Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by snappy_don on June 3, 2011 at 11:05

Heather I've seen good reports about the Lumix. I'd expect it to focus to within 5-10cm of an object, so yes, plenty close enough to detail your holes in the road. As a side note, unless you're extremely close which may over-expose, make a practice adding flash to your outdoor pics to highlight details better. A lot of details get lost in shadows on sunny days. Flash helps freeze any movement and makes your pics a bit sharper too.

The best reason to see it in store is to actually handle it and fiddle with the menu system and buttons. See if it's intuitive and suits the way you like to use it. But in general terms, the Lumix are good.

Permalink Reply by heather on June 3, 2011 at 11:14

Thanks for the hint about flash. Will check if the camera has flash capabilities.

I have limited experience of shopping online, a reason being that I like to see, feel and test items. However, I am yet to find this particular sturdy model in a shop. Also bright colours so less likely to mislay when outdoors. There are other models of the Lumix which are not designed for the outdoors. Officeworks stock it, but only online.

Permalink Reply by snappy_don on June 3, 2011 at 12:25

yep, go for the waterproof version- It will last longer in backpacks and jersey pockets. Yes, they all have flash. You can choose the settings: always flash, no flash, or flash automatically (which means it will only fire the flash in dim light).

Photo Wholesalers on Hutt St or Diamonds on Rundle St both carry a good range on the shelf- maybe worth a phone call

Permalink Reply by heather on June 3, 2011 at 21:01

Last week I went to Harvey Norman in the city and told that no small compact digital cameras with GPS. So I went onto Diamonds and told only one made, and that was Panasonic Lumix in black. When I searched the web, discovered that there was another Lumix with a hardy case, in silver, red, burnt orange or vivid blue. So thought I could only buy the hardy version online -- Panasonic states released in Australia in Apr-2011. Today I went back to Diamond and a different assistant told me that there are five compact digital cameras with GPS. I did not ask for makes and models. Then he showed me the hardy vivid coloured Lumix. Wondered why the first assistant did not tell me about the waterproof model, when I told him that I wanted something capable of taking close-ups of road hazards like potholes. I was wearing my bike helmet at the time.

I had realised from the web that the black model has more pixels and more zoom. Today I saw some sample photos from the hardy version, and it clearly showed the markings on my yellow tape measure. There is a built in flash when one uses manual rather than auto. Definitely the camera I want. Now to put in a submission asking for funding for the camera. Should not get my hopes up.

snappy don, there used to be a good camera shop near Kent Town. Do you know that one?

Permalink Reply by heather on July 4, 2011 at 15:34

What size card would you recommend to buy with the camera? The camera will take stills as well as video. The latter will be useful for filming the many drivers on Fitzroy Terrace who breach ARR, thus further hindering cyclists crossing this multi-lane arterial freight route.

Expect to buy the camera from Ryda Dot Com with showroom at 730 Parramatta Road, Petersham NSW, http://www.ryda.com.au
Price $514.85 plus shipping $14.65 so total $529.50. Includes extras valued at $70 to $89.95, so total price more like $460 to $439.55. Extras are 6 piece cleaning kit ($24.95), STPT Pocket Mini Pod ($39.95) and medium camera case ($24.95), all by Bower.
To confirm online store, Google shows Ryda at 730 Paramatta Road, Petersham, NSW

The other alternative is Camera Store based in Adelaide but no address details. Can order by phone on 1800155067. http://www.camerastore.com.au 100% Australian owned and operated. $479 + $16 for freight and insurance so total $495. An AC member said this is an online branch of Diamond Cameras.

Permalink Reply by heather on July 6, 2011 at 19:03

Can a knowledgeable person help me?

At link http://panasonic.com.au/Products/Lumix/Tough/DMC-FT3 there is this info on recording media.
Recording Media – Built-in Memory, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Built-in Memory – Approximately 19MB

If I experiment with video (for the first time) should I buy a memory card and which one? Also do not know if the camera supports the larger SDXC. Thanks for any help.

Memory Cards at ryda
http://www.ryda.com.au/Memory-Cards-s/322.htm
Sandisk Secure Digital Card SDHC - 8GB List Price: $21.00, Our Price: $19.85
Sandisk Secure Digital Card SDHC - 16GB List Price: $44.00, Our Price: $39.85
Sandisk Compact Flash Ultra II - 8GB List Price: $52.00, Our Price: $40.85
Sandisk Compact Flash Ultra II - 16GB List Price: $97.00, Our Price: $68.85
Sandisk Secure Digital Ultra SDXC- 64GB List Price: $217.00, Our Price: $174.85, Not all devices support SDXC cards. Contact device manufacturer for more details.

Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on July 6, 2011 at 19:46

I would probably buy 2 x 8Gb SDHC rather than the bigger 16Gb card at the same price. My reasoning is if you have two cards and one get corrupted or lost you have a back up. if you store all your pics/video on one large card and have a problem you could lose the lot.

I always back up my pics to a laptop/netbook and/or external hard drive as well, just in case. Call me paranoid ;)

Permalink Reply by heather on July 6, 2011 at 20:38

Good thinking Patrick.

From re-reading what is on Panasonic web, the camera will take SDHC and SDXC which Ryda sells. What is the difference between the types? Is the SDXC superior? Ryda only sells the SDXC as 64GB, so might need to search elsewhere for 2 x 32GB.

Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on July 6, 2011 at 21:26

HC = high capacity, XC extra capacity. Some older computers may not work with an SDXC card.

 

http://www.sdcard.org/developers/tech/sdxc/using_sdxc

Permalink Reply by heather on July 6, 2011 at 22:01

Thanks. I vary between using Linux and MS Windows 7. So the next question will be do I want 8GB, 16GB or 64GB. Not having filmed video before, I do not know how much still or video I will select, and how much storage video requires.

Going back to your idea of buying 2 smaller cards, choose Scandisk Compost Flash Ultra II, then 2 x 8GB = 16GB for $81, and 2 x 16GB = 32GB for $138. Compare the latter with SDXC of 64GB, and get nearly twice the amount for a little more than $138, i.e. $175.