ISO vz Zoom trade off ( Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 ) ?

Hi,

From reading dpreviews and other consumer reviews I settled on this
camera as my choice as I mostly want to shoot nature and make small
movie clips of gadgets i build.

I understand such superzoom cameras make a tradeoff to allow large
focal lengths by reducing ccd size thereby affecting image quality
at high ISO.

I would be greatfull if you can comment on the following :

1) When does one really need high ISO (what kind of photographs).
I like to do some night photography too of nature and cities.

2) Any other comments you would like to make on this camera . As I
see it the noise at high ISO seems to be the principle limitation
of this camera while it offers a lot of features at my 500$ price
range.

regards
b thomas

B Thomas wrote:
Hi,

From reading dpreviews and other consumer reviews I settled on this
camera as my choice as I mostly want to shoot nature and make small
movie clips of gadgets i build.

I understand such superzoom cameras make a tradeoff to allow large
focal lengths by reducing ccd size thereby affecting image quality
at high ISO.

I would be greatfull if you can comment on the following :

1) When does one really need high ISO (what kind of photographs).
I like to do some night photography too of nature and cities.

2) Any other comments you would like to make on this camera . As I
see it the noise at high ISO seems to be the principle limitation
of this camera while it offers a lot of features at my 500$ price
range.

regards
b thomas

I have a previous model Panasonic camera, the FZ5, and my wife has the
FZ20. We have both been delighted with these cameras - the quality of the
optics is very high (and seems to justify the Leica name), and the image
stabilisation is very effective. I keep mine at ISO 100 most of the time,
but for some night shots using a higher ISO can add grain and a
journalistic quality to the image.

For night work, you can use longer exposures and a tripod or other
improvised mount. Indoors, with candle-light scenes, you could use the
higher ISO, although if that low light level is critically important to
you then you probably need a DSLR and fast fixed-focus (prime) lens.

David

B Thomas wrote:

1) When does one really need high ISO (what kind of photographs).
I like to do some night photography too of nature and cities.

Only use it when you need the shorter shutter speed. Otherwise keep ISO as
low as possible. Basically it's a trade off in quality loss between noise
and camera shake or subject movement - see how slow you can hold the camera
before the blur due to shake/moving subject is worse than the blurring of
the noise reduction at a higher ISO.