ARmy Rumour SErvice

**maguire** · 23-09-2010, 22:26

Originally Posted by dingerr

I spoke to someone today, who saw my post on here (forgot to ask his username), and recommends the Panasonic Lumix tz10. From the description and his experience of using the tz series it looks as if this camera will be an ideal starting point. I'll also buy a joby gorillapod (had one in Afghan) and can wrap it round my left arm, image stabilization will help here.

If I find that I'm not really that into photography at least I haven't totally wasted my money, as the camera can be used for snapping away, albeit with more features than are really necessary.

Please let me know if this is a very bad idea.

I bought a Lumix TZ (the TZ6) to replace my old compact a while back (maguire sr. had been using the TZ7 for some time and raved about it) - in good light it keeps up easily with my D90 costing five times the price. the TZ10 will give you a Leica lens, IS system and a massive zoom - I havent seen anyone bad mouth it significantly yet.

**Gremlin** · 23-09-2010, 22:30

Originally Posted by dingerr

Please let me know if this is a very bad idea.

The TZ series are great cameras. The only caveat is to make sure that you get to handle one first to make sure that the buttons aren't too fiddly for you. Other than that, go for it.

**dingerr** · 23-09-2010, 22:53

What the piggin' 'eck is a bridge camera?

**Gremlin** · 23-09-2010, 23:09

Originally Posted by dingerr

What the piggin' 'eck is a bridge camera?

It's another description for the superzooms that I listed in my first post with the exception of the G11.

Basically bigger than a standard compact, smaller than a DSLR, and with a non detachable large range zoom lens. Hence bridging the gap between compacts and DSLRs!

**dingerr** · 23-09-2010, 23:33

Just found this rather alarming opinion about the Panasonic DMC-FZ45

Very disappointed with this purchase. Takes pictures but nothing special. Movie mode is useless with practcally no sound. Uploading has to be by Panasonic rules or nothing. Support is virtually non- existant; they don't even recognise the battery supplied with it so I can't buy a spare. Too late to send it back but wish I could. Will never touch Panasonic again.

Is Panasonic guilty of this across the entire range?

Could you suggest other alternatives?

**maguire** · 23-09-2010, 23:44

Originally Posted by dingerr

Just found this rather alarming opinion about the Panasonic DMC-FZ45

Very disappointed with this purchase. Takes pictures but nothing special. Movie mode is useless with practcally no sound. Uploading has to be by Panasonic rules or nothing. Support is virtually non- existant; they don't even recognise the battery supplied with it so I can't buy a spare. Too late to send it back but wish I could. Will never touch Panasonic again.

Is Panasonic guilty of this across the entire range?

Could you suggest other alternatives?

true about the battery, but I dont know what he's talking about otherwise. but unless you're shooting with flash all the time the battery has a decent life. as for uploading, mine plugs straight in via usb and I lift the pics straight off the memory card. nothing wrong with the sound either.

**dingerr** · 23-09-2010, 23:47

Originally Posted by maguire

true about the battery, but I dont know what he's talking about otherwise. but unless you're shooting with flash all the time the battery has a decent life. as for uploading, mine plugs straight in via usb and I lift the pics straight off the memory card. nothing wrong with the sound either.

But does it take good pictures? He said they were nothing special.

**Gremlin** · 23-09-2010, 23:47

Typical dipshit, disgruntled punter review!

If you want to see some objective ones type 'Panasonic FZ45 review' into Google and read sites like CNet etc, they all rate it highly.

Panasonic make some of the best compacts on the market, as I said earlier. They are Leica's parent company.

**maguire** · 24-09-2010, 00:11

Originally Posted by dingerr

But does it take good pictures? He said they were nothing special.

I said at the top of the page - in good light, you're hard pressed to see any difference between pics from my TZ6 and the ones off my D90. almost every Lumix's lens system is designed by Leica, as Grem says (look out for the L on the body next to the lens.) some of the current Leica models are just rebadged Panasonic's with slightly different firmware. bad cameras they are not.

**Gremlin** · 24-09-2010, 00:24

Originally Posted by dingerr

But does it take good pictures? He said they were nothing special.

Judge for yourself. I normally ignore Flickr, but it's useful for looking at camera users groups.

This one is for the FZ45:

Flickr: PANASONIC LUMIX FZ45

Not many pics, but then again it's a very new camera!

Edit: this one's a bit better:

Flickr: The Panasonic Lumix DMC- FZ45 Pool