Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18K 8.1MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

First i use the FZ8k, then this one(FZ18K), the camera take great pictures, i dont need photoshop 2 clean my pictures anymore.

i got this camera as an entry level piece before i would get an slr. this is surely a dlsr replacement camera. reduces the hassels of lens & manual controls.. had a lot of good pics with it. it also has an awesome batt life, around 400 shots. this camera has convinced my friends around me 2 buy one as it had all they wanted.. way better than a point & shoot & a good one start before a Dslr

This camera has been a great 4 me. I use it 2 take pictures & I also use it 2 record video. I would recommend this camera.

I've tried the earlier versions from Panasonic, but this is really ultimate... The product was delivered on the said time.

I have a suggestion 4 Panasonic - 2 provide zoom functionality in video mode. If the camera had a zoom while taking a video, then there would be very few cameras 2 beat it.

I bought this camera couple of months back as it was an economical wide angle with 18x zoom camera... I switched 2 this camera from my earlier Canon A560 point & shoot camera...
Let me tell you my feelings with this product one by one...
Image quality: good in day time / good light situation, colors are natural, though you can see few fringes where there is a radical change in LUX in a image.Dont use in low lights without flash(though after good amount of fiddle with this you can get good quality image)Noise is high after ISO400.You can record RAW images which is an added advantage.

Build: Good 2 handle camera, Comfortable grip

Technology: Sensor not that great, Image processing is high making your images look blur at time or over smooth.I really miss USB 2.0.Image transfer rate is pathetic, so i use my sd card directly with my laptop.Battery life is good.

Price: V good

Value 4 money: V good

Pros:
1. Excellent Natural colors(in good light)
2. Very good clarity (less noise in day time)
3. Fast acting zoom & Very Good Image stabiliser

Cons:
1. lack of USB 2.0
2. High noise in low light condition or High ISO (>400)

I will recommend this camera 2 people who does outdoor photography mostly in day time. For night dont forget 2 use the flash (only 4 parties or small distances).One problem I also faced that you can not use the zoom while taking movies. This camera will not work with AA batteries. But if you ask me how do I overall rate it then it is my final rating:
1. Image quality: day time : 5/5 low loght 2/5
2. Noise again same as above including 2/5 at ISO>400
3. Build 4/5
4. IS 3.5/5
5. Battery 4.5/5
6. Image Processing 4/5
7. Overall 4.5/5

The DMC-FZ18 Lumix 8.1-Megapixel Digital Camera can take photos from vast landscapes 2 super telephoto shots thanks 2 its 18x optical 28mm Wide-Angle Leica Zoom Lens. For macro shots, the wide-angle setting lets you shoot all the way down 2 one centimeter from your subject, while the telephoto setting can be used up 2 one meter (3.28 feet). Combined with Mega O.I.S. Optical Image Stabilization, the DMC-FZ18 can detect even the tiniest camera movement 2 automatically adjust the lens 2 compensate any handshake. Intelligent ISO captures crisp, clear images as you shoot 2 suppress motion blur, making it easier 2 shoot scenes with fast moving action. The Face Detection function can automatically detect up 2 15 faces in a scene & re-adjust the settings if their positions change. The Intelligent Scene Selector will sense the ambient conditions & automatically select either the Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode accordingly, getting beautiful results every time you shoot, no matter what the scene or subject. White Balance - Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / White Set Program AE Shutter Speed - 1-1/2000 seconds Self Timer - 2 seconds / 10 seconds Burst Shooting Mode - Full-Resolution Image, 3 frames/sec Max. 7 images (Standard Mode), Max 4 images (Fine Mode) Built-in Flash Mode - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction & Forced Off Viewfinder - 0.44 diagonal Color EVF (188k pixels) Power Supply - Lithium-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 710 mAh), Up 2 400 pictures Dimensions - Height 2.96'' x Width 4.63'' x Depth 3.47'' Weight - 0.79 pounds