Goodbye to a fantastic old friend

Several months ago I decided to try "serious photography" primarily as a mechanism to get myself off the couch. After a healthy amount of internet research I settled on the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ82 bridge camera as a way to dip my toes in the water, without breaking the bank. It was still the most expensive camera I had ever bought!

As an introductory camera for a someone new to the hobby it has been fantastic. It has most if not all the functionality of a much more expensive mirrorless camera, and an outstanding 20mm – 1200mm focal length / F2.8 – 8.0 (W), F5.9 – 8.0 (T) aperture built in lens. This allowed me to have a serious crack at wildlife photography and to experiment with the various functions and settings found on much more expensive cameras. If I had decided that "serious photography" was not for me I would still have kept it as a highly flexible point and shoot camera.

In the event I have been bitten by the outdoor photography bug and although had not yet been limited by the tiny 6.17mm x 4.55mm sensor I decided to upgrade to a 22.2mm x 14.8 Canon crop sensor. The new Canon R10 camera body with an initial 18mm – 150mm zoom lens gives me plenty of room to grow, and more importantly fits my budget.

Fortunately the Lumix will not be consigned to a cupboard. MPB have offered a good price for it which allowed me to invest in the Canon R10. It will be sent off to be used in a new home.