I am new to this forum, actually new to this site, but I am pretty well known on other boards. I am 54 years old, retired and was also a professional photographer for many years, it was not my profession, it was more of a serious hobby that I made a few extra dollars at doing. I bought a Sony FD71 a few years back, it was fine but I was waiting till digital caught up with film. It has not done so, but I am not that picky as I use to be. I almost went for a DSLR, but remember how much I have invested in the film system I have and lugging around lenses, I just did not want to go through all of that for my hobby now. I was about to purchase the FZ20 when the FZ30 was released so I opted for the black model FZ30. Professionals always pick black body models because I have see reflections come of the silver ones. Still after getting the FZ30, I loved the camera and that lens, what a perfect lens. I have taken many pictures with it. I did not notice that much noise at ISO 400 as some did, there are ways around all of that, but still my point is that when I read about the FZ50, I was amazed that Pana did not go for a larger sensor. The worked so hard to get the noise levels down on the 11/8" sensor and did apparently a pretty decent job, but to drop the pixel level on the LCD, take out TIFF and make it slower at rapid shooting, well I do not see that much of a difference that I would jump out and purchase the FZ50. To me they took out some important stuff that I like. I think they did a very good job at the noise reduction, it looks like to me that you can go to ISO 800 now with a pretty good picture and for those low lighters out there this will be good. I would not hesitate to buy the FZ50 if I did not have the FZ30, but I am perfectly satisfied with my FZ30. Neat image takes care of most problem noise levels I have encountered which were very few to be honest. I think the FZ series of cameras are the best for what they can do on the market. Yes, a DSLR is better but a lot more expensive just for the body, and then there are the lenses. I like the job you did on the comparisons of the ISO on the FZ50. I have to admit I looked at the L1 DSLR ISO comparisons with the larger sensor and I think the FZ50 actually compares nicely with it, in fact in some cases out does it. The both have the Venus III and yet the L1 did not do a better job than the FZ50. That is curious, but I really do not like the L1 at all, it looks like a old 1970's rangefinder 35mm camera. I know you should not go by looks but it is a boxy ugly camera and I would have not gone for the "live Image" which I find not that useful. Pana should have just used the FZ30/50 body and made it into a DSLR, but that is my personal preference. I enjoy your website,javascript:emoticon(':)');
(smile) and I enjoy reading the forums, you have a lot of very knowledgable people on here. I will be back. javascript:emoticon('t-up');
(thumbs up)