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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ100 features a newly-developed Leica DC Vario-ELMARIT lens with powerful 24x optical zoom. As Panasonic's first hybrid compact digital camera with a MOS sensor, the Lumix FZ100 can record full 1080p High Definition (HD) video--giving you a powerful hybrid that can shoot video and still photos with ease and professional-like quality.
The Lumix FZ100 has an incredibly fast burst shooting in 14.1-megapixel full resolution at 11 frames per second with a mechanical shutter, and increases the frames per second to 60 in 3.5-megapixel recording. Additionally, the Lumix FZ100 features continuous Auto Focus up to five frames per second at full resolution for great action shots. It also features Intelligent Burst shooting. The digital camera judges the appropriate shutter speed to suppress the motion blur according to the movement of the subject, rising as high as possible, activating the high sensitivity recording.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Highlights
Intelligent Auto (iA) mode
Panasonic's Intelligent Auto (iA) mode, a hallmark on all Lumix digital cameras, now includes Motion Deblur mode. By updating the motion detection (Intelligent ISO Control) and brightness control (Intelligent Exposure) users can gain the highest shutter speed possible. Combined with the outstanding brightness of the lens and the POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), the Lumix FZ100 prevents any blur created from a handshake or a moving subject. The iA suite of technologies include: POWER O.I.S., Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. Panasonic's iA is also available while shooting video.
Free-angle 3.0-inch LCD
Featuring a free-angle 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot high-resolution LCD, the Lumix FZ100 features wide-angle viewing with Face Recognition functions that automatically remembers registered faces for future recording.
Intelligent Scene Selector
The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects one of 6 Scene modes to best suit the shooting situation.
Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator
The Lumix FZ100 also features Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator. This high-quality stereo sound offers realistic sounds and effects to any movie. For greater sound quality, the Lumix FZ100 has a newly-created port for an optional stereo microphone (DMW-MS1) and a Wind Cut function is available to drastically reduce background wind noise.
Record photos and HD video in AVCHD format
The Lumix FZ100 can record photos and HD video in AVCHD format on SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards.
My Color mode
My Color mode, first introduced in the Lumix G Micro Systems cameras, is a special option that gives freedom to the user's creativity. With a variety of options including new Pin Hole, Film Grain, High Dynamic and High Dynamic B&W, the My Color mode makes it easy to create innovative images and videos using new intensive color, brightness and saturation levels.
Additional Features
- Bundled Software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.2 HD Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos. Videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader, while also letting the user create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in .MOV files. The software is compatible with the Windows 7.
- Happy Mode An option in iA that optimizes color, saturation and brightness to make both photos and movies more vivid and true to the color of the scene you memorized.
Lumis FZ100 digital camera, battery charger, battery pack, AV cable, USB cable, hand strap, CD-ROM
Product Description
Ultimate Hybrid Digital Compact Camera DMC-FZ100 with Full HD Movie Offering Active, Creative Photo and Movie with Powerful 24x Optical Zoom and Hi-Speed Response
*35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm The DMC-FZ100, packs a powerful optical zoom and creative options including full HD movie recording capability. The newly developed LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens in the DMC-FZ100 extends its optical zoom range from 25mm at wide end and 24x to 600mm*. Also the newly developed 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor lets the FZ100 record high quality 1920x1080 full HD movie smooth at 60i. Together with a host of options, unlimited expression is now easily available with FZ100. The high speed MOS sensor realizes the industrys fastest level of burst shooting in 14.1-megapixel full resolution at 11 fps with mechanical shutter and even 60 fps in 3.5-megapixel recording mode**. It also enables the camera to record high speed movie at 220 fps in QVGA size, to capture the motion of a subject the naked eye cannot see. *Equivalent to 35mm camera: 25-600mm. **In the high speed burst shooting at 60 fps, the picture size is 3.5-megapixel(16:9), 3-megapixel(3:2), 2.5-megapixel(4:3) or 2-megapixel(1:1)
Available Warranties for This Item
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
523 of 534 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I am updating this review constantly so check back every so often to see any additional updates or new material has been added to this review. Also any new links are posted in the first comment following this review.
I have posted a PDF file with all the tips and tricks and important information about this camera on page 68 and comment 672 (2nd one down on page 68) of the comments section following this review. There is a Table of Contents to easily find pages for a variety of topics. The Custom settings are in the PDF on pages 34-36. It makes all the difference in this camera. It will shoot well in low light areas using the CUSTOMIZED settings. Get it and print it out for future reference!
The comments about this camera not working well in low light in video and in photos is over. It is just a matter of changing the settings in the camera. It does much better in lower light now. See comments 627 on page 63 of the comments following this review! The comments area in general is packed with good information about tips for better shooting and products to buy to make the process better. Check them out!
First, let me tell you I have read every single review about this camera on the Amazon website. I was torn between this camera and the Canon SX30IS 14.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 Inch Wide LCD and the new Fujifilm FinePix HS20 16 MP Digital Camera with EXR BSI CMOS High Speed Sensor and Fujinon 30x Wide Angle Optical Zoom Lens. I also looked at the Fujifilm FinePix HS10 10 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 30x Wide Angle Optical Zoom and 3-Inch LCD, but didn't like it because after the picture was taken it takes 3-4 seconds to process before another picture can be taken. I currently own the Panasonic DMC-FZ35 as well, and used it as a comparison camera with the DMC-FZ100. I am still in the process of comparing photos of both cameras with the settings exactly the same, and so far the FZ100 wins.
This camera has a an excellent 25mm Ultra Wide-Angle Lexica DC Vario-Elmarit lens w 24X optical zoom, high speed Venus Engine 3 core processor, full HD movie recording at 1920 X 1080 resolution at 60 frames per second, High Speed Video recording at 220 frames per second, the fastest level of burst shooting of any bridge camera at 2,5,11 (2, 5,and 11 fps at full 14mp resolution),40, and 60 fps, shutter release lag of 0.008 seconds (WOW!), 14 mp resolution, and the camera's quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the Sonic Speed AF (auto focus). Thanks to newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, with the Intelligent Zoom turned on, the DMC-FZ100 has a camera zoom range of 1 - 32X, or a 35mm camera equivalent of 25-780mm at maximum 14mp picture size! No one makes a camera like this one! No one even comes close!
I have been in photography for many years. I've done wedding photography and sold some of my photos on line and to some local shops. I had a photography studio in my basement. I currently use a Nikon D90 as a DSLR camera. I enjoy the ease of taking a bridge camera with me instead of hauling the huge camera and bag full of lenses. I use the Panasonic cameras strictly for taking photos for myself as the quality is not the same as with the Nikon D90. Don't get me wrong. It takes a great picture! But you just can't compare a bridge camera to a DSLR. You can't compare the price either. MY D90 cost me almost $1000 and the lenses are just as expensive. Some cost way more than the camera body. Have you bought a 25-780mm lens for a DSLR camera lately? If they were available they would cost thousands of dollars! That's the lens equivalent of the Panasonic DMC-FZ100 with I-Zoom ON!
The Panasonic DMC-FZ100 is getting a lot of negative reviews about picture quality. I decided to buy the camera anyway and see if it could be useful to me. I liked the 35X zoom of the Canon SX30IS, but there are lots of negative reviews concerning its picture quality as well. The Panasonic DMC-FZ100 has many qualities and features that puts it above the Canon, but the 35X really pulled on me. I will explain the qualities of the FZ100 in a minute. The new Fujifilm Finepix HS20 really caught my eye! The main reason I decided against that camera is the zoom is manual and the price tag is much higher than the FZ100. The zoom being manual makes any video jerky while it is being zoomed. I looked at some of the videos taken with it on YouTube. Just do a search on that site.
The PDF manual for this camera can be downloaded from the Panasonic web site. Just do a search for it in Google. I put the link for the PDF in the comments section in case you want to download it.
I gave the camera an in depth checkout and came away totally pleased with it. Let me tell you all the benefits and features of this great camera:
What I like:
It has threads for filters. It takes a 52mm filter and they are readily available. Zeikos makes a 52mm polarizing filter Zeikos ZE-CPL52 52mm Multi-Coated Circular Polarizer Filter. I bought one for my FZ35 a while back. I also bought a more expensive Hoya polarizing filter and cannot see any difference between the Zeikos filter and the Hoya filter. Save your money and get the Zeikos.
The lens hood is included and uses a slot instead of screwing on. It is much faster to install or remove.
Some of the above cameras charge extra for the lens hood.
The camera takes JPG or Raw pictures or Both.
In the Video Mode, single still pictures or burst pictures can be taken just by pressing down on the shutter release button while taking the video. It takes a 3.5mp picture or pictures, up to 40 per video. To set up the burst mode just select it on top of the camera next to the main dial and set it up before taking the video. Page 110 in the manual.
In the Video Mode you can normally zoom to 24X. However if you select and turn on I-Zoom the camera will zoom to 32X. I-Zoom gives you 1.3X the normal zoom. The setting also gives you 32X in the Picture Mode (at 14mp picture size). It makes the camera in both picture mode and video mode equivalent to a 35mm camera 25-780mm lens! The picture quality in video or photo is not diminished in this mode. It says it on page 58 and 145 in the manual.
To turn I-Zoom on, just go to Menu, REC MENU, Page 3 (Change pages up by moving the zoom switch right, and down by moving the zoom switch left) , select I.R I.Resolution, then select I Zoom. After that, when using the Video Mode, instead of zooming to 24X, the camera will zoom to 32X. In the picture mode, the zoom goes from 24X in the 14mp Mode to 32X. If you set the camera in the 10mp picture size, the zoom goes from 24X to 37.9X. Now the camera is actually zooming in more than the Canon SX30IS! The best part! Using the I Zoom and Extended Optical Zoom does not degrade picture quality at all! Go to the manual on page 58 and 145. It tells you that right in the manual!
I-Zoom = Multiplier of 1.3X
Extended Optical Zoom with I-Zoom ON
14mp = 32X
10mp = 37.9X
7mp = 45X
5mp = 54X
3mp = 67.4X
I used the camera at 3mp (67.4X) with the Olympus 1.7 teleconverter to get a total zoom of 118X, and took a picture of the moon with just a monopod. It filled the whole screen without cropping. It can be seen at the web site listed in comments. The picture looks great! I will be taking another with a tripod when the moon is full, and will post it as well.
The camera has a live Histogram which the FZ35 has as well. To turn it on, go to MENU, SETUP, Page 3, HISTOGRAM, and turn it ON.
The camera will take 5 quick flash shots! To do that, just put the top main dial to SCN Mode, and select FLASH BURST, which is on the second row! The FZ35 does that too. While we are in the SCN Mode, in a dim setting like inside at night, select the CANDLE LIGHT Mode, It really brightens up the picture! Better yet, at night in tough lighting, select iA Mode (Intelligent Auto) with the camera main dial. It does a great job in dim light, but you will sacrifice some noise! Also note in SCN mode, go to the second page of the menu and select HS Mode for High Speed Video to take those fast action videos that you want to get great slow motion detail in. The speed is 220 frames per second!
460,000 pixel 3 inch LCD, which extends and swivels. You can even take a picture of yourself and see what it is going to look like before you take the shot. Just extend the screen and rotate it 180 degrees.
DIFFERENT COLOR MODES = Page 132 of manual
The camera has several different color modes.
STANDARD: The standard setting
DYNAMIC: The saturation and contrast are increased.
NATURE: Brighter red, green and blue. Enhanced beauty of nature.
SMOOTH: The contrast is lowered for smoother and clearer color.
VIBRANT : Higher saturation and contrast than DYNAMIC.
Makes the colors snap out at you!
There are a couple of others.
To Set the COLOR MODE go to P or A or S or M mode on the main dial, press MENU, then FILM MODE, then push the right button on the MENU SET switch to cycle through the various color modes. Once in a mode, scroll down and set the CONTRAST, SHARPNESS, SATURATION, and NOISE REDUCTION. Once set, press the MENU button again to save it. Read more ›
I have posted a PDF file with all the tips and tricks and important information about this camera on page 68 and comment 672 (2nd one down on page 68) of the comments section following this review. There is a Table of Contents to easily find pages for a variety of topics. The Custom settings are in the PDF on pages 34-36. It makes all the difference in this camera. It will shoot well in low light areas using the CUSTOMIZED settings. Get it and print it out for future reference!
The comments about this camera not working well in low light in video and in photos is over. It is just a matter of changing the settings in the camera. It does much better in lower light now. See comments 627 on page 63 of the comments following this review! The comments area in general is packed with good information about tips for better shooting and products to buy to make the process better. Check them out!
First, let me tell you I have read every single review about this camera on the Amazon website. I was torn between this camera and the Canon SX30IS 14.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 Inch Wide LCD and the new Fujifilm FinePix HS20 16 MP Digital Camera with EXR BSI CMOS High Speed Sensor and Fujinon 30x Wide Angle Optical Zoom Lens. I also looked at the Fujifilm FinePix HS10 10 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 30x Wide Angle Optical Zoom and 3-Inch LCD, but didn't like it because after the picture was taken it takes 3-4 seconds to process before another picture can be taken. I currently own the Panasonic DMC-FZ35 as well, and used it as a comparison camera with the DMC-FZ100. I am still in the process of comparing photos of both cameras with the settings exactly the same, and so far the FZ100 wins.
This camera has a an excellent 25mm Ultra Wide-Angle Lexica DC Vario-Elmarit lens w 24X optical zoom, high speed Venus Engine 3 core processor, full HD movie recording at 1920 X 1080 resolution at 60 frames per second, High Speed Video recording at 220 frames per second, the fastest level of burst shooting of any bridge camera at 2,5,11 (2, 5,and 11 fps at full 14mp resolution),40, and 60 fps, shutter release lag of 0.008 seconds (WOW!), 14 mp resolution, and the camera's quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the Sonic Speed AF (auto focus). Thanks to newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, with the Intelligent Zoom turned on, the DMC-FZ100 has a camera zoom range of 1 - 32X, or a 35mm camera equivalent of 25-780mm at maximum 14mp picture size! No one makes a camera like this one! No one even comes close!
I have been in photography for many years. I've done wedding photography and sold some of my photos on line and to some local shops. I had a photography studio in my basement. I currently use a Nikon D90 as a DSLR camera. I enjoy the ease of taking a bridge camera with me instead of hauling the huge camera and bag full of lenses. I use the Panasonic cameras strictly for taking photos for myself as the quality is not the same as with the Nikon D90. Don't get me wrong. It takes a great picture! But you just can't compare a bridge camera to a DSLR. You can't compare the price either. MY D90 cost me almost $1000 and the lenses are just as expensive. Some cost way more than the camera body. Have you bought a 25-780mm lens for a DSLR camera lately? If they were available they would cost thousands of dollars! That's the lens equivalent of the Panasonic DMC-FZ100 with I-Zoom ON!
The Panasonic DMC-FZ100 is getting a lot of negative reviews about picture quality. I decided to buy the camera anyway and see if it could be useful to me. I liked the 35X zoom of the Canon SX30IS, but there are lots of negative reviews concerning its picture quality as well. The Panasonic DMC-FZ100 has many qualities and features that puts it above the Canon, but the 35X really pulled on me. I will explain the qualities of the FZ100 in a minute. The new Fujifilm Finepix HS20 really caught my eye! The main reason I decided against that camera is the zoom is manual and the price tag is much higher than the FZ100. The zoom being manual makes any video jerky while it is being zoomed. I looked at some of the videos taken with it on YouTube. Just do a search on that site.
The PDF manual for this camera can be downloaded from the Panasonic web site. Just do a search for it in Google. I put the link for the PDF in the comments section in case you want to download it.
I gave the camera an in depth checkout and came away totally pleased with it. Let me tell you all the benefits and features of this great camera:
What I like:
It has threads for filters. It takes a 52mm filter and they are readily available. Zeikos makes a 52mm polarizing filter Zeikos ZE-CPL52 52mm Multi-Coated Circular Polarizer Filter. I bought one for my FZ35 a while back. I also bought a more expensive Hoya polarizing filter and cannot see any difference between the Zeikos filter and the Hoya filter. Save your money and get the Zeikos.
The lens hood is included and uses a slot instead of screwing on. It is much faster to install or remove.
Some of the above cameras charge extra for the lens hood.
The camera takes JPG or Raw pictures or Both.
In the Video Mode, single still pictures or burst pictures can be taken just by pressing down on the shutter release button while taking the video. It takes a 3.5mp picture or pictures, up to 40 per video. To set up the burst mode just select it on top of the camera next to the main dial and set it up before taking the video. Page 110 in the manual.
In the Video Mode you can normally zoom to 24X. However if you select and turn on I-Zoom the camera will zoom to 32X. I-Zoom gives you 1.3X the normal zoom. The setting also gives you 32X in the Picture Mode (at 14mp picture size). It makes the camera in both picture mode and video mode equivalent to a 35mm camera 25-780mm lens! The picture quality in video or photo is not diminished in this mode. It says it on page 58 and 145 in the manual.
To turn I-Zoom on, just go to Menu, REC MENU, Page 3 (Change pages up by moving the zoom switch right, and down by moving the zoom switch left) , select I.R I.Resolution, then select I Zoom. After that, when using the Video Mode, instead of zooming to 24X, the camera will zoom to 32X. In the picture mode, the zoom goes from 24X in the 14mp Mode to 32X. If you set the camera in the 10mp picture size, the zoom goes from 24X to 37.9X. Now the camera is actually zooming in more than the Canon SX30IS! The best part! Using the I Zoom and Extended Optical Zoom does not degrade picture quality at all! Go to the manual on page 58 and 145. It tells you that right in the manual!
I-Zoom = Multiplier of 1.3X
Extended Optical Zoom with I-Zoom ON
14mp = 32X
10mp = 37.9X
7mp = 45X
5mp = 54X
3mp = 67.4X
I used the camera at 3mp (67.4X) with the Olympus 1.7 teleconverter to get a total zoom of 118X, and took a picture of the moon with just a monopod. It filled the whole screen without cropping. It can be seen at the web site listed in comments. The picture looks great! I will be taking another with a tripod when the moon is full, and will post it as well.
The camera has a live Histogram which the FZ35 has as well. To turn it on, go to MENU, SETUP, Page 3, HISTOGRAM, and turn it ON.
The camera will take 5 quick flash shots! To do that, just put the top main dial to SCN Mode, and select FLASH BURST, which is on the second row! The FZ35 does that too. While we are in the SCN Mode, in a dim setting like inside at night, select the CANDLE LIGHT Mode, It really brightens up the picture! Better yet, at night in tough lighting, select iA Mode (Intelligent Auto) with the camera main dial. It does a great job in dim light, but you will sacrifice some noise! Also note in SCN mode, go to the second page of the menu and select HS Mode for High Speed Video to take those fast action videos that you want to get great slow motion detail in. The speed is 220 frames per second!
460,000 pixel 3 inch LCD, which extends and swivels. You can even take a picture of yourself and see what it is going to look like before you take the shot. Just extend the screen and rotate it 180 degrees.
DIFFERENT COLOR MODES = Page 132 of manual
The camera has several different color modes.
STANDARD: The standard setting
DYNAMIC: The saturation and contrast are increased.
NATURE: Brighter red, green and blue. Enhanced beauty of nature.
SMOOTH: The contrast is lowered for smoother and clearer color.
VIBRANT : Higher saturation and contrast than DYNAMIC.
Makes the colors snap out at you!
There are a couple of others.
To Set the COLOR MODE go to P or A or S or M mode on the main dial, press MENU, then FILM MODE, then push the right button on the MENU SET switch to cycle through the various color modes. Once in a mode, scroll down and set the CONTRAST, SHARPNESS, SATURATION, and NOISE REDUCTION. Once set, press the MENU button again to save it. Read more ›
139 of 140 people found the following review helpful
By V. Huang
Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this camera to take on vacations when I don't want to take my Nikon D90 and all my lenses. I have a trip to Belize coming up where I will be kayaking and river rafting and definitely did not want to take my clunky DSLR but I wanted a camera that could take decent pictures with a powerful zoom so I could photograph wildlife and also have good video capability so I wouldn't have to bring a separate video camera. I have the FZ18 and was very happy with it. I read everything I could on the web about the FZ100 before I pre-ordered it from Amazon and it had all the features I needed. I was kind of apprehensive about getting the camera when I read the negative reviews about image quality, however, there were some positve reviews to counter the negative. Some especially helpful threads were on Steve's Digicams (there are some nice pictures from the FZ100 posted there) and Dpreview.
I chose the FZ100 because of its 11 fps burst mode (beats my D90 5 FPS burst mode), articulating LCD, electronic viewfinder, HD AVCHD video and 24X zoom. I did not choose the Canon Powershot SX20 IS because I felt it was too heavy and it only has 20X zoom plus the LCD is smaller than the FZ100's LCD. I ruled out the Olympus SP 800-UZ because it did not have an electronic viewfinder, and the Fuji Finepix HS10 was even heavier than the Canon. I tried out the camera when my parents came for a visit and got to compare the FZ100 with my Dad's Canon SX20 IS. I used it in all sorts of conditions to take pictures at our local dahlia festival and got some really great indoor and outdoor shots of the dahlias and great close up shots of bumblebees (macro mode is outstanding). The next day was overcast and despite the conditions, the camera took nice scenery shots. I couldn't see much difference between my dad's pictures and mine (we viewed them on my laptop). I took my pictures using the P mode and automatic mode.
The video was excellent. I really liked being able to use the zoom function while taking video (I think I won't be needing my video camera anymore!). I got some fantastic action shots of my dog catching a frisbee using both the 11 FPS burst mode and 5 FPS autofocus burst mode (a fabulous feature!). The camera is small and light enough to take almost anywhere and though the picture quality is not as good as a DSLR (especially in low light conditions), I am quite pleased with my decision to purchase the FZ100 and plan on keeping it.
I chose the FZ100 because of its 11 fps burst mode (beats my D90 5 FPS burst mode), articulating LCD, electronic viewfinder, HD AVCHD video and 24X zoom. I did not choose the Canon Powershot SX20 IS because I felt it was too heavy and it only has 20X zoom plus the LCD is smaller than the FZ100's LCD. I ruled out the Olympus SP 800-UZ because it did not have an electronic viewfinder, and the Fuji Finepix HS10 was even heavier than the Canon. I tried out the camera when my parents came for a visit and got to compare the FZ100 with my Dad's Canon SX20 IS. I used it in all sorts of conditions to take pictures at our local dahlia festival and got some really great indoor and outdoor shots of the dahlias and great close up shots of bumblebees (macro mode is outstanding). The next day was overcast and despite the conditions, the camera took nice scenery shots. I couldn't see much difference between my dad's pictures and mine (we viewed them on my laptop). I took my pictures using the P mode and automatic mode.
The video was excellent. I really liked being able to use the zoom function while taking video (I think I won't be needing my video camera anymore!). I got some fantastic action shots of my dog catching a frisbee using both the 11 FPS burst mode and 5 FPS autofocus burst mode (a fabulous feature!). The camera is small and light enough to take almost anywhere and though the picture quality is not as good as a DSLR (especially in low light conditions), I am quite pleased with my decision to purchase the FZ100 and plan on keeping it.
188 of 193 people found the following review helpful
I've had a few days to play with the new DMC-FZ100, and for the most part, the results are good. Let me first say before anything, if you're expecting DSLR quality photographs with this or any other 'Super Zoom', it isn't going to happen. Since I already own the FZ35, most of the FZ100's features are familiar to me. The FZ100's best feature is its 25-600mm LEICA Lens. I also prefer its wider angle compared to the FZ35's 27mm. Panasonic's POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) does a great job up to about 18X zoom. When you're zooming at full length, don't expect miracles. It helps, but you'll still need a fairly steady hand and fairly high shutter speeds to get the best pics. Panasonic's iA mode does a very good job as usual, but still tends to sometimes use a higher ISO than necessary. I prefer "P" mode with a little manual tweaking of various settings. Most people will consider the FZ100's 3" free-angle LCD a big improvement over the FZ35's fixed 2.7" screen. I haven't played around much with the FZ100's video yet, but from what I've taken, it seems to be at least equal to the FZ35. All this leads to me to my biggest disappointment I have with the FZ100. Image quality just isn't as good as the FZ35 under any circumstances. It doesn't mean that the FZ100 isn't capable of taking 'good' pictures, just that my older FZ35 takes better pictures. I've tried just about every setting combination possible and the FZ35 still wins. I'm not overly surprised though, since they're cramming 14.1 MP into a small sensor. Too bad marketing dictates increasing MP count with every new camera. If the FZ100 was 10 MP, it would probably produce excellent images instead of just good. With that being said, the FZ100's results still are good, and from what I've seen from the other 20+X Zoom cameras, it still beats them. If you're not expecting DSLR results, and aren't obsessed with "pixel peeping", than I recommend the DMC-FZ100. If you're thinking of upgrading from the FZ35 like I did, you'll have to ask yourself if the 24x wider zoom and other improvements are worth sacrificing some image quality.
Pros:
24X 25-600mm LEICA Lens
3" free-angle LCD
POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) still among the best there is
Intelligent Auto (iA) Mode works well, and great for novices
RAW Mode
1080i HD Video
Well designed controls and layout
Hot Shoe for external flash
Cons:
IQ not quite as good as its predecessor (FZ35)
Above average 'noise' at ISO 400 and above
0.2" EVF (electronic viewfinder) is fair at best
Price is currently among the highest for Super Zooms
Uses chipped, proprietary battery.
Pros:
24X 25-600mm LEICA Lens
3" free-angle LCD
POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) still among the best there is
Intelligent Auto (iA) Mode works well, and great for novices
RAW Mode
1080i HD Video
Well designed controls and layout
Hot Shoe for external flash
Cons:
IQ not quite as good as its predecessor (FZ35)
Above average 'noise' at ISO 400 and above
0.2" EVF (electronic viewfinder) is fair at best
Price is currently among the highest for Super Zooms
Uses chipped, proprietary battery.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Camera
The Leica lens on this camera is what lured me, and I didn't go wrong. It's a 24 X zoom too. Very light weight, full of auto and manual features suited to every level of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Natural Health Doc
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works great
I bought this to replace my Canon Powershot S5IS. I shoot mainly birds, so a long lens is important. The added reach of 600mm is nice compared to 420mm. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ross Millikan
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Excellent camera
For a point and shoot, this camera takes some very nice pictures. I get compliments on them all the time. Read more
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BEST DIGITAL CAMERA YET
I HAVE BEEN SHOOTING PICTURES FOR THIRTY YEARS, BOTH PRO AND FOR FUN. I HAVE OWNED SIX OR EIGHT DIGITAL CAMERAS AND THIS IS THE BEST ONE SO FAR. Read more
Published 4 months ago by guy hurst
2.0 out of 5 stars
Sticky Zoom
The zoom did not function smoothly. When using the zoom, it would freeze up and stick sometimes. This was for the cammera I purchased.
Published 6 months ago by Bassman
2.0 out of 5 stars
Hold on Amazon - What's going on?
I ordered this camera on 5 June and received my package very quickly. Problem is Sunset Electronics shipped me a European version - no english instructions, PAL clearly marked on... Read more
Published 11 months ago by LabradorArt
4.0 out of 5 stars
nice camera
It produces high quality pictures and videos. Very consumer-friendly use. Light enough compared with other same-level digital cameras. But not good enough for night shot.
Published 11 months ago by LuluQ
5.0 out of 5 stars
is an all in one for all kind of places and ocations
i owned this camera for one year and when my friends see my photos they star asking to do their weddings quinceaneras firs communions etc i have done about 23 events in less than a... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Felipe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great gift
We are very happy with this product. It is very versatile with many features. Close-ups of flowers turned out great as well as mountain top vistas.
Published 12 months ago by developer
1.0 out of 5 stars
Good hardware , terrible user support
I bought a Panasonic camera, but I will never do it again. I am travelling and do not have the supplied CD with me. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Barry Steele
