Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The Panasonic DMC-FZ18 is a mammoth superzoom, packing in 18x zoom lens and 8 megapixels. Despite its large dimensions, it's great fun to use, and is an uncluttered and responsive dSLR-like interface giving access to a wealth of features. It's all the ...

Pros: Ginormous, responsive zoom ; great pictures ; SLR-style controls ; decent EVF

Cons: Average-sized sensor leads to some noise issues

Verdict: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 is great fun to use, and is an uncluttered and responsive dSLR-like interface giving access to a wealth of features. Just about everything is tweakable, while the giant zoom, accomplished lens and excellent image quality ...

Review summary: Panasonic's DMC-FZ18 packs about as much functionality and as many features as you'll find in a point-and-shoot. Did all the bells and whistles add up to great photos and videos?

Pros: Excellent 18x 28mm wide-angle lens, high-quality video mode, intelligent auto mode

Cons: Curious design choices, no zooming during video recording, customization options can be confusing

Review summary: The only real disappointment is the large amount of noise at high ISO, but that's a small price to pay for such an amazingly versatile camera.

Pros: Huge zoom range. Superb range of controls. Great image quality

Cons: Poor at high ISO. 'Only' 8.1MP

Review summary: A great bridge camera that shows the fruits of Panasonic's partnership with Leica

Pros: Range of features, Design, Image quality at low ISO

Cons: Plasticky build, Noise throughout range, Highlight control

Verdict: Panasonic has really outdone itself with the FZ18. It's not without its flaws, but all the features you need and a good standard of images that (in 2007) made it one of the best bridge options on the market.

Review summary: Most digital camera manufacturers upgrade a model by improving a component, adding a megapixel or two, or throwing in a trendy new feature. Panasonic included all three upgrades in the Lumix DMC-FZ18. It has 8.1 megapixels, an 18x optical zoom lens, ...

Verdict: The Panasonic FZ18 easily outperforms the FZ8 in the highly competitive field of ultra-zoom cameras. The Sony Cyber-shot H7 is the best performing camera we have tested this year, and the Canon PowerShot S5 IS and Olympus SP-550UZ aren't far behind. ...