Panasonic FZ-4, FZ-5

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Bevin Breitkreuz - 19 Mar 2005 17:23 GMT

These cameras were announced over a month ago, has anyone actually seen one,
used one, etc yet? I live in Edmonton, Canada, stores say they will be
getting them as they are listed as being ordered, but no one has them yet.
If anyone has purchased, what are the prices like?

Thanks, Bevin B.

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Ken - 19 Mar 2005 18:14 GMT

> These cameras were announced over a month ago, has anyone actually seen one,
> used one, etc yet? I live in Edmonton, Canada, stores say they will be
> getting them as they are listed as being ordered, but no one has them yet.
> If anyone has purchased, what are the prices like?

The first ones are just now starting to show up on ebay from HK and parts far east. A couple
of people have reported purchasing them while visiting Japan. Domestic sales in N. America
are still a few weeks off and pricing and availability will have to wait until then. It is a waiting
game we are all playing right now.

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ecm - 26 Mar 2005 20:17 GMT

If you're interested: www.dpreview.com just posted a review of the K-M
Z5, and used the Panasonic DMC-FZ5 as the comparison camera - where
Phil (Askey, the site owner) got one, I'm not sure.... The pics from
the Pana FZ5 blow away (IMHO) the K-M Z5, BTW - check it out:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/konicaminoltaz5/page7.asp

It looks like the K-M Z5 has a serious noise issue at ISO 200-320.
Maybe a firmware update will help, but I wouldn't touch the K-M as it
stands....

These are the first test photos from the Pana FZ5 I've found - no
review yet, though. It's too bad Panasonic/Leica couldn't keep the lens
a flat F/2.8 across the zoom with the new DMC-FZ4 and FZ5, like the FZ3
had. F/3.3 is really only about half stop; I'm waiting to see the
reviews and more test photos, to see if it actually makes a big
difference. I can't wait to get my hands on one, it it lives up to it's
bigger cousins.....

ECM

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Ken - 26 Mar 2005 20:39 GMT

> > These cameras were announced over a month ago, has anyone actually
> seen one,
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> difference. I can't wait to get my hands on one, it it lives up to it's
> bigger cousins.....

There have been two posts in the panasonic talk forum at dpreview in the past two
days with pictures taken with the new fz5. They shouldn't be buried to deep for those
interested in seeing them. They look pretty good to me....

Ken

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JohanE - 30 Mar 2005 07:46 GMT

> These are the first test photos from the Pana FZ5 I've found - no
> review yet, though. It's too bad Panasonic/Leica couldn't keep the lens

There's an FZ-5 review at:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_fz5-review/index.shtml

JohanE

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cpu uk - 31 Mar 2005 15:50 GMT

I've had my camera about a week now, and I'm very happy with it (I also own
a Canon S50). The only fly in the ointment is the lack of English manual,
but you can grab the USA version of the manual from here.

http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCFZ5PP.PDF

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