Need help to recommend digital camera

[wparsonsgisnet]

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I am speaking with a friend who, because he is of German origin, may be receptive to buying a camera more expensive than he might otherwise purchase because of the Leica name.

 

I am thinking of the Pan FZ30 ($464) or the Leica V-Lux-1.($850). Unfortunately, I am not finding a lot of info on the V-Lux-1. Is its owners manual available for download?

 

My questions are:

1. Are the 2 lenses essentially the same optics? I can see that the V-Lux-1 has extra features on the lens.

2. The V-Lux-1 blurbs talk about changable lenses. So far, only the offered lens, right? If this camera will have additional lenses available in the future, it might be of interest for that reason. Could additional lenses be M-mount lenses?

 

Thanks in advance for any speculation and jokes. I know he's not receptive to a camera in the price range of the M8 which I should have shortly.

 

Regards,

[gepetto]

Bill the V-LUX 1 is brother to the Pana FZ50. The differences you may be seeing the FZ30 is a generation behind.

[dugby]

Bill, I got a friend into the FZ30, and she is ecstatic with the image quality from the 8MP sensor and Leica lens.

 

I see the FZ50 challenged with more MP (ie 10MP) in the same sized sensor as the FZ30.

 

Given the previous, lengthly discussions on how more MP in the same size sensor is generally not good, it will be interesting to see if this turns out to be the case.

 

I beleive the lenses are identical, but I do not recall reading that they are interchangeable...? the V-Lux1 brochure quotes "without dealing with changing lenses"

 

 

The new cameras have a lesser number of pixels in the rear LCD display.

 

Now if Leica could just put the M8 sensor into this package., this should have been the new D3........ they'd have a market leader......

[doubice]

Bill,

 

The FZ50 and the V-Lux1 are identical. There might be differences in the firmware, just like many LC-1 and Digilux 2 owners claimed in their cameras. I don't know if there ever was a definitive proof that the two cameras were different.

 

The V-Lux1 does not have an interchangeable lens; with the zoom range it has it does not need one. From what I read about the FZ30 and FZ50, the Leica lens is indeed superb. The only issue is apparently noise at higher ISO, which is typical of many Panasonic products.

 

The manual for the V-Lux1 is available for download (5.3MB) from the Leica website. I downloaded the M8 manual already so that when the piggybank is full I will be fully versed with my future acquisition.....

 

All the best,

 

Jan

[wparsonsgisnet]

Thanks, Jan. I'll think I'll recommend the 30 to my friend.

 

I'll also try to find the download again.

 

Regards,

[tommycrown]

Bill,

There are few features that hit up some Leica lovers on Vlux 1:

1. LCD resolution went down from its older generation.

2. Same sensor size is still questionable even though many people like to talk about the noise level, we haven't even seen the camera yet except few from Photokina.

3. The lens is fixed which means you cannot remove, however, you may add the wide angle lens or telephoto, or even close up attachment lens. Leica versions are not out yet, however, you may find some from Panasonic website.

If your friend does get Vlux 1, I would recommend Giottos' Professional Series 0.45X wide angle Lens 58mm With Macro!

 

Conclusion: I would recommend your friend to wait until the Vlux 1 hits the market which will be sometime next week between October 30 and November 2, then see how people like it~~~ Good luck with you and your friend!

[fotografr]

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The FZ50 and V Lux 1 do have different firmware. Additionally, the warranties are substantially different with Leica being better by far.

 

You have probably seen this already, but here is the Performance Proof Leica have posted on their website. It is shot as ISO 100 and even at that setting has more noise than I care to see.

[wparsonsgisnet]

I have another friend who has ordered the V-Lux-1, sight unseen. We're planning a Saturday coffee meet to show each other our new cameras in a few weeks.

 

I'll assess the camera at that time. I see a lot of buttons on the side of the (same) lens in the V-Lux-1. Let's see what they do.

 

Thanks to all.