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I had made a choice for my plunge into digital but waiting for my local
store to carry the one I wanted I had time for my mind to wander and more
important to educate myself a bit more.
I have learned perhaps I don't really need the highest mega-pixel P&S. I
don't plan on printing anything larger than 8X10 since that's all my printer
can do. I happened upon this Panasonic model which possesses the one thing I
would really miss from my current Minolta SLR and that is big telephoto.
My question is, since I identify Panasonic with a wide variety of item's,
none of them camera's, how is the reliability for their camera's? And what
do you all think of this particular model?

Thanks, Hank L.

Hank L. wrote:

> I had made a choice for my plunge into digital but waiting for my local
> store to carry the one I wanted I had time for my mind to wander and more
> important to educate myself a bit more.
> I have learned perhaps I don't really need the highest mega-pixel P&S. I
> don't plan on printing anything larger than 8X10 since that's all my printer
> can do. I happened upon this Panasonic model which possesses the one thing I
> would really miss from my current Minolta SLR and that is big telephoto.
> My question is, since I identify Panasonic with a wide variety of item's,
> none of them camera's, how is the reliability for their camera's? And what
> do you all think of this particular model?
>
> Thanks, Hank L.
>
>
>
Hi,
FZ5 is quite new model as little brother of FZ20 which I have. So can't
comment on reliability issue. My FZ20 never gave me any trouble/problem
tho. Anti-shake feature is real plus when you shoot on long zoom. I
often use this out at my cabin in the woods for many different wild
animals/birds. For every day casual use I find myself using Oly C5060
more. For serious work, I use Nikon D70 with few different lens.
If you're looking at FZ5, should consider Canon S2 as well as FZ20 for
bit more dough. Just my 2 cents worth.
Tony

Hank L. wrote:
[]
> My question is, since I identify Panasonic with a wide variety of
> item's, none of them camera's, how is the reliability for their
> camera's? And what do you all think of this particular model?

I've been delighted with my FZ5 - it's light, easy to use, and the image
stabilisation makes that long Leica zoom work very well indeed.
Hand-holding a 400+mm lens and getting sharp pictures was something I
didn't find easy on my SLR! My wife has a Panasonic FZ20 (the bigger
brother) which has survived a trip to Antarctica.

Highly recommended.

Cheers,
David

Hank L. wrote:
> I had made a choice for my plunge into digital but waiting for my local
> store to carry the one I wanted I had time for my mind to wander and more
> important to educate myself a bit more.
> I have learned perhaps I don't really need the highest mega-pixel P&S. I
> don't plan on printing anything larger than 8X10 since that's all my printer
> can do. I happened upon this Panasonic model which possesses the one thing I
> would really miss from my current Minolta SLR and that is big telephoto.
> My question is, since I identify Panasonic with a wide variety of item's,
> none of them camera's, how is the reliability for their camera's? And what
> do you all think of this particular model? .
Thanks, Hank L

I have the FZ-15 (4MP) and it is the best camera I ever owned.
A Leica 12X optical (36-432mm equivalent) Zoom that retains f=2.8 at 432
mm is unique to the Panasonic FZ series cameras.
It lets me get shots that I was never able to get before with film or
digital cameras.
I still carry a Canon S-45 in my pocket for spontaneous unplanned photo
ops. But when I'm going out for some serious shooting I use the FZ-15.
Panasonic may not know a whole lot about lenses but Leica sure does and
Panasonic knows one helluva lot about electronics. I think the joint
effort produced a real winner.
Bob Williams

I bought an FZ5 for my wife and find that I am using it a lot. I have a 20D
with a 100-400 IS lens and am amazed at the quality of the long shots of the
FZ5, by comparison. Of course, the 20D is a tad better but consider the
cost, the size, and the weight! Here is an FZ5 sample:

http://home.comcast.net/~charlesschu...8/site1059.jpg

As to reliability, I have no idea.

Thanks everyone. I think I will search my local area for one of these.
Hopefully I can find someone competitive with the net.
Best, Hank L.

Hank L. wrote:
> Thanks everyone. I think I will search my local area for one of these.
> Hopefully I can find someone competitive with the net.
> Best, Hank L.
>
>

You may have a long wait for a local area merchant to get FZ 5 in stock.
I bought my FZ 15 from e-tronics and I can reccommend them highly.
In the same class as B&H but often cheaper.
If you live in the US, I'd give them a look-see.
Bob Williams
Click:

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...5k&svbname=308

It can't compare to the Canon S2 IS!
"Bob Williams" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> Hank L. wrote:
>> Thanks everyone. I think I will search my local area for one of these.
>> Hopefully I can find someone competitive with the net.
>> Best, Hank L.
>
> You may have a long wait for a local area merchant to get FZ 5 in stock.
> I bought my FZ 15 from e-tronics and I can reccommend them highly.
> In the same class as B&H but often cheaper.
> If you live in the US, I'd give them a look-see.
> Bob Williams
> Click:
>
> http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...5k&svbname=308
>

You guys are killing me LMAO. Every time I "Finally" decide on a camera you
mention something else and I start waffling.
When I checked reviews of the CanonS2IS, the reviewer suggested the Sony
H1. Man oh man, I guess I should just pick the one that looks the prettiest
hahahaha.

You all are great, thanks.
Hank L.

"Hank L." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:O4Jue.7072$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I had made a choice for my plunge into digital but waiting for my local
> store to carry the one I wanted I had time for my mind to wander and more
> important to educate myself a bit more.
> I have learned perhaps I don't really need the highest mega-pixel P&S. I
> don't plan on printing anything larger than 8X10 since that's all my
> printer can do. I happened upon this Panasonic model which possesses the
> one thing I would really miss from my current Minolta SLR and that is big
> telephoto.
> My question is, since I identify Panasonic with a wide variety of item's,
> none of them camera's, how is the reliability for their camera's? And what
> do you all think of this particular model?
>
> Thanks, Hank L.
>
>
Got my FZ 20 a few days ago. Bought it from buydig.com on the web. Good
price. You will need an extra sd card (at least 512) . Buy it from them, or
probably cheaper from ebay. Also at least one extra battery (get a non
Panasonic from an ebay seller).

I like the "feel"of the camera (as opposed to my old Olympus. ) The IS
works well and most of the menu settings are intuitive.

I bought it largely because of the 12 x optical zoom.

Based on some preliminary pictures (I live on the 21st floor and have been
taking pictures of license plates and people at least a block away.) And
yes, ..the resolution with the Leica elms is excellent, even setting the
asa at 400 and you can recognize the people and read the plates using IS and
no tripod.

Like all other electronics, it will be obsolete in a few years. But,
assuming it is reliable, it was a good purchase so far.