• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Panasonic FZ3 vs. ?

K

Karandras

[H]ard|Gawd
2FA
Joined
Feb 16, 2001
Messages
1,873
I'm looking into the FZ3 for many many reasons. But I was tossed between the following cameras:

FZ3
Canon S1 IS
Fuji s5100

I think the fuji is outta the picture cause it doesn't have image stabilation on it, so probably down to the S1 IS and FZ3.

Does anyon here have a FZ3 that loves it/hates it?

I'm pretty much looking for a nice zoom camera that can handle night shots or indoor/wedding shots. Doesn't need a hotshoe, even though that would be nice (if I could afford the FZ20 I would get that)
Most of my prints will be in 4x6 maybe a few 8x10 so anything about 3.2Mpix won't be that useful (I don't plan on printing posters). Most of the pictures are going to be for fun and web design.
The most annoying part of the FZ3 is the battery, I have to use Pana's battery and I can't use AAs :(

Thanks for the opinions.
 
I really have no opinion on either camera aside from being biased towards the Panasonic in the OIS range of cameras (I have an FZ10).

After reading reviews of both cameras, and taking my FZ10 to a wedding myself, all I can say is that you better not be expecting to get great pictures at the reception using the stock flash. I took almost 300 pictures with mine, and most of the night time pics weren't too impressive because most of what I was taking pics of was further than the range of the flash, making many pics dark. Even pics over at my sister's house at night for birthday parties the flash isn't good enough unless you are within 6-8 feet. Both the FZ3 and S1-IS have been noted to have weak flashes, so take this into consideration.

If I were you, I would consider saving up to get the FZ20 just for the hot shoe. Once I added my Sunpak 383 it really made the camera shine in low light. Now all I have to do is get used to setting it to the right power for the situation....practice, practice, practice.

You can get Panasonic clone batteries at Eagle Imports: http://store.yahoo.com/eagleimports/digital-camera-battery--panasonic.html
I bought one of their replacement batteries and it works just as well as the original. You could also consider the Digipower DPS-9000 battery pack. I tried one, but hated the way it fit and blocked my hand on the camera.

Tim
 
Have you ever used a slave flash? Would they work to improve the quality? Should I just stay away from them (I hear weird things about slave flashes).
 
Alright, thanks. I just can't justify the extra $300 CDN for a hot shoe (only other feature I would really like) and a much much larger camera.
 
Well, a hot shoe and a manual focus ring..... But I see your point. You have to draw the line somewhere, that's why I bought the FZ10 instead of a DRebel. I would have easily had $2000-3000 invested in one of them, but went with the core features I wanted (long zoom, and image stabilization) and made my choice from there.

Tim
 
I've only had my FZ3 for a few weeks, but I really like it.

-Battery life has been excellent. I've been filling up my 256MB memory card before the battery goes out. Also, the battery seems to hold a charge for awhile when it's not used. I haven't charged my battery in well over a week, but I was still able to get out my camera and take several spontaneous pictures with the flash today. The battery and charger are included with the camera. I'd only worry about the battery if you are going out in the jungle for a day and want to take like 500 pictures :)

-If you can't afford the FZ20, but you want more features than the FZ3, you can get the FZ10. It's the same chassis as the FZ20, but no hotshoe, no microphone, and 4MP instead of 5MP. The biggest advantages the FZ15 has over the FZ3 are the manual focus ring and the larger, higher resolution LCD. I judged that to be outweighed by the increased price, weight, and size.

-The DPReview of the FZ3 shows it having better image quality than the Canon S1 IS. Also, the Panasonic has a longer optical zoom. Those are the two reasons I chose it over the Canon.

-The biggest reasons to go with the Canon are the flip out LCD (makes it easy to take self portraits on vacation) and the excellent 640x480 movie mode. Personally, I think the biggest issue with the FZ3 (and other FZx's) is it only takes 320x240 movies, which is only 1/4 the resolution of the Canon.
 
Awesome, thanks man. Do you have any examples of indoor/low light pictures with this camera?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top