Steve'sDigicams

ELDDJOC · Mar 23, 2006, 3:49 AM

I am torn between the two.

At the moment in Australia, their street prices are fairly close (FZ7 $620, FZ30 $799), but I cannot make up my mind as to which one is more value for money, has better image quality etc. ?

:sad:

michael1973 · Mar 23, 2006, 4:22 AM

Hi,

If I were you, I would ask myself what I want to do with the cam. There are some differences between the F730 and the FZ7 like the size (FZ30 is much bigger), noise (FZ30 is somewhat noisier), versatility (here the FZ30 scores) and handling (the FZ30 has manual zoom and focus rings).

Regards,
Michael

ELDDJOC · Mar 23, 2006, 4:54 AM

I want it to do some macro shooting, and plenty of low light, night and outdoor shooting.

audioedge · Mar 23, 2006, 5:34 AM

Id buy a dSLR if low light is your thang

michael1973 · Mar 23, 2006, 6:39 AM

Yes, the best option would be a dSLR. An alternative would be the Fuji S9500 which has very good macro capabilities and performs quite good in low light...

Jozo · Mar 23, 2006, 10:36 AM

I really love my Panasonic but i allso know the limitations of the camera

Panasonic FZ-class is awersome in outdoor photography and the zoom really takes you to places, but when the sun sets problems will begin. There is a lot of noise in the bigger ISO numbers and there is the problem with low light gain up in lcd - at least in older fz´s.

If the night photography is your thing consider DSRL.

ELDDJOC · Mar 23, 2006, 4:04 PM

I was thinking of DSLRs, but I don't think I am ready for that level yet.

I wanted to get some practice on a DSLR like camera first, and I had a few problems with the Canon Powershot S2 IS, which I have now sold, due to the IS being ineffective at long zooms. I really like Panasonic's O.I.S (I own an FX9), so that's why I am deciding between the two.

simxp · Mar 23, 2006, 5:28 PM

As it happens, I found myself trying to make the same decision recently; so I made a list of the advantages the FZ30 has over the FZ7:

- Hotshoe
- Quicker startup
- Much easier to attatch filters/lenses
- Nicer EVF
- Bigger & heavier - more ergonomic?
- Manual zoom ring
- (Pseudo) Manual focusing ring
- Moveable LCD + higher resolution (but smaller)
- Better build quality
- Greater degree of control
- More weather-proof

The advantages the FZ7 has over the FZ30 are, of course, size, weight, and price.

For noise, try using a noise-reduction program such as noise ninja or neat image on FZ night images.

Edit: I should note for the record that I have no personal experience of the subjective items above such as better build quality; all such items were gathered through trawling through various web sites and forums for topics on the subject and so were the opinions of the persons originally making the post.

ELDDJOC · Mar 24, 2006, 6:10 PM

I finally decided on the FZ7 - because I really liked to joystick function.

I hope that is a good choice - anyone here used a FZ7 ?

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Mar 23, 2006, 3:49 AM	#1
ELDDJOC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 156	I am torn between the two. At the moment in Australia, their street prices are fairly close (FZ7 $620, FZ30 $799), but I cannot make up my mind as to which one is more value for money, has better image quality etc. ? :sad:

Mar 23, 2006, 4:22 AM	#2
michael1973 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 40	Hi, If I were you, I would ask myself what I want to do with the cam. There are some differences between the F730 and the FZ7 like the size (FZ30 is much bigger), noise (FZ30 is somewhat noisier), versatility (here the FZ30 scores) and handling (the FZ30 has manual zoom and focus rings). Regards, Michael

Mar 23, 2006, 4:54 AM	#3
ELDDJOC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 156	I want it to do some macro shooting, and plenty of low light, night and outdoor shooting.

Mar 23, 2006, 5:34 AM	#4
audioedge Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 254	Id buy a dSLR if low light is your thang

Mar 23, 2006, 6:39 AM	#5
michael1973 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 40	Yes, the best option would be a dSLR. An alternative would be the Fuji S9500 which has very good macro capabilities and performs quite good in low light...

Mar 23, 2006, 10:36 AM	#6
Jozo Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 52	I really love my Panasonic but i allso know the limitations of the camera Panasonic FZ-class is awersome in outdoor photography and the zoom really takes you to places, but when the sun sets problems will begin. There is a lot of noise in the bigger ISO numbers and there is the problem with low light gain up in lcd - at least in older fz´s. If the night photography is your thing consider DSRL.

Mar 23, 2006, 4:04 PM	#7
ELDDJOC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 156	I was thinking of DSLRs, but I don't think I am ready for that level yet. I wanted to get some practice on a DSLR like camera first, and I had a few problems with the Canon Powershot S2 IS, which I have now sold, due to the IS being ineffective at long zooms. I really like Panasonic's O.I.S (I own an FX9), so that's why I am deciding between the two.

Mar 23, 2006, 5:28 PM	#8
simxp Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 15	As it happens, I found myself trying to make the same decision recently; so I made a list of the advantages the FZ30 has over the FZ7: - Hotshoe - Quicker startup - Much easier to attatch filters/lenses - Nicer EVF - Bigger & heavier - more ergonomic? - Manual zoom ring - (Pseudo) Manual focusing ring - Moveable LCD + higher resolution (but smaller) - Better build quality - Greater degree of control - More weather-proof The advantages the FZ7 has over the FZ30 are, of course, size, weight, and price. For noise, try using a noise-reduction program such as noise ninja or neat image on FZ night images. Edit: I should note for the record that I have no personal experience of the subjective items above such as better build quality; all such items were gathered through trawling through various web sites and forums for topics on the subject and so were the opinions of the persons originally making the post.

Mar 24, 2006, 6:10 PM	#9
ELDDJOC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 156	I finally decided on the FZ7 - because I really liked to joystick function. I hope that is a good choice - anyone here used a FZ7 ?