Panasonic DMC-FZ7
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Panasonic just introduced the DMC-FZ7 a replacement for the camera I’ve been using to shoot during my runs.
The most important new feature is the addition of manual focus (controlled by a joystick - remains to be seen how easy it it to use, say, compared to a manual focus ring).
I was hoping for RAW support, but alas. Also, with 12x zoom, it’d be nice to have a wider range, maybe 28-336mm instead of the 36-432mm that it has.
The FZ5 is a terrific running camera (it’s not tiny, but for its capabilities, it quite small). The FZ7 looks like an improvement — probably not enough to trade in an FZ5, but if I were shopping for a new camera (or if I still owned an FZ3) I’d probably get the FZ7.
Ideally I’d do all my shooting with an SLR - the photos are much better. But when I’m out there running for many hours, especially in a 50 or 100 miler, carrying that much weight is out of the question — not if I want to make the cutoffs 
- dc
February 9th, 2006 at 5:14 pm
Hi Don,
Looks like the DMC-FZ7 is an excellent alternative to carrying around a DSLR. As you know, I’m sort of a Canon guy… what do you think about the Powershot S2 IS (still no RAW support, unfortunately)?
By the way, looks like the DMC-FZ7 will support conversion lenses, so will be able to expand the focal lengths on both ends. What do you think about the Lumix DMC-FZ30? It’s even closer to a DSLR… Too big??
Brian
February 9th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
If the FZ7 were more of a step up from the FZ5, I’d get one (if it had RAW, I’d get it in a minute).
I take the FZ over the S2 I think. It’s lighter, and it has faster auto-focus, less purple fringing (a problem with a number of the Canon point-and-shoots).
Here are the cameras side-by-side (along with the FZ5):
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_s2is%2Cpanasonic_dmcfz7%2Cpanasonic_dmcfz5&show=all
And the conclusion page of the FZ5 and S2 IS review (they don’t have the FZ7 review up - yet):
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz5/page11.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons2is/page15.asp
I think the FZ30 is interesting (RAW support), but you’re right, it’s closer to SLR size. Still though, I’d like to try one on the trails (I’m going to try my Rebel + lenses in a couple of weeks at Coyote Four Play). One thing is, for casual use (and use on the trails) a camera like the FZ30 has a definite advantage — no worrying about lenses.
- dc
March 19th, 2006 at 4:59 am
What about the “noise” issues with the Lumix (both DMC FZ5 and DMC FZ7 - note the FZ7 review is now up)? Do you think these cameras will generally out perform the Canon S2 IS from an image quality perspective? My preference is towards clearer, sharper images with lots of detail (just love macro shots) and from reviews I think the FZs lens helps with this.
L