Panasonic DMC FZ5- camera opinions?

[shirk]

I am really close to pulling the trigger on the Panasonic DMC FZ5. Looking for maggot camera buff opinions on this camera or others in it's class.

I have learned from here and other sites that the best lens for the money is what to usually look for. The FZ5 has high quality Lecia glass. It allows manual override on most every control aside from focus. The camera gets good reviews. It's compact enough that with the right case I should be able to wear it slung across my shoulder under my jacket skiing. This is a huge bonus. One option that I would prefer to have better is the fps on continous drive. At the higher res it will knock out about 3 fps to a max number of shots. At 2.3fps it will run continous till memory full. For skiing and biking action shots do I need more fps?

Currently I have a smaller 3.2mp 3x zoom Panasonic with Lecia lens that I really like. Any recommendations for or against this camera?

[PowderPig]

I have the older FZ3 model and I like it a lot - especially the speed of the camera. I believe my camera can do 7 shots @ 4 fps, which seems to be enough. Never tried the 2 fps continuous shooting mode, so I can't comment on that. I usually get at least one decent shot out of the 7
Also - it's nice that it's not too big and heavy...

I believe iskibc might have the FZ5 model - maybe he's got some more comments directly relating to this model...

[summit]

FZ5 has a good rep at dpreview

[Tri-Ungulate]

Yeah, iskibc has one and seems pretty happy with it - check out his TRs, which show off the FZ5 to full advantage. I think gramps has the similar Konica Minolta Z5, which he's happy with. I've been trying to decide between the FZ5 and the Canon S2 IS, which is a little bit bulkier and more expensive (and a tiny bit slower), but has excellent video mode (as good as some dedicated vidcams, with vid zooming possible), uses normal batteries, and can accomodate extra filter/zoom/wideangle bayonet mounts. I think the FZ5 can also do extra filters/lenses, but is more of a kludge.

Both cameras have good glass, and plenty of features for those of us who don't want to go full digi-SLR but want a little more than a teeny, slow point-'n-shoot. The 12x zoom, anti-shake are nice. Features may not be replete enough and 2-3 FPS may be slow for the photog pro/weenies here, but it sure as hell beats the tiny Pentax I'm currently using.

Anyone else have anything to add about the Panasonic or Canon?

[PNWbrit]

I went for the canon - very pleased with it. I.S., zoom and video are exellent

[Tri-Ungulate]

Hey PNW, do you find the Canon small enough to comfortably fit in a pocket or at least under your jacket, instead of having to carry it in the pack? Size is one of the main reasons I'm leaning towards the Panasonic, but if the Canon seems portable enough, I'd actually prefer it.

The Canon seems OK (small enough) when handling it in the shop, but that's different from actually carrying it around skiing.

[PNWbrit]

It is a little bulky - but small enough to zip inside a jacket if not a big pocket.

[shirk]

Good info thanks guys. Will check out a few iskibc TR's.

I prefer to wear my camera with the smallest case possible slung across my chest and nestled into my armpit. The small size of the FZ5 is one of the features I really like about this. The sun hood that comes with it does seem rather large and bulky. I don't know squat about filters but nice to have the option of using one once I get them figured out. Is it possible to create some sort of folable/rollable hood to save space?

[PowderPig]

I may be wrong, but I think iski got his FZ5 fairly recently - he was hauling some big-ass camera earlier...
This TR was probably shot using the FZ5

[wanghoeby]

The FZ series kicks ass. I got the FZ-10 and its soooo nice.

[cowdog]

Hey PNW, do you find the Canon small enough to comfortably fit in a pocket or at least under your jacket, instead of having to carry it in the pack? Size is one of the main reasons I'm leaning towards the Panasonic, but if the Canon seems portable enough, I'd actually prefer it.

The Canon seems OK (small enough) when handling it in the shop, but that's different from actually carrying it around skiing.

DMC-FZ5 can be found for about $100 less, on average, than the Canon S2-IS. Tough call. The FZ5 is definately on my short list for my next camera.

[Mcwop]

I have the FZ1, which I think is phenominal. The Zoom on the Panasonics is excellent.

Here are some pics taken with my FZ1. I was very far from the subject.

These are taken from the top of the Sublette chair at Jhole




Also taken with my FZ1

[summit]

The S2IS vs the FZ5, S2IS is a better ski camera IMO.

[iskibc]

Yeah, I picked up the FZ5 about a month ago off ebay. I used to use a DSLR (Olympus E-10) and was tired of lugging around a 2.5 lb. bulky camera.

I haven't found anything that I dislike about the camera yet. Camera is super light, has a sweet lense, and takes really nice and sharp pictures. Has a nice manual override, but also the scene settings work fairly well. The 12X optical zoom is very nice. Shutter speed and rapid fire are faster than most of it's competitors.

You can add filters fairly easily. There's an adapter that fits over the lense where you can screw filters onto. I use a circular polarizer on mine.

You can't go wrong with this camera.

[shirk]

The S2IS vs the FZ5, S2IS is a better ski camera IMO.

Can you expand on why?

[summit]

Can you expand on why?

Canon has faster UNLIMITED shooting than the Panasonic unlimited. Panasonic has 3fps for 4 frames but is mostly useless (like 1s of shooting)...
Canon has much faster response and AF/
Canon has 648x480 video, FZ5 has only 320x200 video.
Canon has a flip out and twist LCD.
Lower noise than the FZ5 below ISO200.

Minor advantages, Canon has a faster max shutter speed and longer slow speed, manual focus, time lapse, USB2.0, thinner, can use AAs.

Advantages of the FZ5, lowder noise than the Canon at 200 and 400, uncompressed format (though not usefull for action shooting).

[iskibc]

I'm pretty sure the FZ5 has a larger video resolution setting. I took some video the other day just to check out the quality and I was pleased. You can actually use the zoom on video (before recording), which is a nice feature.

[PNWbrit]

You can zoom canon while taking video.

I'd forgotten to mention the flip out screen. I like the fact it's protected so you can stuff it under a coat or in pack with out crushing the LCD.

[Grange]

I just bought the Canon S2 IS on Tuesday. This is my first personal digital camera, but I have used them for work and borrowed friends in the past. I went with the S2 IS over the FZ5 for a several reasons:

1. Video quality was the biggest reason.
2. I like the idea of AA batteries for power. They are much easier to replace in a pinch.
3. I just liked the feel of the S2 over the FZ5, but that's a personal preference.
4. I really like the flip LCD screen.
5. I also like Canon's reputation.
   
   - I know several other people who own Canon cameras and none of them have had problems. I've owned Minolta and Kodak and both of them started to have problems after a year's worth of use so I definintely was interested in the view of current Canon owners.

I did consider the FZ5 strongly as well as the Sony H1 for the same reasons stated above. Size of the FZ5 is great, but its not like its half the size of the S2. It's still has a 12X lens.

As far as picture quality between the two I think they both look great. Like Summit said at high ISO's the FZ5 is supposed to have less noise according the reviews I read. My sister has the S1 and I am impressed with that camera's picture quality so I figured since the S2 improved on almost every aspect I figured I couldn't go wrong.

[summit]

I'm pretty sure the FZ5 has a larger video resolution setting.

No.

You can actually use the zoom on video (before recording), which is a nice feature.

Yep... so does every single camera on the market.

OTOH

You can zoom canon while taking video.

That is something very rare with digital still P&S cameras.

[Grange]

I also like the fact that I can take a snapshot while I'm making a video.

[The AD]

The S2IS vs the FZ5, S2IS is a better ski camera IMO.

This thread is a couple weeks old now, but bumping because I was looking at the Panasonic and Canon cameras, too.

Interesting quote from the dpreview.com review of the Canon S2 IS:

"For fast action (where the focus system still isn't fast enough), I'd go for the Panasonic FZ5"

Interesting...