Official Panasonic Lumix FZ-150 owners thread - Page 2

Sure - I'll try something tonight

Ungermann - Here is the original file:
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=5CEA3...9EA03E52%21105 and it is .MTS.
Basically then I try to do multy trim or split the clip - it choks my PC and even just to trim the ends takes forever.
I could relatively eazy trim even longer clips from TM700.
I wonder if other than PD editor works better.

Vegas has absolutely no problems with this file. I suggest downloading Vegas trial and trying for yourself. I like it, it is very flexible in regards to frame rate and size.

Also, Mirillis will soon release an update to Splash ProEX player that will be able to trim/join AVCHD and save them without re-encoding. Splash ProEX costs $25 and IMHO is worth its money even "just" a player. AVCHD editing update will be free for 1.12 users.

http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMW-LT55 thats expensive for you,glad i got mine anyway,regarding mpeg4 i tried it and its a pain to edit for me and resolution wise on direct playback its no more.

Edit i forgot to say there is loads of FZ150 info and stills shown on http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1033 here,its mainly a stills site though.

Thanks - I'll try Vegas. Does it renders 1080 60p?

Yes, it does.

I might try finding this out if Premiere had a trial version.

Get her to have a long study through that forum i gave,not only FZ150 i know but but a lot of happy owners there.

Bill - My wife is very particular when it comes to cameras. Her cameras have to produce great pictures and "just work" (she comes from Nikon). She is very happy with the FZ150.

If your wife cares about reviews and ratings:

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/con...era-Review.htm

http://www.2cameraguys.com/best-supe...s-2012-feb.htm

According to shopping.google.com, they are in stock right now sales tax-free from 42nd St. Photo for $460. I've dealt with them, and they are reputable: http://www.42photo.com/pd-productid-...tal_camera.htm

Good luck!

Bill

I am looking for a camcorder to video my grandkids lacrosse, baseball, flag football, etc. I was considering a Panasonic TM900 which costs about $800. From the looks of your videos the FZ150 could be a better choice. Could you compare your TM700 to the FZ150 ... specifically:

1. is there a recording size limit on the fz150?

2. Is the FZ150 as good or better than the tm700 in low light

3. does the fz150 focus as good or better than the tm700 for sports like lacrosse, flag football, etc.?

4. is it just as "easy" to video with the fz150 as the TM700?

Any other general comparison comments?

Thanks!

For the Uk version, there is a recording limit of 30 mins per video. I think the same applies to the newer stock of the US version as well but i am not sure.


I dont know abt tm700 since i don't own it but as far as fz150 is concerned , its super easy to shoot videos. there is a dedicated video record button, you can see the recording timer on screen, can switch between the lcd/viewfinder easily, you can zoom in and out seamlessly during the recording and the camera responds very quickly, writes files to the memory card quickly and gets ready for the next video in abt 2 secs.


tm700 would be better for low light, but wait for other members to jump in, they will be able to help you better as they are much more knowledgeable then me

Hi delaluz - I have both the TM900 and the FZ150, and the TM900 produces higher quality video images, but not by much, in my view. That said, when I have a choice between the two cameras, I carry the FZ150, because it is easier to use (more manual controls). I will try to answer your questions one-by-one below:


No limit in the US


I would say that it is just as sensitive as my TM900 in low light, but the TM900's picture quality is better, as noted above.


Yes


Easier, in my view. The rotary dial on top of the camera is great for mode selection, as is the one touch video button noted by techspark above. With the TM900, if I'm shooting stills and want to shoot video, I have to move a small slider on the top right side of the camera. Not as easy.

I also like the FZ150's flip out GH2-style LCD, which can be used without having it stick out of the left side of the camera. I prefer this to unsupported camcorder LCDs - I also like the FZ150's EVF better than the TM900's.


Please see my FZ150/TM900 comparison blog post here: http://hybridcamerarevolution.blogsp...and-fz150.html

If you need near-ultimate small sensor video image quality, a touch screen, a headphone jack, or built-in internal memory, get the TM700/900 (or one of the 2012 models like the XC-V700MK)

If you want something a little smaller, with more manual controls when you want them (instead of menus), RAW still photography and a pop-up flash (instead of the TM900's flash, which is buried inside the lens ring & is unusable with a filter on the lens), get the FZ150 and save some money.

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

Bill - I didn't notice - the camera was so much of a GH2 "mini-me" that I just started using it. That's really a bummer, though, for people new to the Panasonic system.

A thought -if you have a smartphone, tablet or e-reader, maybe you can download the manual from Panasonic, instead of lugging a laptop around?



Hope that's helpful,

Bill

1. No limit in US
2. low light TM700 is better if you work with manual settings -FZ150 is better with iA
3. You will have no problems recording lacrosse or hockey. The big differnce
recording hockey if there is a really bad light at the rink "if you can see the puck you can play" type. Video from FZ would be pretty bad -TM700 better.
Here is FZ150 hockey video "normal light" http://vimeo.com/38363665
4. Matter of preference - FZ150 take a little bit time to get use to and video is generally two hands operation for me - TM700 one hand.

They both have pros and cons.
You can make fantastic quality videos with TM if you work with manual settings.
If you prefer iA - FZ wins hads down. I cannot make techical explanation, but
for my eyes FZ video has fewer details, but those details are sharper.

I sold TM and keep FZ

Its always strange;how opinions vary,i cant compare my FZ150 with the TM range;as i dont use one.
But i would have imagined the sharpness advantage of the TM cams quite noticable;
i find the lack of sharpness the one big downer on mine,i dont need mine for low light work;or anything to be truthful exept wildlife where the 20x lens plus i zoom and my1.7x extender make it great for that work.
Why a laptop is needed while out filming i cant understand;once you know how to use the camera you should know;MF is good and i leave mine on that setting;
but everything else i set manualy,i would prefer to use a camera like this to a tiny camcorder but suspect a camcorder would be better for filming indoor sports etc;So my opinion is its horses for courses ,and what type of filming you do; but
never forget the FZ150 is a realy good stills camera as well.

Guys, i got a new bag for my fz150, a cheap one but looks durable and feels good in hand, but there's one issue, the camera fits in very tightly when put in with the lens cap, i m worried it this will affect the lens or cause any issue.

Is it ok to keep the camera in the bag without the lens cap on ?

Also, i m struggling with the lens string - cant get it in

http://www.fotosense.co.uk/panasonic...s&siteid=73669
the adaptor and 1.7x lens screw together,i leave mine permanently together.
The adaptor simply screws into the FZ150s lens but not like a filter it goes down in beside the lens so there is no strain,
Regarding its use i see no difference in video even with the 1.3 zoom switched
on,but for for photos no only the 1.7x lens which produce perfect stills.
For video a reasonable tripod when filming video is best especially if its breezy.
Hope that helped a bit .Chris

OK, I almost ordered the TM900 the other day, but based on your input I'm leaning towards the FZ-150. I'll probably order one or the other this week.

I re-read several FZ-150 reviews and have a few more questions. Please note that these questions are based on how I would shoot with my DV XL1 & TRV-900 camcorders (which I sold).

1. If I were recording an event like a football game I would hit the record pause button after each play & then hit the record resume button just prior to the start of the next play. If you recorded this way (by using pause button to suspend and resume recording) would you get one clip (file) or multiple clips?
   
2. If I'm recording a clip can I pause it and rewind it so I can view it on the screen and then after viewing it continue recording on the end of the same clip? I know you can view clips from the beginning of the clip. However, if the FZ-150 is recording one big clip it would be great if you could rewind from the end and view the last part of what you just recorded.
   
3. Assume you are using an external mic. There isn't a headphone jack so you can't check your audio when recording. Are there speakers in the FZ-150 LCD so when you play clips in the camera you can at least tell if you are getting any audio from your external mic?
   
4. I realize that battery performance depends on how much zooming, focusing, pausing, etc. that you do. On an average how long of 1080P video can you record with the supplied battery?
   
5. Do 3rd party batteries work properly with the FZ-150? Does the time remaining indicator work? I saw 3rd party 1200 mah batteries on Amazon for $14.95 that got good reviews.

Again thanks.

1. Every time you push record button - you create a few file.
2. Not sure, but most probably - no.
3. Sorry - do not use exernal mike.
4. This depends of zoom, evf versus screen, but gererally I can eazy record two hockey games on one battery and I keep camera on with LCD screen on.
5. There are planty of 3rd party batteries I use this:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...W-BMB9E+BMB9PP
time remaining indicator works fine.