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Resolution:
3072 x 2304 (7.1 megapixels)
Recording formats:
CCD-RAW, Raw, JPEG (EXIF 2.21)
Lens focal range:
4.7 - 84.2mm (actual); 28 - 504mm (35mm equivalent); f/2.8 (wide) / f/4.5 (tele)
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Resolution:
3072 x 2304 (7.1 megapixels)
Lens focal range:
6.0 - 72.0mm (actual); 36 - 432mm (35mm equivalent); f/2.8 (wide) / f/3.1 (tele) - f/8.0
dpreview notes:
It's a relatively compact camera that still feels very solid in the hand. Very nice set of controls that lets you fiddle with precise exposure parameters, see the histogram dynamically, set white balance based on specific spots in the picture, select different focus patterns, has an "Intelligent ISO" mode that dynamically selects the ISO sensitivity based on the amount of motion in the scene, and more.
The Venus III noise reduction has a smearing effect on low contrast detail at anything over base ISO.
Image stabilization is provided by the MEGA O.I.S image Stabilization system, common in recent Panasonic cameras. The reviewer found it provided a 3 or 4 shutter speed steps gain over the recommended minimum unstabilized shutter speed.
In image quality the reviewer claims the Venus III image processor has a fair bit of noise, and that the RAW image mode drastically helps to avoid the noise.
Highly Recommended (just)
Panasonic’s DMC-FZ8; Power and Portability for Truly Creative Photography is an overview article, not the full review.
Digital media type:
SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity)
Followon camera to the Lumix FZ7 and FZ5. The FZ7 moves the ISO sensitivity to 1250 (from 800), uses a RAW mode, and uses the SDHC memory card format.
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Imaging Resource notes:
Very positive and describes this camera as often being the preferred choice for shooting pictures. Describes the swivel body system on this camera as being very well done.
In the image quality as noted by dpreview, Imaging Resource describes understandable chromatic aberration. Understandable because you have a long zoom (which is widely understood to introduce imaging problems) in a small package (making it hard for the lens designer to make up for degradation from the ultra zoom) and hence a small image sensor. But they feel the end result is still very good.
They discuss the difficulty with holding the camera without obscuring the screen. Most compact cameras will have a column of buttons along the side of the screen offering a place to hold it without obscuring the screen. However the problem is mitigated because the swivel design pretty much encourages the user to hold the camera with two hands, because you want to swivel the lens with your left hand.
Resolution:
6 megapixels, up to 2816 x 2112; movie modes at up to 640x480
Lens focal range:
10x Zoom-Nikkor; 6.3 - 63mm (35mm [135] format equivalent to 38 - 380mm); f/3.5
dpreview notes:
Claims the compact size comes with a disadvantage. Given the large screen that covers the entire back of the camera it's basically impossible to hold the camera without having your thumb on the screen.
"It's by no means a terrible camera; in many respects it's actually a pretty good camera, it could just be better, and there are more appealing all-round options out there for the same (or less) money. For all these reasons the S10 just misses a Recommended rating." Justifying this they discuss the overly simplified user interface, autofocus that "hunts around" in some circumstances, minor image quality problems and other annoyances.
Battery technology:
EN-EL5 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
CNET Notes:
They are pretty down on this camera and repeatedly recommend the Canon Powershot S3 instead. The issues they see are poor picture quality (noise), the lack of any manual exposure modes, and the confusion over how best to hold the camera.
This is the latest in a series of cameras from Nikon having a twist body. I own an S-10, have owned an S-4 (the predecessor to the S10) and also a Coolpix 3500 (an earlier incarnation of the same idea).
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Imaging Resource notes:
Really goes overboard talking about this as a hefty camera, and that using the camera is like looking down the barrel of a gun.
Lens focal range:
f=7.4-88.8mm (35mm equivalent: 35-420mm)
dpreview notes:
It's described as being a very quick-to-respond camera, almost at SLR speed. One clear measure here is the minimum time to power on and shoot a picture, 1.6 seconds.
It offers both very close focusing and a macro mode. Hence the macro mode may be superfluous, however the macro mode is required to do very close focusing at the far end of the zoom range. They detected some softness and chromatic aberration at the corners when shooting at close focus while in the widest angle.
Extremely low barrel distortion.
Found the image stabilization to truly help and produce good results at three or four speed steps beyond the typical slowest shutter speed you would handhold. They cite shots at 420mm zoom at 1/30th of a second which came out fine. Impressive.
Battery technology:
Lithium-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 710 mAh)
CNET Notes:
They compare it unfavorably with the Canon Powershot S3 IS, their current favorite of the ultrazooms. This Lumix doesn't quite unseat the S3.
This is the successor camera to the FZ20 and FZ30, a high end ultrazoom digital camera with 10.1 megapixels resolution and a raft of interesting features. The lens is made by the venerable Leica and is a 12x optical zoom (35-420mm equiv.). While it is not an SLR camera, the feature-set, the construction, and the overall feel is very much like an SLR.
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Imaging Resource notes:
Found that the camera is in an uneasy middle-ground. It's not small enough to be an everyday carry-around camera, and it's not the hefty size you'd associate with a high end professional camera. Of course the camera is meant for the advanced amateurs anyway.
While the LCD is a large 2.5 inches it is actually a low resolution LCD. This led the reviewer to believe shots were okay that turned out to be unfocused, in some cases.
Lens focal range:
12x optical zoom, equivalent to a 36 to 432mm lens on a 35mm film camera.
dpreview notes:
Typical lag between pressing the shutter and getting a picture is 1/2 second. However if you half-press the shutter, let it focus, then take the picture, the lag is almost 0, giving an interesting option for action shots if you can manage to half-press the shutter while action is going on.
It offers both very close focusing and a macro mode. Hence the macro mode may be superfluous, however the macro mode is required to do very close focusing at the far end of the zoom range. They detected some softness and chromatic aberration at the corners when shooting at close focus while in the widest angle.
Extremely low barrel distortion.
Found the image stabilization to truly help and produce good results at three or four speed steps beyond the typical slowest shutter speed you would handhold. They cite shots at 420mm zoom at 1/30th of a second which came out fine. Impressive.
They find a high degree of noise in the pictures and that noise is a critical flaw which keeps the camera from being Highly Recommended. Overall they describe it as a very good camera, an excellent lens, excellent controls, very compact, etc, but hampered by noise.
Battery technology:
Lithium-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 710 mAh)
CNET Notes:
In the box, you'll find a lens adapter that accommodates the bundled lens hood and optional filters. Unfortunately, the adapter-hood combo causes vignetting at wide angles, with or without the flash. Frankly, using the lens hood was just too much of an ordeal, so I often left it at home when out shooting.
This is the successor camera to the Lumix FZ3 and FZ5. It is an ultrazoom with a 12x optical zoom (equivalent to a 36 to 432mm lens on a 35mm film camera) sporting a lens made by the venerable Leica. Though it has a lens with a long zoom range, they've designed it to be compact and easy to handle.
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