Panasonic FZ30 or Olympus 550 UZ ? HELP!!

BamBam · #1 (**permalink**) 26-04-2007, 12:46 PM

Hi

Sorry not been on for a while ...Wab is so seriously addictive...I could easily be done for child neglect!

Anyway I have a quandry re cameras.
Have a Fuji Finepix S304 which has taken some reasonable pics but want to upgrade,since it's okay on macro but I ocasionally want to photograph birds too and the zoom is inadequate.

I need a camera that is easy to use and don't want to have loads of lenses ( had a canon SLR with Sigma 105 macro) so a Bridge camera seems to make sense.
Looking on Wab the Panasonic FZ30 appears to fit the bill and seems to have the edge over the FZ50 for image quality...If I can find one !

However I've seen the reviews for the Olympus 550 UZ with an 18x zoom...which seems tempting due to it's smaller size ....a consideration since I usually have binnoculars round my neck.

I wondered if anyone has this camera and were willing to give an opinion.

Any gems of wisdom gratefully received!

Matt and Glsammy have already been pestered privately so to speak!!

BamBam

smartie · #2 (**permalink**) 26-04-2007, 02:22 PM

I've got the Olympus, and I'll tell you what I can, but I have to say I'm no great shakes as a photographer and I can't compare it with any of the other current favourites because I haven't tried them. But, nevertheless...

You can take pictures of birds OK with the camera, but don't expect too much. At full zoom, this is how a bird appears in the frame at about 10-12 feet.

At 20-24 feet you get this.

I make no claims for the image quality, which has been compromised further by compression, but you'll get an idea of how far the bird doesn't fill the frame.

The reviews say the camera isn't great at low light levels and that is certainly true. You get a lot of what they tell me is called noise (I did say I wasn't a photographer!

)

My experience so far is that it can do excellent macro images and the image stabilisation works well. It is light and very easy to use.

Pete · #3 (**permalink**) 26-04-2007, 06:58 PM

bam bam clear your PM file

trevorc · #4 (**permalink**) 19-05-2007, 11:45 PM

I have an FZ50 and I've seen little evidence that the SP550 matches it in quality. You can see my bird images in my Gallery. I know the Pannys have their critics but I don't think that anything less than an SLR really competes if it's birds that your using it for. I actually wish the competion was a bit tougher.

Trevor Carpenter
trevor@kiln28.waitrose.com
Trevor Carpenter A Calendar of Hampshire Birds.
My Galleries Picasa Web Albums - Trevor

Wild-Woman · #5 (**permalink**) 20-05-2007, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevorc

I have an FZ50 and I've seen little evidence that the SP550 matches it in quality. You can see my bird images in my Gallery. I know the Pannys have their critics but I don't think that anything less than an SLR really competes if it's birds that your using it for. I actually wish the competion was a bit tougher.

Trevor Carpenter
trevor@kiln28.waitrose.com
Trevor Carpenter A Calendar of Hampshire Birds.
My Galleries Picasa Web Albums - Trevor

I've had my FZ50 for a couple of weeks and although lots different from my FZ7 I'm more than happy with it. I've still got lots to learn and get used to on it. As the summer gets under way I'm hoping to get some good macros.
jules

Boddie · #6 (**permalink**) 20-05-2007, 01:18 PM

I love my FZ30. Its a fantastic camera. I cant tell you anything about the Oly but the FZ30 is a legend

glsammy · #7 (**permalink**) 20-05-2007, 07:31 PM

Andrew is spot on. The FZ30 is a superb camera. THE best one this side of a DSLR. It handles really well, by that I mean it starts fast, can shoot really fast until your cards full, has a DSLR type zoom and focus ring, which works brilliantly, plus all the buttons are where they should be. I only had one for a few months before I upgraded again, but it proved itself to me anyway!

BamBam · #8 (**permalink**) 21-05-2007, 07:43 PM

Hi guys

Many Thanks for your comments.
I've actually bought a Panasonic FZ50 from a fellow Wab member and I'm thrilled with the results especially on Macro.When I've figured out how to upload to Wab I'll do so.

Once Again

Thanks for your comments

BabBam