The next FZ series... Rumours???
- Thread starter sethkoo
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greenieadi
Member
Just recently acquired the FZ50 2nd hand, I guess it's one of my better buys.
It really eliminates my need to use my DSLR lenses for focal ranges from 35mm to 400mm (35mm equivalent) including the macro lens that cost more than the FZ50.
The FZ50 weighs only 700gm, my DSLR setup for that range can weigh as much as 4kg.
For those on the fence, intending to go the DSLR way, spare a thought - to get the best image out of a DSLR really requires the best lenses, have lug around with heavy gear and with the use of raw image, a lot of post-processing work later.
Ask yourself, is that what you want to do? Not to mention money you have to spent. The only advantage I learn about having a DSLR is it's fast AF, have low-light capability with the right lenses and for long focal range - the FZ50 will lose by couple of miles.
I still do carry my DSLR along but only bring either my 400mm or 500mm prime + 20mm f1.8. The rest of the focal range handle well by the FZ50.
So having a successor to the FZ50 is something I will watch in eager.
It really eliminates my need to use my DSLR lenses for focal ranges from 35mm to 400mm (35mm equivalent) including the macro lens that cost more than the FZ50.
The FZ50 weighs only 700gm, my DSLR setup for that range can weigh as much as 4kg.
For those on the fence, intending to go the DSLR way, spare a thought - to get the best image out of a DSLR really requires the best lenses, have lug around with heavy gear and with the use of raw image, a lot of post-processing work later.
Ask yourself, is that what you want to do? Not to mention money you have to spent. The only advantage I learn about having a DSLR is it's fast AF, have low-light capability with the right lenses and for long focal range - the FZ50 will lose by couple of miles.
I still do carry my DSLR along but only bring either my 400mm or 500mm prime + 20mm f1.8. The rest of the focal range handle well by the FZ50.
So having a successor to the FZ50 is something I will watch in eager.
haha, thats why i'm a olympus dslr user after my FZ30.
anyways, i agree with your points above. just to share some points since this is purely just a speculation thread:
- Panny manufactures the lastest batch of 4/3 sensors, that inclues the E3 sensor
- Contrast based AF is available with a 4/3 sized sensor (Lumix L10)
- if its a FZ series, it doesn't have to comply with the 4/3 standards even if it is using a 4/3 sensor. lens formula can be different or even use a sensor crop to achieve equivelent focal length without designing a big lens (1.33x of a 4/3 sensor anyone :bsmilie
so basically, think of the possibility of a FZ camera with the the following:
- 4/3 sized sensor
- L10 contrast based AF
- meatier FZ50 body and controls
- E3 / L10 flip out screen
- no mirror box
- no lens mount
- no shutter assembly (electronic shutter as with compacts)
- similar Leica branded 12x zoom lens
currently, the L1 and L10 is way overpriced (L10 $1600 - $1800). the FZ50 retails for $899 (RSP), so if the frankenlumix does exist, it can be priced as a premium product in the range of $1199 and compete with budget dslrs. it may not appeal to everyone, but it is a ONE camera / lens solution that can break the compact camera mould.
haha, thats why i'm a olympus dslr user after my FZ30.
anyways, i agree with your points above. just to share some points since this is purely just a speculation thread:
- Panny manufactures the lastest batch of 4/3 sensors, that inclues the E3 sensor
- Contrast based AF is available with a 4/3 sized sensor (Lumix L10)
- if its a FZ series, it doesn't have to comply with the 4/3 standards even if it is using a 4/3 sensor. lens formula can be different or even use a sensor crop to achieve equivelent focal length without designing a big lens (1.33x of a 4/3 sensor anyone :bsmilie
so basically, think of the possibility of a FZ camera with the the following:
- 4/3 sized sensor
- L10 contrast based AF
- meatier FZ50 body and controls
- E3 / L10 flip out screen
- no mirror box
- no lens mount
- no shutter assembly (electronic shutter as with compacts)
- similar Leica branded 12x zoom lens
currently, the L1 and L10 is way overpriced (L10 $1600 - $1800). the FZ50 retails for $899 (RSP), so if the frankenlumix does exist, it can be priced as a premium product in the range of $1199 and compete with budget dslrs. it may not appeal to everyone, but it is a ONE camera / lens solution that can break the compact camera mould.
However, straight from the off there will be some technical problems I can see from this. The 4 Thirds sensor is much larger than the current (1/1.8") FZ sensors. With a larger sensor the lenses will have to project a correspondingly large image circle. To get 420mm the FZ 50's actual focal length is 88.8mm. To get 35-420mm (hence 12X) will require an actual focal length of about 200mm.(The actual focal length may be a little lower due to the 4:3 aspect ratio) As a gauge, a 200mm F2.8 lens is something like a Canon EF 200 F2.8L with the corresponding cost, size and weight penalties if Leica were to try and maintain their usual standards and reputation. (Cue lots of ED glass and Aspherical elements). In short, to have a big sensor you have to get a big lens, period. So the frankenlumix will be huge up front right from the start and costing in the very least S$1400 (To achieve that sort of lens and sensor combo)
If Sony's rumoured super budget DSLR becomes reality(Look at the KM/Sony Forum here) then Panasonic might have to follow suit and come up with a competitor budget DSLR below the L10 (Utilising Zuiko Digital lenses rebranded, this would be like the current Sony/Carl Zeiss lens line). By the time the current product cycle ends in September (well after Sony and Pentax had made their product announcements btw) then Panny will have a clearer picture of the situation
Personally as an ex FZ10/50 user this is what I'd like to see
1) A slightly larger sensor, one thirds the size of 135 format and a little smaller than four thirds size....8 megapixels (yes downgrade) to improve ISO performance
2) Smaller but brighter zoom....35-280mm(35mm eq: Actual is about 12-95mm) F2.8 constant will be nice;p
3) Retain TTL flash facility
4) Electronic shutter-quiet is good!
5) a better EVF (Minolta had a 1 megapixel EVF lor....)
But ultimately we must remember this is consumer electronics.... sadly the specs we'd come up with belong to the enthusiasts catergory, whilst most folks just want greater megapixel, more picture styles etc:cry:
compro_1975
Senior Member
the current flip out is gd, somemore price is ard 800-850haha, thats why i'm a olympus dslr user after my FZ30.
anyways, i agree with your points above. just to share some points since this is purely just a speculation thread:
- Panny manufactures the lastest batch of 4/3 sensors, that inclues the E3 sensor
- Contrast based AF is available with a 4/3 sized sensor (Lumix L10)
- if its a FZ series, it doesn't have to comply with the 4/3 standards even if it is using a 4/3 sensor. lens formula can be different or even use a sensor crop to achieve equivelent focal length without designing a big lens (1.33x of a 4/3 sensor anyone :bsmilie
so basically, think of the possibility of a FZ camera with the the following:
- 4/3 sized sensor
- L10 contrast based AF
- meatier FZ50 body and controls
- E3 / L10 flip out screen
- no mirror box
- no lens mount
- no shutter assembly (electronic shutter as with compacts)
- similar Leica branded 12x zoom lens
currently, the L1 and L10 is way overpriced (L10 $1600 - $1800). the FZ50 retails for $899 (RSP), so if the frankenlumix does exist, it can be priced as a premium product in the range of $1199 and compete with budget dslrs. it may not appeal to everyone, but it is a ONE camera / lens solution that can break the compact camera mould.
that would be the almost perfect compact...too bad panny will never be caught dead using some other manufacturer's sensor :cry:
well, doesn't have to be pana, i don mind a Fuji s6500 if it comes with megaOIS or something equiv.
Wow... wonder if any panasonic personal sees this, i hope they do!
I take mainly macro photos and I think the closeup filter + FZ50 is the best combo ever, beats many dSLR macro photos! I've just started shooting in RAW and thus only just discovered one of the limitations of the FZ50 - Slow Recording in RAW!!! when take insect photos, and other animal photos for that matter, that 4 seconds spent recording could mean missing the money shot. So... apart from giving this baby a bigger sensor, i hope they increase the buffer size or the write speed, imagine RAW in burst mode... If that does happen, i would definitely buy it, even if everything else remains the same, and even if it cost a zillion million dollars...well maybe not the second part:bsmilie:
I take mainly macro photos and I think the closeup filter + FZ50 is the best combo ever, beats many dSLR macro photos! I've just started shooting in RAW and thus only just discovered one of the limitations of the FZ50 - Slow Recording in RAW!!! when take insect photos, and other animal photos for that matter, that 4 seconds spent recording could mean missing the money shot. So... apart from giving this baby a bigger sensor, i hope they increase the buffer size or the write speed, imagine RAW in burst mode... If that does happen, i would definitely buy it, even if everything else remains the same, and even if it cost a zillion million dollars...well maybe not the second part:bsmilie:
compro_1975
Senior Member
local see one no point.. those engineers in jap should see then got use
as most wof them who have already know, those "number" are marketing for the mass market... probably more than 50% of the consumer don't know about noise at all until they read and understand...
i like the rest of you guys is waiting to see the release of the latest high end lumix...
fujifilm has already come up with what i believe is a market winner, the S100FS(check out the shots for iso 800 at the fujifilm forum) although lense sharpness is only so-so compared to what the FZ series have!
but if you dont pixel peep, it gives entry level DSLRs a real run for their money!
i believe the only problem with pana prosumers is their sensor(as many have mentioned)
the S100FS is coming at 1kg, 15 CM long on the whole, even if the next pana FZ is bigger, heavier but sorts out their noise problem(definitely wont be as good as the fujifilm, but then their noise is REALLy atrocious) and if possible F2.8 constant like the fz10,20, even if its 1.2-1.3k i would buy it, cause it would be an all in one camera.
end of the day......all that glass is worth the cash!;p
fujifilm has already come up with what i believe is a market winner, the S100FS(check out the shots for iso 800 at the fujifilm forum) although lense sharpness is only so-so compared to what the FZ series have!
but if you dont pixel peep, it gives entry level DSLRs a real run for their money!
i believe the only problem with pana prosumers is their sensor(as many have mentioned)
the S100FS is coming at 1kg, 15 CM long on the whole, even if the next pana FZ is bigger, heavier but sorts out their noise problem(definitely wont be as good as the fujifilm, but then their noise is REALLy atrocious) and if possible F2.8 constant like the fz10,20, even if its 1.2-1.3k i would buy it, cause it would be an all in one camera.
end of the day......all that glass is worth the cash!;p
constant F2.8 will be rather unlikely since FZ30 and FZ50 have already stray away from that path some time ago.
panny will continue in the mega pixels race in order to fight it out with sony, canon and fuji film.
so better noise performance wise is also quite unlikely as well.
besides all along panny have never been able to solve their noise performance issues that plague them since the launch of FZ series.
panny will continue in the mega pixels race in order to fight it out with sony, canon and fuji film.
so better noise performance wise is also quite unlikely as well.
besides all along panny have never been able to solve their noise performance issues that plague them since the launch of FZ series.
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