Hi Everyone, Thanks for your help! For my safari,I have opted to take my Nikon p310 for stills and to purchase either a Panasonic X900K or V700MK cam corder. One is 800 dollars and the other is 400 dollars. The cheaper one has a much more zoom which...
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If you buy the add on back screen and practice using it at home I am sure it would be fine for your trip. It is small and light. But, there is no lenses or zoom so it is really simple. I would rather get a Nikon D7000 or some great camera that also does video.
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KatherineI also saw the same mixed reviews on the Panasonic Lumix. I took the chance anyway, because I wanted to buy an U/W camera for a friend for her birthday. As it turns out, she absolutely LOVES it! I saw the results. It took great pictures and great video! It may not be one of those GoPros, but for the price range, Panasonic does work, and my friend and her family have had fun using the camera, and they cannot wait until next summer!Hope that helps KatherineGeorge
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That is what I needed to hear! I have the Canon EOS 7D and love it, But...as you said by the time you carry around all the gear for "sight seeing", I'm exhausted. I too am looking for that mid level (super zoom) companion to go along with my Canon when called of. I was a little hesitant to go with a Panasonic but everything I have read about this camera has been positive.I have yet to actually find a store who has one on display, looks like I will have to order it blindly and pray!
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Check out the D300s - if it's beyond your budget, get the D90, not the D300- It's outdated. The D90 is an awesome camera. I have it.With the extra cash left, you can buy a lens ;)
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Hello,I am the proud owner of the HMC40 and love the video quality I get from it. I rarely take stills with it because I also own a Canon 7D DSLR and can say I am very pleased with the quality i get from it as well. Because the stills with the Panasonic are sub-par is the reason I don't use it for stills.
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I was also on the fence between these cameras. Tried both out at the local camera shop. I will probably be doing a fair amount of video too, and the Nikon P500 had the worst image stabilization I have ever seen. The FZ100 was rock solid in comparison. I also recently found out that the FZ100 can have filters and telephoto extensions added to the lens. I'm going to wait a few weeks to see if it gets upgraded, but if not the FZ100 seems the way to go. The Nikon felt cheap in comparison.
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Np. K5 sii is a kick arse little cam, hopw you are planning on purchasing one ;) or add $300 more and go for the k3 (uses d-li 90 as well :) )
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I joined Club Panasonic when I purchased one of my Panasonic cameras. I got an e-mail from them yesterday offering the DMC-G2K Body Only for $350. They had 3 other options: a G2K with an H_FS014045 14-45 lens for $600 and a G2K with either the 20mm or 14mm "pancake' lens for $650. This offer was directly from Panasonic for Club Panasonic users.
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I just went through the same battle, although I have different needs. I have to say either is a great choice but I went with the Canon due to the zoom being a little less, a compromise in hopes that it will have better low light response. I also had a Canon before, so the operating system was a more familiar. Can't tell you yet if that was a wise choice of not. I have had the camera for three days and have had little time to play with it. Here is a comparative review that I found helpful: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q110superzoomgroup/ I saw another review but can't find it again that really played up the Nikon as a much better choice. But it seemed to be written by people reading specifications rather than actually using the camera. I don't think you can wrong with either. The Canon is bulkier and uses 4 double AA batteries which add to the weight. The nice thing about the double AAs is that you have a far easier time getting batteries if you run out of power, but at the cost of weight. If you do get the Canon, get at least 8 Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable NIMH batteries Sanyo Eneloop 4 Pack AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargable Batteries w/ Charger. They hold their charge when not used much better than normal NIMH batteries. As the link indicates you can get them here at Amazon. With 8 Eneloops you should never run out of power (providing that you keep them charged of course). If you buy the Nikon, I would recommend looking into a spare battery and a charger. Good luck with your new camera, which ever one you choose!
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Hi Mike,I would really go for the viewfinder. I just bought a new camera with no view finder and I dropped it after 3 months (eeek!) and now it still takes pictures but I can't see what I am taking! Also, it is difficult in the sun with no view finder or in the dark. Hope this helps. I need buy a new camera and it will have a viewfinder!
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Thank you for your comment. I found it very helpful. I naturally prefer Canon but really want the wide-angle offered in this Sony camcorder. Canon missed the boat on wide angle in my view.
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I had the same choice. I went Nikon and am very happy. Although I have never taken photos of gorillas in low light I have taken photos of my children who can occasionally behave as such in low light. This camera is superb. After owning 10 years worth of nothing but Cannons I finally strayed from the reservation and bought this Nikon after three months worth of contemplation. I am very happy. The 3D effect for very still shot photos might be some of the sharpest non professional photos I have ever seen. I would buy this again, or take on an African safari knowing the zoom will be a huge asset. Best of luck on whatever you decide. I had the same choice. I went Nikon and am very happy. Although I have never taken photos of gorillas in low light I have taken photos of my children who can occasionally behave as such in low light. This camera is superb. After owning 10 years worth of nothing but Cannons I finally strayed from the reservation and bought this Nikon after three months worth of contemplation. I am very happy. The 3D effect for very still shot photos might be some of the sharpest non professional photos I have ever seen. I would buy this again, or take on an African safari knowing the zoom will be a huge... » Read More I had the same choice. I went Nikon and am very happy. Although I have never taken photos of gorillas in low light I have taken photos of my children who can occasionally behave as such in low light. This camera is superb. After owning 10 years worth of nothing but Cannons I finally strayed from the reservation and bought this Nikon after three months worth of contemplation. I am very happy. The 3D effect for very still shot photos might be some of the sharpest non professional photos I have ever seen. I would buy this again, or take on an African safari knowing the zoom will be a huge asset. Best of luck on whatever you decide. « Show Less
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I LOVE this camcorder. Hi Def is incredible. Still shots (photos) are also great. I use it mainly for sports. I bought a couple different lenses (wide angle & telephoto) because I like what they offer. I personally use Adobe Premiere for editing but Final Cut would be another great option. Wondershare is also decent for quick editing and nothing fancy.
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I bought that for a friend last year in another state, however, I never got any feedback in regards to that camera. I did buy a different camera for another friend - Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS25 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 8x Intelligent Zoom. She told me that she loved it (and it did take great pics and videos). However, the only thing that was missing was a charger for the battery. I guess that had to be purchased separately.
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I tried to use that camera but the lack of a zoom among other things led to my returning it. I ended up buying a Sony camcorder for $130 which works works much better with a zoom The Sony camcorder is extremely light and easy to carry around.
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I had the same choice. I went Nikon and am very happy. Although I have never taken photos of gorillas in low light I have taken photos of my children who can occasionally behave as such in low light. This camera is superb. After owning 10 years worth of nothing but Cannons I finally strayed from the reservation and bought this Nikon after three months worth of contemplation. I am very happy. The 3D effect for very still shot photos might be some of the sharpest non professional photos I have ever seen. I would buy this again, or take on an African safari knowing the zoom will be a huge asset. Best of luck on whatever you decide.
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Hi Mike, I would really go for the viewfinder. I just bought a new camera with no view finder and I dropped it after 3 months (eeek!) and now it still takes pictures but I can't see what I am taking! Also, it is difficult in the sun with no view finder or in the dark. Hope this helps. I need buy a new camera and it will have a viewfinder!