what is the quality of this digital camera ?

Question

I have owned several digital cameras and i am always happy with them but i have kids in school now and the pictures i take are dark when there is a concert so i want something better i have done some research and i found a camera i would like to know more about it is a Panasonic 10.1 mp lumix fz50k digital camera 12x optical zoom for a good price but i would like to know what people think please let me know if u have ever owned one or know any one i would love more info thanks and merry xmas

Answer 1

Might I suggest you look at the Canon 350D and the Canon 400XTi? I think you can pick up the 350D fairly inexpensively now that the 400 is out. It is an excellent camera and works very well in low light. The next step is to get a good lens for low light work. I use the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM. That you can find for about $350. I shoot indoors without a flash. Take a look at my jugglers pictures. Not a flash and I can stop the action too.

Do not waste your money on a fixed lens camera when a dSLR will allow you to grow.

Answer 2

I have never owned one, but...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasoni... says that the FZ50 is "the best bridge" between P&S and SLR. I don't know what the FZ50K brings to the table.

You are ALMOST in SLR territory, so perhaps you might consider the Nikon D40 for $599? This appeals to me because you are able to buy different lenses. With the FZ50, you are stuck with one choice.

Don't miss this line in the review. "... do not, for a minute, think that the 10 million pixels you're getting with the FZ50 bear anything but a passing resemblance to the 10 million pixel images you'll get from a good SLR once you get above ISO 100, or once light levels start to drop." In other words, don't compare the 10 MP of this camera to the 6 MP of the D40 and conclude tha tthe 10 MP must be better, simply because it has more pixels.

The Panasonic has a 1/1.8 sensor that is 38 mm(2) compared to the Nikon's that is almost ten time larger.

If you are dying for a 12x zoom, consider an 18-200 zoom, either by Nikon or Tamron, which is very good but lacks the image stabilization of the Nikon. This is 11x...

Answer 3

The FZ50 looks very impressive, but it's not a great choice for low light photography (at concerts). According to this review, it suffers considerable degradation of image quality at ISO 800, and at it's higest setting, ISO 1600, "most fine detail was obliterated".
http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39001468,39268223p-4,00.htm
Also, like Dr. Sam, I'm not a big fan of point & shoot cameras that cost nearly as much as a digital SLR. Or at least, don't expect the performance of a dSLR. I made that mistake myself and after several months of frustration I upgraded. With a digital SLR, not only do you get a camera that's better at low light photography, you get a much more responsive camera. The Nikon D40 and D50 and the Canon 350D are great entry level models.
If you want a point & shoot that's fantastic at high ISO... I must admit that a point & shoot is easyer to sneak into a concert, the Fuji F30 and F31 are head and shoulders above the rest. The down side of these models is that they only have 3x optical zoom.

Answer 4

low-priced and good do no longer circulate jointly on digital cameras. something decrease than $50 will in all probability in simple terms take photos which would be displayed on a internet web site yet supply adverse prints. I even have considered some important digital cameras at Costco for approximately $a hundred and fifty yet anticipate to pay $250 and up for a high quality digicam.

Answer 5

I just purchased this camera and it is a very good camera BUT it does have limitations including, I think, the one example you gave. If you were in a dark auditorium and were more than a couple of rows back you'd be disappointed. The built in flash won't be powerful enough for good results. You'd end up with a high ISO and, as others have said, the low light performance of this camera is not great. This camera is great at 100-200 ISO.

Answer 6

My post is only to support Dr Sam. I have seen many of his answers and always find them well considered and well researched. (you might think he deserves best answer! :-))

I also fully support his choice of the Nikon D40. I personally own a D50 and a D80, the D40 being a newer version basically of the D50.

The difference between any point and shoot and a Nikon DSLR is a huge one, you will not believe the difference in your photos, particularly if you put just a little time and effort into learning how to use it.