Since posting my "Lumix or Cybershot" thread I've found a big stockist which sells more expensive panasonic models and I've just spent about an hour going through exhaustive reviews on 'trusted reviews', 'photography blog' and 'digital photography reviews'. Some of the reivew are 18 pages long and extremely technical, pointing out 'obvious distortion' between 2 pictures I honestly can't see. So I've narrowed it down to three cameras from the hundreds out there. This is the conclusion paragraph from the most comprehensive reviews I can find out there.
Lumix DMC-FZ100GK; 3,998 RMB
The popular FZ38 camera is a hard act to follow, but the new Lumix DMC-FZ100 propels Panasonic back to the super-zoom leading pack, with a host of new features and usability enhancements that add up to one very capable do-it-all camera. The FZ100 only narrowly misses out on our highest award thanks to poor image quality at higher ISO speeds and the rather eye-watering price tag.
With the addition of a 24x zoom lens, 11fps burst shooting for JPEG and RAW files, large free-angle LCD screen, full HD 1080p movie mode recording, rear control dial and external hotshoe, the DMC-FZ100 is a far more capable and also more intuitive camera than its predecessor. It may not be able to match the 30x zoom or DSLR-like manual zoom and focus ring controls of its main rival, the Fujifilm HS10, but importantly it's much faster to use when shooting RAW files, something that drove us mad when reviewing the HS10.
There is one key area where the Panasonic DMC-FZ100 doesn't improve on its rivals or its predecessor, though, namely the poorer image quality once you get above ISO 400. Noise is apparent at ISO 400 but becomes much more obvious at ISO 800 along with smearing of fine details, with the fastest speed of ISO 1600 being something of a last resort. Although this is a similar performance to the year-old FZ38, we'd hoped for some improvements in this area. The merely average quality electronic viewfinder is also disappointingly the same as the one on the FZ38.
In these tough economic times, price is also a big concern. £449.99 / $499.95 is a lot to ask though for what is still essentially a fixed lens camera with a comparatively tiny image sensor, and is certainly a lot more than the £329.99 / $399.95 launch price of the FZ38. That said, there's no denying that the FZ100 is a more fully-featured, easier to use and faster camera than its predecessor, and with full HD movie recording on-board, it could replace your video camcorder. Just like the Fujifilm HS10, it also makes less or more sense depending on what you're comparing it to. Taken as a super-zoom, it's one of the most expensive models on the market, but also one of the most capable in terms of features. As a DSLR alternative, the FZ100 clearly makes a lot of economic sense if you want a similar handling experience but don't mind a drop in image quality.
If you can stomach the price, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 is certainly a lot of still and video camera for the money, offering a relatively compact all-in-one solution that will more than satisfy most photographer's needs.
DMC-G10GK; 5,498 RMB
"As with its predecessor, there's really very little to complain about in terms of the G10's design, image quality and ease-of-use, delivering all the convenience of a compact camera shooting experience in a DSLR-like package that is smaller and more portable than most DSLRs. The near-seamless Live View experience doesn't feel as though it has been literally forced into the overall design, as with the Live View function on the majority of DSLRs, so users looking to move-up from a point-and-shoot compact should definitely consider the G10, which happens to be just the target audience that Panasonic are aiming for. Especially as those users may not notice some of the key corners that have been cut in order to meet the aggressive price point, most tellingly the lack of a free-angle, rotating LCD and a high-resolution electronic view-finder, both of which the 18-month old G1 model offers."
The DMC-G3; 5998 RMB
The Lumix DMC-G3 is the most well-rounded Panasonic compact system camera to date, offering a great mix of cutting-edge features, improved image quality, intuitive and customisable handling, and a very competitive price. It's also a genuine contender to the likes of the Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS 600D, not quite matching them in terms of image quality but certainly giving them a run for their money in most other departments, all wrapped up in a tiny, lightweight body that's remarkably comparable in size to the company's GF1 model (which didn't have a built-in viewfinder or fold-out LCD screen).
The new 15.8 megapixel Live MOS sensor achieves the very neat trick of increasing the resolution and improving the image quality at the same time, in particular moving things on in the ISO stakes, with noise not rearing its ugly head until ISO 1600. Recent DSLR users probably won't be impressed by this feat, but in the world of Micro Four Thirds it's a big advancement. Coupled with its sheer portability and all-round feature-set, this makes the G3 a great carry-everywhere camera, and also a very discrete one to boot.
The touch-sensitive screen helps to deliver all the convenience and more of a compact camera shooting experience in a DSLR-like package that is smaller and lighter than all current DSLRs. Panasonic have wisely ensured that only certain key features can be configured by tapping the screen, rather than simply making everything accessible in this way, creating a hybrid interface that genuinely speeds up the camera's operation. You don't have to use the touchscreen at all, but you'd be mad not to. The free-angle, rotating LCD and high-resolution electronic view-finder of the original G1 may sound like old-hat, but they've just shown how ahead of the game Panasonic actually were, not looking out of place even in 2011.
Completing the G3's impressive bag of tricks are the super-fast auto-focusing system, with times of under 0.2 seconds with the standard kit lens and even reaching 0.1 seconds with certain lenses, and the improved 1080/50i Full HD video mode (only bettered by the GH2), complete with stereo sound and support for an external microphone. The 4 frames per second burst shooting is respectable enough, while the new Photo Style and Creative Control filters add a certain artistic flair to the G3. There are a few things that we don't like about the G3, mainly concerning the reduced number of external controls and the lack of the G2's useful eye-sensor for seamlessly switching between the EVF and LCD screen. Born out of the neccessity of shrinking the body, this has resulted in a simpler, more compact-like interface with more reliance on shared controls. Thankfully there are numerous ways in which the camera can be customised, so you should be able to find a way to make it work for you.
All of this comes at a price - remarkably a cheap one. £549 body only or £629.99 with the 14-42mm kit lens for such an accomplished camera is great value in anyone's book. For us, the new G3 offers the best balance between the even tinier GF2, the slightly better handling G2, and the videographer-friendly GH2, adding the best still image quality of all G-series cameras, and it's also a cheaper and for many users simply a better alternative to a full-fledged DSLR. Essential!
All these models seem to be really good, but what I need to know as a non-photographer is whether it's likely that I'll need to use the functions of the more expensive models and whether I'm likely to see a difference in image quality as a non-specialist. I'm hoping one of our members has gone through this sort of process, going from a point & click to full-on semi-professional use and can guide me. It took me about a month to decide on a pair of binoculars, but after spending 335 pounds on them, I've never regretted it, especially since I could see clearly why I was paying the extra cash- I'd originally planned to spend only 150. Thank you for any advice given. Oh, my intended use is to take really good pictures and learn a bit about photography, WITHOUT getting sucked into another AD!
Lumix DMC-FZ100GK; 3,998 RMB
The popular FZ38 camera is a hard act to follow, but the new Lumix DMC-FZ100 propels Panasonic back to the super-zoom leading pack, with a host of new features and usability enhancements that add up to one very capable do-it-all camera. The FZ100 only narrowly misses out on our highest award thanks to poor image quality at higher ISO speeds and the rather eye-watering price tag.
With the addition of a 24x zoom lens, 11fps burst shooting for JPEG and RAW files, large free-angle LCD screen, full HD 1080p movie mode recording, rear control dial and external hotshoe, the DMC-FZ100 is a far more capable and also more intuitive camera than its predecessor. It may not be able to match the 30x zoom or DSLR-like manual zoom and focus ring controls of its main rival, the Fujifilm HS10, but importantly it's much faster to use when shooting RAW files, something that drove us mad when reviewing the HS10.
There is one key area where the Panasonic DMC-FZ100 doesn't improve on its rivals or its predecessor, though, namely the poorer image quality once you get above ISO 400. Noise is apparent at ISO 400 but becomes much more obvious at ISO 800 along with smearing of fine details, with the fastest speed of ISO 1600 being something of a last resort. Although this is a similar performance to the year-old FZ38, we'd hoped for some improvements in this area. The merely average quality electronic viewfinder is also disappointingly the same as the one on the FZ38.
In these tough economic times, price is also a big concern. £449.99 / $499.95 is a lot to ask though for what is still essentially a fixed lens camera with a comparatively tiny image sensor, and is certainly a lot more than the £329.99 / $399.95 launch price of the FZ38. That said, there's no denying that the FZ100 is a more fully-featured, easier to use and faster camera than its predecessor, and with full HD movie recording on-board, it could replace your video camcorder. Just like the Fujifilm HS10, it also makes less or more sense depending on what you're comparing it to. Taken as a super-zoom, it's one of the most expensive models on the market, but also one of the most capable in terms of features. As a DSLR alternative, the FZ100 clearly makes a lot of economic sense if you want a similar handling experience but don't mind a drop in image quality.
If you can stomach the price, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 is certainly a lot of still and video camera for the money, offering a relatively compact all-in-one solution that will more than satisfy most photographer's needs.
DMC-G10GK; 5,498 RMB
"As with its predecessor, there's really very little to complain about in terms of the G10's design, image quality and ease-of-use, delivering all the convenience of a compact camera shooting experience in a DSLR-like package that is smaller and more portable than most DSLRs. The near-seamless Live View experience doesn't feel as though it has been literally forced into the overall design, as with the Live View function on the majority of DSLRs, so users looking to move-up from a point-and-shoot compact should definitely consider the G10, which happens to be just the target audience that Panasonic are aiming for. Especially as those users may not notice some of the key corners that have been cut in order to meet the aggressive price point, most tellingly the lack of a free-angle, rotating LCD and a high-resolution electronic view-finder, both of which the 18-month old G1 model offers."
The DMC-G3; 5998 RMB
The Lumix DMC-G3 is the most well-rounded Panasonic compact system camera to date, offering a great mix of cutting-edge features, improved image quality, intuitive and customisable handling, and a very competitive price. It's also a genuine contender to the likes of the Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS 600D, not quite matching them in terms of image quality but certainly giving them a run for their money in most other departments, all wrapped up in a tiny, lightweight body that's remarkably comparable in size to the company's GF1 model (which didn't have a built-in viewfinder or fold-out LCD screen).
The new 15.8 megapixel Live MOS sensor achieves the very neat trick of increasing the resolution and improving the image quality at the same time, in particular moving things on in the ISO stakes, with noise not rearing its ugly head until ISO 1600. Recent DSLR users probably won't be impressed by this feat, but in the world of Micro Four Thirds it's a big advancement. Coupled with its sheer portability and all-round feature-set, this makes the G3 a great carry-everywhere camera, and also a very discrete one to boot.
The touch-sensitive screen helps to deliver all the convenience and more of a compact camera shooting experience in a DSLR-like package that is smaller and lighter than all current DSLRs. Panasonic have wisely ensured that only certain key features can be configured by tapping the screen, rather than simply making everything accessible in this way, creating a hybrid interface that genuinely speeds up the camera's operation. You don't have to use the touchscreen at all, but you'd be mad not to. The free-angle, rotating LCD and high-resolution electronic view-finder of the original G1 may sound like old-hat, but they've just shown how ahead of the game Panasonic actually were, not looking out of place even in 2011.
Completing the G3's impressive bag of tricks are the super-fast auto-focusing system, with times of under 0.2 seconds with the standard kit lens and even reaching 0.1 seconds with certain lenses, and the improved 1080/50i Full HD video mode (only bettered by the GH2), complete with stereo sound and support for an external microphone. The 4 frames per second burst shooting is respectable enough, while the new Photo Style and Creative Control filters add a certain artistic flair to the G3. There are a few things that we don't like about the G3, mainly concerning the reduced number of external controls and the lack of the G2's useful eye-sensor for seamlessly switching between the EVF and LCD screen. Born out of the neccessity of shrinking the body, this has resulted in a simpler, more compact-like interface with more reliance on shared controls. Thankfully there are numerous ways in which the camera can be customised, so you should be able to find a way to make it work for you.
All of this comes at a price - remarkably a cheap one. £549 body only or £629.99 with the 14-42mm kit lens for such an accomplished camera is great value in anyone's book. For us, the new G3 offers the best balance between the even tinier GF2, the slightly better handling G2, and the videographer-friendly GH2, adding the best still image quality of all G-series cameras, and it's also a cheaper and for many users simply a better alternative to a full-fledged DSLR. Essential!
All these models seem to be really good, but what I need to know as a non-photographer is whether it's likely that I'll need to use the functions of the more expensive models and whether I'm likely to see a difference in image quality as a non-specialist. I'm hoping one of our members has gone through this sort of process, going from a point & click to full-on semi-professional use and can guide me. It took me about a month to decide on a pair of binoculars, but after spending 335 pounds on them, I've never regretted it, especially since I could see clearly why I was paying the extra cash- I'd originally planned to spend only 150. Thank you for any advice given. Oh, my intended use is to take really good pictures and learn a bit about photography, WITHOUT getting sucked into another AD!
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