At
last, a camera manufacturer that listened to the
hosts of digital camera enthusiasts asking for
the return of a digital camera with a long zoom
lens -- with image stabilization. Well, wait no
more, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1 is finally here!
It sports 2.0 megapixels resolution, a 12x optical
zoom with image stabilization, and a maximum F2.8
maximum aperture usable throughout the entire
zoom range!
[Editor's note: In most cameras,
the aperture gets smaller at telephoto settings
thus limiting the amount of light available for
proper exposure. With the Panasonic FZ1, you are
able to use the F2.8 aperture at the maximum 12x
zoom setting. Quite a feat for the Leica lens!]
The viewfinder eyepiece is also mercifully placed
away from the LCD thus avoiding the 'oily nose'
syndrome.
Those
of you who haunted the virtual halls of eBay to
find a used Olympus C-2100UZ or a used Canon PowerShot
Pro90 IS can at last satisfy your craving with
the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1. Why more camera manufacturers
do not jump into this lucrative market segment
is a mystery.
Panasonic
is doing it right. Optical zoom above 6x guarantees
blurred shots due to camera shake and necessitates
a tripod. By incorporating image stabilization,
the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1 can now be used handheld,
without carrying a tripod around (though the use
of one is always recommended for long exposures).
A trip to the zoo, the ball park, any outdoors
sports meet,... you wouldn't want to be without
this compact camera.
This is no doubt easily going to be THE camera
of the year 2003 for beginners -- unless other
camera manufacturers follow suit. Even though
the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1 only sports 2 megapixels
resolution, once again we are making an exception
and including it in our favorite digital cameras
list; it's just too much of a fun camera.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1 qualifies for our
OriGenial™
Seal of Approval. It should be a fun camera
and should appeal to point-and-shoot photographers
desiring a long zoom lens and who will mainly
be taking bright outdoors pictures.
Li-Ion rechargeable
battery with
Battery Charger/AC Adaptor included
Included
Accessories
•
8MB SD Memory Card
•
Li-Ion Battery Pack, AC
Adaptor / Battery Charger
•
Lens Hood, Lens Cap, Lens
Hood Adaptor
•
A/V Cable, USB Cable
•
Strap (Wrist)
•
Software CD-ROM
Dimensions (W
x H x D)
114 x 70.3 x 83.3
mm /
4.5 x 2.75 x 3.25 in.
Weight (Camera
body only)
318 g / 0.75 lbs
MSRP
US$499.95
/ CAD$769.99
Product technical specifications (including MSRP and Included Accessories)
are as represented by the manufacturer and subject to manufacturer's change
without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer or of Photoxels.
Included Accessories may also differ by country or area. Please verify latest
specs from the appropriate manufacturer's site.
Before you buy, do your homework and verify a seller's reputation. One
source you may want to check with is Resellerratings.com.
And remember, if a price seems to good to be true, it probably is.
DISCLAIMER:
We strive for accuracy in reproducing these specs, but being human, we do occasionally make mistakes. Also, in the early stages of a product introduction, you can almost guarantee there will be some errors from the manufacturers themselves as they update their sites. If you see any mistakes, please contact us. We do appreciate your writing in with the corrections and thank you in advance!
