Panasonic launches Lumix DMC-FZ18 with 28-504mm zoom!
Panasonic are well-acquainted with the formula of combining high specification optics with high sensor resolution and the Lumix DMC-FZ18 is no exception. The optical zoom lens has a range of 28mm to 504mm! Unfortunately these specifications are marred by some poor design choices.
The good news
- Powerful zoom lens zoom range of 28 mm to 504 mm.
- Leica lens of excellent quality.
- Mega O.I.S. Stabilization.
- Fast and precise response.
- Very good image quality when one does not abuse the sensitivity, with clear and faithful colours.
- Storage in JPEG, RAW, or both.
- Manual and automatic face detection.
- Feels confortable in the hand but device feels flimsy with too much plastic
- Good joystick back control.
- Consumption very low.
Against
- Excess plastic is a weak point especially when compared to competing models in this market.
- Excess noise from 400 ISO.
- Forced sensitivities of 3200 and 6400 ISO produce often unusable images.
- Like so many other Lumix, the FZ18 has difficulty balancing for fluorescent lights.
- No shoe for external flash
- A dial would more improve the ergonomics and the handling of the camera.
- Enormous parasol - detachable, one assumes!
Here are the Specs
- Type: Compact Electronic viewfinder
- Sensor: CCD of 8.10 effective MP
- Objective lens: (with 35 mm) 28.0 - 504.0 mm
- Zoom lens: 18x (optician)/4x (digital)
- Supports: compatible SD Card/MMC, SDHC
- Screen: TFT of 2.50 inches
The Lumix DMC-FZ18 will retail for £270 ($557,€375)
November 23rd, 2007 at 12:26 am
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November 28th, 2007 at 3:38 am
That’s a good camera.