Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 Easy Camera Review

The 7.2-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 fits in between the 6-megapixel FZ7 and the 10.1-megapixel FZ50 in the company’s line of ultra-zoom digital cameras. It comes at a time when the ultra-zoom market is rapidly expanding; point-and-shooters are growing tired of 3x lenses and looking for a camera that is a little more serious. The 7.2-megapixel FZ8 fills that need with its 12x optical zoom lens and image stabilization system.

 

The FZ8’s long lens has an optical image stabilization system that reduces blur in images and bumps in movies caused by shaking hands. The stabilized 12x lens isn’t entirely unique though: the Canon PowerShot S3 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5 have 12x lenses with image stabilization too. The FZ8 provides more reliable auto focus throughout its zoom range, but it isn’t functional while recording video like the Canon and Sony models.

 

Because the zoom lens doesn’t work in the movie mode, the Panasonic FZ8 won’t make a great hybrid digital camera – so don’t plan to replace your camcorder with it.  It still records television-quality video with 640 x 480 and 320 x 240-pixel resolution at 30 frames per second and even shoots widescreen movies, but you will miss the 12x optical zoom when recording your daughter’s ballet recital from a balcony seat.

 

 

The FZ8 won’t satisfy camcorder-lovers, but has a little something for everyone else: manual and priority modes for advanced photographers, and 21 scene modes and a “simple” mode for beginners. If you like to control every aspect of the picture, this is a good camera to have. The ISO sensitivity can be set up to 1250 and the white balance has a vast number of presets, two custom modes, and an adjustment scale where you can make the image more red or blue. The camera’s interface is intuitive, which makes it very easy to use.

 

The zoom lens is the lead feature on the FZ8, but there are several solid components on this digital camera. The LCD screen measures 2.5 inches, has decent resolution at 207k pixels, and comes with Power LCD and High Angle LCD modes to make viewing easier when shooting in sunny conditions or when holding the camera above the head. There is also an electronic viewfinder that is adequately sized at 0.44 inches; a diopter control adjusts the viewfinder’s glass so you can take your eyeglasses. The pop-up flash has to be manually opened; it evenly lights the frame and is effective to almost 20 feet.

 

The Panasonic FZ8 measures 4.43 x 2.84 x 3.11 inches and weighs a mere 12.6 ounces fully loaded with the SD card and rechargeable battery. The camera body may have solid components, but it is still constructed from light plastic. The body is SLR-shaped with a comfortable hand grip and a wide lens barrel. This makes handling the FZ8 a breeze, but it won’t fit in your pocket and will needs its own carrying case.  

 

The FZ8 comes with a lens adapter and hood that are nice for shading the lens on sunny days – and make the camera look much more sophisticated. A decent amount of software is included with the camera too; there is even a program that edits raw files from the camera. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 has a lot of great features, comes with some nice perks, and still has a decent $349 retail price tag. It won’t be a good fit for photographers who want to record video often, but will be great for just about everyone else.

 

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 - THE BOTTOM LINE.... Rating:

Likes

- Optical image stabilization - 12x Leica lens - Good handling - Large viewfinder - Sturdy, effective flash - 380-shot battery - Quick auto focus

Dislikes

- Cheap plastic housing - No optical zoom in movies - Zooms slowly

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 Rating: 318.30	Canon PowerShot S3 IS Rating: 331.97	Kodak EasyShare Z712 Rating: N/A	Olympus SP-550UZ Rating:	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5 Rating: 331.45
Better	Better	Better	Better	Better
- Shoots TIFF image files	- Functional optical zoom while recording video - More picture effects - Stereo audio with options for sampling rate, wind diffuser, and mic sensitivity - Dual shooting buttons for stills and videos - Faster 2.3 fps burst mode - Sells for about $300	- Cheaper $299 retail price - Electronic viewfinder has better resolution - 32MB internal memory - LCD has 230k - Panorama stitch mode - Smart scene mode setting - ISO up to 1600	- Longer 18x optical zoom lens - LCD has 230,000 pixels - Guide mode on dial with tutorials - Can shoot RAW and JPEG files simultaneously - In-camera frames and labels - Underwater scene modes and optional underwater housing - ISO to 1600 in full resolution - Panorama assist mode - Alarm clock	- 3-inch LCD screen with 230k - 32MB internal memory included - Optical zoom lens fully functional in movie mode - Sturdier housing - 201k resolution on electronic viewfinder - Flash reaches nearly 30 ft
Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal
- Same $349 price - 12x Leica optical zoom lens - Optical image stabilization - Same plastic housing - Same dimensions and weight - Pop-up flash unit - Electronic viewfinder - 2.5 inch LCD screen - Manual, priority modes - Accepts SD media	- 12x optical zoom lens - Optical image stabilization - Manual and priority modes - 640 x 480 and 320 x 240-pixel video at 30 fps - Compatible with SD, SDHC, and MMC media	- 7.1 megapixels - 12x optical zoom lens - Optical image stabilization system - Manual and priority modes - 2.5 inch LCD screen - 2 fps burst mode - Compatible with SD cards - f/2.8 wide max aperture - SLR-like shape with chunky hand grip - Ability to mark images as favorites	- Optical image stabilization system - 7.1 megapixels - 2.5 inch sized LCD - Manual and priority modes - Shoots RAW images - 22 scene modes, many of which are the same - Movies record up to 2GB at a time - White balance compensation	- 7.2 megapixels - 12x optical zoom lens - Optical image stabilization system - Manual and priority modes - SLR-shaped body - Comes with lens hood and adapter - Smart Zoom feature similar to “extra zoom” on Panasonic
Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse
- 6 megapixels - LCD has only 114k pixels - No pet or sunset scene modes - ISO to 400 - High sensitivity mode isn’t as sensitive - Can’t shoot RAW files - No custom self-timer - No internal memory - 320-shot battery	- No widescreen movies - 6 megapixels - Can’t record more than 1 GB at a time - 4 AA batteries make it heavy - Only 110 shots from alkaline AA batteries	- No manual white balance setting - Smaller electronic viewfinder - Even cheaper, lighter plastic body - Shorter 16-1/1000th shutter speed range	- Much more expensive at $499 - Can’t record audio and zoom at the same time in movie mode - Smaller electronic viewfinder - Interface isn’t as intuitive - Slower auto focus system - Flash isn’t as effective, reaching 14.8 ft at best - Slow full-resolution burst mode - AA batteries don’t last long - 20MB internal memory	- $449 retail price - 30-1/1000th of a second shutter speeds - Only 7 scene modes - AA batteries get 340 shots per charge - Requires Memory Stick Pro Duo to record 30 fps video - No widescreen movies - 1.1 fps burst mode - Viewfinder is only 0.2 inches