Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Review

I've got to agree with Doug on this one.
I have just purchashed this camera and have had some time to play with it. Is it perfect? No, of course it isn't, but it's 'only' £200. If I wanted a system for excellent video & sound, I'd use a camcorder. If I wanted a system for excellent photograph quality in any environment, I'd spend a whole lot more on a dSLR.

As it stands, I had a budget of £220 and needed a camera that would give ease of use for quick photo's, can be perform reasonably in most lighting conditions, have enough functions to be able to custom set-up the camera to the way i want it (without the necessary complexity of dSLR's) and have a good zoom capability.

The FZ18 meets all of these criteria. Personally, I'm more than happy with it.

NRoy,

Audio "horrible"? OK, it's not exactly my Linn system but it's certainly better than what my Canon 8mm analogue camcorder delivers. The picture quality is too but I regard the video function on the FZ-18 as a bit of a bonus to a camera that seems to have a better brain than mine as it consistently turns out results on its iA setting that I'm totally satisfied with.

For two hundred quid odd, the FZ-18 is not just a steal, it's grand larceny! Can't praise it enough and I can only stand slack-jawed in amazement at the technology that went into this unique and remarkable camera.

I was going to make a comment about the fz 18s versatility as a take-everywhere camera, but found that Doug has got it about right. I took a while to think out the best camera to take on a short break, and eventually settled for my Lumix fz 18 instead of a DSLR (canon 40D). The results of the trip photographically have been better than expected and the great advantage of this compact is that you really don't miss any photographic opportunity at all: the quality of the image is outstanding for such a tiny piece of kit, the only downside being that you probably take many more pics than you would normally, but then you don't have film prices to worry about. So far as the small sensor is concerned, well what do you expect - such a camera with its astonishing spec is bound to be the result of a tradeoff in that area. And, for me the crucial factor is the quality of the lens: barrel distortion such as you experience on the Canon G9 for example (with a 35mm equivalent to the fz 18s 28mm equivalent WA end, is unacceptable. In the end, the lens and the results determine the success of a camera, so for me the Lumix fz 18 gets pretty much full marks throughout for all ratings. Now if Lumix come up with something which improves upon that, then expect Canon and Nikon with their current DSLR prosumer range to take a seriously sharp dip in sales.

What's this with criticizing some cameras for their "small" sensor and not so for others? It seems that most of this style of camera has a small sensor... so why not downgrade all of them? Appears these cameras are top notch in their own right...