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Panasonic DMC-FZ50 10.1MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)
Studio : Panasonic
by Panasonic
Brand : Panasonic
Model : DMC-FZ50K
Monitor Size : 200
Digital Zoom : 4
Display Size : 2
Minimum Focal Length : 7.4
Maximum Focal Length : 88.8
Release Date : 2006-08-09
Publisher : Panasonic
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Color : Black
EAN : 0037988985807
UPC : 037988985807
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 160 reviews)
List Price : $549.95
Our Price : $649.95
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10.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
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12x image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.0-inch free-angle LCD display
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Intelligent ISO Control (I.I.C.) reduces image blur from subject movement and low light
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Records full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) at 30 frames per second
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Stores images on SD memory cards (32MB card included); powered by li-ion battery pack (battery and charger included)
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Product Description |
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The 10.1 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 features a powerful f2.8 Leica DC lens with 12x optical zoom. The lens focal length is equivalent to 35-420mm on a 35mm film camera and is enhanced by Mega Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) system. The DMC-FZ50's 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD for its image sensor and Venus Engine III for the image processing LSI makes it possible to record a image at maximum ISO 1600 high sensitivity setting at full resolution. Furthermore, by dramatically reducing the noise levels that challenged its predecessor, the DMC-FZ50 is able to capture 10.1-megapixel full resolution images even in high sensitivity recording. The DMC-FZ50 is equipped with a new Function Button which serves as a shortcut to quickly set frequently-used settings such as recording image size, light metering, AF area, white balance, and ISO sensitivity. The 2-inch LCD flips out to 180 degrees, making it easier to view even when shooting from high or low angles. Finally, the battery life is greatly extended by approximately 29% compared with its predecessor allowing the FZ50 to shoot approximately 360 images on one charge. In addition to standard VGA 640 x 480 at 30 frames per second (fps) motion image recording, the DMC-FZ50 also records full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA 848 x 480 at 30 fps. Self Timer - 10 seconds / 2 seconds Recording Format Still Image - JPEG, DPOF corresponding Still Image with Audio - JPEG + QuickTime Burst Shooting Mode - Standard Full-resolution image Mode Up to 5 images at 2 or 1 frames per seconds, Up to 3 images in Fine Mode LCD Monitor - Free-angle 2.0 inch Diagonal Polycrystalline TFT LCD Display (207k pixels) Direct Print PictBridge Power Supply - Lithium-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 710 mAh) Battery Life - Up to 360 pictures Dimensions - Height 3.37 x Width 5.54 x Depth 5.59 inch Weight - 1.47 pounds |
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THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GREAT BECAUSE OF LEICA...BUT |
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I thought this was going to be a great little camera but just because Leica made the lense and Panasonic makes the body doesn't mean that it is quality. Leica also sells the same camera but Leica's software is much better. I don't know if the CCD is the same in both cameras, but the Panasonic has way too much noise in the image. I dumped my camera and bought a Canon 50D. Now this is quality. If you buy a Canon be sure to buy L lenses. Hope this helps. |
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Just what I hoped for |
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I am not a digital camera maven, nor am I highly experienced. I use these devices for my work as a glass artist and I view them from a very utilitarian perspective. The fine points of Venus engine noise issues and sensor size mostly escape me, and I do not analyze image quality with a magnifying glass. Nearly all digital camera images look good to me (Leica lens or not), just like nearly all pizza tastes good to me too. I needed a 10 meg sensor, an articulated lens and a good zoom all with decent battery life. The Lumix FZ 50 delivered on all. The 10 meg sensor was not so I could print out poster sized images with good resolution, but rather so I could shoot an image on site, and later on zoom into details I may not have paid attention to. With my previous 5 meg camera it pixelated too quickly, but the 10 meg gives me the "blow up" I wanted. The articulated lens is something I got used to on my Olympus C5060, and now deem a necessity. I regularly shoot over my head, on the floor, at myself, etc. and the movable LCD lets this happen easily. I never use digital zoom, so a good optical was important, and the FZ 50's is great. I particularly like; The zoom is manual so it is quiet, has less moving parts to fail, uses less power, and is fast. You can also decrease your resolution size and effectively increase your zoom to get really close without resorting to digital zoom. Hand in hand with the sizable zoom is the image stabilization. I had never had this in a camera before and would either lug my tripod around or search for some kind of bracing. While the stabilization is fantastic and does away with some of the aforementioned props, when doing an extreme zoom or very low level lighting I still use a tripod. Starting with a full charge the battery life is more than up to a typical days use for me, but I still bought two extras as their price is so low. I only have a few improvements I would have liked. When using the LCD for a self portrait it does not invert the image. It is a little tricker to frame the shot when it is upside down, and I am puzzled as to why Panasonic did it that way. It would have also been better if the screen flipped out from the top, so you could use it extended while also using a tripod. I would have like a wireless remote. The self timer and corded remote shutter release is OK up to a point, but if I want to get 40 feet away and do multiple shots the wireless would have allowed that. This camera will only shoot RAW and jpgs. Since I was used to TIFF as my default it forces me to think more about my file handling, but I am getting used to it. While the file sizes are smaller, I wonder why Panasonic did not give the user the option for that format. In spite of my minor criticisms, I love this camera and have had no regrets. The more I use it the more I appreciate it. Accessories purchased: Two extra battery packs, Wide Angle lens, remote shutter release, external flash. |
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value for your money |
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I love my FZ 50! I loved my FZ30 also and it sold me on this one. For what you may spend on a lens for a digital SLR you can have this camera that suits 99% of my needs. A zoom range of 35-420mm (equivalent)tack sharp optics, hot shoe for external flash,rotateable electronic view finder,sturdy construction, and more features than most of us will ever use, this camera is a good value for the money. I was content with the FZ30 but when I saw the FZ50 megapixel lust overtook me! The only drawback I have encountered is when I use a pc sync to my studio lights the camera defaults to F/4.0 which is not enough depth of field/focus for me when I am shooting a group photo. (I know I could solve that problem if I bought the dedicated flash and made it sync to my lights.) It was delivered much faster than when I order from NY based camera stores. Happy hunting- Bill in AZ |
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Close to Perfect |
I bought this camera used. I had a few 12X cameras, I will be happy with this camera for a long time. It is a work of art to hold and use. I got use to the manual zoom pretty fast. The image quality is excellent. I hear about noise and noise reduction. I can see it, but only at full size on a large lcd monitor. Pixel peepers may see flaws, but in the real world, images from this camera make excellent 11X14 prints, maybe even larger. Colors are accurate, and images are sharp, and performance is pretty fast. It is a beast to carry around, like a family size can of beans around your neck. Still lighter than a SLR with equiv zoom.
The bottom line, this is the best you can get (in my opinion) in a 12X zoom or more, digital camera. |
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NICE UPGRADE FROM MY DMC-FZ7 |
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This is the 3rd Panasonic Lumix that I have owned (previous 2 were the FZ5 and the FZ7). Again as with the previous 2, the FZ50 was an upgrade. I mainly upgrade to better enhance my photographic capabilities. I am far from being a pro but a notch higher than a novice. This camera provides flexibility and freedom to take your skills to the next level. First off, I like the 12x optical zoom (which can be extended up to 21x if you taper down the resolution). There are no gimmicks to this feature, what you see distance-wise in the EVF or LCD is exactly what the lens projects. The 10MP resolution is quite of an overkill considering that you can make oustanding prints in the 5-6MP range. Nevertheless, having the ability to increase/decrease the resolution is very handy and re-assuring. The swivel-screen LCD is also a dynamic feature. Very incrimental if you need to compose an angled shot. The function button (as with the joystick with the smaller FZ models) is a nice feature to have if you want to jump in directly to some features without a longer scroll time on the menu button. The ability to handle SDHC is great considering a lot of the memory cards out there now are high-capacity. The camera itself is light enough to carry for extended periods of time. The flash is strong enough for normal conditions although I would advise you to buy an external flash if you need to compose shots in extra-ordinary conditions. The ergonomics of this camera is simply amazing! I do not have huge hands but it seems to fit my hand at just the right place. Shutter buttons and all the other buttons are easily accessible. There's not a lot of unnecessary movement required. Everything is within handy reach. The ability to shoot at ISO values up to 1600 goes hand in hand with the new OIS abilities although I seldom require shooting at those high ISO figures. The Venus III engine is superb although in my experience, you have to fine tune the NR down to its lowest level (or turned off in some cases) to get an outstanding shot. The MEGA OIS works just right and works all the time. You can actually do a test yourself composing a shot, with the OIS turned ON/OFF to see the difference. And the good thing is, YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE! You also have the ability to do RAW with this camera but it is slow. JPEG is still the best. Unless you have a good photo editing software, JPEG will suit you fine in normal operating conditions. The Leica Lens is just superb, sharp and outstanding. No other camera (in my humble opinion) in this price-range and resolution can out-do the things you can be capable of doing. I'm very happy I bought this camera! |
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