full Version : Panasonic DMC-FZ20??

Ronin005
02-16-2005, 03:04 PM
ok, so 2 years ago or maybe 3 years go i bought the following digi cam and it was also my first one. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Kodak/kodak_dc3200.asp
for 60 bucks after rebate it was a great deal and has also done a great job for what it is.

i have been wanting to upgrade but have always been some what reluctant to buying one since there are new ones coming out all the time and i didnt want to buy one and then have another one come out the following month, but thats just unpreventable and well time has come for me to plunge in for a new cam. i only started to really look into a new one about 6 months ago and would like to buy it by the end of this month.

now the Panasonic DMC-FZ20, stands out in my eys with the 12X zoom which i love. something i really want in a cam is a min of a 8X optical zoom with no less then 5MP.
i have read several reviews about the DMC-FZ20, and everyone raves about it, but the one complaint that i read in more then a few is that it has some noise and i was wondering if anyone can elaborate on that. how bad is it and what not? i will also be buying a tripod, nothing major.

i have a budget of 500 but will spend up to 600 if another cam is much better then the DMC-FZ20.

so if anyone who owns one could tell me about it, that would be great.
aswell if anyone who thinks there is a better cam out there in the same price range, please speak up and tell me.

thanx for the help guys

oh yeah, and where would be the best place to get the cam, i know of tons of sites and what not but im wondering where people have gotten theirs. i dont trust ebay.
EAP
02-16-2005, 03:27 PM
You might want to go browse through the Panasonic-specific forum on this site; I've seen quite a bit of discussion there on the FZ20, which might help answer some of your questions.
Ronin005
02-16-2005, 03:57 PM
You might want to go browse through the Panasonic-specific forum on this site; I've seen quite a bit of discussion there on the FZ20, which might help answer some of your questions.

ah ok i hadnt noticed that there were brand specific forums. being new here and searching the net for answers hasnt allowed me time to check out the site totally.

thanx
gary_hendricks
02-17-2005, 09:28 AM
i have read several reviews about the DMC-FZ20, and everyone raves about it, but the one complaint that i read in more then a few is that it has some noise and i was wondering if anyone can elaborate on that. how bad is it and what not? i will also be buying a tripod, nothing major.


Please don't worry about the noise. ISO 400 is the maximum in the FZ20 but you can correct the noise in software easily (e.g. the Halicon filter).
Ronin005
03-02-2005, 08:49 PM
Please don't worry about the noise. ISO 400 is the maximum in the FZ20 but you can correct the noise in software easily (e.g. the Halicon filter).

what exactly is a Halicon filter??
jeisner
03-02-2005, 08:58 PM
LOL, I had the DC3200, actually still have it sitting in the box in the cupboard, don't think it will ever be considered an antique though ;-)

As for the FZ20, well coming from the DC3200, noise will not be a worry. I admitadly have moved on to DSLR, so noise is far less, but if you are staying with all-in-one style cameras, the noise is not any worse than most other all-in-ones. I wouldn't stress about it, the FZ20 is a very nice camera....
Ronin005
03-02-2005, 09:10 PM
LOL, I had the DC3200, actually still have it sitting in the box in the cupboard, don't think it will ever be considered an antique though ;-)

As for the FZ20, well coming from the DC3200, noise will not be a worry. I admitadly have moved on to DSLR, so noise is far less, but if you are staying with all-in-one style cameras, the noise is not any worse than most other all-in-ones. I wouldn't stress about it, the FZ20 is a very nice camera....

wow someone else has one of them. me and 2 of my good friends bought one each and we had never seen anyone with one. personally, they have done a great job.
PhilR.
03-02-2005, 10:21 PM
now the Panasonic DMC-FZ20, stands out in my eys with the 12X zoom which i love.

oh yeah, and where would be the best place to get the cam, i know of tons of sites and what not but im wondering where people have gotten theirs. i dont trust ebay.

I think the FZ20 would be a great choice. One of the best internet dealers out there is Crutchfield.com. I believe they do carry the 20. You might also look at the newegg.com site as well, since they also seem to have a very good reputation. One more to consider is B&H Photo. I've not used them, but they do seem to get good comments.

Also, look at Circuitcity.com. You can order online and pick up the camera at a local store if you have one. It is also nice to have a real store to return it to, if it turns out the be defective.

PhilR.
Ronin005
03-03-2005, 01:25 PM
I think the FZ20 would be a great choice. One of the best internet dealers out there is Crutchfield.com. I believe they do carry the 20. You might also look at the newegg.com site as well, since they also seem to have a very good reputation. One more to consider is B&H Photo. I've not used them, but they do seem to get good comments.

Also, look at Circuitcity.com. You can order online and pick up the camera at a local store if you have one. It is also nice to have a real store to return it to, if it turns out the be defective.

PhilR.

just checked crutchfield and they are out, newegg doesnt carry it, cc wants 600 for it, and i agree with wanting to buy it at a store near by incase of a issue of sorts.
thanx