hi All. Would any one like to give their opinion on a semi pro digital slr. I have been looking at a few models like the nikon p90 or the panasonic fz28 and the fz 28 seems to be the better of the 2. any one have these cameras to help me make a choice thx
^ because they cost a lot plus you need to buy lenses and are harder to look after? SLR is good to get as you can practice how to use all the settings, no point in a DSLR if you dont know how to use all the functions
I've got a Panasonic FZ28. Was originally going to get a Nikon P80 (P90 was just too expensive), until I found a cheap FZ28 on eBay (brad new) with shipping included, free extra battery and free 2gb SD card for AUD$500 (which was $50 more than the P80 i was looking at) so I went ahead adn bought it. So far, no regrets. An excellent camera. Easy to use and understand, excellent picture quality. The FZ28 is fully manual (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, manual focusing, everything to expect from a DSLR), and allows beginners with an interest (like me) to learn before upgrading to a much more expensive DSLR. The image stabilisation is simply awesome, I've been able to take hand held shots with shutter times of 2.5s with minimal shaking and blurring, which is incredible! The FZ28 is also capable of HD (720p) videos during which you are able to use the full optical zoom and digital zoom, something you are unable to do with the P90. Picture quality is pretty good (i'm using at the Wide VGA setting as I only get about 10 minutes of HD on my 2gb card), and sound is average (nowhere near as good as a camcorder). The menu can be a little weird at first, but you get used to it after a bit. It is also on the bulky side (compared to a regular compact), so if you're looking to pocket it, forget it because you'll either need to put it in your basg or around your neck. Overall, I think the camera is a great purchase for those not willing to make the jump to DSLR yet (due to price, the technical bits, whatever) for a great price. My friend got a Nikon D60 with 2 lenses for AUD$1100, and I got my FZ28 for $500, and I'm finding many of my photos are better than his because I know how to exploit the manual controls on my FZ28 whereas he's still using the DSLR as a point-and-shoot (but he is learning!). Here are some samples taken with the Lumix FZ28: Aperture: f/2.8 Exposure time: 15s ISO 400 Aperture: f/2.8 Exposure time: 20s ISO 100 Aperture: f/2.8 Exposure time: 60s (max exposure time on the Lumix, i think P90 is 30s?) ISO 100 Aperture: f/3.4 Exposure time: 1/5s ISO 400 Aperture: f/3.4 Exposure time: 1/15s ISO 400 Aperture: f/3.4 Exposure time: 1/15s ISO 400 Aperture: f/3.4 Exposure time: 1/30s ISO 400 Aperture: f/3.7 Exposure time: 1/640s ISO 160 (a little over exposed, should've compensated the exposure a little - first time using camera outdoors in bright sunlight) Aperture: f/5.6 Exposure time: 1/160s ISO 100 (blurring of the background was intentional, wanted an "action" shot) Aperture: f/3 Shutter speed: 1/3s ISO 100 (note: room wasn't very well lit, and didn't want to use flash as I want to use natural light - the camera is very good for this) Aperture: f/2.8 Shutter speed: 1/6s ISO 100 Flash wasn't used Aperture: f/2.8 Shutter speed: 1/40s ISO 160 Flash wasn't used as it would've ruined the effect the candle light can give Aperture: f/2.8 Exposure time: 1/30s ISO 100 Flash was used as room was not lit at all besides the candles, and a long exposure would've meant blurring of the faces. Aperture: f/3.6 Exposure time: 1/4s ISO 400 Aperture: f/3.4 Exposure time: 1/4s ISO 200 Aperture: f/2.8 Exposure time: 1/3s ISO 400 Flash wasn't used All of those shots were handheld (except for the exposures at the top) If you want the full resolution versions, PM me with your email =]
slr don't exist anymore, everything is digital, so the ones you might not call a dslr are called dslr-like i think, just like the Fuji S700/S8000 (where they look like but the lens are not changable) and those compact ones where it fits in your pocket are called point and shoots... i am starting to learn about using a dslr but EVEN if you don't know anything about photography and use all the functions, it is still worth it, when comparing to other cameras i have used, 3 cams over 2 years, the entry-level dslr will give you powerful controls as well as capturing photos fast, @ 3 fps, works great on fast moving objects esp fireworks, not comparable in terms of quality when comparing to Fuji S700, S8000, Canon SD850 IS a higher end point and shoot is already $400-500 brand new, whereas now with manual controls and changable lens, is only $250 more. but for sure, those who doesn't know how to take photos at all (aka via the LCD), they should just buy those $150-200 ones to save money. avoid those that says HD video recording, people who takes photos seriously won't even use their cameras to take videos. a flash memory card camcorder is only $300 in today's market price. i just got my XSi with 18-55mm IS and 55-250mm IS lenses for $1080 after tax was planning on the Canon 40D/50D as money is not an issue for those looking for Canon, buy now as it has been announced that there will be price hikes in July 2009.
The ones which look like DSLR but don't have interchangeable lenses are called Bridge cameras (as they bridge the gap between compacts and DSLRs). They are also known as Superzooms due to their large optical zoom ranges. While it's true that most people who take their photo seriously don't really care for HD video recording, most of these people are truly passionate about photography and videos are willing to spend much more money on equipment than those with an interest and are not yet confident to take it to another level yet. While a separate video recorder will do the job much better, some people may prefer having an "all in one" solution which can do both jobs adequately for conveniece, practicality, flexibility and for cost based reasons. The zoom range was what drew me to the FZ28, I wanted to get a camera with a long zoom so I can have more options for framing when plane spotting. For me, a DSLR was out of the question due to their cost - the cost to not only get the camera, but to buy a lens which could reach to ~300 - 400mm. While the FZ28 isn't a DSLR, in my opinion image quality is superb. Of course DSLRs have much better quality due to their larger sensors, but for this price it really is awesome that you are able to get such quality when most DSLRs start at around $1000. And note to noasian, I'm not trying to attack your comments or put down DSLRs! Just trying to put forward a balanced argument for those who are thinking of either going for a Bridge or a DSLR. Their differences, advantages and disadvantages of a Bridge and why I think it's worth the amount of money I paid for it and also why some may not be willing to go for a DSLR
I respectfully disagree. (Oh and btw, when it comes to body style, DSLR and SLR are the same thing, SLR = Film, DSLR = digital. ) Either you get a simple point and shoot or you go the extra bit and get a true DSLR. I say this not out of pride or an over enlarged ego bent on owning the best but out of practicality. Semi-SLRs are designed to fill the gap between point and shoot and SLRs, a gap that should not exist. The whole idea of the SLR format is flexibilty and the idea of the point and shoot is simplicity. In my honest opinion, the sole purpose of the Semi-SLR lineup is to take advantage of those who, for the lack of better word, "don't know better". Semi-SLR are cheaper, that's true but they don't offer the upgradability of an SLR, so why are the Semi-SLRs more expensive than simple point and shoots? I believe that those who are looking into the Semi-SLR market want to take their photography beyond the simple confines of a quick snapshot. The idea of interchangable lenses allow the photographer to upgrade their lens once they master (grow out) of thier current lens and feel as if they are restricted by what they have. What will happen when the photographer grows out of the Semi-SLR? Buy a new one? Those who follow SLR photography know that the quality of the lens heavily outweigh the quality of the body. Because of this, it is not unsual for a photographer to keep a body for years while accumalating different lenses, thus opening his photography posibilties even further while the Semi-SLR owner has to decide whether he/she should accept their camera for what it is and live with it or buy a new one. Also, when it finally comes time to purchase a new body, the SLR layout offers another benefit. Since the mounting interface between the lens and the body are limited, most if not all of your old lenses will fit on your new body. IMO, buying a Semi-SLR as a "learning camera" is a complete waste of money. I don't know where the myth of "DSLRs are hard to use" came from but it's completely untrue. Learn the basics and learn what the functions on the camera are for and you have 90% of the things taken care of, in short RTMFM (Read The Mother F**king Manual). I'm, by no means, suggesting that DSLRs are right for everybody but those who are interested in exploring the possibilities of photography or just simply want to take better photographs, there's no reason to ever turn to a Semi-SLR. Yes, a full body DSLR may cost more but it has the potential to be the last camera you will ever buy.
G10 is a semi DSLR. Lens can be change but not much variety to choose from. I'm currently using D80, its fun. Planing to upgrade to D90 soon. Fujofilm also have their own Semi-dslr but the lens is no changeable if i'm not mistaken. But noise start to come out after 1600iso.
