V-570good Camera

[Wendy]

Guys,

Don't' want to hijack the thread but: My V570 broke and the cost to repair was not worth it. I purchased the Panasonic Lumix with a 25MM wide lens. Head and shoulders above the Kodak. I can shoot a comp at 20 MPH, 25 if I'm not drinking.

Great little camera.

TC

If I had to buy again, I'd probably go with the Lumix too. I've read some really good stuff on it.

Kodak has been really good to me in the past. It just seems that the newest generation has too much trouble picking a focus point. I've got to dig out the manual and see if I can adjust it.

My latest toy - Sony Alpha 200 - has a focus assist that you can turn off. I can shoot action on a zoomed 300mm lens in continuous (3fps) mode and not go out of focus. Sweet.

All that being said - the V705 does do really nice outdoor landscape and marco work. The video is also fun and pretty good quality. It's tough too. I've dropped mine on concrete several times.

 

[Randall Garrett]

FWIW, if you are OK with "only" a 28mm (equiv.) lens, Panasonic has also released an update to their popular "TZ" (Travel Zoom) series. This type of product was designed with the traveler in mind - wide to "super-zoom"... Besides various enhancements to the hardware/firmware/software, the newer series is more appraiser friendly in that the lens was changed from the TZ1's 35mm - 350mm (equiv) to a 28mm - 280mm zoom. The TZ1 had a 5 MP sensor where the newer ones have:

TZ2 (2007) = 6.0 MP wt. = 9.2 oz.
TZ3 (2007) = 7.1 MP wt. = 9.9 oz.
TZ4 (2008) = 8.1 MP wt. = 8.6 oz.
TZ5 (2008) = 9.1 MP wt. = 8.6 oz

Each measure 4.1" x 2.3" x 1.4" or 1.5"

These specs compare to the FX35 at:
FX35 (2008) = 10.1 MP wt. = 5.6 oz. and measurements of 3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9"

So the TZ series is a little larger and heavier than the FX35, but not so much as to be a big deal to most. In fact, just as the FX35 being larger than the v570/v705 is a "plus" to some users, the larger size of the TZ series may be a plus to others, as well. Anyway, if you really need that long zoom more than the extra wide angle lens, the TZ series may be worth considering. These cameras are all within the general $240 - $310 price range.

Here is a link to a comparison grid: http://tinyurl.com/6xo7u5 where there are links to pricing, more in-depth reviews, etc.

Finally, Panasonic has also recently announced their TZ50, which is essentially the TZ5 with built-in Wi-Fi... it is supposed to be available here in the US this month for something just over $300, but I've not gotten mine yet, nor even received word when it will ship. Given my luck, TC will probably get one before I do, even though he hasn't even ordered one yet, LOL... story of my life... ;-) Anyway, I'll report on this one when I get it in.

Hope this is of help!

-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

PS - I was going to post comp shots from the v705, the FX35 and another couple of cameras - essentially a comparison showing a 23mm, 25mm and 28mm shot of the back of a regular residence, but someone forgot to bring back my v705... :-( I should have it next week, however, so I'll take a few shots so you can see the difference between the three lenses and get a general idea of OOTB (Out Of The Box) quality... Of course, YMMV.


/end/

 

[Kevin A. Spellman]

I bought a Cannon A50 in 1999 with a built-in wide angle, 28mm. I paid around $450 with a battery charger. The photos are around 120kb when program in the small resolution. It is a workhorse for me.

 

[Wendy]

snip

PS - I was going to post comp shots from the v705, the FX35 and another couple of cameras - essentially a comparison showing a 23mm, 25mm and 28mm shot of the back of a regular residence, but someone forgot to bring back my v705... :-( I should have it next week, however, so I'll take a few shots so you can see the difference between the three lenses and get a general idea of OOTB (Out Of The Box) quality... Of course, YMMV.


/end/

Please do! I'd love to see a side-by-side comparison.

 

[Randall Garrett]

Sorry I never got around to posting the promised comparative shots. I took some but just never got around to following up. Posting them here would have required that the images be reduced/compressed, etc. and I didn't think they were too telling. Basically, we find that the Panasonic takes better OOB photos than the v705... main reasons are higher MP and a better lens. If anyone really wants to see the comparison pix, PM me here with your email address and I'll send them back to you.

That said, I noticed that Panasonic has announced yet another round of cameras out soon. The FX35 is being replaced by the FX37 which is reportedly the same camera with better electronics/image engine. I note that they list the lens is now upped from:

FX35: 25mm - 100mm (equiv)
FX37: 25mm - 125mm (equiv)

Perhaps of more interest to some appraisers, though, is the newly announced DMC-LX3, which has a 24mm - 60mm (equiv) zoom. While the tele is shorter, the big thing is the faster F2.0 - F2.8 rated lens. Note that this camera does NOT appear to have a built-in flash but does appear to have a "shoe"... I see no model-dedicated flash unit mentioned, though there is an add-on optical viewfinder (a rarity today.)

Link to info: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0807/08072102panasoniclx3.asp

I have not seen nor used this camera in retail or sample form. I am, however, due to receive a retail example of the new Pentax Optio W60 today and I'll report on that one soon. This is basically a 28mm - 140mm (equiv) camera that is water/dust/drop resistant. The lens does not protrude, which greatly reduces the chance of breakage on one of the most common elements in these "$300-ish" appraiser-friendly cameras. Link to info on this camera: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Pentax/pentax_optiow60.asp

[Edit] The Pentax Optio W60 came in today. I've only made a few casual "test" shots - nothing conclusive. My comments here are just my initial impressions. Size is virtually identical to the Panasonic FX35. Layout is typical of this type camera. Overall, the W60 feels more "plastic-y" than the FX35 and the controls are a little more "gimmicky" IMHO. Battery is much smaller (physically) than the FX35. Lots of shooting "modes" to choose from. Goofy "home town" selection with arbitrary (and too few) choices vs. traditional GMT-type time zone setup. The Olympus 1030sw (another low-priced "ruggedized" camera) seems to be a better camera IMHO.

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

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