Panasonic Lumix® DMC-FZ1 Digital Camera

Pros: Easy to use, monster 12x f2.8 Leica zoom with optical image stabilization, performance
Cons: Could have more manual control (available with firmware update), only 2-Megapixel resolution

How about an inexpensive camera that features a 12x optical zoom, Leica optics with f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the 12x zoom range, optical image stabilization and is easy to use to boot? ...

Pros: Great indoor shots without flash. Awesome Leica lens. Powerful 12x optical zoom.
Cons: Not pocket-friendly, merely-adequate 2 megapixels, not many manual settings.

Great for low-light shots, no flash shots. I received this camera as a sort of hand-me-down. My primary digital camera, and point of reference as I write this review, is a Canon S45. Having read (and believed) all the raves and reviews ...

Pros: Suitable for Beginners or Advanced Photographers
Cons: No Digital Camera exceeds the picture quality of a $200 35mm camera with decent optics.

Is a 5MP, inexpensive Camera better than a 2MP or 4MP camera? Easy choice ... right? Think again. And read on for more insight ... Having owned this camera for a while, the model has been upgraded by Panasonic, and for roughly $250 you should now ...

Pros: 12X optical f2.8 zoom lens, image stabilizer, high sensitivity, easy to use
Cons: Can't adjust zoom while recording in video mode, no manual focus, no case.

As an ice hockey parent, I have long wanted to take decent quality action photos of my kids doing their thing. Indoor action photos, often with inferior lighting, pose a difficult challenge for any kind of camera, especially since flash is usually not ...

Pros: x12 optical zoom/image stabilizer. f2.8 Leica Lens. SD media
Cons: Needs lots of light for good results. Autofocus not very fast.

I bought this camera mainly for outdoor photography and it does the job perfectly. You need lots of light to get good results. The weight and feel of the camera are good, with all the buttons in the right place and easy to reach. I find the focus button ...

Pros: Great zoom, great optics, price is right.
Cons: Need a larger memory card, a UV filter to protect the lens.

This camera has superb Leica Optics, an honest 12X optical zoom, image stabilization and a myriad of options for getting a good picture under a variety of conditions. Read the manual first and then experiment to learn the settings for best picture under different conditions. The battery life is reasonable and has not been a problem. The LCD view screen is superb. The menu options are great and easy to operate. The 2.0 mega pixel count is ideal for making pictures to be sent over email. The SD Memory card is too small for my type use; recommend a 128mb card. The battery charger is quick and doubles as a AC line source for the camera during use or downloads.

Pros: Picture quality, lens, 12x, focus stability, excellent value, light for full size.
Cons: 2 MP (great for normal pics!). Must take battery out to charge.

I agree with the prior positive review comments! This camera is a fantastic value!!! It takes great 2MP pictures (I keep it on this setting). This is our 3rd digital. We also have a neat, compact Fuji FinePix 6800 Zoom "Porsche design" 3X, 3.1 MP (several years ago we paid $700+, now $340!). This Panasonic takes much better pictures. Focus is crisp & clear while the Fuji was often blurry. The 12X zoom lens is a real boon. You can get up close for sports, the zoo, almost everything outdoors! You can frame what you want vs. accepting a wide angle view on every shoot like w/ 3x lens. If I need more MP & manual controls I will now buy the higher model of the Lumix. The only negative I can think of is that you have to take the battery out to charge it. It does not charge the battery with the camera plugged in. Buy 2 batteries!

Pros: Leica 12x zoom cannot be beat; great color; fast burst mode; ease of use.
Cons: Very limited manual control.

This camera is just terrific. I take it with me everywhere and have gotten a lot of great shots with it. It is easy to use, controls are logical and easy to reach, and images are super sharp with great color. I was worried about the measly 2 megapixels--maybe that is an issue, I just haven't run into it yet. The test 8x10s I've printed at home look fine. I especially enjoy the burst mode. Not-so-good things are not bad at all: shutter does lag, and you have almost no manual control of camera functions (though there is an exposure bracket function). You have to expect some limitations for a camera with this lens at this price--I have found all limitations extremely workable. Highly recommend this camera to the serious amateur photographer who is finally ready to go digital. Or to the frivolous amateur who just wants a good camera at the ready. Or anyone. I'll keep mine forever, even after I upgrade to that FZ10 or 20.

Pros: A fantastic ZOOM. Neat photo options. Beautiful color. B&W option is fun. Nice style.
Cons: Could use more flash power in low light. Need more control over focus.

This is my first digital camera. The fantastic zoom, lens quality and image stabilization on this camera pull it all together. I am amazed at how good a picture I can get with max zoom and even when not using a tri-pod. This is a really FUN camera that allows an amateur to take pictures like a pro. It did take me a few days to totally understand what settings gave me the best results, but it was well worth the learning. I only wish the photo (paper) developers could reproduce an image as good as it appears on a 17" monitor. The prints are better than anything I've every produced in the past, but have not matched a high res monitor. I got this for a great price and my only worry is that it should for some reason break. Go to the panasonic web site and look at the difference between a 9x and 12x "optical" zoom. Personally, I would not settle for a 10x camera.
www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/digital_cameras/lumix.asp

Do not be fooled by the mega-pixel race, a quality lens offers so much more. Read the reviews and study the facts.