Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 - Expert Reviews

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: In the end, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 is worth the $399 price. It performs extremely well in our lab testing and supplies impressive components paired with useful and trendy features

Review summary: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 aims to be the camera that has it all: a wide 28mm angle for photographing group portraits and architecture as well as the power of a long 18x optical zoom lens. With a lens like that, this 8.1-megapixel Lumix stands at ...

Pros: Manual controls ; Great videos ; Wide, long 18x lens ; Accurate colors ; Great resolution ; Effective face detection

Cons: 207k LCD resolution ; Optical zoom nonfunctional in movie mode ; Poor audio ; Ugly noise apparent above ISO 200 ; Inconsistent AF in low light

Verdict: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 is much improved from the FZ8. It has more resolution, a longer and wider 18x optical zoom lens, and adds features like face detection. The Panasonic FZ18 outperforms its predecessor in almost every way. Its pictures have ...

Review summary: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 is an 8.1 Megapixel super-zoom camera with a massive 18x optically stabilised lens. Announced in July 2007, it comes just seven months after its predecessor the Lumix FZ8

Pros: 18x optical zoom with OIS and little fringing ; Decent quality 2.5in screen ; Intelligent Auto a useful auto mode ; Good manual control and RAW facility ; 18x optical zoom with OIS and little fringing ; Decent quality 2.5in screen ; Intelligent Auto a ...

Cons: Noise visible throughout ISO range ; 50% pricier than earlier FZ8 ; No flip-out screen ; May be too small and light for some ; Noise visible throughout ISO range ; 50% pricier than earlier FZ8 ; No flip-out screen ; May be too small and light for some

Verdict: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 may cost 50% more than its predecessor but it's still hard not to be impressed. While it no longer offers the same sheer value, it does give you the flexibility of a longer and wider 18x optical zoom with decent ...

Review summary: This is an 8 megapixel all-in-one camera with a Leica-branded zoom lens with a range of 28-504mm. The lens is image stabilised and is fast, f2.8-4.5. It works as a point and shoot, with face detection, but there is also a full range of user controls, ...

Pros: The lens is superb. It has true wide angle and a phenomenal telephoto reach of 504mm (film equivalent). The image stabilisation is effective and hand held photos at full extension are possible. Sharpness and contrast are exemplary and focus, even at ...

Cons: The Achilles' heel of Panasonic cameras has been image noise and it still is. However, by reducing sharpness and contrast by one notch and dialling in one step of noise reduction we got clean images at ISO200. The company's claim of usable ISO6400 is ...

Verdict: This is a good camera and shutter lag is almost a thing of the past. If the standard pre-focus procedure of half-depressing the shutter button is adhered to shutter lag is negligible. It is not as responsive as a DSLR, but fast enough to track moving ...

Review summary: This Panasonic digital camera nicely bridges the space between a compact point-and-shoot and an SLR. But, does it include the best features of both?

Verdict: The contents of the Panasonic DMC-FZ18 box are fairly complete. There's the usual battery charger, USB cable and user manual. There's also a wrist strap, an A/V cable and a sunshade for the lens. Panasonic also provides a set of software for viewing, ...