FZ45, Have I made the right choice?

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spark001uk

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Been out doing some shooting with this Lumix FZ45 for a few weeks now, a variety of shots (landscape during the recent snow and stationary trains mostly) in a variety of conditions, but even in daylight i'm getting shots that are a little disappointing, in auto mode it seems to be taking a large majority at ISO400 or 800 and right out at F2.8. Also any zoom past about 5x up to 32x seems to give a really grainy result. I would describe myself as fairly amateur, although i do have a basic understanding of ISO/shutter/aperture etc.
Anyway, what i'm getting at is i'm a little worried, have i perhaps made a poor purchase with this camera? Or am i just expecting too much from it? Any pointers would be appreciated.
 
Take it off auto iso and set it to iso 100 or 200 for general shooting. Make sure you haven't switched on the digital zoom as it is max 24x on optical and up to 50x with digital which would explain the grain as I think it uses a lower resolution for the digizoom. Make sure the anti shake is also switched on :-)

It's also got some auto resolution function too. If that is on try turning it off as I think reviews said it didn't help.
 
Yes i believe i did try the fixed iso once or twice, it then just gave underexposed pictures, stopped right out to 2.8 as well.
 
If exposure bracketing hasn't been left on accidentally I don't think it sounds right to me. I'd be tempted to take it back as potentially faulty and get an exchange one. If it's anything like my lumix bridge then it should take decent photos in most situations.
 
Sounds like a good session with the user handbook is in order. Cameras like that are designed to be used primarily in fully auto mode, and sometimes they get it wrong and sometimes they're too clever for their own good.

Learn what it's doing in the various modes, set it up the way you want it, and learn when to override it. You've only had it a short time and shooting in the recent snow will confuse any auto-only system.

Edit: and welcome to TP :)
 
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I have a Panasonic model a few before yours - an FZ28. I think all of the photos I have posted on here were taken with it.

Not DSLR quality or as many facilities, but I think it, and I would expect the same of yours, it produces excellent results.

I have never used the iAuto model; I use A instead most of the time and generally it copes well.

As already said unless you really need it don't shoot on high ISO. I'm guessing that if the iAuto is using 400 or 800 then the light conditions were poor. Try a lower ISO and see if you can set keep the camera steady to compensate for the lower shutter speed and you have unfortunately strayed into the digital zoom area, which is bad news quality wise.

Wouldn't agree that the camera is intended to be used to be used primarily on fully auto. It and other bridge camera have a large number of manual and semi manual settings that allow a lot of control.

But post some photos you are not happy with to give us some examples.


Dave
 
I had one for a week, it wasnt for me but seemed a decent enough camera, as already mention get it off auto, slap it on aperture priority and in the day out and about shooting iso 80-200 and set the aperture to suit, also try setting the focus point to centre only and do it the old fashioned way see if that helps with getting correct focus..

I did a few test shots that I kept on the Flickr group..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/strumstrum/sets/72157624746927093/with/4954270267/

as I say I thought it was okay as a performer but soon realised I'm not the bridge type, csc & dslr for me, and I couldnt get on with the small space for your fingertips between the grip and lens barrel.

funny thing aswell, my lad has an older FZ20 and I love that, f2.8 through the range, why did Panasonic stop doing that?
 
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