2007 26 Jul

Panasonic DMC-FZ18 Review

New Panasonic 8.1-megapixel Lumix digital camera, featuring a 28mm wide angle Leica DC lens with an amazingly powerful 18x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-504mm on a 35mm film camera) with f/2.8 brightness. Panasonic LUMIX FZ series has been highly evaluated across the world, for concomitant realization of both high performance and ease of use, and the new DMC-FZ18 has also been developed with no compromise of picture quality, operational ease and portability. The newly developed 28mm wide angle 18x optical zoom lens in the DMC-FZ18 boasts notable optical performance and compactness, to open the door for the new world of expression that has ever been thought impossible with a single compact camera.

Powered by Venus Engine III, Panasonic’s advanced image-processing engine that can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1600 with full resolution. Noise reduction is also greatly improved, with picture noise removed in stages during image processing. First, critical noise is roughly undraped, then chromatic noise and luminance noise are separated. The chromatic noise, which has a greater effect on picture quality, is then selectively suppressed to a substantial degree. It also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-FZ18 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400 - sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.

Features

Custom Setting Mode that memorizes your frequent setting patterns for instance use applied by simply selecting this function on the mode dial.

1920 x 1080 pixel photos ideal for full-screen viewing on a wide-screen HDTV.

Six auto-focusing methods including: face detection, multi, three-point high-speed, one-point high-speed, one-point normal-speed, and spot. With the one-point auto-focus or spot auto-focus method, the auto-focusing area can be chosen from as many as 11 points with the joystick or cursor button.

Advanced Scene Modes provide users more control over some frequently-used scene modes such as, indoor and outdoor modes when selecting portrait or sports mode and nature or architecture settings when selecting portrait mode.

Bundled SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0SE software application for editing and developing images in the RAW file format.

27 MB of built-in memory: Perfect for backing up SDHC/SD Memory Card recording.

Extra Optical Zoom feature extends zoom power to 28.7x at 3 Megapixels.

Compatibility with large-capacity SDHC memory cards.

Title Edit Function allows inputting of text and additional picture information.

Picture Playback by category: Sorts images into categories such as portraits, landscapes, nightscapes, events and motion pictures. Also, allows slideshow playback of images in the same category.

Review By dpreview
The perfect choice for any photographer with varied photographic needs and high ambitions â€“ Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new DMC-FZ18 8.1-megapixel Lumix camera, featuring a powerful 18x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-504mm on a 35mm film camera), newly developed 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and Panasonicâ€™s new and unique Intelligent Auto Mode. Panasonicâ€™s award winning FZ series of Lumix cameras has been highly praised across the world, for concomitant realisation of both high performance and ease of use, and the FZ18 is no exception.
Read Full Review Here

Review By Panasonic
By simply inserting an SD/SDHC Memory Card into an HDTV equipped with an SD slot, you can enjoy viewing pictures of family and friends, and images of memorable moments with High Definition 1920 x 1080 pixels. It turns your living room into a photo gallery, and gather around to share the excitement.
Read Full Review Here

Review By Newlaunches
Bridging the gap between high-end compacts and digital SLRs, Panasonicâ€™s DMC-FZ18 offers a level of control close to that of an SLR, but without the need for interchangeable lenses. Perfect for photographers on the move and families who want to shoot pictures outdoors for example, the FZ18 offers an easy way to enjoy the fun of capturing beautiful digital pictures.
Read Full Review Here

Review By Digital-lifestyles
To keep hands-on photographers happy, thereâ€™s separate auto focus, auto exposure lock and macro buttons with the redesigned body using the same control joystick as seen in the LX1 compact that we took a bit of a shine to.The DMC-FZ18 comes with 27 MB of built-in memory, supports the large-capacity SDHC memory cards and measures up at 4.6 by 3 x 3.5 inches, weighing 0.9 lb (with battery).
Read Full Review Here

Review By Dcviews
Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects the appropriate scene mode from the most frequently-used modes such as Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Scenery and Night Portrait; Face Detection System, which helps the camera to focus, set auto exposure and detects up to 15 human faces capturing them clearly and brightly; and Continuous Auto-focus, which allows the camera to keep focus on the subject without having to press the shutter button halfway and allowing for the best results out of a shutter chance by minimizing the auto-focus time.
Read Full Review Here

Review By Photographyblog
The new models boast a 207K pixel high resolution, 2.5â€ large LCD so you can effortlessly capture and playback your pictures. The camera detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, and boosts signals by mixed-pixel readout method when shooting under low-lit situation to secure a clear image in any circumstance. The High Angle mode, which can be accessed quickly and easily via a dedicated button, makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as to shoot over a crowd.
Read Full Review Here

The DMC-FZ18 will be available in September 2007 for $399.95…