Panasonic Lumix LUMIX DMC-FZ82 or similar bridge

[Deleted member 68495]

My wife is probably going to go to India in the Autumn and I've offered to buy her a new camera so she isn't weighed down by an SLR and lenses. I'm looking at bridge cameras (rather than compact zooms) and of course the minefield is long and wide. At first glance I see the Sony RX10 IV is a good candidate but costs about £1500 and while I appreciate all the bells and whistles, and the 1" sensor, I'm loathe to spend that much as it may not get that much use on her return home (although I might use it on holidays too).

My more-likely camera of choice is the Panasonic Lumix Z82 which at £300ish is a much more likely candidate. My worry with this camera is that it was released in 2017 and I've been caught out a number of times buying something only to have it out of date within weeks. I did it with a Microsoft Surface Pro 6 only to see the Pro 7 come out just two weeks later, wiping hundreds off my purchase; that was bloody annoying. I note also that this camera is not weather-proofed plus a Youtube video from someone who'd had one for two years mentioned that over about ISO400 noise starts to become a problem which seems a little low to me, even for a 1/2.3" sensor.

Two things: Does anyone think an update to the Z82 is likely soon based on releases of other Panasonic cameras and what other bridge cameras in the £300- £500 bracket might one recommend?

 

[stickytape]

Bang for your buck - the Lumix FZ2500 is a great model. I have this and the older FZ1000 which have a slightly shorter zoom; 2500 is 24-485, 1000 is 24-400. Both have 1" sensors and are very enjoyable to use, and very quick. A random thought (and a genuine one) if you struggle to get one you're very welcome to borrow mind for your trip, no strings. I've offered to other members before, I tend to buy so much kit and then never get time to use it or inclination sadly! Just drop me a line a few weeks before so I can ship it to you if you decide it's an option - or if you're in the Cheshire area, welcome to collect!

 

[stickytape]

To add - I have have the smaller sensor ones but tbh I'd stop at the 1"; I still have the much older V LUX 4 which has a tiny sensor and a fast 2.8 lens; I really like it but as good and classic as it is, the 1" are way better..

 

[vintageman]

Whilst not bridge cameras, you might want to check out both the Panasonic TZ100 (1" sensor) and the new TZ95D (1/2.3" sensor). In urban situations something inside the handbag will not attract as much attention and the fold out screen on the 95D will allow discrete shots from waist level. If a long zoom is needed for animal safari pics then the 95D has 720mm equiv
with 5 axis stabilisation. I own both cameras and although IQ is not quite up to the standard of my main MFT models, I have been pleasantly surprised with results better than anticipated.If you want to look, my recent posts on finding the limits of a 1/2.3 sensor and the Royal Scot at Hereford show some real world results.

 

[Deleted member 68495]

Bang for your buck - the Lumix FZ2500 is a great model. I have this and the older FZ1000 which have a slightly shorter zoom; 2500 is 24-485, 1000 is 24-400. Both have 1" sensors and are very enjoyable to use, and very quick. A random thought (and a genuine one) if you struggle to get one you're very welcome to borrow mind for your trip, no strings. I've offered to other members before, I tend to buy so much kit and then never get time to use it or inclination sadly! Just drop me a line a few weeks before so I can ship it to you if you decide it's an option - or if you're in the Cheshire area, welcome to collect!

That is most kind, although the event is not going to happen until at least November and who knows what will happen in the meantime, however I will bear this in mind. Thank you.

To add - I have have the smaller sensor ones but tbh I'd stop at the 1"; I still have the much older V LUX 4 which has a tiny sensor and a fast 2.8 lens; I really like it but as good and classic as it is, the 1" are way better..

The tiny sensor in the FZ82 is a concern. My wife probably wouldn't worry about it but I have been full-frame for years and I would notice the difference, especially when I try to tart up some of her better images from the trip in LR.

Whilst not bridge cameras, you might want to check out both the Panasonic TZ100 (1" sensor) and the new TZ95D (1/2.3" sensor). In urban situations something inside the handbag will not attract as much attention and the fold out screen on the 95D will allow discrete shots from waist level. If a long zoom is needed for animal safari pics then the 95D has 720mm equiv
with 5 axis stabilisation. I own both cameras and although IQ is not quite up to the standard of my main MFT models, I have been pleasantly surprised with results better than anticipated.If you want to look, my recent posts on finding the limits of a 1/2.3 sensor and the Royal Scot at Hereford show some real world results.

I know at least two of her excursions in India are 'safari' tours to spot tigers in the wild so I am trying to get in the best zoom with the best sensor. I fear it is a dilemma that cannot be resolved -- small sensor, big zoom/ bigger sensor, not as much zoom; it's the way it is I suppose. I have a few months to sort it out. Who knows, she might just decide to take her Nikon D5000 and her two lenses and get the biggest compromise and hence fulfilling neither criteria while carrying far more than she would want to.

 

[Sangoma]

That is most kind, although the event is not going to happen until at least November and who knows what will happen in the meantime, however I will bear this in mind. Thank you.


The tiny sensor in the FZ82 is a concern. My wife probably wouldn't worry about it but I have been full-frame for years and I would notice the difference, especially when I try to tart up some of her better images from the trip in LR.


I know at least two of her excursions in India are 'safari' tours to spot tigers in the wild so I am trying to get in the best zoom with the best sensor. I fear it is a dilemma that cannot be resolved -- small sensor, big zoom/ bigger sensor, not as much zoom; it's the way it is I suppose. I have a few months to sort it out. Who knows, she might just decide to take her Nikon D5000 and her two lenses and get the biggest compromise and hence fulfilling neither criteria while carrying far more than she would want to.

Reading through that, I would think the FZ82 would probably meet the needs.

No, you won't be able to get NG quality close ups of big cats, but with the long zoom and good image stabilisation, if you can see them, there should be a photo.

A point worth remembering is that the light is going to be (hopefully) very much better that the average day here, so although noise will still be an issue, it would be less so than here.

For many shots when travelling, zoom is quite a major part of the decision, as most time you can not zoom with your feet.

I always use a Panasonic in the Philippines, they give superb results, and great videos, especially when looking at what you get for the £. The instant video button is also nice, though I think other makes have that now too.
To get better, I would have to carry more and much more expensive. (even the Coolpix P1000 is much heavier, and is probably the best contender to be better)

"biggest compromise and hence fulfilling neither criteria while carrying far more than she would want to" or not carry it at all and miss out on photos, a heavy camera is the last thing you want to lug around on a hot day or through a market (whether that market is in London or the east)

An FZ82 is light enough to ba able to carry on a wrist strap comfortably, which is more secure in any area full of tourists.

If the trip is about a holiday, it would be good, but not perfect.

If the trip is just about photos, then FF with a huge lens would be better

 

[Deleted member 68495]

I have made my decision.

My wife currently has a Nikon D5000 that hasn't had a load of use. With that camera she has a kit 18-55mm and a 55-200mm zoom. We have decided, with the larger sensor in the Nikon allowing the cropping that a bridge camera would not, and the fact that a new bridge camera would cost anywhere between 300 and 600 quid. depending on what we bought, add to that the fact that there are so many compromises on bridge cameras, the main one being the tiny sensor and we come to only one conclusion:

We are keeping the Nikon, getting rid of the two lenses she has and buying a used 18-300mm Nikkor for about £450. This way, any animals that could be picked up by a super-zoom without cropping can also be picked up by a 300mm (450mm equivalent) and blown up to matching proportions without too much degradation of IQ. I don't expect many subjects will require a 1200mm zoom and if they do, well, that's just tough titty.

It's still going to cost me money but no more than I intended to spend on a bridge camera.

There, I can rest again.