Panasonic Bridge cameras

[MeadsMan]

Hello,I have been considering a purchase of one of Panasonics super zoom compacts,but unless I am mistaken,most seem to have an electronic viewfinder,if I could have any opinions of this type of viewfinder compared to a DSLR type viewfinder,I would be greatfull.Are they almost the same ,or nothing alike,is there any shutter lag on these types of cameras ?

With thanks.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

I cant comment on the panasonic but my wife has a fuji bridge camera.The electronic viewfinder is Ok , I wouldn't want to manual focus with one but then you dont have to. The main pain with the fuji is the shutter lag, you can miss quite a few action (kids) shots if you're not careful.
Like I say though I have not used a panasonic.

neil

[Ukwildlifeo]

Ive been using my panasonic fz7 for a year and a half and for what I paid for it £170, Ive been more than satisfied with the results. Id look at the fz 18, fz50 and the fujis

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Ive been using my panasonic fz7 for a year and a half and for what I paid for it £170, Ive been more than satisfied with the results. Id look at the fz 18, fz50 and the fujis

Or a very old second hand FZ20 Neil!!!

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by The Black Rabbit

Or a very old second hand FZ20 Neil!!!

Of course, but sadly like the fz7 there a bit thin on the ground

[glsammy]

I need glasses to read, but I've always managed just fine with electronic viewfinders.
I think most bridge cameras suffer from some shutter lag, I know my Panasonic did, not as bad as some but it was there. Not sure about the latest versions.

[HowlinWolf]

There are advantages and disadvantages with electronic viewfinders. The electronic finder produces an image on a small screen (similar to the screen on the back of the camera), and consequently uses significant battery power as a result: an optical finder does not. Electronic finders, however, do not suffer from parallax error, which optical finders on compacts do. This only becomes important when photographing close-ups. SLR viewfinders don't suffer from this as they produce the image on the screen exactly as the lens sees it, as does the electronic finder. It's worth noting that the majority of DSLR cameras don't show 100% of the image in the viewfinder: electronic finders do.
I've only come across one electronic viewfinder, and found it somewhat wanting. The colours were false and the image coarse, plus it had a disconcerting jerky motion as the camera was moved to compose the image.
The obvious solution would be to handle this type of camera, and see if the viewfinder is to your liking. As far as shutter lag goes, it has been vastly improved during the past few years (it used to be horrendous), but still won't be as responsive as a pro-spec SLR. Again, you have to judge for yourself with hands-on assessment to know if it will suit your shooting needs.

HW

[The Black Rabbit]

On the subject of electronic viewfinders (on Panasonic Bridges esp)...

I know its a bit daft, but after a couple of years in the late '80s with a manual Olympus OM10, and a couple of months borrowing my (soon to be) father in law's manual Minolta, after getting hold of MH68's second hand FZ20, (must be about 5 or 6 years old now, and he took 10s of 1000s of pictures on it before I bought it off him), I'm still delirious with glee that I don't have to look through ANY viewfinder to see the resulting image when I depress the shutter button.
Started taking digital photographs with this Panasonic Bridge in late November last year, and it is still a joy just to own a digital camera with a screen on the back! I know its daft!

I have taken loads of photo's since November, and not used the electronic viewfinder once - but I do admit, in bright sunshine, when the screen becomes unviewable, it may have its advantages.
I like the new(ish) Panny Bridges with those rotating screens to avoid the glare from the sun.
One day I may get one! One day..... (sigh).

As for shutter lag - not noticed it mesel - but thats probably another result of just the simple joy of owning a half-decent digital camera - I'm prepared to forgive a lot!


Not much help am I?
Aw well....


Good luck with your photography with whatever you finally choose.

TBR

[ollyk]

Originally Posted by wildlifesnapper

Hi

I cant comment on the panasonic but my wife has a fuji bridge camera.The electronic viewfinder is Ok , I wouldn't want to manual focus with one but then you dont have to. The main pain with the fuji is the shutter lag, you can miss quite a few action (kids) shots if you're not careful.
Like I say though I have not used a panasonic.

neil

actually I found manual focus confirmation great on my 8700 as contrast was greatly enhanced when focus was achieved. The only problem was the way manual focusing was implemented on the camera it was so slow.

But all the information available in the EVF was handy and previewing images in bright sunlight was superb!

I just got rid of my 8700 and before I did so compared it to my 350d. Not the big difference with the viewfinder people make out! Surely they have improved in 4 years?

[ellen h]

I have recently purchased a Panasonic fz18 camera and I love it.Of course you will not get the quality of a dlsr but every now and then it produces a gem!
It is very light,sits well in the hand and although there is a slight shutter lag have still been able to get a shot of a bird or two before they fly off-see whitethroat pic,thought I had missed it but was pleased with the shot.
Also the zoom is good,but would recommend a tripod at times(I have yet to get one but will it be an advantage)Still finding out what it can do,I am not disappointed in my purchase.
Battery life is very good too. Ellen