New Bridge Camera

Good evening my sons birthday is on the horizon and he want a bridge camera he is definitely set his mind on either the Panasonic FZ200 or the FZ72 ,bearing in mind that he is already the owner of two DSLR's and he knows the bridge cameras limitations ,as he has left it to me,any advice would be most helpful

 

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 is a super-zoom camera featuring a wide-angle 24x zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout its 25-600mm range. Successor to the FZ150 model, the bridge-style Panasonic FZ200 compact offers a 3-inch 460K-pixel rotating LCD screen, a 1.31-million-dot electronic viewfinder, 1920x1080 50p Full HD video recording, a 12.1 megapixel high-sensitivity MOS image sensor, and 12fps continuous shooting without autofocus and 5.5fps with autofocus. Other key features include Intelligent Resolution technology, Light Speed auto-focus, a port for an optional stereo microphone, and an accessory shoe for an external flash. The FZ200 also offers Power O.I.S anti-shake system, iA (intelligent auto) mode, manual shooting modes, 3D still images, RAW format support, an ISO range of 100-6400, and Creative Control Mode during recording and Creative Re-touch Mode in playback. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 is available in black and retails for £499.99 / $599.99.

Ease of Use
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 is very similar in terms of its external design to its predecessor, the FZ150, so a lot of the comments that we made in that review apply equally to this latest model. The FZ200 looks to all intents and purposes just like a proper DSLR camera, albeit one with a large fixed lens and an electronic viewfinder. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 is dominated by the non-interchangeable 24x zoom lens that provides a very versatile focal range of 25-600mm. While this isn't as big as some of the FZ100's key competitors, most notably the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS with its huge 50x zoom, in real-world use it provides enough width and reach to satisfy most photographer's needs.

The maximum aperture of F/2.8 throughout the entire zoom range is unprecedented for this class of camera. The aforementioned Canon model, for example, doesn't offer F/2.8 at any focal length, never mind at 600mm. This is a big advantage for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 as it allows you to get sharper results and capture more "keepers" at the extreme ends of the zoom range - in our view, we'd rather have a shorter, faster lens than a longer, slower one. Whether Panasonic can convince people that a faster lens makes more difference to their photography than a longer lens remains to be seen though.

Panasonic's effective Power O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilization) is again on-board to help combat any unwanted camera shake, although you'll still need to use either a fast shutter speed or a tripod at the telephoto end of that massive zoom. When shooting video, Active Mode is automatically added to the POWER O.I.S. system. This compensates for the extra blur that can occur when you're walking and shooting video at the same time. A stubby barrel with chrome detailing encases and protects the optic when not in use. Note that the lens extends by 6cms when it's fully zoomed and the camera measures almost 15cms in depth, making it quite conspicuous.


The front of the FZ200 is very sparse looking, save for a lamp for the AF assist light/self timer to the left of the lens (when viewed head on). A good-sized hand-grip with tactile, leather-effect detailing houses the battery pack in its base. It's good to see a chunky lithium-ion rechargeable battery fitted as standard when some bridge models seem to think that four standard-quality AAs will suffice to get you going out of the box. Above the lens is a swift access pop up flash with a dedicated activation switch sitting alongside it, and there's also a hot shoe for mounting an external flashgun. The flash coverage offers a maximum range of 13.5m at wide-angle. On top of the pop-up flash is a very useful built-in stereo microphone which is retained from the FZ150.



Image Quality and Verdict
Panasonic Lumix FZ200 review – Image Quality

On the whole, the standard of images produced by the FZ200 is high. Images display a good, even tone with a respectable tonal range with detail maintained in both shadow and highlights. The camera’s metering system also performs well, with the FZ200 offering even exposures both in a variety of conditions and throughout the full focal range.

The FZ200 is also reliable with regards to white balance performance, with the model displaying a slight yellowy or magenta tinge around neutral areas. In low light conditions there is a slight tendency for images to appear cooler than the presented scene, although once again this doesn’t present any major performance issues.




Considering the large focal range and constant maximum aperture, the optics on the FZ200 present very few issues. Barrel distortion is much lower than expected at the wide end of the zoom, while chromatic aberrations are kept to a minimum and mostly restricted to the tele end of the zoom.

The FZ200 also notably performs well at higher ISO settings. The model handles noise well throughout the ISO range, with quality only really falling off at the very highest settings. Most notable is its performance at ISO 3200, which remains eminently usable.

Any of the image quality issues raised above can be largely dealt with if you choose to utilise the FZ200’s ability to shoot Raw. Any of the smudging found through noise reduction at higher ISO settings is noticeable in its absence with Raw files, and although they appear noisier to the eye they also appear sharper.

Panasonic Lumix FZ200 review – Verdict
The headline feature of the FZ200 is its ‘world’s first’ constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the focal range, so there’s no doubt that the optical capability of the camera is going to be the main focus for many photographers. The good news is that the camera performs particularly well in this area, producing some excellent images with very few flaws. Not only that, but being able to shoot at f/2.8 and a focal range of 600mm is a real luxury when you consider the size of the camera.

The FZ200 offers solid performance across the board and is just as capable shooting at its wider focal length as it is zoomed in. The vari-angle LCD screen is also a welcome feature, although it could do with being of a slightly higher specification.

The same can be said of the EVF, however it’s not surprising that certain elements we’re kept from being premium as the lens alone has made the FZ200 one of the more expensive bridge cameras on the market.

All told, as a complete package you’ll struggle to find a better camera in its class than the Panasonic FZ200.

Full Specification
Memory Card:SD, SDHC, SDXC
White Balance:Auto, 6 preset, custom


LCD:3in, 460k-dot free angle LCD
Video:1920 x 1080, 50p, 50i


Sensor:1/2.3in High sensitivity MOS, 12.1MP effective
Metering System:Intelligent multiple, Center weighted, Spot


Exposure Modes:PASM, iA, Scene
Flash Modes:Auto, Red-eye reduction, Forced on, Slow sync


Connectivity:miniHDMI, AV Output, USB multi, Microphone
ISO Range:100 – 3200 (6400 in extended mode)


Lens:24x optical zoom, 25 – 600mm in equivalent terms, f/2.8
Weight:537g


Power:Li-ion rechargeable, approx 540 pictures
Shutter Speeds:60 – 1/4000 sec


Dimensions:125.2 x 86.6 x 110.2mm
File Formats:JPEG, Raw, MPO, AVCHD, MP4

 

FZ72 is the range of its zoom lens, and so inevitably there has long been a contest between the major super-zoom manufacturers to see who could achieve the lens with the greatest zoom range.

The title has gone back and forth between Olympus, Canon, Fujifilm and Panasonic for years, but now it looks like Panasonic may get to keep the trophy, because the FZ72 sports an almost ridiculous 60x zoom lens, fully 20 per cent bigger than its nearest rival. Surely the contest must end here?

That remarkable lens is a 3.58-215mm f/2.8-5.9 unit with aspherical elements, equivalent to 20-1200mm in 25mm terms, making it not only longer than any DSLR or CSC telephoto lens currently available, but also wider than most standard wide-angle lenses.

While the FZ72’s lens may be huge, it has a surprisingly small sensor. It’s a 1/2.3in MOS chip, the same size as most pocket compacts. Fortunately Panasonic has resisted the temptation to match the oversized zoom with oversized resolution, opting instead for a relatively restrained 16.1 megapixels, thus hopefully avoiding some of the problems associated with very small sensors.

Most bridge cameras are described as being “SLR-like”, but the Panasonic FZ72 takes that idea and runs with it. In both size and shape it could easily be mistaken for a mid-range DSLR, with a large handgrip on the front and a big textured grip area on the back.

The control layout too is reminiscent of a DLSR, with a large top panel mode dial, large well-spaced buttons and an adjustment wheel above the thumb rest. The FZ72’s shape is a radical departure for Panasonic, which has been using essentially the same body design for its FZ cameras for at least the last seven years. It’s a good-looking camera though, and the large size does make for comfortable handling.

The construction of the Panasonic FZ72’s body is all plastic, but the curvy shape makes it strong and the build quality is well up to Panasonic’s usual high standard, with tight panel seams and no creaking when squeezed. The only major metal component is the surround of the lens barrel.

Despite its size, and the size of that huge zoom lens, the Panasonic FZ72 is surprisingly light on its feet, although that statement does come with a couple of caveats. It can start up and take a picture in just under two seconds, which is pretty quick for this type of camera, and takes about the same time to shut down again.



In single-shot mode and recording only JPEGs it can maintain a shot-to-shot time of approximately 0.7 seconds, which is nice and quick, although with a slower class 6 memory card one does notice occasional lags as the data is written to the card.

This speed is thanks mainly to the excellent autofocus system, which works extremely well in most light levels and at most zoom ranges. However, and not too surprisingly, at maximum zoom it does take some time to achieve focus, and can sometimes fail to lock on to moving subjects. To be fair though it does succeed more times than it fails.

The race between manufacturers, or rather between their respective marketing departments, to sell more cameras by printing ever bigger numbers on the box, has led to some impressive technical innovation over the years, with incredibly high-resolution sensors and ever-more-powerful zoom lenses. However this has not always resulted in better cameras.

Small over-powered sensors are prone to image noise, and beyond a certain limit very long zoom lenses become unwieldy and difficult to use. Unfortunately the Panasonic Lumix FZ72 is well beyond that limit. While having the equivalent of a 1200mm lens might seem like a good idea on paper, in practice it’s very difficult to get a satisfactory shot under real-world conditions.

The camera’s excellent image stabilisation and lightning-fast AF system certainly help, but it’s almost impossible to aim the camera accurately or steadily enough to frame the shot at full zoom, and if you’re not going to be able to use the full potential of that enormous focal length, you’ll be better off saving some money and getting a camera with a less boundry pushing lens.

 

Thank you Strongy my friend much appreciated

 

Thank you Armandll for your in depth review very informative,I shall get him the FZ200 with the F2.8 throughout

 

Good afternoon Strongy thanks for that my friend,I'm still haven't decided 100% yet,I must give up reading all the on line reviews