Wednesday, January 20, 2021

One last attempt at simplicity

Yes, and why not?..
 While seeking the best answer to the glovebox camera question, i looked at the Lumix ZS series. Strangely enough (to me at least) a used zs100 cost more than used gx85 at times - which is why the gx1 is now my glove-box kit. Even earlier zs models aren't bargains with their 1/2.3" sensors, it seems that zoom range can be as good a draw than megapixels for some people.

Just as the gx1 and I were settling down, of course a zs50 pops up at a surprising price - one I did not refuse. It will be used and marked, though the online photos did not show many serious marks.

  • On the down side: tiny sensor, no tilt or touch screen, no curb appeal it seems, and replaced by newer models several times over - with the ZS100/200 adding a one-inch sensor to the line. That sensor definitely takes IQ to a better place! 
  • However.. the zs50 stepped back to 12Mpx for better lowlight performance, boosted its little viewfinder resolution substantially from earlier models, has two 'control dials' and charges via usb. Full PASM modes, raw image capture, HD video - and a stabilized 24-720 mm/e zoom does tolerable work. Toss in WiFi +NFC and silly-close macro mode too. 

Well now. Maybe that's pretty useful for the glovebox after all! 

I plan to set it to small B&W jpeg + Raw and give it a whirl.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

A twinge of background-

I have owned several compact digicams before 2008. Once the dSLR /interchangeable lens bug bit they were left behind. Save one: at one point I owned a Fuji F550exr. It was enjoyable for a year or so, when I dropped it about a foot onto concrete and totalled it. I captured many good images and found that raw data recovery was amazing for such a small sensor. The shot below shows the jpeg interpretation at left and the recovered and rebalanced raw development right.

The Fuji's 15x zoom was great fun, but it did have some unwanted rainbow effects on bright lights; hopefully the Lumix version will do less of that. I'll know in a week or so.


No comments:

Post a Comment