Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18, 8.1 Megapixel, 18x Optical/4x Digital Zoom, Digital Camera (Silver)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera incorporates 8.1-megapixel resolution with a wide-angle 18x optical zoom (28 - 504mm equivalent) LEICA DC lens with MEGA O.I.S., and an Optical Image Stabilizer system that compensates tfor hand-shake. The camera incorporates a joystick which allows easy manual control of focusing in addition to exposure settings, making the camera more compact and easy to carry while preserving all of the powerful zoom capability and manual controllability of more expensive Digital SLRs.
The camera also has a large, 2.5-inch LCD which uses a pixel-mixed readout method, improving brightness over typical LCD displays, and allows you to enjoy comfortable shooting even in low-light situations. The DMC-FZ18 is powered by a high capacity Lithium-ion battery. Combined with the efficient power usage of the Venus Engine III processor, you'll get an impressive 380 shots on a full charge.
- Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens with a 18x Optical Zoom
- The DMC-FZ18 features a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens with a remarkable 18x optical zoom, equivalent to a 28 - 504mm lens on a 35mm film camera. A film camera with an optical zoom this powerful would be so big and heavy, you couldn't handle it with one hand. The DMC-FZ18, on the other hand, is small, lightweight and easy to handle. It also has Panasonic's Extended Optical Zoom. While causing minimal deterioration by using the center part of the high-resolution CCD, this function magnifies the image to give you total zoom power of up to 28.7x.
- Reduce Blur with MEGA OIS and Intelligent ISO
- Image blur is commonly caused by either movement of the camera or movement of the subject. Camera movement is corrected with the MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) feature which uses built-in gyro-sensors to detect the smallest camera movement and instantaneously shifts a lens element in the opposite direction to compensate, giving you sharp, clear images without deterioration. Motion blur - caused when a subject moves as the shot is being taken - is minimized with Intelligent ISO Control. This system actually detects whether the subject is moving and automatically adjusts the ISO setting and shutter speed to minimize the motion blur effect while maintaining good exposure.
- Face Detection for Superb Portraits
- The Face Detection function automatically chooses the optimal settings to make sure faces appear well-lit and in focus. This advanced technology can detect up to 15 faces in a scene, and will even automatically readjust the settings if their positions change.
- High-Sensitivity Mode
- This mode helps suppress motion blur by automatically setting the ISO sensitivity in the range of 1600-6400, which increases the shutter speed. It also lets you take clearer, sharper shots in dim lighting without using a flash.
- Super-Fast Shutter Response and Consecutive Shooting
- The DMC-FZ18 is fast and responsive - thanks to the Venus Engine III processor. The camera has an extremely fast shutter lag, so you won't miss that "perfect" moment, and it enables high ISO to minimize motion blur and take pictures under low lighting without the need for a mood-killing flash. Furthermore, the advanced processor enables fast and unlimited continuous shooting at a rate of 3 frames per second - a superbly useful feature when shooting sports or other fast paced events.
- Wide VGA Motion Image Recording
- The pixel-mixed readout method performed at the CCD makes it possible to record beautiful full-size movies in Wide VGA (848 x 480) size at 30 fps especially good for viewing on wide-screen TV in addition to the normal VGA (640 x 480). Much higher luminous signals are provided by the pixel-mixed readout method, so the video quality is enhanced not only in size but also in the brightness level as well.
- Fast Consecutive Shooting
- Snap off up to 7 consecutive shots at a swift 3 frames per second in Standard mode. The DMC-FZ18 also has Unlimited Consecutive Shooting, so you can keep on shooting until the SD Memory Card is full.
- Joystick-operated Intuitive Manual Control
- The DMC-FZ18 offers manual focus and manual exposure; and both are adjustable with an independent omni directional joystick. Users can quickly shortcut to frequently used variables containing white balance adjustment, ISO setting, image size setting and compression format just by pressing and holding down the joystick, even while monitoring a subject on the LCD. There's no need to switch to the menu screen. When you focus in the Manual Focus mode, not only the focus distance but also the depth of field (according to the zoom range and aperture) is displayed. There is also a MF assist function that enlarges the center of the image to make focusing easier.
- 19 Easy-to-use Scene Modes
- The DMC-FZ18 contains a total of nineteen scene modes to assist your shooting according to the wide-ranging situations. The unique "Baby" mode allows easy growth recording in which the baby's age according to the preset birthday would be automatically recorded onto the image. "Starry sky" mode helps you capture the beautiful star-filled night sky by securing shutter speeds as slow as 60 seconds. Plus, the Tele-Macro function allows shooting the subject in the Macro mode as close as 100cm at the tele end, giving a soft-focused background to make the subject stands out.
- Intelligent Scene Detection
- With the camera in Intelligent Auto Mode, the Intelligent Scene Selector will sense the ambient conditions and automatically select either the Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode accordingly. With the camera choosing the settings for you, you'll get beautiful results every time you shoot, no matter what the scene or subject.
- Mode Dial with Mode Position Display
- The Mode Dial is combined with a unique Mode Position Display, and as you operate the dial, large animated icons are displayed on the LCD Screen, making it easy to find the mode you want and switch between shooting, viewing, and printing.
- Auto Angle Detection
- Auto angle detection records whether an image was taken horizontally or vertically. This ensures that when playing back on the LCD monitor and displaying images on your TV by connecting your Lumix Digital Camera with an A/V cable, vertical images are automatically displayed vertically and horizontal images are automatically displayed horizontally.
- Built-in and Expandable Memory
- The camera includes 27MB of built-in memory, and the memory capacity can be expanded dramatically with Secure digital (SD) or Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) memory cards. You can also copy images from a memory card or PC to the built-in memory, and view them on the LCD anytime you like.
- 2.5" High-Angle LCD
- The DMC-FZ18 features a large, 2.5" diagonal LCD and the Power LCD function. Simply touch the Power LCD button and the display becomes about 40% brighter for easier viewing on sunny days. The DMC-FZ18 also has a High-Angle LCD feature, which makes it easier to check the LCD when you're holding the camera high to shoot over a crowd. The large LCD lets you check the focus, frame the shot, and use functions like 25-thumbnail display and Calendar View in comfort, with no eye strain.
- Print Directly From Your Camera
- You can send images directly to print, right from the DMC-FZ18 camera without the need of a PC. Simply connect the camera to a PictBridge compatible printer by using the included USB cable, and then simply select the pictures you want to print.
Go To
| Camera Type | Ultra-zoom Wide-Angle Point-and-shoot Digital Camera |
| Image Quality | |
|---|---|
| Image Sensor | 1/2.5" 8.32 Megapixel CCD with Primary Color Filter |
| Effective Resolution | 8.1 million pixels |
| Color Depth | 24-Bit RGB |
| Color Modes | Cool, Warm, Black & White, Sepia |
| Image File Formats |
RAW (uncompressed) JPEG (Fine, Standard) RAW + JPEG Exif, DCF & DPOF compliant |
| Recorded Resolution |
4:3 Aspect Ratio 3264 x 2448 2560 x 1920 2048 x 1536 1600 x 1200 640 x 480 3:2 Aspect Ratio 16:9 Aspect Ratio |
| Video Recording |
QuickTime Motion JPEG with Audio 16:9 Aspect Ratio 848 x 480 @ 30 fps 848 x 480 @ 10 fps 4:3 Aspect Ratio 640 x 480 @ 30 fps 640 x 480 @ 10 fps 320 x 240 @ 30 fps 320 x 240 @ 10 fps Clip length limited only by available memory |
| Audio Recording |
QuickTime Audio Still Image with Audio up to 5 seconds record Audio Dubbing up to 10 seconds record |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens Type | Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens (11 Elements in 8 Groups with 3 Aspherical Lenses) |
| Optical Zoom | 18x (Extended Optical Zoom up to 28.7x) |
| Lens Focal Length | 4.6mm - 82.8mm (28mm - 504mm equivalent) |
| Digital Zoom | 4x |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.4" (1cm) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8-4.2 |
| Optical Image Stabilization | Yes (Mega O.I.S.) |
| Accessory Lens/Filter Mount | 46mm filters |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | AF Metering with AF Assist Lamp |
| Focus Modes | Auto Focus (1 point, 1 point high speed, 3 points high speed, 9 points, Spot), Manual Focus (Joystick), Macro, Continuous AF, AF Lock |
| Focus Range |
Normal: 12" (30cm) - infinity Macro: 0.4" (1cm) - infinity wide Tele Macro: 39.3" (100cm) - infinity |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity |
Auto ISO Selectable ISO (100, 200, 400, 800, 1250, 1600) High Sensitivity Mode (1600-6400) |
| Shutter Type | Not Specified |
| Shutter Speed |
Program AE: 1 - 1/2000 seconds Aperture/Shutter Priority AE: 8 - 1/2000 seconds Manual: 60 - 1/2000 seconds Starry Sky Mode: 15, 30, or 60 seconds |
| Aperture Range | f/2.8-4.2 - f/8.0 |
| Exposure Metering | Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual, Program Shift (P mode), Exposure Compensation (+/2 EV in 1/3 EV Steps), Auto Bracketing AE (+/- 1/3 EV - 1EV Step, 3 Frames), Backlight Compensation, AE Lock |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen, Flash, White Set 1/2, White Balance Adjustment (2-axis adjustable, 9 steps each, Blue / Amber and Magenta / Green bias) |
| Scene Modes | Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Panning, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | Yes (Auto, Auto with Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync. Forced On, Forced Off) |
| Effective Flash Range | 1.0' (0.3m) - 18.0' (5.4m) wide |
| External Flash Connection | No |
| External Flash Control | Not Applicable |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Start-Up Time | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Shutter Lag | 0.005 seconds |
| Time Between Shots | 0.6 seconds |
| Burst Capability |
3 fps Up to 7 images (Standard) or 4 images (Fine) 1 fps Continuous |
| Self Timer | 10 seconds, 2 seconds, 3-image |
| Interval Recording | No |
| Date & Time Stamp | Yes |
| Memory & Power | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Memory | 27MB |
| Compatible Memory Cards |
Secure Digital (SD/SDHC) MultiMediaCard (MMC) |
| Recording Capacity | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Battery Type | CGR-S006 Lithium-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 710 mAh) |
| Power Adapter | AC Adaptor (110-240V)(Optional) |
| Input/Output | |
|---|---|
| Computer Interface | USB |
| Direct Print Capable | Yes (PictBridge) |
| Remote Control | No |
| Video Output | Yes (NTSC & PAL) |
| Web-Cam Capable | No |
| System & Software Requirements |
Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, XP, Vista Macintosh OS X (10.1 or later) |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder | 0.44" Color EVF (188,000 pixels) |
| LCD Display | 2.5" Polycrystalline Transflective Type TFT Color LCD Display (207,000 pixels) |
| Language Options | English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese |
| Playback Options | Image Playback, Zoom Playback (16x max), Thumbnail (25 or 9-up), Auto Review (1 sec/3 sec/zoom), Review (1x/4x/8x), Calendar Display, Image Rotation, Slide Show, Favorite Pictures, Resizing, Trimming, Protection, DPOF Print Setting, Picture Adjustment (Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Noise Reduction), Histogram display |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 3.0 x 4.7 x 3.5" (76 x 118 x 89mm) |
| Weight | 12.7 oz (360g) without battery |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 31 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
96%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Simple controls (24)
- Large clear LCD (22)
- Easy to setup (21)
- Short lag time (14)
- Strong construction (13)
Cons
- Poor in low light (5)
Best Uses
- Travel (23)
- Fun (22)
- Photojournalism (5)
- Art (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Enthusiast (13), Casual user (10), Professional (3)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 31 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Bright LCD
- Easy Setup
- Strong Construction
- Zoom
Cons
Best Uses
- Fun
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
The 18x zoom is great, good colors. I take a lot of good pictures. I love it!
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
Cons
Best Uses
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
For a novice user, a very easy camera to use.
Coming from an old film camera to a digital it was a very pleasant change for someone who does have some difficulty with new technologies but this camera is so easy to use and such a simple exercise to review photos via a TV or to download to disk.
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Easy Setup
- Great pictures
- Short Lag Time
Cons
- Battery type
- Logic of controls
- Steep learning curve
Best Uses
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
I am an amateur photographer upgrading from an older, more simple point & shoot digital camera. The FZ18 is a nice package. I am very pleased with the quality of the photos and perhaps even more so with the videos I have made with it. I'd like to think it has something to do with the Leica lens. It was easy to start taking pictures in the Program mode. One encounters a steep learning curve however, when going deeper into the camera's features. The operating manual is 148 pages long and requires every page to explain it's capabilities. I don't expect to be able to master it's every feature. There is a surprise on every page. One I have stumbled on is the ability to project grid lines on the LCD display which is useful in making architectural shots. I don't think the controls are as logical as they could be but I'm getting better with them. One more complaint, I would be willing to settle for a little more size and weight if it used AA NiMH/Alkaline batteries instead of the proprietary Lithium Iron unit. It's a lot of camera for the money and perhaps more camera than I need but hope to master it. [...]
Pros
- Clear On Screen Settings
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
- Easy to Keep Clean
- Easy to use
- Macro Zoom
- Strong Construction
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Fun
- NATURE
- Scenery
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
This camera had everything on it we needed - and so much more. We were looking at a DSLR but decided against it as it was too much equiment to carry around and we did not want to spend over a grand.
All we really wanted was more manual override, large zoom and better exposure control, all in something we could take on walks and vacation.
This was the camera we decided on after many reviews. The features are great and easy to use. The exposure control is so simple and you can also easlily control the flash as well.
Plus there are hidden features that you only find when reading up some reviews (auto correction of barrelling, etc). It is a well thought out and very rich camera that is very easy to use but yet gives full control over almost all the settings.
Not one complaint.
As always read as many reviews as you can before purchasing - you will find like we did this camera is the best in it's class as of 7/31/08.
who am i? i have been involved in photography for 30+ years and both my father and brother are professional photographers. the photographs i take are for personal use but colour and quality are paramount importance. I own a point a shoot Pentax A30 which gives great results and this camera supplements it for greater zoom and manual control.
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
- Easy to use menus
- Short Lag Time
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
I wanted a replacement for my older Canon A85, something more advanced yet easy to use. After reading literally hundreds of reviews, I decided on FZ18 S. Absolutely no regrets. Took it on vacation just last week and right away I was surprised just how easy it is to use (especially in iA mode). 18X zoom works amazing for long distance shots (although I would recomend using a tripod with maximum magnification). Getting into the menus is a breeze and I found that changing settings in various modes is very easy even for an amateur like myself. Outdoor photos are simply stunning and macro shots are extremly sharp. Some of the indoor shots with low light are a bit noisy but nothing I couldn't live with. Overall, it's an exceptional camera and as I become more proficient in using it to it's full potential, the pictures will only get better.
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
Cons
Best Uses
- Fun
- Portraits
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
The FZ18 fits nicely in your hand, controls are easy to reach. Having a quick access on the joystick to make "common" adjustments is really helpful. An extended optical zoom to 28x(with reduced pixels) is simply smart, and the selection of scenes in addition to the usual programmable settings, totally comprehensive. I'd recommend this one again and again...
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
Cons
- Body could be more sturdy
Best Uses
- Art
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
Having used a point-and-shoot camera for years, the Lumix DMC-FZ18 is an excellent and affordable upgrade. Short of having the price-tag of a digital SLR, it has all the features and flexibility of one. The mega-zoom is absolutely stunning and allows fantastic possibilities for photo composition. The quality of photos is excellent especially in outdoor light. Photography has become an all new experience once again. This camera is undoubtedly a great buy!
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
- Easy to Keep Clean
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor Operation in Low Light
Best Uses
- Fun
- Photojournalism
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
I am a photojournalist and take this camera on vacation-- it is light, versatile, the longest optical zoom you can find in its category-- I have not use the raw setting yet-- I wished it had a manual focus and manual zoom- do not hesitate to get it....
Pros
- Big LCD Screen
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
- Easy to Keep Clean
- Easy to use
- Just love it
- Light weight
- Long Battery life
- Sharp Images
- Short Lag Time
- Strong Construction
Cons
- None yet
Best Uses
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
I bought this camera as a replacement for my Canon ixus v3, which has served me very well over the last 5 years. However after a trip to my local camera store I find that compact cameras all still look relatively similiar to my old ixus - and I want a new toy! I thought, very briefly, about an SLR but have no knowhow. Then I spotted the Panasonic FZ18 which looks like a mini SLR, with no technical abiltity reqired, plus no clumpy lenses to carry around.
Bought specifically for a trip to the Barrier Reef, the pictures in intelligent auto mode are simply awesome, just like postcards. The point & shoot aspect is simple and I hope to do a bit more fine tuning myself as I become more proficient in the art of lighting etc. The camera is extremely light and the batteries last literally days with moderate use, which is superb. The lcd can be slightly compromised in bright sunlight,(aren't they all?) however the viewfinder comes in handy. The 18x zoom lens is fun to play with & very useful, and all so easy to use that my kids, 7 & 10yrs, are able to pick up the FZ18 and take a decent photo with no guidance at all. Use of the menus is easy too, I find I still haven't got a clue how to toggle between viewfinder & lcd on the canon ixus, with the panasonic it's a breeze - no manual required! Deleting pictures is a doddle too, the buttons to press are obvious. So yep, I love this camera. As a family who want some great pictures and a bit more than a point & shoot, but without going to an SLR, this Panasonic Lumix FZ18 is the one for us!
Purchase was easy and international delivery to Australia was quick & trackable the whole way. I will come to you guys for the Chrissy list! Thanks and gooday from downunder!
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
- Easy to Keep Clean
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
I bought this camera because of its versatility. I have had it for a couple of weeks and have already taken many great pictures both close up and from far. I also took video and it came out great. Love the quality, and options. Absolutely wonderful for its price. AWESOME quality pictures even in low light without a flash.
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Short Lag Time
- Strong Construction
Cons
- ISO 1600 is often noisy
Best Uses
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
I bought this camera to get into a bit more advanced photography, from an older digital point-and-shoot. So far I have been very impressed with the quality of pictures and the available features on the camera. The 18x zoom with image stabalization is great for shoot birds and other wildlife. I am still getting used to all the settings, but have found that the ISO1600 provides too much noise in any instance I have tried it.
The biggest problem is that the manual focus doesn't work that well for objects that are more than about 10' away.
I would buy this camera again, as there is nothing short of a full Digital SLR that can compete for features and ease-of-use.
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Short Lag Time
Cons
Best Uses
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
Admittedly an amateur, I wanted a better quality camera that I could use for both automatic shots and to learn how to use the settings and begin to take some more advanced shots.
The Lumix DMC-FZ18 is very easy to use, intuitive, and takes exceptional photographs. It is a little larger than what I expected, but the shots I'm getting make it well worth the added size.
Pros
- Long zoom for the price
- Short Lag Time
Cons
Best Uses
- Plants and wildlife
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
can take a great picturecan zoom to 27X opticalface thing works if you're taking people picturesimage stabilization is goodvisual controls goodpicture to picture is fastzoom is a little slow but usually workableview finder is better than most of it's competitors(I looked through all of them)who cares about a lcd when taking wildlife or flowers outdoors?manual focus is kinda a painautofocus has real problems in wind or poor lightcolors are not as good as the Fuji S5100 or Z5 Went to all the stores and checked all the other long zooms under [$], we now have two of these.If the colors were deeper and more life like I'd give 5 stars. If the rating thing would allow 4.5 stars that's probably right.
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
- Easy to Keep Clean
- Good battery life
- Short Lag Time
- Strong Construction
- Viewfinder
Cons
- Poor Operation in Low Light
Best Uses
- Fun
- Photojournalism
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
I bought this camera to replace my Panasonic FZ10. I must have a good viewfinder, so smaller cameras without viewfinders were not a consideration. FZ18 has been a joy to use. Does a great job using iA settings, but offers so many manual options for advanced photographers.
The price is amazing for all this camera offers.
Was looking at the FZ50, but opted for a lighter camera to carry around on vacations.
Happy with Panasonic. Noise isn't a problem if you remember this is a camera that likes the light.
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Short Lag Time
Cons
- no charger with
Best Uses
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
Very usefull product, easy to use. I would prefer with a charger and a bag.
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Powerful Leica zoom
Cons
- Fixed LCD see FZ30
- No external flash
Best Uses
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
Good little camera to carry around with wherever you go with far more potential than a credit card size pocket camera. The RAW format (requires Lightroom or Photoshop CS2)is extremely effective.
Could do with a hot shoe for external flash.
- Similar:
- Panasonic FZ30, FX01, Canon EOS 450D, Canon A1, T90
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
- Easy to Keep Clean
- Short Lag Time
- Strong Construction
Cons
- none so far
Best Uses
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
I live in Thailand now, far away from my relatives in the US and I have wanted to send quality Photos to them to show the differences in our two cultures. This camera more than fulfills my needs. The pictures I have taken so far are breath-taking. As a neophyte in the world of digital photograghy, I know that I have a very steep learning curve ahead of me. At this time, I am only using the Intelligent Auto mode, but as I learn more and more, I know will be able to take even better pictures.
Pros
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
- Easy to Keep Clean
- Short Lag Time
Cons
Best Uses
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
I have a Nikon D200 but wanted a camera I can travel with without the weight of a large camera and without the worry of theft or other loss. This camera is great out doors, 18 x zoom is fine for everyday use, indoor flash is adequate and its light weight. Shutter lag is acceptable. If it is stolen or lost...oh well it didn't cost $1,500. It is a very good second, everyday camera.
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
- Greeat Zoom Range
Cons
- Diopter adjustment
- Long Lag Time
- Poor Operation in Low Light
Best Uses
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
My previous cameras were the Canon Elan 35mm film camera and the Sony Mavica Digital (the one with the floppy disk storage), both great cameras in their day for their intended purposes/customers.The Lumix is an okay camera for the money, but not up to professional standards, though I don't expect it to be. The good include: great zoom range, easy to use controls (I like the joy stick), able to see approximate +/- exposure control before snapping the photo, and lots of controls.The negative include: diopter control won't lock in (keeps coming out of adjustment while in the bag), the electronic view finder is poor compared to any SLR camera, and long lag in view finder/LCD between shots making rapid shooting difficult.All in all, if my Sony Mavica had a 2GB flash drive instead of a 1MB floppy drive and more megapizel resolution (5 or 6 mpix), this 10-year-old technology would compare favorably or beat the Lumix.[...]
Pros
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
Cons
Best Uses
- Fun
- Macro
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera (Silver):
I have taken over 2000 images with this small and versitle camera. It takes wonderful macros right on top of the subject and does well on portraits. The color and detail is great. The zoom works well and provides lots of magnification. It is user friendly and has more modes than I will probably ever use. I bought it to use while my Nikon is in for adjustments and repair and will probably keep it in my camera bag and use as a second camera for quick shots. There are a couple things I wish for but non of them would get me to buy something else. First CS2 does not open the raw files, you have to use the included software which is very limited. Second it could use a hotshoe for flash. One other suggestion, get a spare battery, the one on BH works great.
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Memory Cards
Sufficient memory is not included so be sure to have enough storage capacity.
- Price: $12.62
Batteries & Power
Always keep a spare battery handy so you won't get caught without power.
- Price: $39.95
Bags & Cases
Carry, store, and protect all your equipment with a bag or a case.
-
- Original: $14.49
- Save: $0.72
- Price: $13.77
Lenses & Adapters
Capture the right view with a conversion lens.
- Price: $169.88
Screen Protectors
Protect your LCD screen from scratches and finger prints.
- Price: $7.49
Card Readers
Download your pictures faster and save battery life.
- Price: $8.99
Filters & Adapters
Get the desired effect with a filter and the appropriate adapter.
- Price: $13.98
Tripod & Support
Place your camera on a tripod for the support and stability you need.
- Price: $19.95
What's in the Box
- CGR-S006 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack
- Battery Charger
- USB Cable
- A/V Cable
- Lens Cap
- Lens Hood & Adaptor
- Wrist Strap
- Software CD-ROM (Lumix Simple Viewer, PhotofunStudio, SILKYPIX Developer Studio, ArcSoft MediaImpression, ArcSoft PanoramaMaker USB Driver)
- User Guide
- 90-Days Labor; 1-Year Parts U.S.A. Limited Warranty
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
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