Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) by Panasonic
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Our Price: $275.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)
Digital camera Review: 5 stars for value, 4 stars for performance = 4.5 stars!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
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!
Digital camera Review: A Fantastic Camara
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me first say I don't know much about taking photos, other than push this button to take the picture.
I saw this camera on a gold box deal for $199 and took a chance on it. Based on a few of the reviews on this site. I am so glad I did! This is easily the best camera I have ever owned. Not the most expensive, that honor goes to my first digital camera...$299 for a 1M picture (It was one of the first digital cameras for sale).
I had some problems with having blurry photos with the heart and simple mode, since that was supposed to be the simplest to use. That all changed when I put it on ISO (Red house with an I in the middle). After that the shaky or blurry photos went away for good. I went on a trip to the mountains with some friends and they were astounded what great photos this camera took.
It comes with a tv adapter so you can show your friends your pictures. So for fun I zoomed in and my jaw dropped when it was zooming in so clearly we could make out signs way in the background that we could barely see in the normal size of the photo.
The rechargeable batteries are also fantastic. I was taking picture after picture and it kept a charge for a LONG time. I went though all 260 photos before it hit 1 bar out of 3.
I can't recomend this any more enthusiastically.
Digital camera Review: A lot of features and support raw.
Summary: 5 Stars
Bought this FZ8 base on Leica lens, able to take picture under raw format, bundle with SILKYPIX editing software and including lens hood/hood adaptor. I am very please the overall results of the camera and it offer full manual mode and 20 combinations under scene mode. Be aware when taking picture under raw format, it takes a while to recording and burst mode won't sopport raw at all. SILKYPIX sofeware able to offer most the needs to get your editing job done and it's free. For a little under $300 with a 2GB SD 120x card and all the features it's a real deal.Digital camera Review: A nice camera for the transition from Point and Shoot to DSLR
Summary: 4 Stars
I got back into photography after a 10-12 year hiatus. I started with a point-and-shoot Kodak, but it was obvious that that wasn't going to cut it. I needed something that was easy and quick to use, but had a good assortment of manual controls.
I tried the Kodak Z12is, but was unsatisfied with the image quality. Sent it back and got a Lumix. Glad I did.
The picture quality, especially at 100-200 ISO, is very good. And, you can set the shutter speed and aperture manually, and you get a match-needle style meter (am I showing my age?) that gives you a +, - or 0 to center an indicator on. I felt right at home after using my old Praktica back in the day.
The zoom is truly amazing. I think it's something like 38-432 in 35mm numbers. Impressive for such a small package. Plus, it's got the renowned Leica lens. In fact, Leica and Panasonic have cooperated on several cameras, so there might just be a lot of Leica in the Panasonic (or a lot of Panasonic in a Leica...either way, a good thing).
It is also expandable...with the included extender, you can attach any 52mm accessories, such as polarizers and other filters. Attach a Tiffen 3+ Close-Up lens and you get some pretty incredible macro ability. Plus, they make wide angle and teleconverters that will mount to the extender, further increasing the capability of this camera.
On a tripod is where this camera really shines. With a 60 second maximum shutter speed, this thing is ideal for long exposures, and even astrophotography, to a limited extent.
Here's the thing; I originally got the Lumix because I wasn't sure if I would be interested enough in taking pictures to invest in a DSLR. I didn't want to pay $800-1000 dollars for a camera to collect dust.
It hasn't. I've taken probably 2-3000 pictures with the Lumix since I got it 7 months ago...that's about 14 pictures a day, on average.
Ironic now, that I'm looking for a new camera. The Lumix has brought back my interest in photography, but can't satisfy it wholly. I'm itching for better high-iso performance, interchangeable lenses, and a shutter with a bulb setting for longer exposures. The Lumix is good if you make snapshots and occasionally want to do some more serious artistic shooting without lugging around a huge camera. Not as much if you're a photo enthusiast who occasionally likes to do snapshots.
Don't get me wrong. The Lumix fulfills its purpose wonderfully as a bridge camera. It can't replace a DSLR, but I'd still recommend it to anyone who's in the market for a point and shoot with great flexibility. Definitely better than the Kodak Z12IS.
If I didn't like it, I'd be selling it on Ebay. As it is, I'm passing it on to a family member who's interested in learning more about photography.
The proof is in the pudding. Here are some shots that I've made with my Lumix:
http://flickr.com/photos/mountaineerfan/tags/dmcfz8/
Digital camera Review: A very smart purchase
Summary: 5 Stars
This camera was a very wise purchase. We just returned from a 14-day vacation with some of the best photos ever. After selecting the proper settings, I just aim and shoot to get postcard-quality photos. The camera is extremely light weight. The operating manual is very helpful, but there are so many options that I will probably take a digital camera class to thoroughly understand all the possibilities of this camera.