Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18K 8.1MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
The DMC-FZ18 Lumix 8.1-Megapixel Digital Camera can take photos from vast landscapes to super telephoto shots thanks to its 18x optical 28mm Wide-Angle Leica Zoom Lens. For macro shots, the wide-angle setting lets you shoot all the way down to one centimeter from your subject, while the telephoto setting can be used up to one meter (3.28 feet). Combined with Mega O.I.S. Optical Image Stabilization, the DMC-FZ18 can detect even the tiniest camera movement to automatically adjust the lens to compensate any handshake. Intelligent ISO captures crisp, clear images as you shoot to suppress motion blur, making it easier to shoot scenes with fast moving action.
For more details and other customer reviews on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18K 8.1MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) see this page here.
Amazon Customer review:
Best of the superzooms March 4, 2008
I have taken about 250 pictures with this now and owned it for almost a month. Most of the pictures came out well even the ones were I pointed the camera out the window while driving at 55, on a bright day. The 18X zoom gets you close to things even three hundred feet away.
The good, metal threads for tripod, high capacity (4GB and larger) SDHC cards, 18X zoom, very good anti shake, easy controls, very good results on full auto, very good burst mode (multiplr shots while holging down the shutter release), good results freezing action.
The cautions SDHC cards probably mean you have to buy a new card reader, propriatary USB connector, and battery mean you have to have a spare. Monopod or tripod for lowlight shots. 3MB per picture average so larger and faster memory cards required (4GB, SDHC, class 6 or larger not the cheap cards). The lens assembly is threaded but heavy filters are not a good idea but lighter filters will be fine.
I am just an old man with time and a camera and get good results with this camera. Has good range types of shots and handles settings well on auto. My picture taking philosophy is take a lot of pictures and hope to get a few keepers and this camera does that. Freezes action well with good clarity.