Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50S Digital SLR Camera, 10.4 MP, 12x Optical, 4x Digital Zoom, MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer, Silver

2008-04-05T21:00:00

Full Review Well, i have just purchased the Panasonic FZ50 for about 3 weeks now, after about 600 test shots with it i have come to a conclusion that this FZ50 is by far the best FZ i've ever own. I have owned FZ7, FZ10, FZ15, FZ20(2), FZ30 and now FZ50, its no surprise to me, this FZ50 out do the rest of its family in image quality, FZ50 gives almost perfect pictures, the sharpness from its Leica lens is amazingly sharp, full of details contrast, full of depth of field, im very pleased with it.. here is my FZ50. http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2433024510078509665wQLsnx I must add FZ50 has an extra close up for Macro shots, i can shoot a subject at about 2 inches from subject to lens hood. You can see some samples here. http://www.pbase.com/twg/image/86368259 I must say FZ50 got some noise from iso 200 to 800, but i know it before hand, so now i use noise reduction software to remove it after in my pc easily..I think most all point and shoot cameras do have noise issue so this is no exception. I have put FZ50 thru the iso tests, i shot at all iso setting from 100-1600, the results were very pleased, from iso 800 i can see noise creeping in, then comes iso 1600 it shows even more, but both can be a quick fix to me..both were useable images.I also use high noise reduction in camera, its really helps. Now!, comes the colors, i think FZ50 has a bluish cast to all images, but FZ50 has a custom white balance 1 and 2, so i usetilized that by set a custom w/b 1 for the outdoors and 2 for indoor w/o flash. they turned out perfectly, totally awesome..FZ50 produces very sharp images throughout the range, a very compact, light but versatle camera for all day shooting or a great back up camera for DSLR, but im afraid its may out performs many DSLRs out there. I must also mention about the bokeh, FZ50 has a minimum of bokeh at tele end, therefore it gives you extra depth of field. I love this camera for its telefoto range, at max 420mm at f3.7 it produces very, very sharp, contrasty images. Anyone who tries to buy the big lens at 400mm f3.5 you will pay an arm and a leg for DSLR use and you will need a pro tripod to hold it sturdy, but not on FZ50 i can shoot it handheld w/o any problem due to its OIS optical image stabilizer. This is my favorite feature on FZ50 is the tele range. I also add on the Raynox wide angle 0.72x adapter to it so i can get the range from 25mm to 420mm..What a range for anyone to have for everyday use. I also bought the 3rd party battery grip holder for it too, the grip holds 2 batts, i can shoot for a week or about 500 shots. The grip has 2 vertical triggers. [@] Finally. I love this camera, i want to carry it with me everywhere now. I may try to use it in my studio soon.. Good luck Chao JV

kool100vr4

2007-07-06T21:00:00

A wonderful camera - The zoom is first rate, the stabilisation works wonders, and for those looking more for fun than professional photos the auto focus works, as does the macro. For those looking to get to know the manual controls, it is very simple - One hand gets focus and zoom on the lens, the other gets the apature and shutter speed control wheels. There is a slight noise even at a low ISO, but a quick fix in a program such as Photoshop will have you producing professional quality prints and pictures in no time at all. An excellent buy, and well worth the money - To buy an SLR and lens with the same capability and quality would cost well over £1000.

Chris

2007-07-05T21:00:00

What a great camera! Fantastic Optics great image stabization . Handy function button giving easy access to ISO,WB,Metering etc.The Zoom & Focus ring are great and a joy to use! Ive taken over 2000 photo with this camera and have yet to be disappointed

ossie b.

2007-06-07T21:00:00

Unless you have thousands to spend on a digital SLR with lenses and accessories. This is the camera for you. In program mode it's a PHD camera ( Push Here Dummy). If you are a pro, or learning to be one, you can take this camera as far as you want to learn to go. You're going to need at least a 1gig card, and an extra battery. The 32meg card that comes with it is a joke. Keep in mind that even a very expensive pen won't help you write a better novel. My advice: Zoom in and learn to compose, take thousands of pics and never let anyone see the bad ones.

JoeBagadonutz

2007-05-12T21:00:00

I bought this camera because I wanted high resolution, big zoom and easy controls. Could not make a better choice: Panasonic is so easy to use, that is unbelievable! Focus is excellent even in low light conditions, the manual zoom is one of the best ideas of Panasonic. Compliments and thank you!

francisco

2007-05-09T21:00:00

This is my 4th digital camera. I've owned a Olympus D-510, Panasonic FZ20, Canon A620, and now the FZ50. This is a great camera. Very easy to use and get creative. Some reviewers complain about noise, but I don't think the noise is that bad as long as your not a "pixel peeper" or blowing up your pics to large poster size. A little noise reduction software will correct it. It handles a lot better than my FZ20. I love the zoom and focus rings rather than a button or knob. After using this camera for about a week I'm able to access menus and change settings without looking...it's that easy, and things just seem to be in the right spot. The tilt/flip LCD comes in very handy for those hard to reach pics.

tatoo_cw

2007-05-07T21:00:00

I have taken about 100 pictures with it, just getting the feel. The image stabalization works wonders, so long as you remember it only removes the camera shake, not movement of the object. All of my pictures have been taken with 100 asa and manual focus with excelent results.

Frank

2007-02-26T19:00:00

WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAMERA IN THIS STORE,TOL DME THE SALESMAN THAT HE CAN OBTEIN TO ME IN THE FUTURE THE WIDE ANLE AND TELEPHOTO,AND I CANT FIND IT EVEN IN PANASONIC. WHY PANASONIC SALES THE CAMERA AND THE LENS NOT. I DON´T UNDRESTAND.

LUIS A.

2007-02-11T19:00:00

One of the best cameras I have ever owned. It is easy to use takes great pictures. I am very pleased with it.[...]

Whistler

2007-02-04T19:00:00

Has all the features of a 35 mm slr, I can focus on my wife's glass art, set the exposures manually and the zoom is fantastic, especially the focus and zoom on the lens barrel.

MotoMel

2007-01-18T19:00:00

The FZ-50 is an amazing camera, the use is quite intuitive and the functions/programs really do well. The lens is superior. At high speeds the pictures get a lot less noisy than I have seen it in other cameras. Due to the stabilization I took picture in dark setting with lower isos and got very good results. I totally recommend this camera. There is no flaw that I would know of after about 2.5 months of extensive use

Larry

2006-11-02T19:00:00

I bought this camera because I wanted high resolution, big zoom and easy controls. Could not make a better choice: I have also a Nikon 8700 which focus has been always a problem. This Panasonic is so easy to use, that is unbelievable! Focus is excellent even in low light conditions, the manual zoom is one of the best ideas of Panasonic. Compliments and thank you!

Lili G.

2006-10-31T19:00:00

I purchased the DMC-FZ50 about a month ago it is a great all around camera. It takes great photos I have owned a lot of diffrent cameras this is by far the best one.I am hard to please and I am very happy with it. [...]

Whistler

2006-09-27T21:00:00

Having upgraded to the FZ50, WOW what a great camera, The 12x Zoom Lens is suberb, with a fast AF, and great Image Stabilization System.I know there has been crtisism about "Noise" in the FZ30 but I have printed 12x8 shot at ISO400 which have shown no appreciable noise. This is a great all round camera and definately the one for anyone who wants the flexibility of a DSLR without the expense and numerous lens changes

ossie13