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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18K 8.1MP Digital Camera Reviews Panasonic has expanded its Lumix family of digital still cameras with the introduction of the Lumix DMC-FZ18, an 8.1-megapixel compact camera with an impressive 18x optical zoom. In addition to a premium 28mm wide-angle Leica D C lens, the DMC-FX18 is one of the first Panasonic digital cameras to offer the revolutionary Intelligent Auto Mode, which includes Face De tection, Intelligent Scene Selector, and Continuous Autofocus functions, allowing users t o easily capture clear, professional-quality images in any situation or setting. When this powerful camera--which features image-stabilized optical zoom up to 18 x--is put into Intelligent Auto Mode, the multifaceted functions engage automatically, so there is no need to adjust s ettings every time conditions change. The DMCFZ18's intuitive Intelligent Auto Mode comprises : Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects the appropriate scene mode from the most frequently-used modes such as Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Scen ery, and Night Portrait; Face Detection System, which helps the camera to focus, set autoexposure, an d detects up to 15 human faces, capturing them clearly and brightly; and Continuous Autofocus, which allows the camera to keep focus on the subject w ithout having to press the shutter button halfway and allowing for the best results out of a shutter chance by minimizing the autofocus time. Similar to the entire 2007 line of Lumix digital still cameras, the camera sport s advanced countermeasures against blurring--the Intelligent Image Stabilization system tha t combines MEGA Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) to compensate for hand-shake and Intel ligent ISO Control to detect and adjust for motion blur caused by subject movement. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 also is equipped with a 2.5-inch large, high-resolution LCD w ith 207,000 pixels, a 0.44-inch electric viewfinder with 188,000 pixels and f2.8 brightness, and is powered by the high-quality, high-performance Venus Engine III, which boasts shooting at IS O 1600 in normal recording mode. The DMC-FZ18 has been redesigned to make the camera more stylish and easier to u se. The autofocus, autoexposure lock, and Macro buttons are now independent, to allow qu ick and direct operation. A metal-finished mode dial adds design strength, and an enhanc ed rubber grip makes the camera easier to hold. The redesigned body also incorporates the joyst ick made popular by the DMC-FZ8 model, which enables a host of settings, such as manual f ocusing and exposure, to be done quickly and easily. Other advanced features of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 digital camera include: Custom Setting Mode that memorizes your frequent setting patterns for in stance use applied by simply selecting this function on the mode dial. 1920 x 1080 pixel photos ideal for full-screen viewing on a wide-screen HDTV . Six autofocusing methods including face detection, multi, three-point high-s peed, one-point high speed, one-point normal speed, and spot. With the one-point autofocus or spot autofocus method, the autofocusing area can be chosen from as many as 11 points with the joystick or cursor button. Advanced Scene Modes provide users more control over some frequently used sc ene modes, such as indoor and outdoor modes, when selecting portrait or sports mode and nature or architecture settings when selecting portrait mode. Bundled SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0SE software application for editing and developing images in the RAW file format. 27MB of built-in memory--perfect for backing up SDHC/SD memory card recordin g. Extra Optical Zoom feature extends zoom power to 28.7x at 3 megapixels. Compatibility with large-capacity SDHC memory cards. Title Edit Function allows inputting of text and additional picture informat ion. Picture Playback by category sorts images into categories such as portraits, landscapes, nightscapes, events, and motion pictures. Also, allows slideshow pla yback of images in the same category. Optional accessories including a teleconversion lens, close-up lens, ND filt er, MC protector, lens adapter, AC adapter, battery pack, soft case, and camera bag. Available in two colors: silver and black. What's in the box Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 digital camera, ArcSoft MediaImpression and ArcSoft Pan oramaMaker software, USB driver, battery charger, battery pack, lens cap, lens h ood, lens hood adapter, AV cable, USB connection cable, strap, CD-ROM Panasonic DMC-FZ18K digital camera customer reviews Loved since I opened it I recently wanted to upgrade from a simple point & shoot to something with a little more manual control, without spending a whole lot of money on a DSLR and here's what I got.... I think I made a GREAT decision on buying this camera!!! If you're thinking about buying a camera that's not as simple as a P&S, but not as expensive as a DSLR this a great option. I just got the camera, charged the battery and starting taking shots, and even using the IA (intelligent auto) mode the pictures are VERY VERY GOOD! Actually, according to some of the reviews I found here, I was expecting a little less quality on the pics but they were more than good. The feel is pretty good, nice grip and it feels really comfortable in your hands (doesn't feel cheap at all!!!) The camera is not bulky, you probably wont want to put it in your pocket, unless you want everybody to stare at your leg like somethings coming out of it though.... Zooming is very smooth and focusing doesn't take long at all... When I first fully charged the battery, it took like 10 minutes of video and like 200 pictures to drain it almost completely, which I think is very good. The menu is very intuitive, and if you know what you're doing it'll be a lot easier to manually adjust the camera settings. In conclusion, I would strongly recommend this camera for people who are not willing to pay for a DSLR or probably think it's too complicated (like myself LOL) and you won't be disappointed... BELIEVE ME!!! A great buy Got this camera in Dec last year. The FZ18 is my 3rd digi cam after the nikon 5400 and canon sd400 and it's the best! It takes great photos, is light, has a fantastic 18X zoom and good image stablisation. i just love it! If you're ok with a slightly larger camera, this is the one to buy. All I wanted in a Digital Camera I have had three digital cameras, a Kodak back in 1996, an Olympus after that and this Panasonic. This camera gives me everything I wanted. The camera housing is very sturdy. I take the camera everywhere and don't fear a little bumping around. I take it hiking in teh mountains, casual walks, kayaking, kids soccer games. performs like a champ. The pictures are great, the software works great, the LCD display on the back is almost as large as the device can hold, so only an extendable display would make it theoretically bigger. (Wouldn't that be a nice feature choice?) The camera comes on very quickly. I feel spoiled by how quickly i can grab the camera, turn it on and shoot. My Olympus was so slow to turn on and be ready. You loose shots with a digital sometimes, the digital camera's biggest drawback. But this DMC-FZ50 camera turns on in second. The Olympus C-3030 zoom (recognizing it was last generation technology) also had a delay between pushing the shutter button and the camera collecting the image. So it was virtually impossible to take picture of a child swinging or coming down a slide; you just didn't get the picture at the moment you wanted. The data capture time to the focal plane array on this model has vastly improved. The thing has too many features to even talk about. They all work. i personally use very few of them. The video capture is another feature that is vastly improved over what I experienced with my last digital camera, the Olympus. It is a bit tricky on lighting with video but the sound that comes with the video is good and you can figure out how to get the lighting right if you mess around a little. Anyway, if you want good video, capture it with a device made for that purpose. I bought two batteries and keep them both charged in my case when I'm going anywhere i expect to take a lot of pictures. I haven;t timed the camera but I can't remember running out of battery power and have taken hundreds of photos on a vacation outing. I put an 8MB memory card in it, since memory is so cheap these days and I rarely even think about taking a second card with me. If you're taking more pictures than this camera will hold on an 8GB card, you are missing the experience of the day with your face planted solely behind the camera. Anyway, i haven;t counted the number of pictures I can take max but its a boatload. Nobody who lived in the era of film cameras will ever complain about the number of photos you can take without loading another memory card. I think the camera's weigh feel good, the hand grip is substantial enough to make it easy to manage one-handed. One thing I don't like is how the sun shield attaches to the lense housing. it seems to have been designed as an afterthought and doesn't fit well. it always seems loose even if you tighten the thumbscrew used to hold it in place to its max tightness. I read some complaints about the lense cover before I purchased the DMC-FZ50 but I've had no problem with it. It's leased and seems to stay in place alright. The displays can be a bit much to learn but that's simply because there are so many features. In regular sunlight the camera takes very stable pictures at full magnification. The 18X zoom is awesome and having the ability to extend that electronically to 72X zoom withotu any additional lense is simple astounding. However, don't expect crystal clear pictures at 72X extended zoom. All in all an excellent camera and for the price a real value.
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