FZ8 or Fz18? Are there other features that make the move up a good idea?
529730
if you look at the specs, the fz8 tops the fz18 in one crucial area: aperture. it's f/3.3 fully zoomed out, which is fairly impressive. the wider the aperture --smaller the number-- the more light is let in to the camera. this helps in low-light situations and in acquiring focus. that's a pretty big plus, but the fact that the fz18 starts at 28mm and is a true wide-angle in addition to going longer might weight heavier for some.
2236560
I spent a lot of time researching and have decided that the wait is worth it (although, unbearable!) The FZ40 is an improvement over the FZ35 as far as startup speed, image quality (not only higher MP, but also a better sensor). The zoom also is worth it to me. If you do some searching, there are a lot of reviews now. The FZ40 also has panoramic, not sure if the FZ35 has that or not.I don't think that the FZ100 is worth the extra 1 hundred. There still is some debate over the quality of the images with the MOS sensor and the 1080 video vs 720 wasn't worth it for me.
854162
The great thing about the FZ28 is it doesn't really need anything else. Yet have fun.
2018169
I went to the camera store today to compare these two cameras and came away with a definite lean toward the FZ18 vs the TZ3. The three big negative factors for the TZ were: 1. There was significant color blurring (red text on white background) when magnifying comparable shots (the FZ was clean); the compression noise was also significantly higher on the TZ3. 2. The image stabilization on the TZ3 at 12X zoom was WAY inferior to the FZ18 at 18X. I had a LOT of trouble getting one clear shot out of 10 tries at 12X with the TZ3, while the FZ18 gave perfect 18X images 9 out of 10 times. I don't know why this might be, and I checked all the settings on both cameras to be sure I wasn't comparing apples to oranges, but these results are real. 3. The TZ3 does not have a viewfinder and I have found that in bright sunlight outdoors a viewfinder is a huge plus. All this said, the TZ3 is still a nice camera for the size - it is pocketable (in baggy pants) while the FZ18 is not. -- Just my 2 cents. _eric
1306628
Willaim I have the FZ 28. Do you find the picture quaity the same or better with the FZ 40.
470691
yah the fact that the TZ5 has a 10x zoom compared to a 4x zoom on the fx35 - AND the zoom feature cannot be used in the fx50 during videos - ONLY THE TZ5 HAS THAT FEATURE
2236557
FZ35 is the way to go!!!! GREAT CAMERA!!! GREATauto FEATUES!!!Great video quality.....check out my uploads on youtube....search TIGERDRUCE..... all taken with the fz35....Agreat camera!!!....use the extra $$$ for lenmar dlp 006 lithium batteries and a panasonic 16gb sdhc card on amazon. you will not be disappointed!!!!
1196603
Here's the deal:F8-older model==> NON wide lens, better quality photos, faster sensor resulting SLIGHTLY better pictures in low lightF18-newer model==> Wide lens, good pictures but slightly less sharper than F8 due to wider lens and more crammed pixels onto the same sensor.And the reason wht the FZ8 get better reviews than the F18 for the points mentioned above.SS
1649318
Has anyone seen any actual reviews of this camera as opposed to marketing spec lists? Sometimes I've seen pre-production models of cameras that get reviewed prior to actual release. It is the low light ability claims of the Nikon that I'll need to see put to the test. That's probably the biggest Achilles heel of all these superzooms. It may have a CMOS sensor (which explains the burst speed of this camera) but it is still the same small size sensor as all the superzooms so I'm dubious about any huge improvement in low light. All of the previous versions of this new crop of superzooms (Nikon, Sony, Fuji) only got a flat four star rating in Amazon while the Panasonic FZ35 and FZ40 both are at 4.6. This new group has longer zooms than the Pansonics but I need to know if the picture quality is improved in any way.
2184215
Fz40. I have a FZ28 and will prob go w the 40 once some reviews start coming in -only one so far but it's a good review.
1721984
The FZ28 is a really nice camera -- arguably slightly better than the Canon on image quality and IS and almost certainly better on the UI, where Canon just does a terrible job in some ways. (Who came up with the rotating wheel on the SX10? It drives me crazy every time I have to use it.)The make-or-break feature for me, though, and the reason I went with the Canon, is that the Lumix lacks a hotshoe for external flash. A good off-camera flash gives you so much more versatility in what, when, and how you shoot.
75720
This is an OLD model--the one right before the FZ50; identical other than ISO settings and a pre-tweak to the Venus engine. A great camera in it's day. I still have yet to come across an all in one bridge camera with the ease of use as this one. The zoom, manual focus, and button layout were awesome. However, image quality isn't going to be as nice as the newer cameras and this one is pretty old.
490822
I also purchased the FZ8 and returned it because of the noise (grainy photos). I went ahead and got the Sony DSC-H7 and like it much better. My only wish is that it would shoot in the RAW format (the FZ8 did!). Overall, we like the flash better, the speed better, the grip and position of the buttons and the H7 camera overall.
1126940
The Fujifilm s1800 looks like a really nice camera to me. I own the Fuji s8100fd and really like it. The s1800 is an upgrade to add even more features. Given the megapixels and the zoom capabilities just to name two, make Fujifilm cameras like this, the most bang for the buck camera line. From what I've seen of the s1800 you can go fully automatic or manual.
749088
I own the FZ200 and the FlexArmor is a VERY tight fit. Comparing dementions, I believe the FZ is a little larger, not sure it would fit.
1198691
As someone who spent months in research (and finally decided on the NIKON) allow me to offer my advice: The NIKON P80 has a new sensor with 10.1MP (size 1/2.33" and a pixel density of 36MP/cm2). On its plus side, the small size (although it turns long when zoomed all in), the comprehensive menu and the overall built. On the minus side, the NIKON, although perfectly capable, will not take the best photo if left on Auto. The PANASONIC FZ18 has an older 8.1MP sensor (size 1/2.5" and a pixel density of 32MP/cm2). On its plus size, the impeccable LEICA lens system (and quite short even at maximum zoom), the handy joystick, the great image quality and the mechanical stabilization (the only one of these three that comes with it). On the minus side, the FZ18 is a bit larger that the P80 - and is bound to be replaced by Christmas. The FUJI S8100FD was never a contender for me. With a 10MP sensor (size 1/2.3" and a pixel density of 35MP/cm2) it is not too shabby. Yet, its overall design was not to my liking at all (of course that is a personal preference). The best advice a professional photographer gave me was this: choose the best lens and then the best sensor. Then make sure it is a camera for your level. The PANASONIC has the best lens whereas the NIKON has the best sensor (these cameras are still Point&Shoot, nowhere near the sensor sizes of a DSLR). Bottom line: if new to digital photography or do not care to be concerned with all the tweaking, go with the PANASONIC - it has a much better intelligent Auto (iA) function. If more experienced or would like to be more involved in taking a photo, go with the NIKON. Happy shooting!
1306624
Good to know and good answer, Les. Clears it up. Still, I wonder why there is only one amazon review so far. I have the FZ28 and would upgrade w more positive comments -28 would go to girlfriend or son BTW [or backup (just in case)].Oct 20: Went to the girlfriend -got the FZ40. Very pleased.