New Camera?

[Kuragari]

'ello!

i think i'm gonna be getting a new camera soon, it was promised to me over half a year ago for my birthday, but my mom's really slow, haha, so anyways, i was thinking of this one (http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelDetail?storeId=15001&catalogId=13401&itemId=96060&catGroupId=24999&modelNo=DMC-FZ7K&surfModel=DMC-FZ7K&cacheProgram=11002&cachePartner=7000000000000005702), any comments on it? good or bad?

[andygrif]

Can't think of any reason to buy a Panasonic.

[Graham M]

Youd be much better going for something like Olympus or Nikkon! BTW what's a "mom"... lol

[Kuragari]

i'm still in highschool >.< i'm a senior thuogh and one more year until i'm out of the house for good, believe me, i can't wait

[orangebird]

Why go for something so bulky? You can get really good spec digi cameras a lot smaller than that. And as Zeph said, go for known camera brand :tu:

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

And as Zeph said, go for known camera brand :tu:

Panasonic have been making cameras for years!

I like the image stablisation

First question id ask is what are you going to be taking pictures of and where.

[danielf]

Can't think of any reason to buy a Panasonic.

and that man ^^ knows his cameras :tu:

[Gareth]

Used to have a Panasonic in the bygone era of pre-digital cameras. It was fine, nothing great but more than adequate as a point 'n' shoot camera. Now though we've just bought a brand spanking new Canon Powershot A700, which is fantastic.

Going back to that Panasonic, it does have a nice optical zoom... could be very handy. Like above, I like the image stabilisation... and I also like the subject matter in the example photo :naughty:

Without having tested it, though, I'd not recommend it but would suggest you check out the review of it over at Steve's Digicams... http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/fz7.html

[eddie00001]

The problem with the more compact cameras is the smaller lens, which can therefore effect quality. It really depends what you want to use the camera for. If you're just going to go shots of family, friends, holidays etc, then I'd go for a more compact camera, so it is easier to carry arround. However, if you're looking to get into photography, then have a look at the SLRs out there now, something like the Nikon D50 -
http://www2.europe-nikon.com/details.aspx?countryId=20&languageId=22&prodId=1058&catId=91

You'd be looking at about £350-£400 for that camera.

Whatever camera you go for though, I'd say go for a make like Nikon, Olympus, Minolta etc rather than Panasonic, Sony etc.

[altis]

Don't knock Panny cameras - the lens has 'Leica' on the front and the make some of the most respected glassware there is. I very nearly bought a Panny FZ-20 but eventually chose the Fujifilm S9500.

I suggest you check out the reviews and forums here:
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/
http://www.dcresource.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Then work out what sort of camera you want and then go back to those sites again. Then make up your mind. Also bear in mind that you can pick up some older, but still very respectable, digicams on ebay at good prices.