New Digital Camera

**Steve Machol** · 10-09-2004, 04:36 PM

I finally broke down and replaced my aging Toshiba 1 megapixel camera. I had been eyeing the 4 megapixel Panasonic DMC-FZ10 for several months now, mostly because of it's superior Leica lens and it's true 12x optical zoom.

The deal clincher for me was when Panasonic released their new 5 megapixel model the DMC-FZ20 and it was the same price as the FZ10 had been selling for just a few days earlier. I paid $599 at Fry's Electornics. I probably could have found it cheaper online, but I like to have a local store I can go to if I have problems.

Here's the specs on this camera:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0407/04...icfz20prev.asp

**Sean** · 10-12-2004, 04:56 AM

Very,very nice.......... How is the imaging software?

**hcjilson** · 10-12-2004, 07:21 AM

One of the problems I am having with my Nikon Cool Pix is that the battery doesn't seem to hold a charge for very long. Obviously the more you use it the more drain on the battery, but if I leave it on, ready to shoot, I can't get more than a few hours out of it. When you go to an event like a wedding/reception, you need more than that. How long do you get out of your battery?

**Steve Machol** · 10-12-2004, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Sean

Very,very nice.......... How is the imaging software?

I didn't even install the software. It connects to the computer as another drive and I can copy the files directly to my PC and use my PhotoImpact XL software on them.

**Sean** · 10-12-2004, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Machol

I didn't even install the software. It connects to the computer as another drive and I can copy the files directly to my PC and use my PhotoImpact XL software on them.

Even better.....nice :) So when do we get to see some pics ?

**Sean** · 10-12-2004, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by hcjilson

One of the problems I am having with my Nikon Cool Pix is that the battery doesn't seem to hold a charge for very long. Obviously the more you use it the more drain on the battery, but if I leave it on, ready to shoot, I can't get more than a few hours out of it. When you go to an event like a wedding/reception, you need more than that. How long do you get out of your battery?

Hmmmph....I would say that a couple of hours of battery life is really good for a digital camera when it's left on. But then again.......thats why i dumped my last camera.............because of the same thing. Now i only go with a camera that has user replaceable batteries.That way you can carry extras and dont have to worry about having to spend alot of dough to get a backup or replacement from the company that you bought the camera from.

**slackware** · 04-15-2005, 01:43 AM

there's an excellent site for comparing different cameras and hearing comments about them. the site is www.dpreview.com. i have used the site a few times to help myself purchase a camera for my needs and it is 99.99 percent on the money. i love the testimonials from other users. plus i think it will give you a search on the camera and the top prices from different places going from the cheapest price with shipping, w/o shipping and the most expensive price which no one likes at all. anyways, thought it would be a useful resource for anyone looking for more information about a particular camera.