Camera Conundrum
While I don’t think I mentioned it here, the digital camera I’ve been using for the last two years was the victm of an unfortunate hottub accident that rendered it nonfunctional. I’ve spent the time since that unfortunate event trying to decide on the replacement(s). Originally, I was most interested in the [Panasonic DMC-LX1](http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasoniclx1/)
which has two particularly interesting features, specifically wide-format and manual controls. (Well, more manual than most cameras in that category) Not to mention Panasonic’s highly-regarded image stabilization. However, the LX1 inerihited another Panasonic trait, *noise*, so I decided to wait until the successor to the LX1 was released which is rumored to have greatly improved noise processing.
Enter the Panasonic DMC-FZ30. While I’m not considering a DSLR due to initial price and more importantly following lenses prices I none-the-less very much miss the form and functionality of my film SLR. Which was why I was intrigued by the FZ30’s SLR-like features.
While being a fixed lens EVF camera with the normal small censor, it still shares much with a DSLR. The EVF, while being electronic is high enough quality to use, the lens range is better than I could afford for a DSLR, and the physical format is distinctly like an SLR. But herein lies the rub. Just like the LX1 above, the FZ30 has the Panasonic noise problem, AND a new model is due out in July.
Oh, the agony! Most likely I will make my final decision shortly before my trip to the east coast where I intend to take more pictures than I know what to do with. (An activity distinctly better suited for the FZ30, at least until I come back and want to try taking a camera with me without a large camera bag)
This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006 at 3:40 pm and is filed under Photography. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
