Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 — An SLR in Point-and-Shoot Clothing: "
If you're shopping for a new digital camera you basically have two options: pick up a toy shooter that can't grow with you; or plunk down a grand for a fancy digital SLR and face its huge learning curve. Now there's a third way: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18, a hybrid compact-cum SLR that shoots striking pictures but is as friendly as any point-and-shoot. The DMC-FZ18 conatins an 8.1 megapixel sensor and a head-scratchingly powerful 18x zoom on a 28mm wide-angle lens (12x is standard on rival cameras). With this lens, you can zoom in on the pitcher (or belly itcher) from the bleachers or pan out and shoot the whole field. But the DMC-FZ18's strength is its intuitive interface and friendly presets. The Intelligent Auto Mode combines four great features into one: image stabilization to minimize camera-shake; intelligent ISO for freezing action scenes; automatic subject and scenery adjustment to cut glare and enhance shadows; and face detection for improving portraits. Lost? The camera is even smart enough to guide you. The Custom mode lets users play with different settings and save them, slowly building confidence, experience, and with any luck, transforming you into Pulitzer potential. —Jose Fermoso
WIRED Takes awesome pictures. Very easy to use. The 18x zoom doesn’t sacrifice detail. Great software package with flawless panoramic stitching.
TIRED You can't use the zoom option when playing back video with audio on the LCD screen, which caused us to miss the loud 18X version of a seal chomping on a companion’s nose. And the audio coming out of the speaker was a bit tinny.
$400, panasonic.com
(Via Gadget Lab.)
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