Tom
Administrator
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2005
- Posts
- 51,906
I used to be considered an early adopter of technology, but have become less adventuresome (aka more conservative) in retirement. I've had a number of SLRs and digital still cameras (DSCs) over the years, but came to realize that most of the photos I take are point-and-shoot. I'm far more concerned about getting the shot than worrying about all the photographic technicalities.
A few years ago I bought myself a small Minolta 4MP camera that always hung on my belt and could be popped out to take a shot in short order. That camera had a lot of use, far more than the larger SLRs and DSCs I'd owned, and probably had some unintended abuse. While at Moab, the camera developed what appears to be a light leak past the lens and I resigned myself to buying a replacement camera for what it would probably cost me to get the old one fixed.
After some research and touch/feel, I chose the Panasonic Lumix FZ9, a 6MP camera which has some advantages and some disadvantages compared with the Minolta. (e.g. no viewfinder, larger LCD, smaller overall size, different menus, different features, etc).
Meanwhile, I've also missed the 14X and 10X optical zoom lenses on my prior Sony cameras. I ruled out a DSLR because of size, weight and the need to change lenses, not to mention features I probably would never use. I'd been researching possibilities and had the Panasonic FZ30 in my sights when discussion started here about that camera. When I finally got to touch and feel the FZ30 at a store, I realized it was larger and heavier than I'd imagined. That's when I decided to evaluate the Panasonic FZ7, which is a 6MP camera (vs 8MP for the FZ30) with a 12X optical zoom and is smaller and lighter.
I continued to vacillate between the FZ30 and FZ7, making several trips to stores to touch and feel. I bought the FZ7 and I'm currently trying to decide if I'll keep it or exchange it for the FZ30. One of the possible issues is the ability to "shoot in raw", which led to my question in this topic.
Another obvious issue is resolution (6 MP vs 8MP), but I'm not sure that would make a lot of difference to the kind of shots I take.
The lenses are quite different, although they're both made by Leica, as is the lens on the small FZ9. The lens on the FZ30 has a manual focus ring, but the one on the FZ7 does not.
What features do FZ30 owners feel are must-have's?
A few years ago I bought myself a small Minolta 4MP camera that always hung on my belt and could be popped out to take a shot in short order. That camera had a lot of use, far more than the larger SLRs and DSCs I'd owned, and probably had some unintended abuse. While at Moab, the camera developed what appears to be a light leak past the lens and I resigned myself to buying a replacement camera for what it would probably cost me to get the old one fixed.
After some research and touch/feel, I chose the Panasonic Lumix FZ9, a 6MP camera which has some advantages and some disadvantages compared with the Minolta. (e.g. no viewfinder, larger LCD, smaller overall size, different menus, different features, etc).
Meanwhile, I've also missed the 14X and 10X optical zoom lenses on my prior Sony cameras. I ruled out a DSLR because of size, weight and the need to change lenses, not to mention features I probably would never use. I'd been researching possibilities and had the Panasonic FZ30 in my sights when discussion started here about that camera. When I finally got to touch and feel the FZ30 at a store, I realized it was larger and heavier than I'd imagined. That's when I decided to evaluate the Panasonic FZ7, which is a 6MP camera (vs 8MP for the FZ30) with a 12X optical zoom and is smaller and lighter.
I continued to vacillate between the FZ30 and FZ7, making several trips to stores to touch and feel. I bought the FZ7 and I'm currently trying to decide if I'll keep it or exchange it for the FZ30. One of the possible issues is the ability to "shoot in raw", which led to my question in this topic.
Another obvious issue is resolution (6 MP vs 8MP), but I'm not sure that would make a lot of difference to the kind of shots I take.
The lenses are quite different, although they're both made by Leica, as is the lens on the small FZ9. The lens on the FZ30 has a manual focus ring, but the one on the FZ7 does not.
What features do FZ30 owners feel are must-have's?