Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 8.1 Megapixel

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 is first of all, in my opinion, a universal camera for an amateur, irreplaceable on trips and hikes. It is not suitable for professional photography.

Pros:

- Good, high resolution shots at optimum conditions.
- Natural colors and superior image processing.
- Large, 18x zoom-objective lens, allows to fully capture objects both far away and as close as half an inch away from the camera.
- Smooth zoom drive, with two speed modes.
- Image can be stabilized.
- Compact.
- All around user-friendly.
- Works very quickly.
- Auto-focusing is fast and accurate.
- High definition display.
- Excellent view finder.
- Speed shooting is actually very fast, as well as recording speed.
- Good video mode.
- Useful RAW mode (1 frame per 4 seconds)
- Large selection of scenes for auto-shooting (family dinner, at the beach, etc.).
- Price affordable to any enthusiast.

Cons:

- Photo resolution does not excel, unfortunately
- High volume of white noise in all formats. RAW format is required to produce high resolution images.
- Small details get lost in JPEG format.
- Sensitivity above ISO400 is impractical, because of white noise and generally marred picture.
- Auto-focusing almost gets a will of its own in low lighting conditions.
- Low battery charge, additional batteries required for trips.

Notes:

This review was written by someone other than the publisher and in Russian. Original available on demand (no strings attached).
Permission to publish both versions was asked for and granted.
Camera has been in reviewer's possession for six months at the time of the review.

I like the picture quality,love the bright LCD and the viewfinder,love it's compact size and lightweight...especially for a 18X power super zoom!
I decided to buy this particular model because of all its features,legendary Panasonic quality(I have years of experience with many of this companies products and have yet a disappointment.)and the fact it does pretty much everything my DSLR did without the price tag or need to change bulky lenses.For me,it fits the bill perfectly.My primary use is pics of car shows,family outings and nature(live-action shots)and the Panasonic Lumix excels at this!
I would highly recommend this camera to anyone,from novice to a seasoned Pro.5 stars!!!!!!!!!

I bought this camera off of ebay as a used camera, but I swear it was like it had never been used, perfect condition! Takes great pics and movies. I recently upgraded to a FZ28 so I sold my FZ18, but only because I could not afford to keep both cameras and I really like the high def video of the FZ28. But this model is fantastic - can't say one negative thing about it....

A friend was enthusiastic about the same model camera he had purchased. After researching digital cameras, we chose this model. It has excellent features and is fairly easy to operate as well as being light-weight. I also desired to have a unit that "looked" and felt like a camera. I am very satisfied with the detail of the pictures I have taken thus far.

Awesome camera, the extended zoom and great pictures are indicative of cameras costing far more. I love it!

I've had this camera for a year or more, just bought the third one for family or friends. This camera is awlsome for the person who wants the best of both worlds, totally auto of fully adjustable. Who highly recommend this camera.