Panasonic DMC-FZ100

[Horney Toad]

I had my eye on this camera. Anyone have any experience with this model? It has a 24x optical zoom.


 http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/fz100/index.html

[centaur]

Not with that particular camera, but Panasonic makes some good stuff, and with a Leica lens, this looks like a winner.

[Winterhawk1960]

Yep.......just got one from my parents for my birthday. I'm still learning to "play" with it, but it is a very nice camera. I also own a FZ30 and it is a great camera also. The 24x zoom is nice, but real hard to hold still without a tripod. Takes excellent pictures.....but has a few more "bells and whistles" than my trusty ol' FZ30.

A word to the warning.........you can't "yet" purchase an extra lithium ion battery. Panasonic hasn't released them yet. My camera came in a package off t-h-e--b-a-y and was supposed to have the extra battery. I called and told them it didn't have the extra one with it and they said that they weren't available yet......they tried to offer me another memory card, to which I declined........I want that extra battery and will wait until it is available for them to send to me. So far.........nothing........it's about time to call them again.

It is a smaller camera, in comparison to my FZ30 but is well worth the money.

Winterhawk1960

[Horney Toad]

Thanks. Winterhawk, I'm just wondering if you really need a 24x zoom? I'm sure it would need a tripod at that magnification.

Still debating whether to get this model or to go with one of the smaller 12x lumix models.

[Winterhawk1960]

Horney Toad,

In all honesty.......if you could find one of the FZ30's that is either new.....or slightly used I would jump all over it. I don't find myself using the extra zoom hardly at all. I would be sure that it has a Leica lens (German Glass) on the camera.

This might change over time as I get to use the FZ100 more......but it is a much "sturdier" built camera and does everything that I have ever asked of it. Just be sure to get yourself an extra lithium ion battery and keep one of them on charge all the time.

Winterhawk1960

[Horney Toad]

I think the FZ30 is discontinued Winterhawk. There is a FZ35 that is still available.

[Winterhawk1960]

It was discontinued......I think that it was "made" so much better than the newer ones that they knew you would never need to upgrade. Buy one used.......if mine hadn't been a gift, I would have opted for another one of these.

PM sent.......

Winterhawk1960

[Mark Normand]

I have a FZ50, that was highly recommended by a good friend.  Also got my daughter one too. We both love 'em.

More cam than I know how to use, but I especially like the manual focus switch that is easily and readily available.

[684Kevin]

I have had the FZ20, FZ30, and now am using the FZ50.  You cannot beat the versatility of the Panasonic camera along with it's great photos.  I primarily use it outdoors on wildlife and the Leica Lenses they use are great.  My FZ 50 is only 18X I think.  All three I've had worked flawlessly.  My FZ 20 was dropped twice from 20' in a tree and didnt phase it.  I would still be using the FZ20/30 but, like the post above, the FZ50 has a manual focus and this is a must for long distance photos an when adding Panasonic's telephoto lense.  I know there are probably better SLR cameras out there for the same price but the bundle of features and ease of use these cameras provide make it the best bang for the buck I've been able to find.

[Horney Toad]

I'm sort of leaning to the FZ35, anyone ever use that one?

 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/639338-REG/Panasonic_DMC_FZ35K_Lumix_DMC_FZ35_Digital_Camera.html

[George Vernon]

Leica and Panasonic have been making cameras together for a while.  It appears they each sell similar or identical models in terms of specs.  The Panasonic version is 30-50% less in cost.  A factor many of the review sites say is the compelling reason to go with Panasonic.