Product Summary
Excellent
The good: Intelligent Auto mode was spot on most of the time; solid build; good overall performance. 8
out of 10View score
The bad: No hotshoe; no flip-out screen.
The bottom line: Its ease of use is of note for a user who isn't prepared to delve into a camera's manual exposure settings, but who wants something better than a point-and-shoot.
Read full review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 »
Average User Rating
from 13 users
Spectacular
8.8
out of 10CNET Asia Review
Meet a lightweight digital powerhouse that’s tough on quality, features and usability. Featuring 18x zoom and a 28mm wide-angle lens, this 8.1-megapixel digicam packs enough features to satisfy both amateurs and prosumers.
The 2.5-inch TFT LCD display is big and bright enough for viewing even under strong sunlight. And like most Panasonics, the LCD has three brightness levels. Choosing the highest level will render the LCD so bright that its viewing angle is increased to the point you can hold the camera over your head and still see the screen. However, it still lags behind the Canon PowerShot S5 IS's flip-out swivel screen in terms of flexibility.
The viewfinder is equally usable as well. We particularly like the polished metal mode dial and the knurled design on its circumference (we assume it's for aesthetics and not to increase grip).
The grip area is made of rubberized texture with a contoured edge on the thumb area that fits nicely without adding bulk to the camera. While there're many buttons placed all over the body, it's not difficult to make sense of them. It helps that the keys have clearly labelled functions and are shaped/textured differently. The buttons on the camera top primarily control the focus and capture modes, while the ones on the camera back are for menu selections, including a little joystick.
A speaker is located to the right of the viewfinder and the camera doesn't come with a hotshoe, unlike the Canon PowerShot S5 IS.
Design
Weighing 360g (or 407g with battery and memory card), the Lumix FZ18 steps in with a footprint that's considered compact for a camera of its class. Compared with the Canon S5 IS (450g with 10x optical zoom), the Lumix looks and feels sturdier despite its light weight.
For more details on the FZ18's design, click on the image.
The 2.5-inch TFT LCD display is big and bright enough for viewing even under strong sunlight. And like most Panasonics, the LCD has three brightness levels. Choosing the highest level will render the LCD so bright that its viewing angle is increased to the point you can hold the camera over your head and still see the screen. However, it still lags behind the Canon PowerShot S5 IS's flip-out swivel screen in terms of flexibility.
The viewfinder is equally usable as well. We particularly like the polished metal mode dial and the knurled design on its circumference (we assume it's for aesthetics and not to increase grip).
The grip area is made of rubberized texture with a contoured edge on the thumb area that fits nicely without adding bulk to the camera. While there're many buttons placed all over the body, it's not difficult to make sense of them. It helps that the keys have clearly labelled functions and are shaped/textured differently. The buttons on the camera top primarily control the focus and capture modes, while the ones on the camera back are for menu selections, including a little joystick.
A speaker is located to the right of the viewfinder and the camera doesn't come with a hotshoe, unlike the Canon PowerShot S5 IS.
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User Reviews
simply superb
Aug 29, 2008Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spectacular)
Pros: One of the best ever
Cons: Till not found
Opinion:
Easy to carry and capture the wonderful movements life in a spectacular way.
My friends really admire it and envious of my FZ18. Fell proud. Excellent images.
Spetacular camera
Jun 16, 2008Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spectacular)
Pros: superb picture quality
Cons: a bit bulky, interface not so intuitive, I wish it had a bigger resolution
Opinion:
Love mine.
LOVE THIS TOY
Mar 28, 2008Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spectacular)
Pros: fast startup - super zoom - LEICA LENS -
Cons: cant leave home without it -
Opinion:
I have been a hobby photografer my hole life (55)and the 1. thing you realise after you get your hands on this FANTASTIC
toy is -- taking pictures with this camera is FUN- FUN- FUN
My first rating of this camera ,that i got 3 mds. ago was 8,
but for every time i use it ,i love it even more.
If you are not a pro ,this is all you´l ever need.
Do you´r self a favor GET ONE and HAVE FUN
