Pansonic FZ5 users

[unseen]

slik tripod the expensive ones are good bang for buck.
S2 the only big advantage I can think of is the fact u got VGA movies. a totally impressive 8 minutes in 1 gb. and you're limited to 1gb per video.

image quality, focusing speed, shutter lag, everything else FZ5 is much better.

 

[airconvent]

hmmmm. now switch camera i do feel like an idiot when i tried FZ5 and S2. so many controls.
the LCD of S2 looks good. and it can turn.
FZ5 , what i notice is it is very very sharp.

alot of canon fans, the booth so packed. hmm think i buy the FZ5 tomorrow at MS colour, AP or Cathay.

so can anybody advise me of the list of things that i should buy for FZ5?

1. FZ5
2. Extra Batt? (AP quoted abt 70)
3. 1G Fast SD Card.
4. Tripod? (What brand?)
5. Filters? (other than UV, what else? Linear polarizer?) macro le?
6. Bag? (What bag u all use and fit all these equipment)

i'm so sorry to bomb u guys with questions. hai i'm too much a newbie.

Actually if you are intimidated by the controls, just leave the setting at "P"..they call it "programme mode". I call it "idiot-free" mode!
Then as you use it longer and want to experiment, then try the other functions.
Get the FZ5...I tried the S2 a second time at Comex and its bulky and abit obiang.
Plus the FZ5 performs better in most functions including speed, boot up and noise.
Sometimes you do wish the FZ5 had the gorgeous VGA mode of the S2 but hey, nothing is perfecr, right? :bsmilie:

 

[dominator]

Actually if you are intimidated by the controls, just leave the setting at "P"..they call it "programme mode". I call it "idiot-free" mode!
Then as you use it longer and want to experiment, then try the other functions.
Get the FZ5...I tried the S2 a second time at Comex and its bulky and abit obiang.
Plus the FZ5 performs better in most functions including speed, boot up and noise.
Sometimes you do wish the FZ5 had the gorgeous VGA mode of the S2 but hey, nothing is perfecr, right? :bsmilie:

to me i can't be bothered with the vga mode. even on my FZ5 I never bother to use it.
so imo if i am considering S2 i can't be bothered too! :bsmilie:
no offence bro

 

[airconvent]

to me i can't be bothered with the vga mode. even on my FZ5 I never bother to use it.
so imo if i am considering S2 i can't be bothered too! :bsmilie:
no offence bro

the fz5 only has qvga mode...movies are pixelated if you play it bigger.
i do use the va mode alot for capturing some moments where a still image will not do justice.
for ndp 05, if fact, without a tripod, images could not be taken as it was too dark but the movie seem to be able to catch the scenes just fine...

 

[Junye]

AP
Panasonic DMC-FZ5 - S$640 w/ free SD 256 + Case (with GST - 672)
Upgrade to Kingston SD 1GB - S$70
Price is quoted before 5% gst and apply for Cash/ Nets term

Total with 1GSD (w GST) = 745.5 SGD


CP
Panasonic DMC-FZ5 @S$634.00
Free with purchase: 256 SD card and case

Silicon Power 1 GB SD card 45X Speed @S$110.00
For upgrade without 256 SD card, I can offer you the 1 GB SD card @S$98.00
Total with 1G SD (w GST) = 768.6 SGD

now wait for MS Color den i post it up also.

 

[roadrunner_552]

haha actually i also email them about the FZ-5 price but u are faster then me. Hope to see MS Color price soon.

 

[dominator]

AP
Panasonic DMC-FZ5 - S$640 w/ free SD 256 + Case (with GST - 672)
Upgrade to Kingston SD 1GB - S$70
Price is quoted before 5% gst and apply for Cash/ Nets term

Total with 1GSD (w GST) = 745.5 SGD


CP
Panasonic DMC-FZ5 @S$634.00
c/w 16 MB SD Card, rechargeable battery , charger, USB, AV cable, strap, hood and software
Free with purchase: 256 SD card and case

Silicon Power 1 GB SD card 45X Speed @S$110.00
For upgrade without 256 SD card, I can offer you the 1 GB SD card @S$98.00
Total with 1G SD (w GST) = 768.6 SGD

now wait for MS Color den i post it up also.

I think what you gave out is misleasing...to some may seems like AP don't give the original 16mb card, charger, strap, hood... :what:

 

[airconvent]

the "standard" free gifts are a 256MB card and casing.
sometimes Panasonic Singapore also throws in a second 256MB card.
16MB is already included in the original packaging.
i bought mine from AP for $660 inclusive of gst and upgraded the first 256MB card to 1GB for $90! that was a few months ago...

 

[Junye]

haha actually i also email them about the FZ-5 price but u are faster then me. Hope to see MS Color price soon.

just equote them again.
i send directly to their mscolor email and they never reply. another cam i use the equote form they already replied. so i gotta send again.

i dunnoe AP giving which kingston sd card.
i just saw FZ5 can onli read/write at 33x so no pt getting faster.
I'm buying tomorrow. wait for ms color for now. I want a silver set though.

Filters got come in silver ones?


Those who want a peek at FZ5 manual.
http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCFZ5PP.PDF

 

[unseen]

hmmm I've not tried this.. anyone going down to sim lim square? can drop by song brothers and ask about price + freebies?
I've just gotten 2 smaller PnS cameras from them in the past 2 mths. both times they come with more freebies and cheaper price than AP, MS or CP..
dunno if it applies to FZ5... it's really worth a try..

 

[RoBeY]

i got mine from ms color a few months ago for $666 w/gst...i got a no brand tripod for $30 (the guy was trying to con me for $58)...a 512MB card for $74 (i think)....a raydawn uv filter for $8 (but never use)....now need to get a bag and spare battery......
there are quite a few freebies from panasonic now.......

 

[foxfire]

just equote them again.
i send directly to their mscolor email and they never reply. another cam i use the equote form they already replied. so i gotta send again.
http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCFZ5PP.PDF

Quote replied to me was $630 w/o GST, 256 card, and a screen protector I think.

 

[eunique]

A few months, even up to a few weeks back, I was still dreaming of owning a dSLR (specifically, Nikon's D70s). I've since realised that as a very busy and boh-$-lui student, it would burn a big deep hole in my pocket, and even if I get it, won't be able to use it to the max during my study semesters (and since it's quite large, I can't conveniently carry it around and it wld probably rot there 'til the next dSLR comes out..):sweat: My family owns a 2-year old Olympus consumer camera of 3megapixels whose charger recently went ka-pUT!; when I bought a new charger at $60, 3days after, I dropped the camera:cry: instead and the whole mechanism screwed up (a olympus salesman at Comex estimated tt the price of repairing wld be abt $200, advised me to get new one).

*sorry, digressed too much..lol:sweat:*

Anyway, my cousin, who owns the Panasonic LZ2 (he can't resist the zoOms!) told me about the Panasonic FZ5, and by surfing the net, I found a lot of positive reviews on it. I would just like to clarify: is it considered a semi-dSLR? I read that it offers the manual function where the user can tweak the ISO and white balance but not the focus which is on auto; can it help me learn basic steps of using a full-dSLR in the future? What accessories should I get with the camera, any advice on the brands (of tripods, etc)? Any, eh, need for a dry box?? oh yes, and does Panasonic have a shop where I can try out the "feel" of the camera?

Thank you very much for your help!!:lovegrin:

 

[falc]

just equote them again.
i send directly to their mscolor email and they never reply. another cam i use the equote form they already replied. so i gotta send again

Hi Junye, i think dun bother to get equote. The MS equote is higher than call in. ;( Anyway, i called in and got mine for $660 net with 256M, hardcase and LCD protector.

Good luck ...

 

[unseen]

I can't speak for the rest, but I learnt all my SLR basics with the FZ5.. Enuff to say that after going through the FZ5, I feel that I can pick up any dSLR and use 90% of the features without reading manual.

Best thing about PnS without interchangable lens is that you don't need a drycabinet. It's a enclosed body with sensor which dirt can hardly get in. As for dSLR users, almost 80% of them don't use manual focus much. if at all. In fact, almost 100% of them would rather pay for lens with silent/fast auto-focus, and they look down on non-pro auto-focus mechanisms which are slower by a mere 0.5 seconds etc.
BTW, to correct a common misconception :- dSLR doesn't not have a faster AF system. If you've got a few thousand to spare, you would be able to buy pro lenses which CAN focus faster. Trust me, FZ5 is faster than most of the consumer lens (read: those that cost less than $1000)

Anyway I don't think u can consider it a semi-dSLR coz it's short of a hotshoe. but the hotshoe available on the FZ20 is nothing to shout about, short of having eTTL/iTTL. Using a slave flash i bypassed the limitation of no hotshoe.

But I'd say it's as good as any out there. bar the inconvenience of having to use slave flash.

Cheers

 

[eow]

Unseen is right the fz series of lumix is among the fastest out there in the pns/compact/prosumer/superzoom cameras
just it superb af speed and shutter lag alone would have already creamed most of the competitors from nikon,canon,olympus except for the kyocera rtune based cameras and minolta z series
Been using the fz1 since day one..and still keeping it even i upgrade

 

[wrx_sti_22b]

I also agree... :thumbsup:

 

[Junye]

Hi Junye, i think dun bother to get equote. The MS equote is higher than call in. ;( Anyway, i called in and got mine for $660 net with 256M, hardcase and LCD protector.

Good luck ...

did u upgrade your SD card?
they quote me 630 before gst. that's 661.
same i guess.

dunnoe they upgrade sd card hw much actually. u bought black or silver set?

 

[eunique]

I can't speak for the rest, but I learnt all my SLR basics with the FZ5.. Enuff to say that after going through the FZ5, I feel that I can pick up any dSLR and use 90% of the features without reading manual.
Best thing about PnS without interchangable lens is that you don't need a drycabinet. It's a enclosed body with sensor which dirt can hardly get in.

oOooOoo...this is great!!-->picking up the basics of SLR w/o the fungus hassel! big plus points!!

As for dSLR users, almost 80% of them don't use manual focus much. if at all. In fact, almost 100% of them would rather pay for lens with silent/fast auto-focus, and they look down on non-pro auto-focus mechanisms which are slower by a mere 0.5 seconds etc.
BTW, to correct a common misconception :- dSLR doesn't not have a faster AF system. If you've got a few thousand to spare, you would be able to buy pro lenses which CAN focus faster. Trust me, FZ5 is faster than most of the consumer lens (read: those that cost less than $1000)

okies, I really didn't know that.. thought that it was quite a downer that they didn't incorporate manual focusing in the FZ5..point noted! :thumbsup:

Anyway I don't think u can consider it a semi-dSLR coz it's short of a hotshoe. but the hotshoe available on the FZ20 is nothing to shout about, short of having eTTL/iTTL. Using a slave flash i bypassed the limitation of no hotshoe.

excuse me for my ignorance, but what is hotshoe and eTTL/iTTL? :sweat:

But I'd say it's as good as any out there. bar the inconvenience of having to use slave flash.

Cheers

thank you very much unseen!! now I'm real keen on the FZ5! :lovegrin:
cheerios!
--eunique:sweatsm:

 

[eunique]

Unseen is right the fz series of lumix is among the fastest out there in the pns/compact/prosumer/superzoom cameras
just it superb af speed and shutter lag alone would have already creamed most of the competitors from nikon,canon,olympus except for the kyocera rtune based cameras and minolta z series
Been using the fz1 since day one..and still keeping it even i upgrade

thanks for telling eow, cos honestly in the past, I wouldn't have dreamed of buying any camera other than a Canon or Nikon (and maybeeeee an Olympus). But after reading reviews, forums and such, I can see that other brands has their plus points, and Panasonic's has its strengths too in terms of zoom, speed and pic quality.. thumbs up!:thumbsup:

I also agree... :thumbsup:

haha.. thanks wrx_sti_22b for seconding unseen & eow's opinions!

I think I'll have to source around for a good price, and get the FZ5+free 256MB card (maybe upgrade it to 1GB?)+ casing at the moment. Anything else you guys think I should get??

thanks again all!