10,1mp Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50

[Rokcet Scientist]

Panasonic has announced the latest in the FZ 'double digit' series of prosumer digital cameras (a replacement for the FZ30). The Lumix DMC-FZ50 features a twelve times optical zoom lens, optical image stabilization, a ten megapixel sensor, up to ISO 1600 sensitivity and something Panasonic call IIC (Intelligent ISO control). This new feature monitors the amount of movement in the frame and adjusts the ISO sensitivity automatically at the time of exposure (higher for more movement).

f/2.8!

12x optical zoom for 10,1 megapixel recording (equivalent to 35 mm to 420 mm on a 35 mm film camera). Up to 21.4x for 3-megapixel image recording, 17.1x for 5-megapixel and 13.4x for 8-megapixel recording!

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0607/06...asonicfz50.asp

[Mr. Pickles]

Its pretty

[Paul Shields]

10mp on a 1/1.8" CCD? Is this just another example of the megapixel madness? It would seem to be a marketing decision rather than some technical achievement, though I'll be happy to see this proved wrong.

[Rokcet Scientist]

Up to 21.4x for 3-megapixel images

That's equivalent to 750mm focal length (in 35mm format)!!!
Could be a great cam for birding/wildlife/trekking.

[scoundrel1728]

But only 12x of that is true optical zoom. The rest is digital zoom under a different name.

[Rokcet Scientist]

But only 12x of that is true optical zoom.* The rest is digital zoom under a different name.

Digital zoom on a 3 or 5 megapixel cam looks terrible.
Consequently it is useless.
But a 10,1 megapixel cam (obviously) has pixels to spare.
And suddenly digital zoom IS useful! VERY useful!
A 3mp image (750mm virtual focal length) can result in tack sharp 8x10" prints of that gold/purple/green hummingbird (IF you brought your beanbag!).

The higher the resolution, the more useful the digital zoom feature is.

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by Rokcet Scientist

Digital zoom on a 3 or 5 megapixel cam looks terrible.
Consequently it is useless.
But a 10,1 megapixel cam (obviously) has pixels to spare.
And suddenly digital zoom IS useful! VERY useful!
A 3mp image (750mm virtual focal length) can result in tack sharp 8x10" prints of that gold/purple/green hummingbird (IF you brought your beanbag!).

The higher the resolution, the more useful the digital zoom feature is.

I saw the sample pics Panasonic put in their Japanese website- horrible. As Paul predicted. The noise reduction kills details. Those '10 megapixels" act more like 5-8. I for one I am very dissapointed. Panasonic is doing an excellent job of having had a climb to fame with the FZ20 being gradually killed wiht the FZ30 and now FZ50.

- Raist

[sean_buerger]

So many mega pixel, and yet no 28mm wide angle

Justa thought. Sean

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Rokcet Scientist

f/2.8!

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0607/06...asonicfz50.asp

What – besides that fashionable moniker and a commensurate price – makes you think that camera is really better/faster/more reliable than its competitors? Is there an independent review? A side-by-side comparison?
Until then the jury is still out on this one, Rokcet Scientist!



Max@Home

[Rokcet Scientist]

What – besides that fashionable moniker and a commensurate price – makes you think that camera is really better/faster/more reliable than its competitors?

Hope?

Is there an independent review? A side-by-side comparison?

NTIKO

Until then the jury is still out on this one, Rokcet Scientist!

Party pooper!

[Rokcet Scientist]

10mp on a 1/1.8" CCD? Is this just another example of the megapixel madness? It would seem to be a marketing decision rather than some technical achievement, though I'll be happy to see this proved wrong.

Seems Nikon have a 10.2mp dSLR out in 20 days. Let's hope they employ a much larger sensor then, eh, Paul?
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0607/06...dslrteaser.asp

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by Rokcet Scientist

Seems Nikon have a 10.2mp dSLR out in 20 days. Let's hope they employ a much larger sensor then, eh, Paul?
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0607/06...dslrteaser.asp

It's the same sensor of the D200.

- Raist

[Rokcet Scientist]

Originally Posted by Raist3d

It's the same sensor of the D200.

What is the same sensor as in the D200?
The sensor in Nikon's new, to be announced cam, or the sensor in the FZ50?
Or both?

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by Rokcet Scientist

What is the same sensor as in the D200?
The sensor in Nikon's new, to be announced cam, or the sensor in the FZ50?
Or both?

Nikon's new.

- Raist

PS: FZ50? Hah! no. hehe.

[Rokcet Scientist]

Originally Posted by Raist3d

Nikon's new.

You seem to have the inside track! Do give us the benefit of your knowledge, please: what, exactly, is new and amazing about Nikon's forthcoming model, Raist? Wow us!

[Rokcet Scientist]

OK, here's the review! Just posted: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06...fz50review.asp

[badpickev]

i stopped here

Shutter speed • Auto: 1/4 - 1/2000 sec *
• Program AE: 1 - 1/2000 sec *
• Aperture/Shutter priority: 8 - 1/2000 sec
• Manual mode: 60 - 1/2000 sec *
• Shutter speeds over 1/1000 sec not available with all apertures.

[scoundrel1728]

Not sure what you find objectionable to the shutter speed specs. Even professional cameras of yesteryear didn't even have shutter speeds above 1/1000 second, with or without aperture restrictions. The slow shutter speed restrictions are also not unusual for compact cameras.