Topic: I need some quick camera advice

[Chuck]

http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/tech4less/DMC-LZ7K?id=4GtEVc9I&mv_pc=38

I'm looking at the Panasonic DMC-LZ7K.

I can pick it up for $80 locally. The sale ends today.

My current camera, Nikon CoolPix (sucks in low light)
and isn't that great in flash either.

I'm just looking for a point and shooter that I can take to shows etc...

Anyone have this or know anything about it?

I need to know whether it's any good today, before it goes off sale.

Thanks in advance,

Chuck

[rastasean]

Well personally I think the quicktime mov format is antiquated now. Panasonic and Sony created the new compressed format, avchd, that the newest panasonic cameras use that format. Mov is all right but if you plan on using the video feature, don't expect it to perform too well.
this may not be too much better in low light than your coolpix but it is nice that this one runs off just AA batteries.

[willndmb]

the plus to quicktime is you can edit it much easier and its ok for youtube

[Chuck]

I'm just looking to use it as a still camera, mostly.
They have a very liberal return policy, so I may just buy one and check it out.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

The f stop on that camera is f/2 - f/4.5. I would consider that to be okay. If it started at f/4.5 I would say no way. f/2 is pretty good.

I like to keep the lens open to f2.8 (or greater. For the f stop, lower is better).

The more you zoom the smaller the aperture so when you're really zoomed in, you will probably get some blurring (because you'll be at f/4.5), unless it's a really well lit stage. Ideally you would be close to the stage.

So, in ideal situations this will work.

IMO the best point and shot for the concert goer is the Canon S90 ($350 new). And even then I wouldn't expect professional results all the time.

Also, you don't want to use a flash at shows unless you are a few feet from the stage (and that's not nice to do to the performer). That little flash will only light up the heads of people in front of you.

I do really like the Panasonic cameras. They are right up there with Canon and Nikon. Certainly the best cameras from the non-camera companies.

If I had to guess I would think it would be either the same or just slightly better than your Nikon (since you didn't mention a model, I can't tell you for sure)

Oh, the sensor also has something to do with it, so you can't expect all camera that open to f/2 to perform the same.

With the liberal return policy you might want to give it a try.

[Chuck]

Thanks Mike. I don't recall the Nikon model #. But the noise in low light settings is horribly bad. Unusable in my opinion.

As far as f stops and all that...

My first real career was as a news photographer in the early 80's. I had three F3's (two high points) with motor drives, lenses from 24mm 2.8 to 300mm 2.8 and owned almost every Nikon body before the V3 (V2, FM, FE) at some point. They could all use the same lenses back in those days. I still have an FM. I got out of the photo biz before digital came along, so I'm pretty much clue-less about the digital stuff.

I am seriously disappointed in Nikon for selling such a piece of crap in the CoolPix... It's just horrible.

[mattmiller]

IMO the best point and shot for the concert goer is the Canon S90 ($350 new).

I've been needing to upgrade, and you just sold me on the S90.  Just placed my order from Amazon for $360.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

IMO the best point and shot for the concert goer is the Canon S90 ($350 new).

I've been needing to upgrade, and you just sold me on the S90.  Just placed my order from Amazon for $360.

 

Should I email Amazon and ask for a commission? 

Right on Chuck for being a news photographer. People ask me all the time why I don't shoot pictures for a living. Your one of the people that understand why I don't! I love photography, but there is no way I could do it for a living.

Chuck, if you at a show in Boulder and want to borrow the 50D and 50mm f1.8 you're welcome to it anytime.

[rastasean]

I am seriously disappointed in Nikon for selling such a piece of crap in the CoolPix... It's just horrible.

I feel ya. I got a real old coolpix, 5700 series. its good for the time-lapses but not much else. we just have to remember that other nikon gear is very great but for point and shoot, I would take anything panasonic.

Your one of the people that understand why I don't! I love photography, but there is no way I could do it for a living.

People like joe mcnally and scott kebly do pretty well but they don't just focus on photography. they sell books, have seminars,  talk shows, etc.

[Chuck]

IMO the best point and shot for the concert goer is the Canon S90 ($350 new).

I've been needing to upgrade, and you just sold me on the S90.  Just placed my order from Amazon for $360.

 

Should I email Amazon and ask for a commission? 

Right on Chuck for being a news photographer. People ask me all the time why I don't shoot pictures for a living. Your one of the people that understand why I don't! I love photography, but there is no way I could do it for a living.

Chuck, if you at a show in Boulder and want to borrow the 50D and 50mm f1.8 you're welcome to it anytime.

Thanks for the offer.

At the end I even shot several friends weddings... 
When I put the cameras down I never looked back and haven't really had a "good' camera all these years since.

My step-daughter followed a bit in my footsteps and is quite accomplished and makes good money on the side shooting team photos and action shots of kids soccer games. She's got a couple of Nikons with interchangeable lenses. I've used them a few times, but I have no desire to get back into the photography biz.