My First Digital Camera - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30
Continues from “KL Trip #5 - Day 1“…
When we (Kai Hong, Tien Soon, Mikel and I)stepped into the shop, Foto Flash at Times Square, the boss, Jeff took out 2 boxes of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30; one silver and one black. Both of us (Tien Soon and I) wanted black, but due to some reasons, only 1 black was available. One of us had to opt for silver and the person was me.
My RM2480 package came with
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 Silver… (Duh!)
USB cable and digital A/V output cable…
Charger…
Lithium Ion battery… (I bought another one as a spare for RM180.)
Operating manual (in 5 different languages), 1 software CD and warranty card…
2 SD memory card… (32MB from Panasonic and 1GB from the dealer.)
UV filter lense… (It was fixed on to the camera already.)
1.2 meter tall tripod… (I haven’t fully extend it in the picture.)
And a bag to house the camera.
After checking all the stuffs, Jeff started to fix the UV filter lense and LCD screen protector for our cameras; while the rest fooled around by playing with the shop’s D70 or chatting.
After 2 hours, it was time to pay before we could proudly claim ourselves as the new owner of the FZ30. I paid using cash, hence, I was carrying RM2500 cash with me throughout the whole day. God bless me for being so brave. -lol-
After handing over the RM2480, I am now the new owner of the silver FZ30.
Now, a tour around my digital camera.
For technical stuffs, you can read it from dpreview and Panasonic site.
I could have chip in another RM600 to RM800 to get an entry level dSLR such as Nikon D50, but I still opted for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 because I am not really into photography and I don’t need a dSLR to get my job done, regardless of for work, for fun or for pleasure.
Another reason was Kai Hong reassured me that FZ30 is a good digital camera, and I have seen many good pictures on his blog. Besides, with someone who is familiar with FZ30, I have someone to guide me if I need to know anything on my camera.
FZ30 has full manual control and also full automatic control. With 12X optical zoom and Mega O.I.S, it has nothing to lose compare to entry level dSLR. In fact, when Sin Chew did a review on entry level dSLR (The one that JiNz was featured on the front page.), FZ30 was one of them even though FZ30 isn’t a truly dSLR.
I am sure my FZ30 won’t disappoint me. -pats FZ30-
Now, it is time to learn all the technical jargons and brush up my photo taking skills.
Related posts:
August 4th, 2006 11:59
i got myself a Canon powershot G-3 a couple years back for around the same price, at the time the best prosumer digicam there is. If entry-level dSLR were the price they are now, I would have definately shell out the extra 600 bucks for one. Afterall, prosumersa are pretty big too anyway. :)
August 4th, 2006 12:00
Dude D50 is entry level, you can get it for about the same price of your FZ30 it’s about 2500RM, Canon 350D is about that price too, 2700RM.
D70s is already mid level.
FZ30 is a very nice cam though, just be careful with the ISO, panasonic have a big problem with noise at high ISO in low light situations.
Make use of the tripod and low ISO and it’ll perform fine :)
BTW you can read Digisniper for photography tips, events and info.
August 4th, 2006 12:08
KY : Oh, you used a G-3 before ah? Before I bought my FZ30, I was using my supervisor’s G-3 also. In fact, if you look closely into this picture, you can see the G-3. :D Hehe. The G-3 contributed quite alot before I bought this camera. I think the weight and size fits into my hand nicely, hence, its not big actually. :D So, what camera are you using now?
ShaolinTiger : OK, I edited the typo. RM2.5k for the body and the kit lense? Initially I thought of getting dSLR too, but I’m not into photography. Hence, I opted for prosumer instead. Besides, if my work requires a dSLR, my supervisor would have sent the official photographer to get the job done.
As for ISO and noise, yeah, I knew that. Anything above ISO 400, Panasonic has the problem. However, heard FZ50 is coming out soon and the new rendering engine would bring a big leap over this problem. Yeah, I always carry my tripod with me nowadays. :D
August 4th, 2006 12:22
Yes including 18-55mm kit lens. Yours is a good cam and is powerful enough for you to find out if you enjoy photography or not. I was using a Canon powershot, I reached it’s limitations quite quickly and decided I wanted to take up photography seriously so I opted for the D70s. It’s a bit more expensive than the entry level cams but it’s an extremely capable camera that can produce pro level pics with some practise.
Some of the shots I’ve taken recently:
Bukit Jalil Asian Culture Lantern Festival
Mon’t Kiara Jazz Festival
Royal Selangor Polo Club
August 4th, 2006 13:10
Bravo Jason. It’s a very sexy camera. Hehehe
August 4th, 2006 13:30
I went to the same shop on Tuesday. My sis almost bought a camera but decided to buy her laptop first.
August 4th, 2006 14:28
2500.
Should have robbed you of your cash that day.
Mwahahaha.
And WHEE, I can’t wait to get my hands on your spanking new cam! =D
August 4th, 2006 15:02
Congrats on your camera. It rocks… hohoho Now I dunno which one I should buy. Compact, prosumer or DSLR? bwahahhahaa
August 4th, 2006 16:08
cheh. someone just got a new camera. happy lah you.
*jealous*
then again, u worked REALLY hard for it.
basically u deserved it. YAY!
*throws confetti*
August 4th, 2006 16:38
LOL
Why you “Pull be down into water” ??
But then, I felt Fz30 is a good cam.
So let’s go Hulu Langat and do some photo hunting some days ok?
Perhaps we could bring camping tools and stay over night there
cause there is a new view point set up for hikers.
And I am glad that you are happy with Fz30.
August 4th, 2006 16:44
Correction ” Pull ME down into water ” LOL
August 4th, 2006 17:06
Fuiyooo… so sexy lah the camera.
Too bad i’m crap at photography- err.. perhaps it’s a good thing cos i spend so much on clothes, shoes and bags and what not. :P
Congratulationssssssssssss!!
August 4th, 2006 17:38
I want Nikon D80 or Sony ALPHA-100.
This 2 is DSLR cam.
D80 is the upgrade for D-70.
D-50 no longer in production.
Dang….
jason, u will hope to get another cam if u want more control on the pics.
haha
August 4th, 2006 20:31
Please do share us more nice photos in the future….
August 4th, 2006 21:31
Dude.. gratz for getting ur cam~!! take more pics n post ok?
August 5th, 2006 00:32
ShaolinTiger : Nice photos, especially the falling down horse. If I am to take up photography in near future, then only I will look into dSLR. Until then, I don’t even know how to use this FZ30 also.
Che-Cheh : Thank you, but it would have been even sexier if it is a black colour unit.
Laynie : Oooo… After my camera, looks like its a computer on my list. :D
Emily : I told you I was carrying RM2500 cash in my bag that day, right? Err, that will be october then.
Surfnux : Go for pro-consumer, unless you are pretty sure you are into photography (It’s an expensive hobby), then only you consider dSLR. :P My opinion lah.
Cheng Sim : Hehe. 1 week old already, this baby. Not new anymore. :D Thanks.
Kai Hong : We will see when both of us are free, then we go photo shooting. :D
MooPig : All it takes is lots of practices lah. :P Yeah, you should cut down on your shopping. :P
MengZ : This one currently have all the manual control that I need already. In fact, I have problem using all of them. I am too n00b for a pro-consumer, what more dSLR.
Ta Wen : With my current skill and knowledge of this camera, I can’t shoot any good photos yet.
Klangboy : Thanks! Will do. When you wanna get snapped by me? :P
August 5th, 2006 02:06
congrats next time can take my handsem photo
August 5th, 2006 14:06
Wah lau. No need make people jealous lidat lar. Make people’s eye sakit nie… Rompak you oni you know. hehehe… Damn coolage wei. take more cun pics.
August 5th, 2006 14:40
Wahhhh.. need a lot oh.. so big that camera…. must be super expensive!!!
August 5th, 2006 15:41
dude, congrats on your new purchase!
no need to look at other camera already.
the more important now is to snap and shoot and snap!
put that RM2480 to very good use!
looking forward to more good photos!
cheers!
August 5th, 2006 21:32
ha, Jason see what ST told you, i think more or less its the same thing we spoke over rite … you should have gone for the dslr … definitely more worth it for your money man
and you took the silver one … nooooooooooooooooooooooo
all pro dslr also black color wan … no dslr at least get something in black ma …
noooooooooooooooooooo
:)
August 5th, 2006 21:53
Mun Kit : No sweat, bro.
Melly : Oh, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I will let you touch my camera if we meet up then. Deal?
Koyuuken : Nolah, RM2.3k only mah. :P
Origor : Yeah, am learning how to use the camera. There are so many things to learn. :)
Earl Ku : Its the same, brother. Chip in another RM400-RM500, I get an entry level dSLR. Chip in another RM400-RM500, I get a mid range dSLR. Chip in another RM400-RM500, I get a high end dSLR. It goes on and on. Until I am sure that I want to take up photography, I am sticking with this pro-consumer. In fact, this FZ30 has so many manual controls that are giving a headache already. What more dSLR?
As for silver, I wanted black as well. But the shop only imported 1 silver and 1 black from Japan. I will need to wait another 2 months if I wanted a black. So, it doesn’t matter. :)
Let by gone be by gone.
August 6th, 2006 18:49
wahhh damn nice wei
August 8th, 2006 18:22
wow.. looks changgih! Congrats! Now we’ll get to see better pix huh?
August 8th, 2006 20:48
Nyokk : Hehe. Thank you.
Zara’s Mama : Not as canggih as yours mah. Ah, it will be long time more before I can take good pix.
August 10th, 2006 11:37
Dude, good buy, must take more photo and share with us!
August 10th, 2006 16:39
Am still learning how to use the camera, might take some time before i can take a really good picture.
October 5th, 2006 16:35
Hi,
Just found your page through google. Cool, just two month old and glad that I gang on LUMIX FZ30.
I own FZ30 since Nov 2005. My first cam is Olympus mju400. I have been using my cam to almost any situation till now I am really need a DSLR.. lol!, what ST said about “reached it’s limitations quite quickly” quite true.. I am now about to reach FZ30 limitation especially ISO, noise, flash, etc.. however, I still love all round cam that rock, FZ30. Use this baby and still can produce cun photo, I also learning in taking photo using this cam..
October 5th, 2006 21:22
Sam4605 : Haha, welcome to the club. :P Within 1 year you are about to reach FZ30’s limitation, that’s very fast and pro. Kekez. Actually, with FZ30, you don’t really need a dSLR unless you are very into photography and have very demanding of your photos. Even for normal photos and good photos, FZ30 does the job already.Although it still can’t beat a dSLR, its still an all rounder digicam out there. Hehe.
April 4th, 2007 06:48
[…] also Jason, he got the BIG camera ler..must help us snap all the most precious moment in the Island […]