Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 Review

The all-glass aspherical Leica DC-VARIO ELMARIT 12x zoom lens is equivalent to a 36-432mm zoom on a 35mm camera. It has a maximum aperture of F2.8-F3.1 and is adjustable in 1/3EV steps to F8. The lens is constructed of 11 elements in 8 Groups with 3 Aspherical Lenses and 3 Aspherical surfaces.

The FZ8's MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer has a built-in gyrosensor that detects any hand movement and relays a signal to a tiny microcomputer inside the camera, which instantly calculates the compensation needed. A linear motor then shifts the Optical Image Stabilizer lens as necessary to guide incoming light from the image straight to the CCD. The MEGA OIS has two modes of operation:

Mode 1 - The stabilizer operates continuously and assists during composition.

Mode 2 - The stabilizer is only activated when the shutter release is pressed. There is a greater stabilizing effect in this mode.

The TTL contrast-detect auto focus system in Normal has a focus range of:

Wide 11.8 in. (30cm) / Tele 6.6 ft. (200cm) - Infinity

Wide 1.97 in. (5cm) / Tele 6.6 ft. (200cm) - Infinity.

Users may choose from selectable AF settings. In addition to the Multi-point, 3-point high speed, 1-point normal speed and Spot autofocus, the DMC-FZ8 can be set to 1-point high-speed autofocus. This setting nearly eliminates the time lag that often occurs with high-magnification zoom shots, letting users capture those great, spontaneous moments. In low-light conditions, the AF system is aided by a focus-assist illuminator.

This is what you can do with a 12X zoom!

To minimize the occurrence of flares or ghosting when shooting outdoors or in any bright environment you can attach the supplied lens shade. It only takes a moment to snap it into place.

Panasonic offers optional 0.7x wide angle (DMW-LW55) and 1.7x telephoto (DMW-LT55) adapter lenses for the FZ8. The Panasonic DMW-LA2 Conversion Lens Adapter is required when using auxiliary lenses.

The pop-up speedlight features Auto, Auto Red-eye reduction, Slow-sync Red-eye, Fill and Forced Off modes. The flash output is adjustable from -2 to +2 in 1/3EV steps.

Flash Range (approx.)

The eyelevel viewfinder is a 0.44" (188K Pixels) color LCD monitor with a magnifying eyepiece. It has dioptric adjustment and can be used with eyeglasses. This electronic viewfinder (EVF) gives you true TTL (through the lens) viewing (100% frame coverage) and overlays important camera and exposure data on top of the live display. It can also be used to review images and access the menu system in bright lighting where it's difficult to see the LCD monitor.

The large 2.5-inch color LCD monitor is a transreflective type with 207,000 pixels. If offers a field of view of approx. 100% and can be used as a viewfinder, for image review or accessing the menus.

Controls on the back: The Flash button pops-up the built-in flash. The EVF/LCD button selects the active display. The OFF/ON switch is the camera's main power control. The Joystick controller is used to change shutter speeds, aperture values and to make manual focus adjustments. The DISPLAY / LCD MODE button cycles the LCD display modes (Normal, Histogram, Out of Frame, No Information). The 4-way selector in Record mode toggles the flash mode when pressed "Right." When pressed "Up" it toggles exposure or flash compensation, AE Bracketing or white balance adjustment. Press "Left" to activate the Self-timer and press "Down" to use the Quick Review mode to examine the last image captured. In Playback mode the 4-way selector is used to select images and of course in both record and play modes it is used to navigate the menu screens. The MENU/SET button calls up and dismisses the menu system and accepts selections. The Drive Mode/Trashcan button selects single frame or continuous recording mode or in playback or quick review it is used to delete images.

Controls on top: The shutter release button with the zoom lens controls around it, in playback mode they serve as the Index and Magnify options. The MEGA OIS image stabilizer button. The AF/MF button selects auto, auto w/macro or manual focus mode.

The Mode Dial has positions for:

heart icon - Simple fully automatic mode

Play - Play back of still images, movie or audio notes

i - Intelligent ISO mode

P - Program AE mode with Program-Shift

A - Aperture priority mode, F2.8 to F8 in 1/3EV steps

S - Shutter-speed priority mode, 1/2000 to 8 secs. (60 secs in Manual)

M - Manual mode

Movie - Capture motion JPEG with audio, length is limited only to available memory

Print Mode - Choose print settings when connected to a compatible printer

SCN - Scene Modes:Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Panning, Food, Party, Candle, Fireworks, Starry Sky, Baby1, Baby2, Snow, High sensitivity, Beach, Aerial photo, Sunset, Pet

The A/V Out port sends the audio and video to a television set, the video format is user selectable for NTSC or PAL standard. This is also the USB 2.0 (Full-speed) data I/O port, it is Mass Storage compliant and also supports the PictBridge direct-print standard.

An optional AC power adapter or external battery can be connected to the DC IN port.

Still images, movie clips and audio files are stored on the camera's approx. 27MB of internal memory or on a removable SD/SDHC card. It's compatible with SD cards up to 2GB or SDHC cards up to 4GB in size.

Picture and Movie Storage (approx.)

Power is supplied by a Panasonic 7.2v 710mAh Li-ion battery pack. Fully charged the battery has power for approx. 380 pictures whether using the LCD or electronic viewfinder. Continuous playback time was not specified.

The battery charger can replenish a fully depleted pack in 120 minutes or less. Batteries are charged out of the camera so you can be charging one and using another.