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FZ18/28 vs SLR?: Panasonic Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
Hi! I am going on a safari end of august and I want a camera that can take some good quality zoom images.
I'm tempted by the FZ18/28 because of the portability compared with an SLR + lenses, but will I be sacrificing a lot on image quality by not buying an SLR?
I really want good quality photos!
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I would go with SLR.
4/3 system has realtively decent size lenses with high zoom Like 50-200mm, add 1.4 or 2.0 multiplier and you have a high zoom camera up to 800mm
--
Lumix L1K
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Hello
Last year I went to Sham (Syria and Jordan).
In our group there also was a man with a very good SLR and a backsack full of lenses.
But with my fz18 I was much faster.
Before our SLR-man had found a new lens I made the next pictures.
=>
The fz18 is the perfect travel camera.
Ruud
see my fz18 pictures:
http://sham.ruudabeln.nl
http://fz18.ruudabeln.nl
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I own a couple FZs including the FZ18 and a couple DSLRs the FZs seldom see any use anymore Especially the FZ18 ,I really dislike that camera.
(Size ,extending lens and the joystick.)
IMHO, Depending on your uses, the IQ from a DSLR can be much better but if its just to post at 1000 pixels or less on the web and you are not into much post processing you may not appreciate the difference.
And the FZ18 may be just the ticket for you, as I am sure the FZ28 will also be.
I was really fond of the FZ30 but I seldom use it much anymore But then I see no problem in carrying a DSLR and 2 lenses.
--
Gene from Western Pa
http://imageevent.com/grc6
http://grc225.zenfolio.com/
FZ10....20 and 30 and FZ18
D50 ....D80 - 18 to 200VR- 50mm 1.8 - 80 to 400 OS
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If you do go with FZ18/28 (and I would if I were in your place....because I hate to carry "stuff") you might want to look at the adapter from Pemaraal
http://www.pemaraal.com/index.php?page=fz18ac
When used with a filter, it protects the lens against flying dirt - which might be an issue if you're traveling on unimproved roads or sand
Sherm
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Having upgraded from an FZ-18 to a Oly E510 w/kit lenses + a Sigma 135-400 to get to an equal range of zoom with a little extra (28-800mm, 35mmEFL).
I somtimes wish I didn't have to worry about changing lenses on the fly but situations will demand it and you will loss opportuities because of it,and to lug the 5lbs of gear around off the hip all day(my preferred bag) can be tedius.
Image quality has not suffered in the least, though low light will definitely be the DSLR realm.
The ease of use of the FZ-18 and the short period of practice time you'll have before the trip should make it your prime target that you will not regret as far as IQ goes.
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Steve
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Quote: :
> Hi!
I am going on a safari end of august and I want a camera that can
>
Take some good quality zoom images.
>
I'm tempted by the FZ18/28 because of the portability compared with
>
An SLR + lenses, but will I be sacrificing a lot on image quality by
>
Not buying an SLR?
I really want good quality photos!
>
Personally, I would go with a Nikon DSLR so that you can use the Nikon 18-200mm lens.
You are unlikely to need to change lenses with such a broad range, so you won't miss any shots.
Even if you have to crop the telephoto shots a little, the details will probably look much better.
A DSLR will give you better focus speeds, faster operation (instant zooming), and an all-around better photography experience.
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Quote: :
> Hi!
I am going on a safari end of august and I want a camera that can
>
Take some good quality zoom images.
>
I'm tempted by the FZ18/28 because of the portability compared with
>
An SLR + lenses, but will I be sacrificing a lot on image quality by
>
Not buying an SLR?
I really want good quality photos!
>
1.) First of all the quality of your photos will depend on your knowledge of the camera you are using.
2.) On a safari you will be happy to get as much tele reach as you can get.
3.) With the exception of shots taken in the evening low light will not be your first problem.
If you try to get a DSLR your first problem will be to find the best lenses fulfilling your needs.
If you are asking the question above you are far away from the next questions, if you decide to buy a DSLR.
Considering 1.
- 3. you cannot do much wrong if you start with a FZ18 and use all the time that remains until you start your journey to learn as much as you can about your new tool.
Olaf
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Hmmm. Interesting Gene.
I own two DSLR cameras, 30D and a 40D and several lenses as well as an FZ30 and my DSLR stuff is seldom used.
The DSLR stuff is listed on eBay as I write.
I am looking for a replacement for the FZ30 as the LCD has died, but it will probably be another FZ.
So each person has to decide for themselves what they want as we all have different ideas.
Quote: :
>
I own a couple FZs including the FZ18 and a couple DSLRs the FZs
>
Seldom see any use anymore Especially the FZ18 ,I really
>
Dislike that camera.
(Size ,extending lens and the joystick.)
>
IMHO, Depending on your uses, the IQ from a DSLR can be much
>
Better but if its just to post at 1000 pixels or less on the web
>
And you are not into much post processing you may not appreciate the
>
Difference. And the FZ18 may be just the ticket for you, as I am sure
>
The FZ28 will also be.
>
I was really fond of the FZ30 but I seldom use it much
>
Anymore But then I see no problem in carrying a DSLR and 2 lenses.
>
--
> Gene from Western Pa
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>
Http://imageevent.com/grc6
>
Http://grc225.zenfolio.com/
>
FZ10....20 and 30 and FZ18
>
>
D50 ....D80 - 18 to 200VR- 50mm 1.8 - 80 to 400 OS
>
>
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My feeling -- having never been on one, mind -- is that almost any commercial safari is going to be largely about range, range and more range.
You get that with the 504mm tele on the FZ18, plus the ability to do close ups, wide angles and everything in between, all in one lightweight package.
If I were going on a Safari I'd *still* take my FZ18 along, no matter what other gear I was lugging.
I would recommend, however, that you take at least one and maybe two spare batteries along if you plan on many daylong shoots.
Have a great adventure!
fotophool
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7131002@N05/
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Quote: :
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If I were going on a Safari I'd *still* take my FZ18 along, no matter
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What other gear I was lugging.
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Hawk and deer are stunning.
Care to share the settings you used?
--
Dave G.
There are no real negatives in digital photography.
Fujifilm One Four Zero Zero Zoom, circa 2000
Kodak Dee Ex 7630, circa 2003
Panasonic Eff Zee 18, circa 2008
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Thanks!
The Axis deer were shot at 504mm, 1/200 sec at f4.2, ISO 100.
The hawk is a bit of a cheat shot as I probably could have walked up and swatted him in the head.
No way he was leaving the quail carcass in his claws!
Still shot at 504mm, though, 1/80 sec at f4.2, ISO 200.
Here's a couple of mule deer, 504mm again, 1/250 sec at 4.2, ISO 100.
fotophool
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7131002@N05/
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It is all about our individual needs I think a lot of my FZ30 photos...but there is no doubt in my mind the D50 and D80 photos are better and have much more room for processing.
And as I said I do not mind carring the equiptment ....I am retired and toting a DSLR is no problem I do not need a laptop or briefcase or a diaper bag with me...and I travel by car so that equiptment is never far away.
I also would like to see a replacement for the FZ30 but again IMHO, the FZ18/28 is not it.
And perhaps I could give you my LCD screen as its never been used I can not see the darn thing.
Quote: :
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Hmmm. Interesting Gene.
I own two DSLR cameras, 30D and a 40D and
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Several lenses as well as an FZ30 and my DSLR stuff is seldom used.
>
The DSLR stuff is listed on eBay as I write.
I am looking for a
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Replacement for the FZ30 as the LCD has died, but it will probably be
>
Another FZ. So each person has to decide for themselves what they
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Want as we all have different ideas.
>
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Well, you said you want really good quality photos!
If you really mean that then your decision is made, neither the fx18 nor the fz28 can match the IQ of a dslr with good lenses.
Yes, you will pay more for a dsr but you will gain in
- IQ
- focus speed
- no shutter lag
- no lag from off to first shot
- continuous shooting speed
- number of shots without pausing.
Something like a Nikon D80 (3fps up to 100 frames) + 16-85VR + 70-300VR + spare batteries + memory cards will run about $1600-1700 and will blow the pants off any compact/bridge camera (I have a couple) in the areas mentioned above especially if you get the once in a lifetime shot and want to make a large print.
An Olympus E-520 + 14-54 + 40-150 + 70-300 + spare batteries + memory cards will cost about the same and would be my second choice.
An FZ-18 + spare batteries + memory cards will run between $400 and $500.
--
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I am with fotophool.
Bring an FZ... plus another camera.
I am afraid I would want a backup for a safari.
How about a small dSLR with kit lens plus the FZ18 INSTEAD of the long lens for the dSLR??
At 14.4 ounces and $300-$350 the FZ18 would probably cost much less than just a long dSLR zoom that goes to 500mm (equivalnet)
Peter F.
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Of course in some circunstances a DSLR could be better, but consider these points:
- Safari = very hot weather, not just nice to carry heavy luggage.
The last thing you would like in that case is to carry weight gear.
And remember, a DSLR with kit lens is not enough, you will need at least a high quality zoom lens (REALLY EXPENSIVE) and a wide angle zoom.
A high quality zoom lens needed to get really good IQ from a DSLR, for example 200 mm (a little more than half a FZ18 zoom) can weight more than 1.4 kgs., plus another lens and the own camera weight.
- Good IQ in low light: In a DSLR (specially Canon), high ISO are more usable than compact cameras ones (FZ18 and others).
But you WILL NEED to use high ISO because larger sensors = larger apertures = less depth of field.
For example, using a f/2.8 lens (really big and heavy in DSLR!) like the FZ18 one, your depth of field could be of just few centimeters (or milimeters) for a particular shot.
DSLRs cameras are much more sensible to low apertures than compact cameras.
For that reason is pretty easy your target could get out of focus if moves outside of the very short zone of focus when using big apertures.
Solution: Use a larger aperture, but in this case you will need to increase ISO, perhaps to a point you will be dissapointed with DSLR noise.
For example, inside my house at the afternoon with lights off (just shade), I could shot with my FZ18 without flash or tripod and get nice photos covering the whole living room.
Is impossible to do the same with my Canon EOS 450D because if use a lens with f/2.8, the DOF is very short and most of the scene will be out of focus.
If I try to use a short aperture to get all the living room in focus, easily I will need to increase ISO to 1600, but is not enough to get good shots without tripod using an IS lens (stabilized).
- Focus: Please read the problems with phase detection focus in most DSLRs.
Phase detection is really quick but not very realiable.
New Canon DSLRs with live view use contrast based focus to get more precision, specially with macros, but really slower than FZ18 (6 seconds or more in my 450d).
You could get better results in a DSLR or compact camera (almost the same in both) shoting in MF.
In this case, you loose the DSLR advantage.
Right now I have two DSLRs (Canon EOS 450D and Pentax K10), my Panasonic DMC-FZ18 and Fuji Finepix F31fd.
I enjoy a lot my DSLRs, but they are not easy cameras to travel ...
Worse for a safari.
Believe me, FZ18 and FZ8 could be the actually the best cameras to travel.
They are pretty cheap, little and light if you compare with a DSLR with all the gear you need to get decent photos.
DSLRs are amazing cameras, but not better than compacts ones in every case.
DSLRs are very more complex cameras, not really "point and shots", and not the best to carry when traveling.
--
Enrique Freire
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I agree with Peter a backup is useful.
My backup is small and is good in lowlight: the Fuji f31fd.
Soon I hope to have new one: a micro four thirds with a fast 28-84 lens,
But I will never buy a big old-fashioned DSLR machine!
I still have an Olympus OM2: but even this small SLR is too big for travelling!
Ruud
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