The first Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 review I’ve seen comes from DPReview today. Featuring a powerful 12x optical zoom, LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and the ever popular and indispensable Optical Image Stabiliser (O.I.S). With a joystick control for manual adjustment of focusing and exposure setting, the DMC-FZ8 offers high end specification and portability. Bridging the gap between high-end compacts and digital SLRs, Panasonic’s DMC-FZ8 offers a level of control close to that of an SLR, but without the need for interchangeable lenses. Check current eBay prices of the DMC-FZ8 here.

Maybe because my expectations have been lowered, maybe because no one else is doing it any better, I ended up liking the FZ8 more than I expected to. The FZ7 was a significant upgrade to the FZ5 (one of the most popular super zoom models ever), and the design, control and interface changes lifted it head and shoulders over most of its direct competitors. But the issue of noise (and Panasonic’s ’watercolor’ Venus II noise reduction) was hard to ignore.
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In summary the FZ8 is a welcome upgrade to one of the best ’super zoom’cameras on the market, even if it doesn’t address some of the fundamental issues we had with its predecessor (namely the inability of the sensor/processor to deliver results to match the lens). But it’s a very well-priced, very well-designed, wonderfully versatile, fast and responsive photographic tool that offers SLR features - and an effective image stabilization system - in a very compact package.

  • 7.2 effective Megapixel CCD
  • F2.8-3.1, 12X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 36 - 432 mm
  • Optical image stabilization
  • 2.5″ LCD display with 207,000 pixels; Power LCD and High-Angle modes available
  • Higher resolution electronic viewfinder than FZ7 (188k pixels vs. 114k pixels)
  • Venus Engine III image processor
  • AF-assist lamp
  • Full manual controls
  • RAW image format supported (that’s new)
  • Two-speed zoom controller (also new)
  • Records movies at 848 x 480 or 640 x 480 (30 fps) with sound
  • Optional conversion lenses
  • 27MB onboard memory plus SD/SDHC card slot
  • Uses proprietary li-ion battery; 380 shots per charge
  • Comes in silver and black
  • Ships in February for $350