Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8S 7.2MP with Panasonic’s Extra Optical Zoom function that provides additional magnification up to 18x when taking photos with 3-megapixel resolution, and also features a 7.2-megapixel CCD and Intelligent Image Stabilization system now available in all new Panasonic Lumix models.
The stylish DMC-FZ8 has a large, 2.5-inch LCD for easy viewing while monitoring and during image playback and it has been redesigned to include a multi-purpose joystick for improved usability and simplified exposure compensation. The joystick control allows a host of additional settings, such as manual focus and exposure, to make for quick and easy shooting.
Along with easy operation, the DMC-FZ8 also features the Panasonic LSI Venus Engine III, an advanced image-processing engine that can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1250 with full resolution — greatly improving noise reduction, with picture noise removed in stages during image processing. With its multi-task image-processing capability, the Venus Engine III also has outstanding response time with a shutter release time lag as short as 0.005 second, and the shutter interval as short as 0.6 second. This fast response makes it easy for users to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment shots.
Featuring a 12x optical zoom Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens (equivalent to 36mm to 432mm in a 35mm film camera), the compact DMC-FZ8 is a great camera to take everywhere you go. Shoot beautiful photos anytime you feel the urge, and be sure to bring the DMC-FZ8 along on family trips. With the 18x extended optical zoom (35mm equivalent: 648mm) feature, you’ve got the power to shoot remarkable close-ups from a long distance, for uses such as bird watching.
Helpful consumer’s review
I just got this last week and the quality of the photos are excellent! The videos are really good as well! No complaints so far. This is perfect for point-and-shoot folks but then the camera features a whole a lot more if you want to get creative. Just be careful in buying SD cards larger than 2Gb, but just make sure the SD card has ‘SDHC’ stamped on it. I made the mistake of buying a regular 4Gb SD card and it did not work on the camera. Good thing the SD card worked on my Nikon D50. Live and learn!
I have used quite a variety of point and shoot digital cameras over the years and for not much more money this camera is infinitely better than all of them. I really appreciate the size and quality feel of this camera’s construction, the intuitive controls, and all of the included accessories (Leica lens, lens adapter, lens hood, etc). I was able to figure out the controls and start taking great pictures within a half hour of opening the box.
As a novice but “improving” photographer, I love the adaptability of this camera. Many light conditions can be overcome with just a few tweaks to the settings. The shutter speed is also a godsend as compared to the Canon point-and-shoot models. Just hold the button down and the rapid-fire shots pour into this camera. I am also absolutely thrilled with the battery life – hundreds of pics on one charge! This is a crucial improvement over the older cameras that absolutely devoured AA batteries.
On the downside, this camera is bigger than a point and shoot so carrying it can be an issue. Also, the internal memory is a joke, so I recommend that you buy a 2 gig memory card immediately. With that card installed I can store well over 500 high quality shots.
Basically if you are a no-fuss user, set it on simple mode and take a lot of great pics. If you are more advanced and take the time to figure out ISO seetings, you can set up some VERY good shots with this camera. I would never call it the be-all end-all digital camera but you will not find an equally good set of features without spending hundreds more. Highly recommended!
