I've had mine for about a month, and I really like it. It is my first long zoom digital camera, and I like all of the things other reviewers noted, but additionally want to note that:
1) The FZ7 is smaller and lighter than others in its class
2) It feels quite solid. I've accidently whacked it a few times with no harm.
3) It has a variable diopter viewfinder. Good for glasses wearers. Some don't.

Now the (minor) bad things about the camera.
1) The viewfinder, though better than most, is not as bright or as high resolution as the Kodak P850. The Kodak also has a better view in low light conditions. The P850 is also available for considerable less money, although some think it takes slightly inferior pics. Night pictures with this camera are almost an act of faith unless you are in range of the LED.
2) You won't find a backlight setting in the Program mode. You have to adjust the exposure compensation click by click. I like a single button option for fast compensation. It is available in the simple mode, which does 90% of what I want anyway, but I use the Program mode most and I think most techie, non pros will too.
3) No AA battery option. I want to take it on travel and camping. It would be nice to be freed of the plug.
4) The Aperture and Shutter priority mode are a mystery to me. And yes, I've read the manual a few times. You still have to adjust to get the proper exposure. That's not how I recall it working in my old Ricoh 35mm SLR.

Beyond these caveats, I have taken some spectacular pictures that people really notice. Sports mode does great for kids sports. And when you press the shutter, the camera takes a picture!! At that moment!! Mirabile dictu!

I am not a techno geek. I lean towards electronically challanged. What I can tell you is that this camera is extremely user friendly. It has a multitude of modes to shoot in, such as starry night; fireworks; snow; portrait; and baby. All with subtle little adjustments that will enchance the scene you are trying to capture. It takes spectacular photos and the prints are rich and clean and clear and brilliant. This is my first upgrade from a 2mp. I considered the Sony's and the Cannon's, seriously. When I saw the size of this one, I was sold. It is "almost" a compact and can be taken any where any time. Do your techno research, then, try it. You won't be disappointed.

After a lot of research, I bought the DMC FZ7. It has a lot going for it.

Virtually every review, including the one in the June 2006 Popular Photography, comments on the amount of noise the camera produces. In fact, the Popular Photography review test found the noise level to be "high/unacceptable" at every ISO except for 100. Other reviews found that it would produce acceptable prints up to 5x7 at higher ISOs (while finding the "high sensitivity modes" with ISO up to 1600 to be unusable).

Notwithstanding the noise problem, the camera is said to have good color and a fabulous optically stabilized zoom lense. So, it can capture good images. What to do about the noise?

Many people post process their digital photos. The programs Neat Image and Noise Ninja are widely cited, and many reviewers indicated that Neat Image does a good job of cleaning up the FZ7's noisy images. Noise Ninja appears to be faster but more expensive.

Thus, if you are going to post process your images anyway (Photoshop Elements 4.0 is one good way to do that), you can invest another $50-$75 or so to get one of these de-noise programs or plug-ins. Photoshop Elements 4.0 itself has a de-noising function built in, although it appears not to be as sophisticated as that of the plug-ins. If you're willing to take the time, it appears that the FZ7 with noise removal processing can produce really good images, even large ones. I have yet to see, but am optimistic. Amazon's generous return policy will let me return the camera within 30 days if it doesn't work out.

If you're using your images for the web, email or small prints, the noise problem isn't such a big deal.

***The price dropped at Amazon $18 about a week after I bought it. Amazon promptly credited me with the difference. Another reason to buy from Amazon (and to check prices after your purchase).

This fine little camera just earned a glowing nod in the June, 2006 issue of Popular Photography, for which it was praised for its relatively fast, relatively fixed maximum aperture of f3.3 (35mm equivalent zoom range is 36-432 mm, with the maximum aperture varying from f2.8 to 3.3) at 420mm. Ergonomically it may resemble a digital SLR only in the sense that its controls are easy to reach and use. Like other recent Panasonic Lumix cameras, this one has a superb image stabilization feature for handholding under low light conditions or fast-paced action shots with an equivalent film speed of up to ISO 1600! In plain English, this is the perfect little digital camera for taking pictures under almost every condition imaginable, with an ample power supply from its Lithium battery. The Leica-designed, Panasonic-built zoom lens offers exceptional image quality.

An elderly friend of mine is just getting his toes wet with his spiffy new laptop,spiffy new 3-in -one printer,and this very,very sweet camera.
He is a retired art instructor,and was a professional photographer back in the days of the Rolliflexes. He asked for my help in selecting all of the above,and I have to tell you: This camera has knocked his socks off. He is trying everything the camera is capable of,and he is continually amazed at the quality,heft,and pictures the Lumix can take. Being very mechanically-minded,he is just as intrigued with its operations ,as he is with the finished print.
As for my opinion?? I wish I had one of these! I have a very nice pocket-size Nikon,5.1mp,and I bought it so I could carry it in my pocket. It takes wonderful photos,so I really don't need this one.But..I like the fact that you can override the auto settings and tweak it to your specifications.He has been having a lot of fun with it over the past couple of weeks.Taking photos in all sorts of light situations.Moon photos,sunsets,etc.
I think he will continue to be very pleased with what he has purchased.It was so nice to see his face light up the first time he took a photo and looked at it in the very huge LCD screen.
I suggest,as amazon did,that you get a 1Gig SD card,minimum,but if you can swing it,go for the 2Gig.
All-in-all,this is a great camera,and coupled with a spiffy,high-quality printer,anyone into photography will be pleased.

I needed a camera for a trip to South Colorado/Northern New Mexico. I read the reviews on Amazon and decided on this one (although I bought it locally due to time constraints).

This camera does not dissapoint! A lot of features and a lot of performance for the money. Very intuitive to use, all buttons easy to locate and push. I love the 2.5" LCD screen and the viewfinder works well in sunny areas. Best of all the sunscreen really works to block the sun. It is very lightweight. Good battery life with proprietary battery--would have preferred AA's--and that is truly my only complaint with this camera. I bought an extra battery to use with the encloed charger and had no problems switching back and forth. Also bought a 1G card which allowed approx 375 photographs.

I did some cool artsy shots of crumbling adobe walls and vistas with the manual controls that are also easy to navigate. Got some great wildlife shots too: the camera turns on and is ready to go in two seconds (I just counted). The zoom works quickly. With the digital zoom it goes to 48X with some degradation that the manual takes pains to warn you about. Zoom up to 12x and steady on a car or your buddy and you will get some great shots.

So. . .miles ahead of any pocket camera out there. I certainly would not compare it to any true SLR in price and versatility. It is really an intermediate step between the two. For those that want more quality than a pocket camera, but don't want to invest in an SLR this is a real contender. I really cannot think of a single serious criticism of this camera.

I had high expectations for this camera, which I shopped for very carefully once my first digital camera (a 4mp EasyShare) began acting up. More megapixels, more zoom, image stabilization... it all sounded good.

But after taking a number of sample pictures, I'm disappointed, and the camera is going back. I even read the manual... yes... I went that far... and reduced the image size, but I took a pile of pictures under various lighting conditions (in Easy mode), and the pictures just didn't seem that significantly better than that of my Kodak. (I took pictures side by side of the same things.) I will use advanced features from time to time, but honestly, if it's supposed to function well in Easy mode and it doesn't, that's a lost sale for me.

Yes, the LCD is huge, but the small LCD on my Kodak is much crisper and brighter. The display on the FZ7 is so grainy that it's hard to see what I'm photographing. I also don't like that I have to push a switch to toggle between viewfinder and LCD, instead of having both available simultaneously.

I also told myself that I really wouldn't mind moving from Easyshare, but you know what? After fiddling with this camera for a day, I miss simply docking the camera to recharge it or transfer pictures. Kodak got that right, at least for this customer. I also agree that not being able to use regular batteries in a pinch is a drawback. The first point is not so much Panasonic's problem, it's a preference; the second point is more universal.

On the other hand, the camera seems well-made, it's attractive, it has a nice grip, the buttons and toggles are all well placed, the lens cap is intelligently designed (you won't lose it unless you're trying to), and overall this camera seems to offer a number of features that are nice for this price range. I feel bad giving the DMC-FZ7 this review, because I had a Panasonic film camera for 17 years (it didn't break, I lost it in 2004) and it took many, many wonderful pictures. I was hoping to resume being a Panasonic camera fan. Darn. Back to the drawing board.

I've had this camera for a little under a month. It was an upgrade from a 4 year old 4MP camera that I still love. However, I've already put this camera through its paces. I've taken almost 1k pictures and outside of a few that were out of focus (because of me) they all have turned out great. I've shot everything from close up flowers, my son playing, my car after a wax to an entire wedding and reception. First impressions aside, this camera is easy to fall in love with.

Nutz and Boltz
I wont kid you, the learning curve is two fold and a little steep. There's an "easy" mode with included button(just like those Staples commercials) which out of the box makes the camera almost fool proof. Using the other settings takes a while to get used to, and even after a month of shooting, there is still stuff I don't know how to access on the fly.

Picture
In bright sun light the picture quality is simply amazing. Spot on colr and exposure. The images I've captured outdoors have been some of the best, crips and vivid. Indoors with a flash you get good pictures but nothing spectacular, It is though more then what a good point and shoot would produce.

Cons:
At high ISO settings picture quality starts to get a little grainy, but when you resize the image to something smaller, alot of the picture noise is removed. Also as I've read on other sites a good noise reduction tool (software) is probably a must with any camera over 4MP.

Can be slow to auto focus at times, so you may miss a shot. However, it has continuous AF which can really help.

Pros:
Great picture quality, high ISO settings which can be noisy do capture pictures you wouldn't normally have gotten any other way.

Small joystick that gives you quick access to manual focus, exposure settings and other cool features.

Captures quicktime video at 640x480 @30f and is pretty good at it. (About 11m for 1gig of SD media)

Overall score 9.5 stars I love it!

I own a Canon A540 which is an excellent little camera. It produces great images, BUT, it's a LITTLE camera. This Panasonic FZ7 is perhaps not as good in low light, but in most situations will give you the results you expect. AND, there is actually something to get your hands round. Men generally have larger hands, and this camera is the perfect fit, like a small SLR. It also has a 12X Optical and 4X digtal zoom, which really works.BUY IT.

I loved my FZ1 and immediately bought the FZ7 when I heard the video quality had been doubled to 640x480. Now I think I may have acted in haste as I read the Sony DSC-H2 which is also 12x optical zoom with image stabilization and 6mp will permit zooming in and out while shooting video while the FZ7 does not. The Sony also uses rechargeable AA batteries (and regular ones in a pinch) while the Panasonic uses a proprietary battery. I dislike the idea of buying a memory stick, but apparently you can buy cheaper ones than the one from Sony that work just as well. If the H2 is the same size as the FZ7, then I may exchange [UPDATE - Am keeping the FZ7 as the H2 is a bigger camera than I care to carry around]. It will be a tough decision even with the batteries and zoom feature of the Sony just because I had a Sony VCR with a burned out LED (whoever heard of those failing?) and my Sony TV now takes 10 minutes to warm up and tune in the picture (ok I should probably replace that anyway after 14 years or so).

i bought this from an amazon.com vendor and i recieved it very quick; they called to check up on it, and didnt bother me any more.

now the important stuff; you cant find a better value in a camera in the 300 to 400 dollar range if you are looking for quality. for me i was either going to go with an olympus or the fz7 (which) i did end up buying. i couldnt be happier with this camera; except if it had maybe a focus ring...anyhow, if you want a better camera, you should spend 200 more (i spent 300 on sale for my fz7) and get a nikon d50 on sale from online. bottom line...buy this camera if yo uare looking in the pricerange; forget sony and other super user friendly cameras that are dumbed down.

What I liked: Very light and small camera(for the category). Excellent performance(so fast!). Good grip and friendly to use. Comprehensive manual. Powerfull software package. Great battery life (2 hours to charge). The lens are stunning and the zoom is amazing, can get up to 64X! using dig.x op.for lower resolution and no flash. Tiff format, histogram recording. Oh yeah, the Image stabilization resources....
What I did not like: Noise (read more about if do not know what this is). Using reduction mode makes it OK. Lack of cable to charge(optional. The video/ USB ports cover design is poor plastic and weak (rubber would be much better).
Great value product !

This camera replaces 35 year old Nikons with all the lenses etc that were available at that time. I have been reluctant to join the digital camera set. This Panasonic is simply an outstanding product. In one small package you replace many heavy lenses and two Nikons I have been carrying. Prior to my purchase I tried to research hard and read mostly positive reviews on this camera. They were absolutely correct and many of the negative comments have turned out to be either very very picky or simply not reading the manual. The strong suits to this Panasonic FZ7 for me are the portrait and macro quality. The Leica lens is excellent and the results are excellent. I have now taken over 400 pictures with this camera and had one portrait printed by a custom lab. They were impressed also. Portraits are just outstanding and so are close-ups such as mountain wild flowers. The ease of use is outstanding. Yes you have to read the manual and yes you have to do some practicing but you get out of this camera what you put into it. Battery life is outstanding. I love the provided battery and don't want to be carrying AA batteries. Charging for 2 hours from completely dead is impressive and being able to take several hundred photos on one charge sold me. For the most part the software that comes with it is good although I am not sure why you would need 4 different photo programs and it seems they could have put their effort into just one great photo program.

For the amateur photographer I consider this camera to be outstanding as long as you will study the manual and try the different settings. There are many settings and they do produce the desired results. There is, of course, a "simple" setting which frankly I haven't tried yet because this camera is so easy to use the more advanced settings. For an old film camera guy its a joy to take as many pictures as I want and delete the bad ones. Seeing your results instantly is impressive and its so easy to watch on your TV that was actually the first place we did watch.

I also find the view finder to be an absolute joy. The LCD screen is more than adequate for most conditions but I find that in bright sunlight(sun behind you) the view finder is such a joy that I find myself using it more and more. The detailed information available within the view finder is in such sharp detail its amazing. Didn't know that was possible.

The arguments against this camera might be that it doesn't fit into your pocket but its so lightweight and the 12X zoom is so impressive I love to carry it. I bought a small case for it that fits it nice and tight and at Sam's Club I bought a 1GB Toshiba high proformance SD card for under $50. The 1GB card matches the battery capacity at best quality for about 329 pictures at 6M megapixels. Absolutely no regrets about purchasing this camera. I was into my third day with it before I even tried the audio. Who knew? Good idea! Another really unreal idea is stabilization in a still camera. When you are out on the 12X zoom its very impressive. Haven't used a tripod yet and for wildflowers the Nikon just about had to be on a tripod when using the Micro Nikkor lens in wind etc.

All of my Nikons will soon be featured on E-Bay. First though there is this 12 day vacation through 3 Natl Parks. Hmmm taking my laptop so I can download the SD card because I am thinking at least 1,000 pictures! It all came down to either this Panasonic or the Canon S3IS with comparable bells and whistles but the Cannon was over a $100 more and I couldn't justify it.

This camera will basically take your picture for you if you use all of its capability.

I don't need a professional quality camera, nor a "prosumer" model as I want a camera I can easily put in my fanny pack along with some trail mix and a flashlight and hit the trail or tourist spots. This is a nice relatively small camera that has a powerful 12x zoom (plus I've purchased the telephoto and close-up adapter lens and may also spring for the wide angle). I've attached my pix of a semi taken at regular and 12x to give an idea of the distance you can be from your subject and still take a great picture.

I purchased Panasonic's first iteration of this camera, the FZ1, a couple years ago. The FZ1 was less than 3mp, but that was fine for printing 5x7 (and even up to 8x10). Here's why: the first mark of a good camera is not the megapixel count, but the lens that lets the light in. Four companies make great camera lenses. They are Zeiss, Leica, Nikon and Canon. Nikon and Canon of course make cameras. Certain Sony cameras use Zeiss lenses. Leica makes its own cameras, but Panasonic was able to persuade them to design a set of lenses that Panasonic can use (I imagine in return Panasonic takes care of the digital components and manufacturing for Leica's own series of digital cameras). Although common in video cameras Panasonic was (from what I've read at least) the first to bring image stabilization technology to ordinary digital cameras (despite Canon having developed this for certain of its telephoto L-series lenses and awesome binoculars). Thank goodness! It's vital for zooming as handshake will really spoil many shots.

So anyway, as should now be obvious, a buyer's first consideration should be the quality of the lens as that's what lets the light through and permits focusing on the image. Then is image stabilization. Don't leave home without it (in this respect the reviews I've read say you should set the image stabilization feature to only come on when the picture is being taken rather than keeping it always on). Only after those two features should you think about megapixels. That's why I was perfectly happy having my FZ1 even though it only had 2.1 megapixels. The wonderful Leica lens let in plenty of light and color even at zoom and macro. (TIP: if you're planning to print at 5x7, you can set your image resolution to only 3-4 megapixels rather than the full 6 megapixels and that will allow you to take more pix on the same size memory card while still getting enough resolution in almost all instances to print excellently for 5x7 and more than enough for e-mail or a webpage.)

What I didn't like about the FZ1, however, was the poor quality of the video. That's why when I read that Panasonic had doubled the video quality in the FZ7 and the TZ1 I went and bought a new camera. First I bought the TZ1 as it's even smaller than the FZ1 and it can fit in an off the shelf camera case, but it's only 10x and I just wanted 12x. Now I've got what I want. Hurrah!

In addition to what is now really great Quicktime video (only $30 to download the Quicktime editor from Apple so you can stitch together video segments), you can now select the aspect ratio to either the usual format (4:3) or 3:2 or a panorama format (16:9 for widescreen TV). Hurrah again!

It's also got a much larger LCD screen so it's much easier to frame shots than it was before.

There's more I could write about the great stuff, but this should suffice. Here's what I feel there is to not like for the average person. One can't zoom in and out when taking video. The Sony H2 reportedly will do this (as will Panasonic's even more compact TZ1) and is also 12x zoom with a Zeiss lens and image stabilization (I looked into exchanging, but the H2 is bulkier).

Second, in low light you will get grainier pictures than you might with some other cameras. If you're planning on taking mostly interior night club shots you'll definitely want a different camera (a "prosumer" or better that you can add a more powerful flash too). For me, not a problem. For you, maybe, depends on who you are.

BTW, looks like Panasonic now makes a decent hard camera case for the FZ7, but as I'm getting some adapter lenses I'm sticking with my Lowe camera case. Will let you know how the adapter lenses work out after I come back from Maui.

Pluses
- Good Build
- Great Zoom Lens
- Quick poweron and multi shot mode
- Wide screen 848 x 480 (16:9) 30fps video

Minus
- Icons on buttons wore out after 1 week :-(
- Sometimes not able to focus properly in low light/close range

No regrets in purchasing this camera.

I am very pleased at the ability of this camera to take close-up pictures and also its performance under low light conditions. This is the camera you want as an amateur who does not want to spend big bucks -at least not yet- for a top of the line SLR.

After testing this camera out on some landscape shots, I decided to try it out on something difficult -- a Def Leppard concert. My seats were about 20 rows back, so I needed the zoom at or near maximum and had to shoot in low (and constantly changing) light with no flash. And of course I had no tripod and had to work around the arms and other appendages of the fans in front of me. Despite these less-than-optimal conditions, I got great results, including a few near professional quality pics.

The zoom performed very well, and the shutter priority setting allowed me to shoot everything at 1/60 sec (the slowest I dared use without a tripod). The built-in antishake feature helped a lot. While some pics were blurry, plenty of them turned out crisp, clear, and well-lit. Some other reviewers have complained about noise at ISO higher than 100, but I shot at ISO 400 and got good results (though I haven't printed enlargements yet).

Any camera that can handle constantly-moving targets under constantly changing stage lights with the zoom fully extended is a keeper!

I've owned this camera for about half a year. This is my second digital camera, after the low-end but generally well-regarded Canon A510. This camera is a definite step up in size and price, but I'm not entirely satisfied with it. While the overall picture quality is undeniably better than the 510, I think the very large amount of noise almost kills the FZ7. This camera shows noise even at ISO 80 and 100, is barely usable at ISO 200, and is kind of a joke at ISO 400. The ISO 800 & 1600 modes are fun for taking snapshots in dark areas, but are comparable to a camera-phone in quality.

The noise problem is mitigated by the excellent image stabilization (which helps by two steps - or being able to use ISO 100 in ISO 400 situations, which is probably a more realistic way to think of it), but only partially. The camera also has occasional issues with purple fringing and poor automatic white balance. Finally, the large display is very low-resolution, and given to weird moray effects.

On the positive side, it's an excellent lens (which is rather fast, especially on the long end of the zoom), the user interface is rather efficient and easy to use, the build quality is excellent, it feels comfortable in the hand, and it's substantially cheaper than the similar Canon S3. The size is compact enough that it can be squeezed into a pants pocket and definitely fits into a jacket pocket, which greatly increases the chances that I'll take it with me.

Personally, though, while I enjoy using this camera, I think the image quality is only half a step up from pocket-size cameras, and can't even compete with an entry-level DSLR.

I've had this camera two weeks now, and have had no problems whatsoever with it. It's my first digital camera, and so I spent about a month shopping around, reading various reviews, checking what needs I had in a camera, etc. When I knew that I wanted a megazoom, I ended up narrowing my selections to a few cameras: Sony DSC-H2, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7, Canon S3IS, and Fuji FinePix s5200.

All of them are great cameras and review well. In many of the reviews I would regularly read of each owner praising their own camera over the traits of the others. I don't know about anyone else, but I can't afford to own one of each camera to really know what that's like. What I took it to mean was that most of the people who bought any of these cameras were very happy with them. In some ways it made things more difficult (which one should I get?), but then in other ways it was a destresser (at least I won't get a dud, whichever I end up with).

Going to the stores around here and getting a feel for them in my hand was important. Everyone's hands are different, so it won't help for people to know which felt comfy in my hands, but I'll say it was a factor.

Features-wise, these cameras are all in the same neighbourhood. Big zoom, mid-high megapixel, and plenty of user-control when it comes to the settings. The viewscreens vary in size, as does the onboard memory, the kind of memory cards and batteries the camera uses, etc., so these are the major distinctions. Lenses on these cameras are also very good, no matter which you're looking at. Fuji and Canon, for instance, are both camera companies before they were into electronics, and Sony uses the Carl Zeiss and Panasonic uses the Leica. Quibble if you must about the lens quality of one vs. another, but the differences are minute. All offer some form of image stabilization as well, which is most helpful to me and my big, shaky hands.

When decision time came, price became a factor. The Fuji and Canon were $50-100 more than the Sony, and the Panasonic was another 20 below the Sony. Again, it wasn't the only factor, but it was in there.

Other factor: Power source. Some cameras run off AA batteries (Sony and Canon, not sure about Fuji), the Panasonic uses a Panasonic brand battery (Lithium-Ion), but you can buy knock-off brands that are much cheaper. They don't last as long (I have two) as the Panasonic, but I would say they are about 90% of the shooting capacity of the one that came with the camera, at about a fifth of the cost.

And last but not least: Storage. Panasonic and Canon use SD cards, which are cheap and fast. The Sony uses MemoryStick (a Sony product) that costs more. Not sure on it's performance, but from what I could tell from other reviews, a highspeed (UltraII by Sandisk, for instance) SD card was more than adequate. I got a 1G UltraII SD card and it holds 334 pics at max resolution. It's a fine performer, and fits into my laptop's cardreader. Very fast transfer from card to CPU for editing and such. Way faster than the included USB cable.

With the Panasonic, I make the tradeoff that memory is relatively cheap and flexible with other cameras and computers, but I have to have my batteries charged and ready for picture taking. With the Sony I could have gone to any corner store most anywhere in the world and picked up two AA's to operate the camera. They don't last as long as NiMH AA's, but they'll work fine when you have no other choice. To me that was a trade I'm willing to make, since I have three batteries (each rated for 270-300) and being able to acquire more storage cheaply would be better for what I need.

If you get this camera, you will be very pleased with the pictures you take, though that doesn't mean that you would be displeased with the others I mentioned. Make sure you get a chance to hold the cameras in your hand, and see what your priorities are going to be in picture taking. If you're always on the road and charging batteries is a problem, this camera might not be the one for you (charging the battery for this camera takes 2 hours), but if that isn't an issue, this camera is an excellent choice.

The only criticism people have had of this camera has been 'noise' at high ISOs, but that's not something I've noticed. I'll be doing some night shooting soon, so I'll experiment and see what I can get. As for the other positive reviews of picture quality, clarity, colour reproduction, etc. - I echo those heartily. Again, this is not a camera that disappoints. You'll be very pleased with the results.
Happy shooting!

I loved the FZ5 but up'ed to the FZ7 not for 1 MP but the bigger LCD. To my surprise, I find the menu and button layout improved and intuitive. I can't compare this to similar Sony and Canon offerings but this camera is for sure smaller and very light. The image stab is unbelieveable..when I'm hiking at 8 to 12 K feet and stop to take a pix, I'm breathing hard and can see the viewfinder jump in time with my pulse. No prob, sqeeze off a shot at ISO 100 and the image is crisp. This should have been an 8 MP camera if Panasonic wanted to really wanted offer an "upgrade"...too bad, but for me 6 MP works.

I resisted providing a review of this camera for about 2 months now in order to make sure everything was as I would like it. I can now say that this camera is a great choice for those that are looking for a trade-off between ultra-compact, and long-zoom SLR. I recently took it to a Black Eyed Peas concert that was in the evening. The pictures I took at 12x zoom were really good. The large screen is perfect for sharing with friends immediately. The simple mode is good for taking most pictures, and if you like to fiddle, it's got just enough of the manual features to give you those options. It's considerably lighter than a digi-SLR, with a better form-factor (I think) than either the Canon S3 or Sony H2. I would definitely recommend.

The potential for creativity and control with this camera is astounding and a Leica lens! For the price some of the expectations in the reviews have been a little high.This is not an SLR and should not be compared to one. Give this camera a try. Use a tripod, invest in the best photo paper and get in close. This camera will follow your lead with a very strong finish.

After nearly 3 months of research, I convinced myself that this camera was the best choice out of all the options I had considered. I had been a digital camera user for about 3 years, just using point and shoot cameras. This camera (along with other super zooms) is a good way to graduate between traditional point-and-shoot cameras and dSLR cameras. Ironically, this model camera happens to be the cheapest along with the one with the best reviews and most features. The Canon S3 seems to be the typical consumer choice, yet this camera has a very odd form factor, and once I picked it up I knew it wasn't right for me. The interface on the software side was confusing and far too "dumbed-down" for me. Some test images at the store came out with a fair amount of noise, which is ironic due to the fact that all the camera gurus complain about the extreme noise on this camera. The noise on this camera is there, but not as noticeable as some reviewers make it sound. To put it into perspective, the noise levels are basically viewable in anything above a 11x14 print. Picture quality is strong in nearly all modes, and when you don't know what to use, there is usually a scene mode that will take care of it. Of course, you can always enter Simple Mode, something I personally have never tried, but how bad could it be. In respect to the features of this camera, the form factor, to start out, is amazing. Although it may not look like much, the camera can easily be held with one hand by someone with small hands like myself or large ones like those of my father. On the backside, there is the huge 2.5 inch LCD screen (once again complained about by pro reviewers as not sharp enough, wrong again). Also, a simple set of navigational arrows, a trash button, the EVF, power switch, flash pop button, and a unique joystick that gives you access to all manual controls while in manual modes. The joystick is really great, allowing access to all the manual features whenever I need them. The 12x Optical Zoom is truly amazing, I can sit in my room and zoom so far with such great clarity that my camera can read things that I can't, and I have vision that is far above average. The Leica lens is obviously crafted beautifully, like that of the $4000 cameras that Leica makes. This camera allows a great deal of diversity for experienced users, while also offering options for those who are not as experienced. I would highly recommend this camera to anyone who might want to get closer to the shot with the huge zoom or wants to graduate from point and shoot cameras.

I received the camera but there was no memory card in the box. I contacted Amazon and they sent me information how to contact Panasonic. I looked at the instruction book and contacted Panasonic twice before I got the right place there. They said the vendor was responsible to furnish all the parts. The camera looks great but I haven't been able to use it yet. I have ordered a good memory card and waiting on it. If you find parts missing in a Panasonic item just box it up and send it back. The memory card that is furnished is less than ten dollars and almost usless but I wanted Panasonic and Amazon to know the order was short.

I have owned this camera for about four months now and have used it extensively on everything from people portraits to wildlife in Africa. The results have been truly gratifying. I shake a little, but the 12 zoom pictures are still crystal clear. The camera provides some photographic options that I didn't know were even available, many more than I will probably ever use. The camera is very light, easy to use and versatile. Panasonic has provide an excellent product at a very modest price.

Plus features are:
1. Easy to setup and use.
2. Image stability with 30x zoom gives great pictures without using a tripod.
3. Macro down to a few inches is sharp and clear. Flash often helps.
4. Pictures have good light balance and quality.
5. Manual focus easy and useful.
6. Performance and versatility match cameras costing hundred of dollars more.

I've had this camera for a little over a month now, and I'm impressed by the features that it has. My old Canon Rebel SLR pales in comparision to it's features and ease of use. For an avid traveler or someone needing "close to SLR" quality in a easier to pack size, this is the choice. My only issue with the camera is the lack of a "RAW" option to save images. It can save images in TIFF, but the file size is huge and it's already gone through some processing by the camera before being saved. The photos that I've taken over the past few weeks are all quality. I'm quite pleased with this purchase.

Overall, upfront my rating is a "GOOD". The pictures are excellent quality. You do need to read the manual, unless your looking for an advanced digital camera and you have the know-how there should be no problems. If you don't have much experience with an SLR, and do not undersatnd the concepts of exposure, shutter speed, ect. you'll need to spend some time reading. The manufacturer, I think, tryed to compensate with a simple mode, but it is not all that simple for someone who is looking to start shooting right out of the box. This is my humble opinion.....take it or leave it.

I find the camera to be extremely user friendly. All buttons are well placed and figuring out the functions is pretty much up to intuition. The zoom function (you can get ~13.5X if you lower your pic quality to 4 mb)is very effective. First timers may have to try a few shots to prevent blurring due to hand shaking, but having said that, the camera does have an effective anti-shake function.
My Picasa (google software for picture editing) reads and transfers the pics in a matter of secs, the connectivity option for TV is handy. The camera is made is japan, so u know that u are not getting a cheapie made in taiwan replica. The camera looks very attractive.

I've had 2 SLR cameras and a zoom lens -all Nikons-starting 30 years ago. Since I purchased my second camera about 5 years ago, I was resisting the switch to digital. I can't express more enthusiastically how happy I am with this camera!

Amazon made it easier with their excellent price (it was much lower than other stores at the time of my purchase) and their liberal return policy.

I've shot hundreds of pix and have been blown away with the results!

Macro has yielded incredible butterfly and bee shots. Flowers and fall leaves are spectacular. Interiors are true to life and I've gotten excellent sports shots insde rather dimly lit areas using high sensitivity. I'm very satisfied with the zoom, too.

It's so much fun to experiment without the guilt associated with paying for developing many rolls of film to get a great shot.

Are my results professional quality? Probably not. Are they applauded by friends and family? Definitely!

Am I dreaming of a DSLR? Not yet!

This is just the item I have been looking for. It arrived on time, in perfect condition and works great. Panasonic is a good name, this is a good product, and Amazon is amazing with its service. Thanks!

Excellent camera! This is my second digital and it is not disappointing. I decided to upgrade from my 3x optical fujifilm, which served me well for many years. 3x is pitiful and surprisingly alot of new cameras are just that. Was close to staying with fujifilm but the model had a small lcd and 10x optical. The big screen, 6 mp and great optical zoom won me over. naturally with any digital camera a 1gb memory card is more than enough and an extra battery must be purchased. picture quality is excellent and very few times have i had a blury picture. fast picture times are a welcomed change from my old camera, too. if you know what you are doing there are MANY features and they are not difficult to use. there is also a simple mode. software was nothing too spectacular but thats not in question here. i will submit a picture too. if you want a good camera with a healthy zoom and megapixels this has to be on your list, plus it has excellent value.

I've owned a few digital cameras already (Canon, Fuji, etc) and I must say so far this camera blows them away in almost every aspect. The build quality is superb. Although it is light and made of plastic it still feels solid in your hand. The Ergonomics are great as well. It feels very secure and safe while holding. Outdoor pics are stunning. This camera puts out a lot of detail and color. Very little post processing (if any) is needed. The user interface is the best I've used in any camera to date. The joystick makes the normal operations very quick to perform. Great feature! The startup time is quick as well and the zooming function works great. The IS is very effective. With enough light you rarely get any blurring at full zoom. Specially in sports mode. The IS system really works great. The only grip I have with this camera is the screen resolution. It could be higher. However after reviewing the pics I've taken with this camera this is no longer an issue for me. And believe me I'm very anal when it comes to LCD screens. Also there is a small noise issue indoors on pics above Iso 200. But if you use the flash you dont have this problem. If your looking for a super zoom camera and would like it in a somewhat compact frame with manual control flexibility size this camera is the perfect choice.

Good camera, easy to use, fantastic zoom, great price and quick delivery! The added expense of a 1GB SD card and second battery kept me from giving the camera 5 stars.

Perhaps you need to be a professional photographer to successfully use this camera. We've had it for 2 months, and have tried nearly every setting and scene mode, with image stablization. I would say only about 30% of the pictures we've taken were passable. Most are quite blurry. How difficult can it be to take a clear picture?? And we haven't even attempted to print out yet - the clarity is a problem even with web pics.

Here's the real frustration. We attempted to take an indoor photo for our annual christmas card. Snapped about 40 different shots, mainly using the High Sensitivity setting, some with flash, some without. Many using burst mode. At the end of the day, we did not get one acceptable picture, though the few we shot using the flash were much clearer.

I do wonder if there is something major we are doing wrong - not focusing correctly? We'll continue to read the manual and online forums, but if we cannot fix the problem, this camera is going back.

We had an Olympus Super-Zoom camera (without image stablization) that took incredible photos, without much effort. I'm very disappointed in this one so far.

Did lot of research, looked at reviews and finally thought this is it. I took the Lumix camera along with my old (sony dsc-p5 3.2mega pixel) and snapped some outdoor and indoor pictures using the default settings.

This New Lumix camera paled in comparison with the 4 yr old Sony camera. I tried changing the settings in Lumix and took a few shots. Didnt change much. Simply put Sony DSC-P5 gave a better picture ..every time.

It is safe to say this. This camera may work if one has time to tinker with the settings. I want a camera that in its most default settings takes great pictures and also provide ability to occasionally change the ISO's,shutters,Exposures, Apertures etc.

Clearly Lumix is not that camera. I am sending it back. I will be leaning towards Dsc-H2 or the Cannon.

For Sony atleast, the additional lenses are lot cheaper. For Panasonic Lumix, you have to buy a Converter and then the Lenses.

The camera felt very good and had all the right functionality i was looking for. If only it took some good pictures...

I bought this camera because of image stabilization and 12X zoom because we are going on a trip to costa rica and I wanted to be able to get good shots of animals.
I've been trying the camera out and am really disappointed. I may leave it at home and use my Nikon. it doesn't have image stabilization and only has a 4X zoom, but the pictures are far superior. I'm finding that the colors are coming out very dark, and the contrast is poor. I also find that despite the image stabilization, the pictures aren't as clear as what I have gotten with my Nikon.
I'll be checking other websites to look for tips but would appreciate any helpful hints readers can give me.

I have got this camera from Amazon for two weeks, it is the black version. Before I bought it I did hours of research and read all the reviews from CNET and some from Amazon. I noticed some comments about the quality of immage and there are also people say the problem maybe there but realy ignorable. I am so glad that I believed the lateral openion. The quality is not a problem at all, I had a picture shows someone's facial expression behind a window.

The only thing that I thought it was a problem was that when the optical zoom above 5x, it turned blurry sometimes. Then I figured that I needed to half click the shutter to have the AF work. Anyhow, you always have to half click before you shoot a picture in order to focus. 12x is a lot of fun.

I was about to write a review similar to another post. I initially set it on P, A and other modes only to get horribly shaken pictures (mostly indoors), I wanted to return the camera in disgust. Then i started using the Simple mode and started getting good results.. outddoors in bright light i fnd the A mode very useful. Since I am just a novice when it comes ot camera modes and functioning.. i am slowly learning that this camera can deliver great results as long as u are willing to learn about picture taking. Till then, simple mode shld be the safest bet. The best thing si to experiment with the different modes, as u dont need to wait to develop them.. this is not a serious issue. just dont test drive this one on important occasions.. understand how it functions and then u might get to rely on its performance.

Price and Battery Life: 5 star
I bought this camera from Amazon for a very good price. A few days thereafter, Amazon lowered the price on this camera, and I got some more discount! The camera comes with a rechargeable battery (with recharger) - which I find more useful than having to replace 4AA batteries (some other cameras require). I have had this camera for more than 2 weeks now, and have recharged the battery for every 200-300 pictures. I did notice that taking more pictures at night or indoor that require flash - would consume the battery faster - but then what other camera does not. I wanted a black camera - to look professional. This camera comes with 16Mb Memory Card, so I bought a 1Gig Memory Card from Radioshack for $24.

Shooting Modes: 4.5 star
The camera has a lot of modes - and I have tried every one of them - I must say - the modes are there for a reason. i.e. if you know exactly what type of picture you are trying to take - better switch to that mode - and you will be impressed with the picture this camera takes compared to the default mode. I think this is where this camera probably comes second to Cannon S3 (12x OZ w/ 6MP). But then this camera sells for almost $100 less than a Cannon S3. Also don't buy a Cannon S2, but this one. I have found the Program AE mode very useful, in this mode I could use the joystick next to the LCD to override settings manually, e.g. increase/decrease aperture. This camera also has a built in optical image stabilization - which works slightly different compared to Cannon's. I noticed that the image stabilization is good at lower optical zooms. i.e. closer to 12x or particularly in digital zoom - this camera will appear to shake a lot in LCD/view finder - so theerfore use a tripod. An interesting observation - if you are taking a picture at very high zoom, most likely you are going to need to do a lot of focus - and typically tripod is always recommended.

Picture Quality: 4.5 star
Unless you are a professional photographer or someone who shoots pictures to print to A4 or larger prints - common man would not have any complaints with the niose at high ISO (>200) or shooting indoors in auto mode (i.e. high sensitivity mode). So before buying this camera I did a lot of research, especially at dpreview.com and also found comments by other user at Amazon.com useful..where also it was mentioned about more noise by all Panasonic cameras at high ISOs. So here is what I found useful to get around the inherent more noise: use noise reduction software or use lower ISO (i.e. ISO 100 indoors); I have not seen issues with noise when shooting outdoors even at high ISOs - provided plenty abmient light.

Finally, I suggest reading the manual before starting to shoot pictures. Unlike Cannon, Panasonic cameras require knowing how the camera works before you can make the best.

This camera has so far exceeded my expectations. People always say this but I did spend about two weeks intensely researching the most affordable camera for my needs- I am a video artist wanting to document my work and take experiental photos. Even though for my work I should have a more expensive camera, I couldn't afford it. It was essential that the camera I chose be a good point & shoot as well as have good manual features to help ease me into the digital SLR realm. I originally thought of the Samsung NV10 but read some reviews of its performance in the UK which left something to be desired. Even though I wanted a slimmer camera such as the Panasonic Lumix LX2, this one started to emerge with good reviews for its price and features promising to help me remember what I learned in Photography class.

Pros:
The camera comes with a lens hood and lens adapter, battery charger, strap and a 16mb card.

It has a really good Manual mode which you can access and select using a nice little navigational button. This mode can really be used for experimenting with lighting and other film-like effects.

Decent video without any serious evidence of distortion

Fairly intuitive to learn the interface, and it can be accessed in most modes by using a set of navigation buttons.The review function is nice, where you can view the photo you just took in any mode and improve on it, keep it or trash it.

Optional flash

Very good assimilation of black & white film photography

The simple mode takes great pictures if you can't be bothered with trying to worry about setting aperture and shutter speed manually

The camera fits well in my hand and all buttons are placed where my fingers naturally fall

Packed with features that you can experiment if you want to learn about basic photography.

Cons:
I wish the camera had a slightly better manual even though it is adequate to learn about general functions and features.

The battery takes 120 minutes to charge

Overview:
Good camera for digital experimentation but not for persons that only want a point and shoot as most of its features would be wasted and is a bit too large to put in pocket. Eventhough some reviews complain about noise at high ISOs, I haven't noticed anyhting glaring. If you had a 35mm SLR and wnat to go digital then this is a good transition camera. make sure to buy at least a 1GB card as images are large.Got it 5 days ago but still learning and finding out more of its features. Bought it for $[...] on Amazon through J&R and was the best deal at the time.

It's a nice camera but the ISO settings are not that good. If you need to take photos at night you better use a tripod, but if you have to take a lot of night photos I don't recommend it at all. The zoom is great and you have very detailed exposure settings.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 is a reasonably priced digital camera, with decent pixel resolution and zoom capabilities. I looked at a ton of cameras in this price and feature range, and felt that the lumix was the best choice. I recommend getting a Lumix case (make sure it will accomadate the barrel extension). The lens quality is top notch (Leica), and the picture quality is uniformly good to excellent. I do wish that lens filters fit directly onto the lens rather than forcing you to use the extension. I'm happy with my purchase and would recommend this camera to any semi-serious photographer.

This camera has so far exceded my expectations. People always say this but I did spend about two weeks intensely researching the most affordable camera for my needs- I am a video artist wanting to document my work and take experimental photos. Even though for my work I should have a more expensive camera, I couldn't afford it. Before I was using a two year old 5mp Praktica compact with no optical zoom and a Pentax 35 mm SLR. It was essential therefore that the camera I chose be a good point & shoot as well as have good manual features to help ease me prepare for upgrading to a digital SLR later. I originally thought of the Samsung NV10 and Digimax L85 but read some reviews of its performance in the UK which left something to be desired. They also lacked features like Optical Image Stabilization and wide angle lens which this one has. Even though I wanted a slimmer camera such as the Panasonic Lumix LX2, this one started to emerge with good reviews for its price and features promising to help me remember what I learned in Photography class.

Pros:
The camera comes with a lens hood and lens adapter, battery charger, strap and a 16mb card.

It has a really good Manual mode which you can access and select using a nice little navigational button. This mode can really be used for experimenting with lighting and other film-like effects.

Decent video without any serious evidence of distortion

Fairly intuitive to learn the interface, and it can be accessed in most modes by using a set of navigation buttons.The review function is nice, where you can view the photo you just took in any mode and improve on it, keep it or trash it.

Optional flash which you can alter the range of depending on the effects you are going for.

Very good simulation of black & white film photography

The simple mode takes great pictures if you can't be bothered with trying to worry about setting aperture and shutter speed manually

The camera fits well in my hand and all buttons are placed where my fingers naturally fall. Eventhough the LCD is large my fingers don't fall in the way to smear it.

Packed with features that you can experiment if you want to learn about photographic techniques.

Cons:
The battery takes 120 minutes to charge

Aperture only goes to f/8

Overview:
Good camera for digital experimentation but not for persons that only want a point and shoot as most of its features would be wasted and is a bit too large to put in pocket. Eventhough some reviews complain about noise at high ISOs, I haven't noticed anyhting glaring. If you had a 35mm SLR and wnat to go digital then this is a good transition camera. Make sure to buy at least a 1GB card as images are large.Got it 5 days ago but still learning and finding out more of its features. Bought it for 247USD on Amazon through J&R and was the best deal at the time.I can't imagine not buying it. It is excellent value for its price. I am now a Panasonic convert.

I bought this camera about 5 days ago. It was $260, and compared to other cameras with similar specifications, this was the best. I was a little worried as many places had this on clearance, but my worry is now gone. The camera gives wonderful photos with excellent night shots from a steady surface. The advanced features are to drool for. I was annoyed by other cameras that lacked any form of manual focus beyond zoom. Many times, another camera I had would autofocus on the wrong object (as in on a screen rather than through it) which was quite frustrating. This camera, though, is a dream.

Pros:
Manual focus
60 second shutter speed for night shots
Superb zoom
Smaller form factor than competitors of similar specs
PRICE!!!!
Good speaker and microphone
Solid build
Several included accessories
Supports 2GB SD cards
Secure lens cap
Wonderful advanced features
Price again!!

Cons:
Doesn't support AA batteries
Controls take a bit to get use to
16MB included SD card is a joke


I would recommend this to anyone looking for a camera in this price range.

Although this camera is very user friendly, there's a lot of features that a beginner or amateur may not understand. We're still learning what the various symbols mean on the LCD and how to adjust things for different lighting situations. THere's a few really simple settings, but they aren't perfect so the more advanced adjustments are useful. Be prepared to read the manual front to back to really know your camera!

This camera, my third digital, is everything I hoped it would be. The zoom is super and it takes such rapid shots I don't miss anything. The only negative to this camera, which I knew before purchase, is the size. It is not one of the little ones you can easily put in a pocket or purse. I physically tried several high zoom cameras before the purchase, and this one was the easiest to hold and use of the same variety, plus the price is a bargain!

Good camera. It does have a few limitations if you want fine control over aspects where you want to do art photographs. But then I didn't pay for a top end Nikon did I? That said you can do an amazing number if things with this little sweetie and I am overall very happy with it.

this is a great camera.my pictures have never been as sharp as with this camera.the stabilized zoom is a great help to a senior citizen

Recently bought this for myself. This is a spectacular camera. Once you get to know a superzoom lens, it's hard to imagine ever settling for a 3x or 4x zoom again. It gives you so much flexibility for framing images and, together with the wide aperture capability of this camera, controlling the depth of field. The lens is really a gem.

Picture quality is magnificent in natural light. Really, outdoor pictures have been technically wonderful (if only I had the skill to compose nice images to take advantage of the quality!). The camera's automatic exposures are generally spot-on, but all of the important tweaks are right at your fingertips, once you learn the controls - no deep menu hunting with this camera. It is full-featured in the truest sense.

In good light, I have no problems with image noise all the way through ISO400. Sure, you can see some noise at 200 and 400 if you look for it, but no worse (and I think slightly better) than the noise we used to get with Kodak and Fuji film at ISO 200 and 400. If you do a little post-processing anyway, it's a snap to remove the noise with any number of software packages.

Indoors, the camera performs as well or better than any other consumer-level camera with a flash. This camera will not give you super-quality high-ISO flashless pictures, as many dSLR cameras can do. But if you are using it to take snapshots with flash, you'll be very pleased. The flash is quite powerful and redeye is a little better than you see with small cameras, since the flash is a bit further from the lens.

One word on high ISOs: This camera has a "High Sensitivity" mode in the scene menus. Here, you can choose ISO 800 or 1600. I have read a lot of really negative reviews on this. After trying it, I don't undertand the complaint. The camera applies a strong noise-reduction program to compensate for the noise that is generated at those levels. As a result, the pictures are far softer and less detailed than the normal pictures you get. However, Panasonic does not claim that they are as good. They openly state that you get less resolution. However, in my judgment, the results are quite satisfactory for printing normal 4x6 snapshots. Perhaps a bit on the soft side, but perfectly good for casual family snapshooting needs. If you are in a place where flash is forbidden, and it's the only way to get the picture, don't hesitate to try it.

Bottom line: You can get higher picture quality if you step up to a dSLR (and much better low-light high-ISO pictures). But the cheapest dSLR costs more than twice what this camera costs. And this comes with a 12x zoom of exceptional quality. To build a similar SLR, you're going to get into four figures. This is the best bang for your camera buck, anywhere. Full stop.

My wife and I both identified this camera as the one to get not only for great photos (including great ZOOMING) but also to serve double duty as our new camcorder-her through Consumer Reports and me, the techie, through hours -and hours-of reading. Thought I'd share the lessons as this camera has met our expectations.

This camera is very easy to operate and the photos are very clear.

I ordered this Camera from Amazon and it came within 4 to 5 business days from JandR. I added 2GB of memory in my camera and now I do not need to worry how much space is left on my next trip. The photos are more clear in Outdoor than Indoor. Maybe it is because of the settings which I may need to adjust. I did not tried other options like Timer etc. Hope it works good as those things works good in cheaper camera too. One bad thing I saw is Video which does not come in a smooth motion. I have to try with other settings or need to read Manual once more. But the Video and sound is good. Overall I recommend this camera. The Software works on WINDOWS 98 SE and of course XP.

I love this camera! It is stable, clear and easy to use.
The picture are clear and wonderful. I would reccomend this camera to anyone.

This camera is very user friendly with relatively easy to navigate controls. The optical zoom provides nice shooting flexibility. A small, but sweet feature is the reproduced shutter sound that makes it seem less digital.

I've been happy with the camera, its pictures in general, the great zoom features and the number of picture I can take before charging the battery. My previous camera would need to be charged or the batteries replaced halfway thru a family event and this camera does not.

i will give this 5 because
1-good build quality (Japan)
2-Big screen
3-good Flash
4-small size and good design
5-very very good optical zoom with optical image stabilizer
6-hight shutter speed
7-nice battery life
8-good included accessories
9-nice software
cons :::---
low res. screen
no zoom with video

There are a number of reasons I really liek this camera:
(1)Well thought out camera with terrific optics.
(2) Probably the best feature is the zoom, shutter speed manipulation and light gathering cababilities...these are things just generally not available on most "PHD" cameras (Push here dummy).
(3)I also personally happen to think that this is a particularly good looking and well engineered item. Fit and finish is just wonderful for a $300.00 camera.

I recommend this camera for the average or high end non-professional photographer who wants to move up from the basics into a more mid-level picture taking ability and result.

I love this camera!!!! I took pictures at a George Strait concert from the rafters and 131 out of 164 came out clear! Can't ask for better quality for the money.

I got this camera as a gift for my parents who are new to digital cameras. After charging the battery, they were able to use it right away in automatic mode. Just point and click. They liked the ease-of-use, large LCD viewer, and picture quality very much. My dad showed it off to his high-tech brother-in-law and he thought it was a great camera, which made my dad proud. I also got them a HP Photosmart printer, which is PictBridge compliant like the camera. Now they can take and print their own 4x6 photos very easily and conveniently, without taking it to the photo store or having to use a computer.

This camera is the best! Between the large LCD screen, the zoom, and the flash settings (not to mention all the other settings and modes) There's no way to mess up a shot. Speaking from a semi- professionsl viewpoint, you can't go wrong with this camera.
My favorite aspect of the camera is that one can adjust the flash intensity. The only downside is that the battery doesn't last quite as long as I think it should. But, overall, I gave it 5 stars. Keep up the good work, Panisonic.

First, i must give a 5 star to Amazon for its super fast and reliable delivery service. I placed an order on 01/11/07 afternoon and without any expectation, I received this camera in excellent condition on 01/12. Such a surprise to see this tool waiting for me while my doorman handed it to me. ONLY 24 hours and i received it. don't understand how can it be so fast.

back to the camera, only not-so good feature is the plastic feel of it all over of its body. but hey, with all these super zoom and full features plus the lowest price among its competitors ie. Canon S3 is, Sony H5. what can i ask for more? That's why i said it's good for beginner who has done enough with the All automatic camera but hesitate to invest in DSLR. and for those who needs to learn more about manual operation before jumping into the more expensive Professional camera. So far, i am learning. yes, i still get blurry pics (even with the OIS on) from the Manual operation mode. but at anytime, i can switch back to P (automatic) mode to point and shoot. It's more fun than the just point and shoot. Price factor is the #1 reason i picked this for its 12X zoom, Leica lens, point & shoot, Manual if preferred, Continuous Video with voice, pics with voice recording, 20 scenes. I have all of these and i am very happy with it. i ordered a 2 gb Kingston Ultimate SD card (currently on sale from Kingston's website for only $44). don't miss out!!!

If you don't like to read instruction manual, you might not like it. if you don't like to spend hours on testing your shots, you might not like it. you may even fed up with its complicated functions. These are all i can say about FZ7.

Given the price and ease of use this camera is a fantastic value. The most frequently used fuctions are easily accessible. Menu based functions are logical & easy to navigate.

On the "simple" setting the pictures can sometimes be just average (noise). This is where (I think) most of the dings come from concerning low light performance. However, just a little work with a decent image editing program will improve image output dramatically - so I do not feel the hard dings in some reviews is entirely warranted.

If you will play with the other settings at all I think most users will be impressed under most circumstances. In real-world conditions this camera has less shutter lag than it's competitors which should prove to be very attractive to most users.

I also considered the competitive models from Canon & Sony and do not regret my choice. The others are certainly viable choices but seem overpriced when compared to the FZ7.

BTW: I also purchased a spare battery & 2gb card ($15 on a major promo at tigerdirect). Those items plus the camera and I just barely broke $325.00. What's not to like?

The Panasonic DMC-FZ7 is a very nice upgrade from the DMC-FZ5 it replaced, at a much lower cost! It really is amazing how these electronic devices get better and cheaper in a very short time.

The camera takes great pictures, and is easy to handle. It operates quickly and comes with a lithium ion rechargable battery that is good for around 300 shots, which is more than you'll probably ever need in one outing. [...]. It wasn't made by Panasonic (that battery costs around [...]) but it works identically to the OEM battery. The camera uses SD memory cards which are pretty common today and easy to find.

This camera, like all superzooms, is best when used outdoors. Nature photography, landscapes, and anything where there is plenty of light comes out great. The weakness of cameras with a long zoom range is indoor available light shooting, because the compromises needed in making such a powerful lens in a small package. The lens simply isn't fast enough for indoor, low light or available light shooting. However, if you use the flash this won't be a problem. A tripod would also help. But it should be noted that this problem exists for any superzoom camera, not just this one.

The lens itself is beautiful... Leica designed, and Panasonic built. it provides sharp, well saturated pictures with very little distortion except at the extreme high end of the zoom range. I didn't detect any major purple fringing problem.

Panasonics use a relatively small image sensor, which is needed to keep the camera size and weight down. So, this camera like all Panasonics, is often said to have "High (image) noise over 200 ISO." And this is true, but it is hardly noticable unless you make huge enlargements or shoot over 400 ISO. Also, if you do find any noise, it is easily removed by Photo Shop or Print Shop software. I suspect this problem isn't that easy to engineer out in small sensor cameras, or Panasonic would have done it by now.

Panasonic's OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) system works extremely well. It is built into the lens, and actually moves the elements to compensate for camera shake. This becomes a critical issue for long focal lenght zoom lenses. Note... unlike some manufacturers, Panasonic uses a REAL stabilization system. This isn't a program that merely raises the ISO to increase the shutter speed, but an actual anti-shake correction, just like the high end Canon L series IS lenses have.

Here are the improvements Panasonic made over the FZ5 with this new FZ7:
1. 6MP rather than 5MP
2. 2.5 inch LCD screen rather than 2.0 inch screen
3. Better, longer lasting battery
4. Threaded front lens element to accept filters
5. Better movie resolution (TWICE as good)
6. Lens cap attaches to camera, so it's hard to lose
7. Able to take 16:9 ratio pictures
8. Can shoot above ISO400 (but 800 and 1600 are lower resolution)
9. 60 sec min shutter rather than 8 sec

All for around [...] FZ5 which was only released 11 months before the FZ7!

Overall, this is a great camera that will please any casual shooter or advanced amatuer. It does a lot in a very small package, for a very reasonable price. Pros will be disappointed by it's low light results and noise problems at higher ISO's. But, if you are a professional photographer, you wouldn't even consider one of these cameras. You'd be using a Digital SLR, and hauling around 50 pounds worth of gear!


Given the rapid technological advances made in these cameras, I refuse to spend [...] for a camera that will be obsolete in 3 years. But this little gem was only [...] from Amazon, and will probably be even lower by the time you read this review.

I'd rather buy a new camera every 3 years for that same [...], and get all the latest improvements!

I'm a stay-at-home mom with four daughters and really needed something user friendly, with a great zoom, light enough to take anywhere the kids go. I am a true amateur and I can truly say I am very happy with all aspects of this camera. It is easy to handle and learn. I no longer use it in the easy mode and have already captured some truly unforgettable moments. Very happy with it.

I have owned this camera for a little over a month and thus far am very impressed with its features and ease of use. It takes great pictures at over 6 megapixels and amazing quality videos at 30 frames per second. You would swear that a video camera had taken the clips. I only wish they were in a more editable format - as they are in Quicktime format and you need to purchase Quicktime pro to do any editing of the movies you record. You will also need a better SD media card than what comes with the camera, as a 16 meg card will only hold a couple of photos. I purchased a 1 GB card and can now hold over 300 photos or over 11 minutes of video on one card. The camera menus are easy to navigate and this Lumix has everything I'll ever need in a digital camera for an unbeatable price.

If you are in the digital camera market for home pictures (non-commercial use), this camera is the answer. It's a notch above the regular point and shoot cameras, and one below the high priced camera in it's class.

Pros:
The functions are not difficult to search. Picture quality is excellent, it feels light and small - it won't fit in your pocket, however - and it's user friendly. My wife hates toying with gadgets but this camera she can handle. It comes with a lens hood, which is great when outdoors, and an adapter for it. Accessories that I suggest are lens filters (at least a UV and polarized) and a 2x telephoto lens... these would fit into the adapter that comes with the camera.

Con: the zoom is not as fast as I thought. LSD doesn't appear to be as "clear" as the actual picture are.

I love everything about this camera. If you want an upgrade from a point and shoot but aren't willing to invest $1500 for a pro model camera, this one is for you. It shoots great on Automatic and the Manual controls are wonderful. I do a lot of point and shooting and it works great-takes nice shots of pets and kids and everything around the house. Occasionally I like to take some shots that automatic point and shoot cameras will not take and this camera will do anything. It shoots wonderfully in low light and indoors with or without flash. Tonight I got some amazing shots of the moon that I have never been able to take with any point and shoot. Most reviews I read said this was the best buy for under $300.

I bought this camera, because that were a good price vs tecnology.
I see many cameras and I choose this because the good reviews that I read.

I am in love with this camera, easily to use, many effects, tecnology and best results...

I recommend ever

I've had the Panasonic/Lumix DMC FZ7 for about a month now and have already produced some really exceptional photos.
This is my 2nd digital camera and its quite a step up especially for a point and shoot. I have had several film SLR cameras and this cameras features rival and even surpass most of my older SLR's.
Th