Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Review

Today we take a look at the latest digital camera to offer an 18x optical zoom lens - the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18. This is an 8 megapixel bridge-style compact with a lens that covers a focal range of 28-504mm, perfect for everything from wide-angle landscapes to close-up sports photography. The Panasonic DMC-FZ18 also features optical image stabilisation, both JPEG and RAW image formats, plus a smart new Intelligent Auto mode for beginners. Read our extensive review to find out if the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 can compete with its main competitors, the Fujifilm S8000fd and the Olympus SP-560UZ.

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Review

Published: Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Reader Comments

1. thank you ,most helpful and clear to use, that also applies to your site in general

   philip owen at 11:21am on Thursday, December 27, 2007

2. Hello:
   
   First of all, I thing this is a really useful review. I wasn't sure on which camera to buy, but you helped me a lot. I think there is something you didn't talked about: ISO performance.
   I'm choosing this camera because I want to take some photos with low light and in-motion objectives, so ISO becomes important to me.
   Thank you again!

   David Martínez at 05:25pm on Friday, January 04, 2008

3. Thanks a lot - altogether a very helpful review.

   Sam Tooth at 11:21pm on Friday, January 04, 2008

4. I saw the reviews by all happy owners. I am convinced that it is a great product to buy, but there is one thing that concerns me:
   Why a new product like this is "Discontinued by manufacturer"? (as stated in the Product Details in http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FZ18S-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B000UP6RXO/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200083313&sr=8-2)

   Themos S at 08:29am on Sunday, January 13, 2008

5. As always, a thorough and useful review. Gavin is right to point out the problems with higher ISO settings. The camera will aslo burn out highlights/sky under certain conditions too. The reason for all these problems is the rather stupid 1/2.5-in sensor normally only found on cheaper compact cameras. Why on earth did Panasonic choose this. At the £300 price bracket, they could easily have included a larger sensor. Any chance of installing a bigger one? Apart from that, a great camera overall.

   Richard Hannam at 02:44pm on Sunday, February 24, 2008

6. I have read a number of reviews of this camera before and after purchasing one and find one glaring omission in all cases and indeed from the manual supplied with it, it is simply this, what size is the filter thread? I want to use a circular polarizing filter and in spite of contacting a well known major retailer I am still none the wiser, in fact they told me it is 55mm, but that is the size of the thread in the lens housing where the cap fits, not the lens itself, anyone know? I am rarely able to visit camera shops because of where I live and it would be very helpful if someone could tell me.
   Thanks Hopefully

   Alan Marshall at 02:54pm on Wednesday, March 05, 2008

7. Very very useful; I was torn between the more expensive FZ50 and the FZ18, as I will be using the camera for bird watching photography. I am very new to serious photography but I am now convinced the FZ18 will afford me comparable quality but with better zoom, plus save me some money. I am now searching the web to see if there are settings that lend themselves to bird watching and wildlife photography.
   Many Thanks

   Grahame Andrews at 10:04am on Wednesday, May 07, 2008