Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 - Expert Reviews

Pros: Overall picture quality - Lowlight photographs

Cons: Purple fringing

Verdict: The Panasonic DMC FZ8 is one of the best super zoom digital cameras I have tested. It is also available at a very reasonable price. Picture quality is very good indeed. There are a wide range of features, but Panasonic have still managed to make the DMC F

Review summary: A fast, long 12x optical zoom lens and easy-to-use controls help make up a little for the DMC-FZ8's image-quality issues.

Pros: Fast 12x optical zoom lens; convenient joystick control; manual exposure controls; optical image stabilization; raw image capture.

Cons: Noisy images; so-so image quality; ISO 3200 hidden away in a scene mode.

Review summary: Surprisingly compact, but still big enough to shoot comfortably with two hands, the FZ8 offers 7-megapixel resolution, optical image stabilisation, raw capture and a stonking 12x optical zoom -- and its ease of use makes it great for beginners

Pros: Fast 12x optical zoom lens; convenient joystick control; manual exposure controls; optical image stabilisation; raw image capture

Cons: Noisy images; so-so image quality; ISO 3,200 hidden away in a scene mode

Verdict: A fast, long 12x optical zoom lens and easy-to-use controls help make up a little for the DMC-FZ8's image-quality issues

Review summary: A fast, long 12x optical zoom lens and easy-to-use controls help make up a little for the DMC-FZ8's image-quality issues.

Pros: Fast 12x optical zoom lens, Convenient joystick control, Manual exposure controls, Optical image stabilisation, Raw image capture

Cons: Noisy images, So-so image quality, ISO 3,200 hidden away in a scene mode

Pros: Nice design, big zoom, nice image stabilisation options

Cons: Soft pictures in some parts, oversaturated reds

Verdict: While it does have a few things going for it, including a big zoom and comfortable design, the soft edges and colour reproduction issues mean the FZ8 isn't as impressive as it could have been.