Panasonic DMC-FZ7

My conclusion:This is an excellent camera. I decided on it after considering several models from other manufacturers. After trying it out for a few weeks, I knew that I had< made a good choice in picking the FZ7.The Lumix DMC-FZ7 is my first camera so far, and to this day I don't regret I chose it. The pictures I take are mostly nature, especially birds and close-ups.The DMC-FZ7 is not targeted, or intended for casual point-and-shooters.I would recommend this camera, or the newer, improved FZ8, FZ18 or FZ28 for people who want the most possible features and versatility without resorting to a larger, heavier, more expensive D-SLR.-----------Tip: Super-zoom digital cameras tend to suck dust INTO their lenses, so a clear filter to encase the entire lens barrel is essential.

I have used the Panasonic DMC-FZ7 camera for almost two years and it has never let me down , friends and family love the photos it produces. You can use it as a simple point and shoot and be sure of getting a good photo or advanced users can be creative with shutter or aperture priority or even full manual control. If I part with the fz7 it will only be to buy a fz18 for an even longer zoom.

You can't go wrong with this camera

Not bad for the money (£157 delivered) I expected better image quality, clearer viewfinder and certainly crisper images. Panasonic have to work on the blown hoghlights..too many pictures ruined. Metering seems a bit hit or miss. Good point and shoot camera but expect above average spoiled pictures

Bought the camera for its impressive optical zoom lens. This coupled with the Leica lens do not disappoint. Both aperture and shutter speed controls are easy to use which allows very creative photography. The simple "heart" setting means that children can use the camera and still produce good results. Battery life is impressive. Coupled with a 1GB card you have enough space for plenty of high quality photos.

Camera is surprisingly light when you first pick it up which gives a "cheap" feeling to it which should in no way put you off.

I was looking for a 12 x camera with OIS, and I was considering a FZ5 when I come across the Panasonic DMCFZ7BS. For just £30 more, I thought it would be better to get a newer camera.

This camera was great; a big improvement over my LZ1. The best thing (and selling point) about this camera is its 12 x zoom. What it did not say on the box is that it becomes 16.5 x zoom if the picture is taken below 6MP, which is over 450mm! The OIS works to cancel out hand shake at such huge zoom numbers. There are bags of controls for you to fool around with. You can even set/fine tune your own white balance, the weakest point of most digital cameras. Although having said that, the flash is not neutral, and if you are using the flash, you must set it to flash wb, unlike Canon cameras. But that has not been a problem yet.

Some digicams can have filters fitted to them, but you need to buy an adaptor. Not with the FZ7. The lens hood adaptor also works with 52mm filters. Although I am not an expert with filters, this allows me to play around with them.

With any cameras, the most important thing is the image quality. The FZ7 is fairly good in this aspect. The Leica lens helps a lot here. There are some complaints with noise on this camera, but with OIS, I can be using ISO80 most of the time and the pictures will turn out perfectly fine.

Macro mode is meaningless on this camera. It can successfully focus down to 5cm from the lens. I had never found the need for switching to Macro mode.

What I do not like (but have to live with it) is it does not use AA batteries. This means I have to make sure my main and spare are fully charged before going on a long trip.

Another thing is that Panasonic does not make a custom bag for it. I had to use a SLR bag, but this camera is not really SLR size. I can fit this AND my LZ1 in the bag nicely, which says a lot about the small size of this camera.

The main design fault of this camera is the joystick control thing. Most people do not find it easy to use, as it is not in the most natural position. The IR assist lamp tends to be blocked by the other hand, but it still managed to focus correctly without the light (at most times).

As a whole, this camera is perfect for a serious amateur who wants to play a little with SLR like controls but also wants to have a point and shoot when he does not feel like it.