Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50S (silver)
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"One of the noisiest cameras ever" on by kholland15
Pros: The camera and functions are beautiful
Cons: Anything other than flash photos or very bright light yeilds unacceptable picture quality
Summary: I read so many mixed reviews about the noise of this camera. I read a few professional reviews that lead me to believe the noise was worse than the S3IS, but that it was compensated for by the quality Leica lense. The fact of the matter is that this camera is only good for flash photos or very bright sunlight because the noise for anything above 200 ISO is unbelievable. You can forget about taking pictures of your childrens indoor band concerts. It makes me sick to my stomach to have to send such a beautiful camera back because it just isn't any good for taking pictures.
Updated
After going to great lengths to fully test all the modes and quirkes of this camera, I have found that it CAN produce excellent quality photos even at ISO settings as high as 800. The camera's shortcoming, in my opinion, is that the fully automatic settings yeild underexposure in moderate to low light without flash. By using manual settings this problem is easily overcome. If I could change my rating, I would agree with the editors rating of between 7 and 8. -
"$500 for 420mm image stabilization lens" on by eteune
Pros: $500 for 420mm image stabilization lens
Cons: not as good as $2500+ equivalents
Summary: This camera only costs $500. And for that amount of money to get a 420mm equivalent Leica lens WITH image stabilization is outstanding. Did the CNET review say 'tungsten lighting'??? This is a $500 prosumer camera, not a professional studio DSLR! Yes, the body is big, but for a reason: the lens. Yes, the image quality is not on par with more expensive cameras, but that is why they are more expensive. If you want the great zoom with a great lens and tons of other options to tweak just about everything, but don't want the weight or much greater expense of buying a separate image stabilization zoom lens to add to your already expensive DSLR, then this camera is great! I think it is an outstanding compliment that people compare this camera to DSLRs even though it costs much less.
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"Better than Canon S3" on by elstonhill
Pros: filters screw on lens, manual focus easy to use, optional wide screen photos
Cons: Noise, small screen
Summary: Feels like a SLR. Love the ability to screw on filters without a stupid tube. The Manual focus is so easy to use. Manual shutter speed and aperature also easy to use. A lot more megapixels than the Canon S3. Optional wide screen photos including movies.
Advantages of Canon S3 is small size and use of AA batteries. -
"Beautifully Desgned but Deeply Flawed Camera" on by archangelmr
Pros: Excellent build quality, superb lens, ergonomics, balance, wonderful articulating LCD, 16 x 9 movie mode
Cons: inconsistent image quality, inadaquate sensor, chroma noise, limited dynamic range, short warranty
Summary: As an experienced (25+ years) photographer, I can only say that this camera is a paradox.
On paper, the FZ-50 is without quesstion the best camera of its type. In the day-to-day use, the reality is quite different, however.
Although I absolutely love the handling and build quality of the FZ-50, its tiny, over-crowded 10MP sensor and image processing algorithms simply don't do the excellent Leica optics justice. As a result, the camera is a beautifully-desgned, but flawed tool that will ultimately disappoint most enthusiasts or serious amateurs.
Noise and graininess (at ALL ISO settings above 100) is one problem, but I've seen surprisingly little discussion of the camera's other issues such as its limited dynamic range (dark shadows, blown highlights, anyone?), and its often wildly inconsistent metering and autofocus capability.
I love the feel, feature set and optics of the Lumix FZ-50 more than any other camera I've owned, but also get FAR more throwaway images from it with it than any other, as well. The FZ-50 is an especially poor choice for any sort of indoor or low-light photojournalism-type work. (Don't even think about using the FZ50 for indoor sports, unless you're prepared for cell-phone quality images at its "high sensitivity" ISO 3200 setting.)
I have an ancient Nikon Coolpix 2100 (an entry-level 2megapixel point-and-shoot) that consistently produces higher quality images than the LUMIX FZ-50 in ALL modes under almost all conditions -- except ISO 100 -- Go figure.
So, consider the wonderfully built FZ-50 by all means, but also weigh its limitations, relative to other superzooms and bridge cameras, as well. Some may wish to onsider the Fuji FinePix 6500FD (with its superior sensor and face detection) as an alternative.
Had Panasonic focused on image quality instead of senseless, marketing department-driven pixel stuffing, the FZ50 would be the fineset bridge/superzoom camera available. But they didn't...So it isn't, alas. -
"Sorely disappointed!" on by gplourde
Pros: Numerous features, rotating screen
Cons: Picture quality, noise, focus problems
Summary: We purchased this camera prior to its release and had high hopes that we'd get razor sharp pics once the camera arrived. Well, no matter the mode, our shots are grainy, out of focus - just plain frustrating. We've taken 2500+ pics in the last several months (new baby) and really only have 30 or so that we would call 'ok'. Don't let the features dazzle you.
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