8.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
18x wide-angle image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display; 0.44-inch electric viewfinder with diopter adjustment for fine focusing; can toggle between LCD and EVF
Intelligent Auto Mode with Face Detection and Intelligent Scene Selector
Shooting at ISO 1600 in normal recording mode; 6 autofocusing modes
Stores images on SD memory cards (includes 27MB of internal memory; powered by lithium-ion battery (battery and charger included)
Rating: - Perfect for when weight matters
I also own a Nikon digital SLR. I bought this camera to take on a hunt in Alaska. I was concerned about the bulk and weight of my SLR, lenses, etc. What first caught my eye about this Panasonic was the 18x capability, which gives you 28mm to 504mm (in 35mm equivalent) in a small and light package. The camera did not disappoint. I was able to get a lot of great shots: from zooms to panoramas, under varying light conditions (I didn't try anything faster than ISO400). The resolution is great: I can blow up my pictures and they still look good. To top it off, you can shoot video with it also (30 fps), in either 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio.
I had also bought and charged two spare batteries (no place to charge batteries in the field north of the arctic circle...). Didn't touch either one. I shot 250 pictures and around 20 minutes of video over the course of 8 days in the field and only took my first battery down to one bar.
For you ultra-serious camera geeks: Is it a full SLR? No. Is the zoom as good as an SLR with a telephoto lens? No. Is it an HD camcorder? No.
But for you hunters, hikers, campers, outdoorspeople, or anyone concerned about bulk & weight, this camera can't be beat.
Rating: - Panansonic customer service a bust
I purchased my Panasonic DMC-FZ18K in May, 2008, and totally loved the camera, except for the VERY short battery life. The best part was the 18X optical zoom. What the previous reviews don't tell you is what happens when something goes wrong. Three months after my purchase, the camera stopped working. Then I found out about Panasonic's customer service (or lack thereof). First you have to deal with their automated telephone system. (There is no option to speak to a live person.) Each time I called I was transferred at least a half dozen times before I was able to speak to anyone who would actually listen to me. I soon found out that Panasonic's "customer service" department is actually designed to discourage anyone from actually getting anything done. In short, Panasonic does not live up to their warranties. If you don't believe me, google Panasonic and customer service. It's all over the Internet. With so many other products available, why waste your money on a Panasonic product?
Rating: - Good camera
I probably purchased too much camera. I researched cameras and thought this to be the best. But some of the features can be obtained when you print your digital photos from Walmart. I could have purchased a camera w/less features. I need to study to properly utilize and get the best benefit from this camera.
Rating: - Amazing handheld zoom!
This camera is amazing. I can take a handheld picture of a bird at 18X optical zoom, touch the zoom on replay of the image and it is still sharp boring all the way in! It makes me wonder if I will sell my Canon 100-400 image stabilization lens on E-Bay! It is so small I can carry it all the time for unexpected encounters and opportunities. There are so many (17) settings for special situations like Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Candlelight, etc. that I have not had opportunity to try them all.
Rating: - What an AMAZING CAMERA!
My wife and I purchased this camera as we both loved our current 5MP point and shoot Nikon but wanted a BIG ZOOOOM so we could expand into nature and bird photography. We didn't want or have a lot of money to spend for a DSLR body and THEN even more for one of those big zoom lenses. This camera have an unbelievable zoom and the stabilization feature at full zoom is remarkable!
I'm my opinion this camera fits the niche between point and shoot and DSLR perfectly and ESPECIALLY great considering the price point--less than $300! We couldn't find a DSLR body for that price, and to find an 18x zoom lens...well we laughed ourselves right off the website when we saw the prices!
We were very impressed by the quality feel/construction. It is very easy to use right out of the box--and the auto picture setting selects the perfect exposure 9 out of 10 times. We have taken thousands of pictures--the burst mode is phenomenal and there are many of manual options/controls for when/if you want to take the next step.
Another nice feature is this camera can accept filters (46mm) which expands its versatility and reduces the need for excess photo-editing afterwards.
I also really like the fact that the camera can take pictures in RAW format as well as RAW + JPEG which means you get a picture in both formats...just fantastic really and a feature we did not find available in competitors.
I would highly recommend getting the biggest memory card you can afford as well as a couple of extra batteries - for those all day photo safaris/excursions.
Startup VoIP provider DeFi makes big claims, but delivers worldwide calling from a smartphone for $40 or $50 per month: DeFi has a very stripped down business model designed to appeal to a specific, but large class of traveler. They make software that's currently available for Nokia S60 phones (E and N series), and later this year for the iPhone, that acts as a kind of VoIP shunt for calling behavior. When you place a call, the software determines whether you're on a Wi-Fi network, and routes the call out that way; if not, it goes to cell. It also routes inbound calls, and can ring your cell phone's number if you're not on a Wi-Fi network and your inbound DeFi number gets a call.
For $40 or $50 per month (1 or 3 inbound phone numbers, respectively, in any of about 30 countries), you get 3,000 minutes (they call it "unlimited") of calling to and from 75 countries. This includes cell lines in Europe, typically a huge extra for most VoIP plans. DeFi said they signed deals directly with carriers, which they say most VoIP providers have not.
Wi-Fi access works at what they say is "1 million" hotspots, but is really Fon plus several tens of thousands of typical hotel, café, and airport venues. Wi-Fi fees are included for VoIP and data in the monthly subscription. DeFi uses Devicescape behind the scenes to handle no-entry authentication to their Wi-Fi footprint.
The integration is the key point DeFi makes about their product, and may be a stumbling block for an iPhone application. The head of DeFi told me that the company wants their service to require no behavioral changes for customers. Of course, users still have to make sure when they're in areas in which a cell call would be expensive that they don't accidentally wander away from a Wi-Fi hotspot. And Apple doesn't currently allow the kind of integration that would be required for call handling and interception, although DeFi said it's having no problems in its development work.
Wikis are shedding their free-for-all reputation and getting down to business. We found four IT shops that are tapping enterprise wikis to transform some of their internal processes.
The proposed acquisition of Macromedia by Adobe is not a done deal. Both companies are under the scrutiny of the SEC, and it must also be approved by stockholders.
While Macromedia/Adobe gives this process three to nine months, some industry analysts feel that is being overly optimistic.
But assuming that all is goes as planned, Macromedia will cease to exist. Everything will be in the Adobe name and with the Adobe interface.
CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama said on Saturday that he was crafting an aggressive, two-year stimulus plan to revive the troubled economy, warning that swift action was needed to prevent a deep slump and a spiral of falling prices.
- Perfect for when weight matters
- Panansonic customer service a bust
- Good camera