Panasonic fz7!

Arrived!!manual focus,2,5"LCD,movie 640x480,zoom cropped 3mpx 600
mm.ecc

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz7/

germano wrote:
Arrived!!manual focus,2,5"LCD,movie 640x480,zoom cropped 3mpx 600
mm.ecc

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz7/

Thanks for posting that, germano.

It's 6 MP for normal use. Adds manual focus, and longer maximum exposure
times (60 seconds). Brighter viewfinders in low light. Only 20g heavier,
so still a very compact and lightweight camera. Looks like a nice update.

Another winner, I suspect!

[I've copied to the ZLR group]

David

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 11:09:49 GMT, David J Taylor wrote:
germano wrote:
Arrived!!manual focus,2,5"LCD,movie 640x480,zoom cropped 3mpx 600
mm.ecc

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz7/

Thanks for posting that, germano.

It's 6 MP for normal use. Adds manual focus, and longer maximum exposure
times (60 seconds). Brighter viewfinders in low light. Only 20g heavier,
so still a very compact and lightweight camera. Looks like a nice update.

Another winner, I suspect!

Interesting. I'm mildly surprised that they didn't follow the pattern of
the FZ4/5 and introduce the FZ6/8 with the upper end one using the
sensor off the FZ30. I guess all the screaming about excessive noise due
to small pixels on the 8 MP sensor had an effect...

It's also a little odd that it didn't use the fold-out screen of the
FZ30. Other than that, about what you'd expect as the next generation of
the design series. I didn't see mention of list price or availability
dates; guessing $500 and March/April.

It's not a big enough jump to make me consider upgrading, but if I were
purchasing new around now, I might consider holding off the couple of
months.

-dms

Daniel Silevitch wrote:
[]
It's not a big enough jump to make me consider upgrading, but if I
were
purchasing new around now, I might consider holding off the couple of
months.

-dms

Yes, that is my view as well. What I have now - the FZ5 - works perfectly
well. No need to upgrade.

David

I had a feeling this would happen about now. They have kept the rumors
quiet. Now I hope it is inclusive of all of the features of the FZ5 and
goes from there.

Being a 6MP camera I do not understand why they did not call it an FZ6
unless they plan on announcing a downgraded version called an FZ6 for
less money.

Anybody hear how much this will cost?

David J Taylor wrote:

germano wrote:


Arrived!!manual focus,2,5"LCD,movie 640x480,zoom cropped 3mpx 600
mm.ecc

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz7/



Thanks for posting that, germano.

It's 6 MP for normal use. Adds manual focus, and longer maximum exposure
times (60 seconds). Brighter viewfinders in low light. Only 20g heavier,
so still a very compact and lightweight camera. Looks like a nice update.

Another winner, I suspect!

[I've copied to the ZLR group]

David

Daniel Silevitch wrote:

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 11:09:49 GMT, David J Taylor wrote:


germano wrote:


Arrived!!manual focus,2,5"LCD,movie 640x480,zoom cropped 3mpx 600
mm.ecc

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz7/


Thanks for posting that, germano.

It's 6 MP for normal use. Adds manual focus, and longer maximum exposure
times (60 seconds). Brighter viewfinders in low light. Only 20g heavier,
so still a very compact and lightweight camera. Looks like a nice update.


That is what I am planning. Too bad about a swivel lcd. I hope the FZ7
still supports the lines dividing the screen. To me that would be a nice
feature for composition and to keep the horizon level.

Another winner, I suspect!



Interesting. I'm mildly surprised that they didn't follow the pattern of
the FZ4/5 and introduce the FZ6/8 with the upper end one using the
sensor off the FZ30. I guess all the screaming about excessive noise due
to small pixels on the 8 MP sensor had an effect...

It's also a little odd that it didn't use the fold-out screen of the
FZ30. Other than that, about what you'd expect as the next generation of
the design series. I didn't see mention of list price or availability
dates; guessing $500 and March/April.

It's not a big enough jump to make me consider upgrading, but if I were
purchasing new around now, I might consider holding off the couple of
months.

-dms

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 16:27:59 GMT, measekite wrote:


Daniel Silevitch wrote:

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 11:09:49 GMT, David J Taylor wrote:


germano wrote:


Arrived!!manual focus,2,5"LCD,movie 640x480,zoom cropped 3mpx 600
mm.ecc

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz7/


Thanks for posting that, germano.

It's 6 MP for normal use. Adds manual focus, and longer maximum exposure
times (60 seconds). Brighter viewfinders in low light. Only 20g heavier,
so still a very compact and lightweight camera. Looks like a nice update.


That is what I am planning. Too bad about a swivel lcd. I hope the FZ7
still supports the lines dividing the screen. To me that would be a nice
feature for composition and to keep the horizon level.

I think I saw a mention in the preview that guidelines were still one of
the display options.

-dms

Daniel Silevitch wrote:

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 16:27:59 GMT, measekite wrote:


Daniel Silevitch wrote:



On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 11:09:49 GMT, David J Taylor wrote:




germano wrote:




Arrived!!manual focus,2,5"LCD,movie 640x480,zoom cropped 3mpx 600
mm.ecc

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz7/




Thanks for posting that, germano.

It's 6 MP for normal use. Adds manual focus, and longer maximum exposure
times (60 seconds). Brighter viewfinders in low light. Only 20g heavier,
so still a very compact and lightweight camera. Looks like a nice update.




That is what I am planning. Too bad about a swivel lcd. I hope the FZ7
still supports the lines dividing the screen. To me that would be a nice
feature for composition and to keep the horizon level.



I think I saw a mention in the preview that guidelines were still one of
the display options.

-dms


I read the preview and the grids were mentioned as an option. I wonder
when it will arrive. Then I plan on waiting until things settle down so
the price will move a little.

On Tue, 24 Jan 2006 01:32:24 GMT, measekite wrote:
I read the preview and the grids were mentioned as an option. I wonder
when it will arrive. Then I plan on waiting until things settle down so
the price will move a little.

Guessing (and it's just a guess, based on the FZ5) available in the
early spring at $500 list, street price in the $400-450 range.

I'm also curious to see what Canon, Sony, etc., will offer in response.

-dms

Daniel Silevitch wrote:

Interesting. I'm mildly surprised that they didn't follow the pattern
of the FZ4/5 and introduce the FZ6/8 with the upper end one using the
sensor off the FZ30. I guess all the screaming about excessive noise
due to small pixels on the 8 MP sensor had an effect...

They couldn't use the same sensor as in the FZ30 as it would have meant
that the FZ7 would have been much the same size as the FZ30. They
clearly wanted the FZ7 to stay as a compact version of the FZ30 for
those who prefer a smaller and lighter camera.

It's also a little odd that it didn't use the fold-out screen of the
FZ30. Other than that, about what you'd expect as the next generation
of the design series.

I would expect that the frame required for the fold-out screen would
have added extra weight as well as bulk, running against the design
requirements of a small and compact camera such as the FZ7 is.

--
Witold