Leica V-Lux 2 or Panasonic Lumix FZ100

[dave lackey]

Gack...

Hard choices these days...but sometimes you have to gear up for what it takes to do the job.🙁

So far, I have settled in with a Leica bag (old Domke) using the M3 w/ Tri-X and the R4 with Ilford 100/Rollei Retro 80s and HP5. Both cover everything I need with the notable exception of certain lenses that would really pop...ie-Lux 35 and Lux 80! The first project will result in a book(s) that will be available in various small towns.

Safari so-goody, right?🙄

The next phase will be a short video of each small town with stills and...video...no more than 5 minutes. That is where I am looking at either a V-lux 2 or a Lumix FZ100. Is there any difference in the two? Besides the huge prices of course...

Yes, I could get by with a flip or some other but if I can sell some stuff leftover from my previous sell-off, I would prefer the occasional convenience of having a single cam that can do both stills, videos and have a great telephoto capability.

EDIT: rats, just noticed I put this in the SLR forum...mods, please feel free to move it. My bad.

 

[wjlapier]

Dave, I had the FZ100 briefly and sent it back. Nice reviews, but the camera feels like junk. Cheap plastic feel to it. Also, didn't like the wobbly lens when fully extended. Nice zoom range though. On the other hand, I have the ZS7 which is a great little camera that takes very nice video. If you want a P&S for video I'd take the ZS7 anyday. I'm not a video shooter, but the little I've done with the ZS7 I really like--I can watch on my Panasonic HDTV and video is crisp and smooth.

I also have the GH2 which is supposed to be one of the best video cameras that also takes stills. I haven't used it much to have an opinion, but the few pictures I have taken I like so far.

 

[dave lackey]

Hi, Bill...with the exception of my Nikon D bodies, I haven't picked up a digital camera yet that doesn't feel like junk compared to the M3 with the notable exception of M8/9. But, I think I understand what you mean.

The noise issue...is it in stills or video? The images I have seen on the web are quite good, so maybe there is something to the setup?

From what I understand, there was a firmware update. Has anyone tried it in regard to noise?

 

[dave lackey]

Noise? I don't doubt what you and others say about your experiences.

Reconciling that with this is my focus at this point:

http://leica-explorer.com/

 

[wjlapier]

Dave, I agree most P&S feel junky. Panasonic's G series bodies do feel light, and plasticky, but have a heft to them and feel solid. The GF1 is a very nice camera too that has a nice solid feel to it. Othere than that, most I've held in stores are junky. Probably shouldn't be holding the M3 when looking at P&S cameras 😉

As for noise in video--I don't see it. Not sure how it's done. Like I said, I'm not a big video guy.

 

[dave lackey]

Dave, I agree most P&S feel junky. Panasonic's G series bodies do feel light, and plasticky, but have a heft to them and feel solid. The GF1 is a very nice camera too that has a nice solid feel to it. Othere than that, most I've held in stores are junky. Probably shouldn't be holding the M3 when looking at P&S cameras 😉

As for noise in video--I don't see it. Not sure how it's done. Like I said, I'm not a big video guy.

I am not a video guy either...far from it. But, it may be an option for my usual still photo shows. I like the mix in the Magnum Hard Choices video. Will I like the experience? I doubt it.

Think I will drop by Best Buys and look at the digital POS cameras just to see what's up.😀 What I really need is probably an MP3 recorder for voices and something for decent video takes. I am a duck out of water.🙄

 

[dave lackey]

No luck, Best Buy has nothing Panasonic!

Seems to be nowhere in Atlanta to see either a Leica or Panasonic in person.😡

So, is there no other RFF members with experience with either one of these two cameras?