unseen said:
relax.. none of us are comparing with prime lens.
zoom lens are humongous.. with IS, all the zoom lens weigh at least 3+ kg.
hmmm from what i see, photos from a normal canon lens isn't as fast/sharp as the leica lens on the lumix. that's why i took a L lens to compare.
Oh... if u did look at the price.. 400mm f2.8 prime with IS costs $19.5k
i'm only mentioning the cheaper EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM S$4,890 which provides close enough a range as compared to the FZ30.
I don't think many doubt the capability of DSLRs, just that the price is prohibitive.
Say I have a budget of just say $2000, and i need camera body + a 436mm zoom...
would u still consider a DSLR? granted you're a normal person who don't plan to spend more than $5000 in your lifetime on cameras.. it's a no brainer yeah..

dSLR good.. v good... is always good..
Me, I don't think too highly of it.. coz it's out of my reach and I do plan to spend more than $5000 on cameras in my lifetime. thus it's not a good choice for me..
I was not referring to you comparing with a prime lens but your choice of comparing the top of the line range of Canon lens with all the exotic features of IS, USM, L thrown in. Many Canon owners don't own one of these and the FZ30 does not have anything equivalent to USM.
I do believe you have overlooked the differences that make for better image reproduction from a dSLR e.g.
a) Sensor size - 23.5 x 15.7 mm on the KM 5D vs 7.176 x 5.319 FZ30 (> 9.6 times)
b) Iso range - 100 - 3200 on the KM5D vs 80-400 on the FZ30
c) Interchangebility - Whilst the FZ 30 has a fixed zoom lens, DSLRs not only have interchangeable lenses by a host of 3rd party manufacturers to choose from.
There is no need to jump right to the top of the range lenses or even use the mfr's lens with an entry level model.
Since you ask, with $2000, I could probably get a KM 5D (based on US$799), a Sigma 24-70 and a Sigma APO 70-300 Super List prices shown:
http://sigma-marketing.com.sg/shop/default.php?cPath=20&osCsid=4348cb9f3477071f8745abc723507b93
Also, for info:
http://www.tamron.com/lenses/default.asp
http://www.thkphoto.com/products/tokina/tokina-04.html
Though changing lenses on a dSLR is a matter of pressing a button and a twist compared to having to turn a dozen times to attach a WA or teleconverter, those who want a wide range walkaround lens might consider a KM 5D with a Sigma compact hyperzoom 28-300 aspherical lens.
I have lenses covering 19mm up to 400mm focal length for my SLR. Combining a SLR and a dSLR, I would have a range of 19 -600mm, far wider than the FZ30 even with WA and Teleconverters combined in addition to a host of other features especially faster autofocus, predictive focus, (exposure) zone matching and less noisy pictures with less CA, fringing etc.
The ability to build the range by picking up bargain lenses at my leisure is what I like about d/SLRs. Most important since the lenses can be used with new "body" models released, one only has to upgrade the body if one likes the new features available. Not so with the FZ.
Maybe you can tell me how to expand the focal length range of my FZ10 as well?
Whilst you are at it, pls tell me how to get the F1.7 aperture I have for my 50mm prime for the FZ too? Since many are also having problem with low light shots, I am sure others here will thank you as well
Xandorous,
My reason for finding the Pana site comparing the size of the FZ30 to a dSLR with a 400 mm fixed focal lens being wrong is that the FZ30 is using a zoom lens with focal length from ard 7 -88mm. Also, they are ignoring the fact the dSLRs have interchangeable lens feature i.e. you can attach just the lens you need. The KM 5D with the 24-300 hyperzoom wd be a fairer comparison. In addition, if one were to consider weight alone one could use lighter lenses such as 50mm f1.7 (or 1.8).
Perhaps it is just "advertising" on the part of Panasonic, but to blindly reproduce it when you having using a SLR, know otherwise justifies questioning your motives. The least one can say is that "you think too highly of the product".