Panasonic DMC-FZ50 10.1MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) | List Price: $549.95
Discount Price: $529.99
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Brand: Panasonic
Binding: Electronics
Release Date: 2006-08-09
Features: - 10.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
- 12x image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.0-inch free-angle LCD display
- Intelligent ISO Control (I.I.C.) reduces image blur from subject movement and low light
- Records full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) at 30 frames per second
- Stores images on SD memory cards (32MB card included); powered by li-ion battery pack (battery and charger included)
Lumix DMC-FZ50 prosumer [Posted on 2008-07-10]
Purchased FZ50 a year ago, I have a small professional photog business. It replaced the excellent FZ30 (which replaced an FZ20). I also replaced the TZ3 with the TZ5 for a "personal" point-and-shoot camera, so have extensive experience with Lumix. Tried D-SLRs, and other prosumer (mid-range) camera brands. This is a prosumer camera. A good Canon or Nikon D-SLR will take better pictures in many cases, but only if you can wade through the complex menus and understand more than the basics of photography, despite their claims for auto mode. D-SLRs have more options in most cases, but several friends who went D-SLR, thinking they'd get just a fancier 35mm replacement, quickly became unhappy with the complexity, but where they could handle it, the pix were easier to handle in Photoshop 5.0, and a few with CS2. Lumix has an excellent ability to "read" in the auto/scene modes. The FZ50 does have some limitations with hard shadows (can mostly be compensated for), on occasion will be slightly slow in focusing, and its flash (typical in this price range) is barely ok. It's only slightly smaller than a standard 35mm SLR. It has difficulty with action shots: the faster the action the more likely you'll get blur (running, volleyball, etc.). Use of an Extreme III or Ultra II (or other brands' equivalent) helps by speeding up the "write to" cycle significantly, but it just isn't a great action camera. For less than fast action, especially for everyday sunlit or overcast pix, even with movement, it is exceptional. I get many compliments for my work, and with 6.0 or CS3, the color is marvelous, only a hair below D-SLR. The anti-shake helps my old hands (I was a pro 40 years ago). I love the 12X zoom, and while 10.1 Mp files are very large, the 8 Gb (over 4,000 pictures possible), and 16 Gb SDHC cards (over 7,000 possible) are more than most prosumers will need. My TZ5 (8 Mp) will also do over 4,000 with those cards (the counter doesn't go that high, just says "999"). The FZ50, while not a pocket camera, is reasonably light, if (like its 35 mm predecessors) slightly bulky, yet it fits my hand well, and rarely makes my hand/arm tired. Relatively simple menu makes it easier and quicker for those of us who aren't high "techies" or quite as fast as we used to be. Telephoto is quick and smoothe. I hope Lumix continues putting out such great and quality features for a substantially lower price than a D-SLR, I'll keep upgrading. For those who want better than point-and-shoot, but aren't quite ready for expensive complex pro, this a great camera.
Great for product photos!!!!!!!! [Posted on 2008-08-08]
I was really on the fence about purchasing this camera but I couldn't be happier that I did. I'm thrilled!! My camera needs were: everyday use, amateur landscape photography, and most importantly product photos for my online business.
This camera takes beautiful product photos. Without even adjusting the settings you can showcase breathtaking details of your products while creating an attractive background blur. This camera delivers beautiful details at a manageable output that's easy to compress for web use.
Things I love:
The macro settings are fantastic! If you need detailed images this camera is perfect.
Low light - My canon point and shoot completely died so I had to hurriedly take a bunch of photos the minute this camera arrived. I took a few hurried shots in low light without changing any settings. I was pleasantly surprised to discover how well the images turned out.
Viewfinder - This has one of the most comfortable/larger viewfinders on digital cameras that I've ever encountered.
LCD - I love how the LCD flips down for optional use and allows you to protect your lcd screen. That you can tilt the screen at angle is fabulous!
Other notes: Definitely purchase a memory card if you don't already own a compatible one for this camera. Without changing file sizes or settings, you can only store 5 pictures with the memory card that is included in this package.
If you love digital cameras but miss the details of your old 35mm camera then this digital camera is for you. Yes, this camera is larger but it's NOT a pocket camera. It feels just like I'm using my 35 mm print camera, something I never thought a digital camera under $500 could ever accomplish.
I just love my DMC FZ50 [Posted on 2008-09-24]
This is just a great product. The best "bridge" camera on the market. It might be a little noisy at high ISO levels, just like any compact camera. Great cuality price ratio, just everything that you could expect from a compact. Besides, It allows you to be creative and to take decisions about your picture (Manual exposure).
NICE UPGRADE FROM MY DMC-FZ7 [Posted on 2008-09-28]
This is the 3rd Panasonic Lumix that I have owned (previous 2 were the FZ5 and the FZ7). Again as with the previous 2, the FZ50 was an upgrade. I mainly upgrade to better enhance my photographic capabilities. I am far from being a pro but a notch higher than a novice. This camera provides flexibility and freedom to take your skills to the next level. First off, I like the 12x optical zoom (which can be extended up to 21x if yo taper down the resolution). There are no gimmicks to this feature, what you see distance-wise in the EVF or LCD is exactly what the lens projects. The 10MP resolution is quite of an overkill considering that you can make oustanding prints in the 5-6MP range. Nevertheless, having the ability to increase/decrease the resolution is very handy and re-assuring. The swivel-screen LCD is also a dynamic feature. Very incrimental if you need to compose an angled shot. The function button (as with the joystick with the smaller FZ models) is a nice feature to have if you want to jump in directly to some features without a longer scroll time on the menu button. The ability to handle SDHC is great considering a lot of the memory cards out there now are high-capacity. The camera itself is light enough to carry for extended periods of time. The flash is strong enough for normal conditions although I would advise you to buy an external flash if you need to compose shots in extra-ordinary conditions. The ergonomics of this camera is simply amazing! I do not have huge hands but it seems to fit my hand at just the right place. Shutter buttons and all the other buttons are easily accessible. There's not a lot of unnecessary movement required. Everything is within handy reach. The ability to shoot at ISO values up to 1600 goes hand in hand with the new OIS abilities although I seldom require shooting at those high ISO figures. The Venus III engine is superb although in my experience, you have to fine tune the NR down to its lowest level (or turned off in some cases) to get an outstanding shot. The MEGA OIS works just right and works all the time. You can actually do a test yourself composing a shot, with the OIS turned ON/OFF to see the difference. And the good thing is, YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE! You also have the ability to do RAW with this camera but it is slow. JPEG is still the best. Unless you have a good photo editing software, JPEG will suit you fine in normal operating conditions. The Leica Lens is just superb, sharp and outstanding. No other camera (in my humble opinion) in this price-range and resolution can out-do the things you can be capable of doing. I'm very happy I bought this camera!
Close to Perfect [Posted on 2008-11-15]
I bought this camera used. I had a few 12X cameras, I will be happy with this camera for a long time. It is a work of art to hold and use. I got use to the manual zoom pretty fast. The image quality is excellent. I hear about noise and noise reduction. I can see it, but only at full size on a large lcd monitor. Pixel peepers may see flaws, but in the real world, images from this camera make excellent 11X14 prints, maybe even larger. Colors are accurate, and images are sharp, and performance is pretty fast. It is a beast to carry around, like a family size can of beans around your neck. Still lighter than a SLR with equiv zoom.
The bottom line, this is the best you can get (in my opinion) in a 12X zoom or more, digital camera.
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