Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ10S 4MP with image stabilization, full manual controls (with a manual focus ring), a hot shoe accessory connector, and movie mode with audio. This Lumix model (the DMC-FZ10S) has a silver body; the DMC-FZ10K has a black body.
With its 4-megapixel CCD sensor, you can capture up to a 2304 x 1728 pixel image for prints up to 11 x 17 inches. It also has 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, and 640 x 480 pixel resolution settings (and 1920 x 1080 for display on HDTV wide screen TVs with a 16:9 aspect ratio).
The Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens features an F2.8 brightness throughout the entire 12x zoom range, which is equivalent to a 35-420mm zoom lens on a conventional 35mm film camera. (The DMC-FZ10 also has a 3x digital zoom.) Its precision lens, extraordinary telephoto features and no-lag processing speed enable this camera to capture every detail of distant or quick-moving subjects with superb brightness and clarity. The Lumix DMC-FZ10 image stabilization system uses gyroscopes within the camera to sense camera shake and shift the lens elements to compensate for the movement–thus enabling you to shoot at a slower shutter speed.
Helpful consumer’s review
Wow! Finally an affordable camera with MORE features, functions and image quality than my old 35mm SLR camera. At about $550 this has to be the best semi-pro camera around. The specs are impressive, but the ease of use brings the full potential to your fingertips. While it can take great pictures as a point-and-click camera – easily beating the Canon G3-G5 – the real power comes when you begin going manual.
Conventional wisdom holds that you should buy a digital camera from an established film camera company. Well, this camera combines the excellence of a lens/camera company – Leica – with a great Electronics Company – Panasonic – the best of both worlds!
For a sound byte: The Lumix takes GREAT pictures! The lens is an incredible 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 35-420mm 35mm) that works well at both ends of the range (yes it does have a bit of chromatic aberration at full zoom, but only at a 200% blow-up on the screen). The macro works down to a few inches! The lens is rather fast for the zoom – f2.8 and the equivalent ASA is 50 to 400. So a good lens, a good sensor, then comes the really great part: the electronics.
It has a very low shutter lag, fabulous MANUAL focus (beating all the SLR’s that I have seen!), Image stabilization that makes the handheld 12x optical work (don’t try handheld at 1/30sec full zoom, but hey what do you expect for a 420mm lens??), a delay timer for both tripod/handheld AND run-and-get-in-the picture, fast multishot, exposure bracketing, a red eye reduction that works, full 30fps movie mode, great review functions on camera and everything in the viewfinder – for those of us needing reading glasses, this is a dream! I could go into detail on all the features, but that is just an owner’s manual read. It works and easy to control, at least for a right hander (I’m guessing it would be a pain for a leftie.)
