Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 12.1MP Digital Camera with 18x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD   [Black 2009]

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Rave Reviews (19)*

• 1) New King of the MegaZoom crowd.

  by J. Holdahl on September 23 2009
    270+ helpful votes

  As a serious amateur, I've been fortunate enough to own a number of point and shoots including Panasonic, Fuji, several Nikon's, & a couple of Canon's. All have had their strong points and I'm not a brand loyalist by any means, but after a couple of weeks, I must say I absolutely love this camera.
  
  My first impressions were ones of pleasant shock. The camera seemed smaller than in the pictures and if it seemed smaller, it seemed doubly more so in terms of weight. Compared to my SLR this thing is an absolute lightweight but very well built and certainly heavier than the smaller 'in your pocket' point and shoots. A great balance...although I wouldn't want to drop it. Some strategically placed silicone on the housing would make this a bit more rugged without much if any impact on cost. Powerup is about as fast as you can bring the camera up to your face - amongst the best of the point and shoots. Controls are easy to use and I like the mini joystick for making on the fly adjustments in manual and scene modes. The menus are fairly well laid out although some items I had to resort to the manual to find their location for the first time.
  
  The iA or Intelligent Auto function gave consistently above par picture quality, although I was always able to tweak it better myself (this could have been as much preference as anything). The AVCHD and HD movies worked absolutely flawless with my Transcend 16 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card TS16GSDHC6E [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]. (NOTE:Make sure you lowlevel format these SDHC cards a COUPLE of times BEFORE first use). I do wish that you could use the normal shutter release instead of the dedicated movie button on the back face when in movie mode. I kept forgetting and tried to stop the movies using the shutter button instead of the record button. Minor nuisance, but will be overcome as I get my brain wrapped around the change in button locations.
  
  The battery worked well past 300 stills and about 35 clips, so I am very pleased with it with the LCD display being used for most of the shots. I purchase another spare battery;Lenmar DLP006 Lithium-ion Digital Camera/Camcorder Battery Equivelent to the Panasonic CGR-S006A Battery, also available here at Amazon, and it appears to be working about as well as the original Panasonic (a great buy). The EVF or Electronic View Finder was very handy, although most of the overlaid information is very hard to distinguish in the small EVF. I CAN'T BELIEVE PANASONIC DIDN'T INCLUDE A RUBBER BOOT FOR THE EVF! Please someone, anyone, make it as an accessory.
  
  The EZ or Extra Zoom function is quite handy. Using this feature, you can shoot at lower resolutions and get more effective zooming power out of the camera...over 30x and it works very well. The LCD screen is clear and crisp, but its performance in high ambient light is about average. Thank goodness for the electronic view finder mentioned above.
  
  Image stabilization is the absolute best amongst my camera collection and is especially noticeable in low light and full zoom. I was pleasantly surprised how well I could take indoor pictures at night with a simple tweak of the exposure. Far better than any of my other point and shoots, although nowhere near my SLR.
  
  The standard 3picture burst mode was fairly standard and unimpressive, but the 10pics per second for speed priority and 6 pics per second in image priority burst mode worked well for catching difficult shots like geese landing on the water and children jumping out of swings, but I still wish the resolution and picture quality was better in these modes. Still, for a point and shoot, it's ability to catch the fast action is at the top of it's class.
  
  The lens cap interferes with zoom, but the camera will kindly remind you that you have left it on with a 17,000 volt discharge...just kidding...it will tell you on the LCD screen.
  
  LIKES: Ease of use, picture quality, zoom and extra zoom, HD movie, lightweight, stop action. BEST Point and Shoot I've ever owned ! ! !
  
  DISLIKES: (all minor) No eyepiece boot for EVF, lens cap interferes with zoom, tripod mount interferes with battery/memory door when in use. Only 10 sec. max on the built in timer.
  

• 2) First impressions of the DMC-FZ35

  by Michael A. Duvernois on September 03 2009
    140+ helpful votes

  This is the first of the Panasonic Lumix superzooms that I've had an opportunity to use extensively. I regularly use both small point and shoot digital cameras (Canon SD550 and a waterproofed Canon S100) and digital SLRs (Canon 5D and Rebel XTi), but this is definitely a different sort of beast. It's nearly the size and weight of a DSLR with a lens that is noticeably long in use. It's sold as straddling the line between the two categories and it initially seems that way. But the more that I think about it, the more I think this camera really fills a different niche. If you're a serious photographer, a DSLR is really the way to go. You get full control over the images, a large sensor size, a selection of lenses, and filter options. If you're that person, this is hardly a replacement, and for the compact point and shooter this is a massive camera. Where this camera wins out is for a very simple kit covering wide angle (27mm equivalent for a 35mm camera) and the stunning 18x zoom. You'll be able to do most everything passably with this camera and with no additional lenses. Maybe this is the camera to put in the glovebox of your car? It'll always be there, and you can get most any shot with it. No preparation needed. Okay, enough thinking about who wants the camera, how does it work?
  
  Well, it works pretty darned well. The image stabilizer seems to work extremely well, especially at moderate zoom (say 50-150mm equivalent), the battery lasted about 300 shots with some flash use in there, and image quality (subjective, not measured scientifically) was quite good. The camera was a bit slow to react at times though and the face detection works only occasionally. Still, that leaves this a solid camera for what I think is a quite good price. If you're not going to take advantage of the DSLR capabilities, this is a good functional camera for you. Or an excellent second camera for simplicity.
  
  Pros: 18x zoom with a genuine wide angle, solid construction, good battery life, image stabilization that works, one size might well fit many
  
  Cons: big for a point and shoot, slow acting at times, gimmicky features are, well, gimmicks

• 3) Very promising

  by Mr. Peter Biddlecombe on September 11 2009
    80+ helpful votes

  (Copy of a review posted on the UK site - this is the FZ38 over there)
  
  This is an initial review after one day of ownership, which I'll revise. My previous experience of digital cameras is limited to a Nikon Coolpix compact, now about 7 years old, and this camera is intended to replace the Nikon film SLR and three lenses which I've lugged around on holidays for 10-15 years. So some things that are amazing me will be just what you expect if you're used to similar cameras.
  
  From that standpoint, the first thing to amaze me is the weight. Complete with battery, SDHC card, lens cap, lens hood and shoulder strap, it's 1lb 1oz on the kitchen scales. And there's very little to add in the accessory line - a clear and polarising filter (unlike some 'bridge' cameras, this one has a filter screw thread), spare battery, blower brush and mini-tripod from old stock and a new bag, and we're done. This probably means the full kit weighing less than the SLR with mid-range zoom.
  
  One reason for persevering with the SLR was being able to use an 18-35 mm lens for wide-angle shots. As the wide end of this camera is only equivalent to 27mm, I was pleased to see the panorama assist facility, and will be testing out the "stitching" software supplied with it to see whether I can still get a picture of a cathedral from the square in front of it. (An initial experiment suggests that given a level tripod, some good results should be available). At the narrow end, you don't get the same power as the 24x or 26x alternatives, but with my previous range of 18-300mm, I used the 300 end less often than the 18, so probably not a big issue unless you're snapping birds or cricketers. (You can have 32x if you reduce image size to 3Gb, but a very quick comparison suggests that unless stuck for memory space you may as well use 18x/12Mb and crop the picture later.)
  
  The next big surprise was the quality of the results from "Intelligent Auto" mode. As soon as the battery was charged, I went outside and snapped away without worrying about where the sun was, or anything else I'd have pondered with the SLR. Results were very good, so you can do some very lazy photography, and if one or all users of the camera have never cared about shutter speeds and exposure compensation, it barely matters - Intelligent Auto and some other top-wheel choices like the scene mode will do most of the work.
  
  I haven't yet tried the movie-making side, though that's not of great interest to me.
  
  Various minor points:
  
  The supplied Photofun Studio 4 software says that it doesn't support 64-bit Windows Vista, but does install and seems to work OK.
  
  You do NOT get a printed copy of the full manual, just a short 'Getting started' guide. The full manual in PDF is supplied on CD and you can find it and read it on the Panasonic website before buying, but I would have liked to have to whole thing - spare time on holidays is an ideal time for reading it. As and when we have a netbook PC for keeping and editing pictures, this issue will disappear!
  
  The lens hood is easy enough to fit but its guide mark is unhelpfully placed on the bottom of the camera and common-sense fitting by eye without inverting the camera works just as well. The lens cap fits on the screw-in ring to which you attach the hood, though I've not yet checked whether you can stick this whole lot in front of a lens-protecting filter without vignetting or other trouble.
  
  The square "+/-" symbol on the display may cause mild panic if you're used to an old SLR's top-panel display, where the symbol itself indicates under/overexposure. On the FZ38, it doesn't unless there is a number next to it. The display options are worth exploring - the guidelines option is a boon for lining up, and when displaying pictures, you can optionally show a lot of information like shutter speed and aperture. Another user interface issue is that some selections are made without the equivalent of an "OK" button and some with, so at first you may find yourself pressing the "Menu/Set" button too often, despite the camera's efforts to guide you.
  
  One problem with the user interface is more significant - some lists of option choices use graphical symbols whose meaning may not be obvious. In some cases (like the ones shown when you select portrait with the mode wheel) these have explanatory captions (my favourite is "Smooth skin - shoot potrait's skin more smoothly" - misspelled and a bit repetitious, but they tried). In others, there's no help - try Setup - LCD mode, where your choices are "Off", "A*" and "*" with no help about what LCD mode is or what these settings mean. You have to go to the full manual in PDF to find out. Depending on your experience, other symbols may be obvious, and explanation might be irritating, so there's probably scope for some kind of "expert/beginner" setting which determines how much is explained. This is the one that stops me upping the rating to five stars.
  
  The electronic viewfinder works well as an alternative to the screen, once adjusted with the diopter wheel. The display is exactly the same - you can even look at your stored pics with the viewfinder.
  
  The battery is good for 470 shots based on the CIPA standard, but the manual warns you that this is based on a particular usage pattern - "e.g. when recording once every 2 minutes, the number [...] decreases to about 117. So a spare battery is probably worth buying. The charger is good for voltages 110-240, so for foreign trips you only need the kind of adaptor that makes the plug fit.

• 4) Small but Mighty

  by S. Hock on October 15 2009
    60+ helpful votes

  I previously purchased the Canon SX20is and used 2 weeks. I found the images just a bit too soft for my taste. Too bad because all other facets of the camera was great. But, to me image quality is everything. If it can't produce a crisp image, I don't want it. Perhaps I was spoiled by the excellent SX10is I was switching from.
  
  Desperate for an inexpensive Hi Def video camera for a client project, I decided to give the dual Panasonic FZ35 a try. I had used a Panasonic LX2 for several years and liked it, so I figured why not even though Panasonic is not a manufacturer one would normally think of first for a high quality still camera.
  
  So far, I have been pleasantly surprised!
  
  What I like about the FZ35:
  
  1. The super sharp Leica lens! Having 18x zoom in such a small package.(Sharper than SX20is)
  2. Metal tripod mount
  3. VERY Reasonable price for all the features included. Seems a bargain to me.
  4. The fact you also get very nice HD video in one package is a bonus.
  5. Excellent macro mode. If you like macrophotography you'll like this camera.
  6. Relatively simple controls/interface once familiar. (You do have to read the manual)
  7. Has 46mm filter threads for add ons.
  8. Full time battery indicator.
  9. Optional wide angle and telephoto lenses are available if desired.
  10 Better than most image stabilization system.
  11. Many focus & exposure options.
  
  What I'm not so crazy about:
  
  1. Buttons & switches are quite small and seem rather delicate.
  2. Manual as PDF (what a pain). I'll take mine paper, thank you.
  You might as well print it out right away. You're gonna need it!
  3. Smallish Electronic ViewFinder (Not just this one either. They all leave me wanting.)
  4. Construction and light weight give a slight feeling of cheapness.
  5. Proprietary Panasonic battery.
  6. Location of media card in battery compartment.
  
  Is it perfect? Nope. Are any of them? Even the $5,000 ones?
  
  What do I miss most when switching from my NIKON? That bright, super clear viewfinder.
  Will it clip highlights? Sure, if you don't set it up right. They all do. High dynamic range is not usually a feature on most consumer cameras.
  Can it take a sharp picture? You Bet! In macro especially, you'll love the clarity of the image.
  
  Newbies purchasing this ... make no mistake, this is a complex little piece of gear. Sure, you can use it on intelligent AUTO if you want, but what a waste. You have to LEARN this camera to get the most out of it. And don't expect to learn it in a day or even a week. Used properly it will yield beautiful, sharp images. Buy it and shoot, shoot, shoot and you'll get the hang of it. Why not? The "film" is cheap!
  
  By the way, purchase a Class 6 SD card right away. That way if you want to play with the HD movie function you can. Some cheap SD cards can't write fast enough for HD video use. If you have a hi def TV you'll love it.
  
  Beware though, HD video files get HUGE fast! Uploads to YouTube (or anywhere else) can take quite awhile. A 1 minute, 36 sec. clip equals 491 MB and over 4 hrs to upload via DSL.
  
  If you get serious about HD video, or enjoy doing critical focus photography, PLEASE, buy a decent tripod and USE it. Camera movement is the main enemy of sharpness. At the low ISO settings required to get the most out of these small sensors, keeping the camera still is extremely important. Don't expect stabilization systems to entirely solve "jitter" problems at very low shutter speeds!
  
  High end users take note: In the Custom controls there is an separate adjustment for contrast, saturation, noise reduction and sharpness. YEA ! Somebody is listening.
  
  Nov. 5, 2009. I've made nearly 1000 shots with this camera and I'm impressed and still very happy with it.
  
  

• 5) Buy: Yes. Upgrade: Maybe. Limits: Some. Memory: FYI

  by Morgan Witthoft on September 09 2009
    40+ helpful votes

  If you don't have a good digital camera, this is a fine choice. Quick response, decent quality pictures, easy to point & shoot, the zoom and image stabilization really work. I like the lithium battery - - they last so much longer than AA's. You may prefer AA's for their wide availability.
  
  If you already have a good digital camera, you might not find it worth your while to upgrade. My main digicam is five years old now, but darn it, it takes fine pictures. It boots more slowly, it has fewer pixels (but still plenty of 'em), the battery life is not as good, but are those differences really worth $400 out of pocket? That's your personal call. The changes from old to new camera are incremental, not revolutionary. In particular the color and image quality are about the same (my old one is a Fuji Finepix S7000). Your decision will also depend on whether enhanced movie modes are important to you (and, if so, whether you really wanted to buy a video recorder instead).
  
  A couple limitations on the Lumix
  1. Zoom. The zoom is nice, and lets you compose some pretty good pictures. However, if it's real nature photography you want - - the bird on the other side of your yard, the mountain goat across the river - - this camera won't do it. You need more power.
  2. Pixels and focus. I was hoping I could get the effect of "yet more zoom" by cropping down and enlarging just one part of the image. However, the results were disappointing. Partly, you just have to recognize that 12MP is just not a big step up in resolution/enlargeability compared to 3 or 4 (whatever it is) in my old camera. Partly, it seems that my old camera is more supportive of cropping/enlarging without the picture going grainy from loss of resolution. This could be an issue with quality of focus or with the size of the sensor (other users have raised issues about the sensor size - - I don't quite understand it). It was a subtle difference, though. If the Lumix is worse than my Finepix in this regard, it's only a bit worse. But it certainly is not better.
  3. Manual focus. This was frustrating, because auto focus has the annoying tendency to focus on the one tree branch in the foreground instead of the thing you want to see that's beyond the tree, and manual focus should solve that problem. The Lumix has a manual focus, but there are two big problems with it.
  a. It uses the joystick (AKA "wobbly pencil eraser"), so it's clumsy. (What good is a clumsy manual focus?)
  b. Manual focus is only available in about half of the large collection of "modes", and the documentation seems to be wrong about which "modes" support manual focus, or the manual focus intermittently fails to kick in - - it was frustrating and confusing. I'd push on the joystick - - nothing happens. The focus is set to Manual, the documentation says it should work, and it doesn't.
  
  Memory FYI: the specs don't tell you whether the Lumix comes with a memory card included. The answer is, no, it doesn't: so go ahead and order one at the same time you order the camera. (It does come with enough built-in memory to take 4 or 5 pictures).
  

• 6) Wow !

  by Vogman on September 03 2009
    40+ helpful votes

  Let's just say that I'm not what you'd call an 'early adopter'.
  
  But the FZ35 was something I just could not resist ! I'd been eyeing the FZ28 for a while,
  but stalled, when I heard about video shooting capabilities.
  
  I'm not disappointed. I've not given put it a thorough test yet, but the few shots that
  I've taken, appear crystal clear. The Video option is a snap ! I was worried if the recording
  to the media would be an issue - Panasonic has done a neat job - there is very little lag
  recording the recording onto an SDHC. ( There won't be an issue, I think, when recording your
  child's violin school concert - you could break it into individual pieces and upload to Youtube,
  for the world to enjoy ;) ).
  
  The Macro features are great. The Zoom -- Ah. true and the best feature of all is closing in
  in video recording mode. Sweeet !
  
  All in all, I'm a happy camper. Panasonic has a winner here.
  
  Last of all, Thanks Amazon (via it's trusted sellers) for a very quick order fulfillment.
  My trust has been rewarded.

• 7) Very good camera for the money; very convenient to use

  by Cop3 on October 28 2009
    30+ helpful votes

  I've had the FZ35 for about 3 weeks now. I have found nothing of substance to gripe about yet. The camera has a lot of features and since I have a day job it will take a while to really learn how to get the most from this camera, but the effort is worth it. Getting started is easy with the simple booklet that comes in the box; yes, it would be nice to have the entire manual in print but I downloaded to my laptop and read a little more each week as I fiddle with the camera, so slowly but surely I'm getting the big picture, so to speak, of how to operate the fz35.
  
  I finally got around to using the supplied video cables tonight and learned I could hook the camera up to the hdtv. This past Sunday morning was sunny and inviting so I went into the yard and took pictures of flowers and assorted closeups mostly, in the fish pond, butterflies, even a hummingbird, using the different settings and priorities, the flash, and so forth. Tonight I watched a slide show of all the pictures on my hdtv, complete with music (it's programmed into the camera in several different styles). The picture quality on the tv was incredibly good; several photos were extreme closeups of a butterfly on the ground and the particles of dirt below the butterfy's wings were clearly visible on my 37" screen.
  
  Picture quality and features aside, this camera is easy to use for the beginner who can gradually improve their skills by using the shutter speed/aperture priorities or manual mode, or automatic, or choose one of the many scene modes depending upon the situation. The camera boots up quickly and the delay between shots is acceptable, if not blazingly fast. (There is a setting for taking several shots in quick sequence, if needed.) The flash is strong and recycles fairly quickly. the camera won't fit in your pocket unless you're Captain Kangaroo, but with its accessories it'll fit into a small camera bag. I purchased the wide angle and exta zoom lenses because they came on sale, but really, you don't need them given the range of the supplied Leica lens. The controls are fairly easy to use and intuitive; I really like the design of one convenient button to toggle directly back and forth between the lens finder and the lcd screen on the back of the camera; all digital cameras don't feature that.
  
  Sure, not much is perfect in life, but this camera is close enough for me.
  .

• 8) Excellent superzoom digital camera

  by S. Andresen on September 19 2009
    30+ helpful votes

  This camera is an excellent digital superzoom camera. I am amazed by the quality of the photos; they have great color and are visually stunning. The video clips are also of good quality. This camera is easy to use, and is lightweight, making it easy to carry. I have owned and used a number of Canon digital cameras,including the Rebel XT and the Rebel XSi. Based on my experience with the Canon dSLR's, I initially purchased a Canon SX20 IS digital superzoom camera. However, I was not impressed with the photo quality; the images seemed to be a bit soft and did not have the quality that I have experienced with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35. I am recommending the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 to all friends and family.

• 9) Excellent Camera & Excellent value

  by Charles F Ferrara on October 30 2009
    20+ helpful votes

  The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 is exceptionally versatile. I am a serious photographer and I was looking for a quality point & shoot that was more portable than an SLR. This camera has filled this need splendidly. Years ago, I would have needed a bag of lenses and a tripod to get some of the shots that it successfully took with little effort.
  
  During a recent trip, I put the image stabilization to the test with extremely low expectations. On a very overcast day, I took several fully zoomed telephoto shots of the landscape (at 12 MP resolution) from a moving car - on an interstate. Although a few were blurry, most of them came out exceptionally sharp. I was pleasantly surprised how well the camera held up under these circumstances, where shooting is normally impossible.
  
  Another important feature for me is the filter threads (46 mm) so I can use a polarizer on outdoor shots (which is a must for any serious photographer). This was the only camera in its class to offer threads. With most of the competition, only their SLR's offer this. I bought a circular polarizer to be safe, but I have heard that cheaper linear polarizers will work with this camera. Additionally, a UV filter is always a good idea to protect your lens.
  
  There are a few cons, but I consider them to be minor - especially considering the price I paid:
  1) Vignetting at full wide-angle when using a polarizer
  2) Smallest aperture is f/8. A neutral density filter would be needed to slow-down most waterfall shots.
  3) No bulb setting for night photography
  4) No hot shoe for flash

• 10) Lumnix fz35

  by M. Sant on October 02 2009
    20+ helpful votes

  This purchase is a replacement for the Lumix FZ18 which was also a fine camera. I find the fz35 to be a great point and shoot super zoom. I shoot one-handed often so a regular DLSR is not really useful to me. The fz35 is very easy to use one handed, all the controls are very convenient (if you are right handed that is). It has a remarkable lens and produces a great picture. The only drawback I can find to this camera is its somewhat poor low light/high iso capabilities. I personally find anything above 200 iso to be unacceptable, the grain is very noticeable. It is programmable to limit the iso to various ranges and when shooting between 80 and 180 iso, the images are exceptional. The autofocus is quick and manual mode is very flexible. Overall I am very happy with this camera.

• 11) AMAZING!!!

  by Lindsay on November 17 2009
    10+ helpful votes

  After searching and searching for a new point & shoot, I had it narrowed down to this camera and a Nikon P90. Since this had better reviews, and appeared to have more of the features I was looking for, I went with the Lumix. I never expected it to be THIS good! Not only is it the perfect size (bigger than a traditional digital camera, but not too heavy and bulky) but it's actually pretty easy to use. I still have alot to learn, and it's going to take some time to read through the whole manual, but I pretty much have the basics down. And the best thing of all--it takes AWESOME pictures--very sharp and clear. I took some pictures of the kids playing outside, and they look near professional! The battery seems to last a long time too (and I'm very glad they sent a charger). There is nothing that I DON'T like about this camera, it's like it was made for me. If you are not ready for a DSLR, but want a step up from your old point & shoot, then this is what you're looking for-- don't hesitate!! Definitely worth the $300 price tag.

• 12) A Great Camera!

  by R. Hermann on November 11 2009
    10+ helpful votes

  I love this camera! It is my sixth digital camera (not counting camera phones) and is clearly the most advanced, sophisticated, best-photo-taking camera I have used. Most of the time, I don't even take it out of automatic mode, as I like the results so much.
  
  I have owned a couple of cameras by Canon (very good, compact size); and a few from Olympus (from one of their first basic ones to the Ultra-Zoom 765); and also another Panasonic, the DMC-FZ8.
  
  You can read all the technical details elsewhere. I'll just tell you what a dream it is to use. The viewfinder, which I find essential, is great; the large LCD is even better (although I use it only for viewing shots, not composing them). Ease of use is exceptional, despite the myriad of options. Most are very intuitive and work as expected.
  
  Although it uses a dedicated battery pack, they are easy to find, not too expensive, and last for many shots and viewings.
  
  The Leica lens is wonderful, providing rich, clear color and balance. It's rated at 18X, which gets noticeably closer than my 10X Olympus, but also zooms out to a 27mm equivalent wide angle, which is handy.
  
  You can shoot at the full 12 MP resolution, or save some disk space and shoot at 5 MP. It also shoots HD movies at 720P and boasts stereo mics for sound.
  
  I really don't have any complaints about this camera at all. I will confess to not having used all its advanced features yet, and I don't have an HD TV to play back the video, but I'm pretty impressed with everything that this camera can do, especially for the price, which was under $330 through Amazon when I bought it in October 2009.
  
  If you want more that a simple point-and-shoot, but don't want to get into the expense and complexity of a Digital SLR, then this is a great choice. I highly recommend it!

• 13) Wonderful Camera!

  by J. Green on September 19 2009
    10+ helpful votes

  This is a great camera both for photos, and video. I bought it to take pictures since it takes real filters (2filter.c0m) unlike the more-or-less equivalent Canon. But what really blew me away was the picture and sound quality of the video. All this for under four hundred bucks. So the manual's on CD. It doesn't cost much to print it out at 4 pages per sheet.

• 14) Love my camera

  by Jody Lynn Nye on October 13 2009
    10+ helpful votes

  I had a Lumix DMC-FZ class camera before, so I had high expectations. They have been met. A few gripes, none serious: It took a little while to learn the new system (on-off switch is on the top of the camera now, not at the top right edge of the back -- my thumb keeps reaching for it there). I missed being able to focus manually by twisting the lens, but someone who never had a film SLR won't have that problem. I hate the tweet the camera emits when it autofocuses, but that can be turned off (sacrificing the shutter sound, too, sadly). The amber light that the camera projects when I use autofocus scares off wildlife. Hate that. The default shutter seems not quite as quick as the old camera's.
  
  On the good side, it takes very good pictures. It's quite a bit lighter and smaller than my other Lumix, so it's easier to carry. The battery lasts ages, and when it has to be topped up, I love the new battery charger. Such an intelligent design with fold-out tines in the back of the cube; no need for wires. Thank you, Panasonic, for the cable that attaches to the lens cap. Previously had to improvise my own. The camera takes good pictures without flash in less light than before. The longer lens is a joy. I like the shoot/review thumb switch instead of the old system of turning the wheel to the green arrow. I like that I can adjust the length of auto-review time. In fact, so many more of the functions can be customized that I've barely begun to explore their extent. I'm looking forward to experimenting.

• 15) I Love This Camera!

  by Joshmo on November 29 2009
    10+ helpful votes

  After years of wearing out my body lugging around SLRs and lenses, a few years ago, I decided to go for all-in-one super zooms. I started out with a Canon S3IS and loved it. I upgraded to the SX10, but after a few weeks of frustrations, returned it. I decided to hold off until Panasonic came out with an upgrade to the FZ28.
  
  I am glad I waited. This camera rocks! It is lightweight, which makes it a pleasure to carry. The images, even in low light, are excellent. I haven't shot any video in low light yet, but the daylight videos are very good. It is easy to operate, and has features the comparably priced Canons don't, mainly the RAW format. That makes a big difference in what I can do with the images in post-processing.
  
  Since other reviewers have detailed the best features of the camera, I won't go into all of that. I will just say I highly recommend this camera to anyone looking for a superzoom.

• 16) Best-in-Class for Point-and-Shoot Cameras

  by CodeWarrior on November 22 2009
    10+ helpful votes

  I've owned my DMC-FZ35K for about a week now. I purchased it from Amazon.
  
  For the price this is the best camera you can buy. In fact, if you go to Amazon right now, and view all their point-and-shoot cameras sorted by customer feedback, this one is 3rd on the list and is cheaper and with more features then 1st and 2nd.
  
  The picture quality is excellent, also the auto-focus and general shot-firing mechanism is very-fast. There is a touch of graniness in the scaled-up expanded image when viewing the pictures on a computer (when doing 'view actual pixels' instead of 'fit on screen'), but this is natural and something that is present with all digital cameras (it is not the compression and is still visible if you take some uncompressed pics). But at 12 megapixels most people viewing your pics will do so scaled down, so it is almost never noticeable. The only digital cameras that don't have the pixel-level graniness are the DSLR digital cameras and are of an entirely different class and price range.
  
  The video quality is actually better than I expected. The 'AVCHD (Lite)' format is actually x264, a variant of H264, and has excellent compression-to-quality properties (slightly better than MPEG-4 video). The middle quality setting 'H' provides 11.5 mbit/s bitrate, which is standard fare for 1080p HDTV, making it more than suitable for 720p recording. In fact, even the lowest quality setting for AVCHD video (8 mbit/s) was excellent. I don't recommend using the 'MOTION JPEG' format (Quicktime MOV, MPEG-4 encoding), as the lower quality settings actually record at lower resolutions not just in HD at a lower bitrate, and although the highest quality setting records in HD it does so at a ridiculous bitrate of 25mbit/s and takes up twice as much space with no noticeable difference in quality compared to AVCHD highest setting. In general the videos were of good quality even when in fairly low lighting conditions. Note AVCHD videos are saved in a different folder than the pictures ... once you find them they play nicely on a computer after installing a free codec pack.
  
  My biggest gripe is size of the camera, although it is very light for its size. The reality is probably that with 18x optical zoom there isn't a physical way to house this camera in a smaller frame, and I can't complain too much because the frame is much easier to grip compared to smaller cameras (and I am never accidentally covering the flash or lens with my fingers as I tend to do with several of the smaller digital cameras).
  
  Another thing to note which is true of all new digital cameras, the file sizes are huge. Each pic compressed is 5 Megabytes and even at the lowest quality setting AVCHD videos still take up 1 Megabyte per second! Get yourself a 16/32 Gigabyte SDHC card (Class 6 or better speed).
  
  The TV playback is great too. I showed pics and videos at a friends - plug-n-play. Though you need to buy your own HDMI cable to playback on HDTV, but it is a regular cable so get it at any electronics store. You don't even need a TV though, the camera LCD has a nice resolution for viewing videos directly on it, works great when a tv isn't handy.

• 17) Superior picture and video quality / Slightly disappointing functionality

  by Terry R. Umbenhaur on January 22 2010
    10+ helpful votes

  I purchased the Panasonic DMC-FZ35, as well as the Canon SX20 IS, so that I could choose which camera I liked best (I have owned a Canon S2IS for nearly 5 years). After 2 weeks of using both cameras, I chose to continue using the FZ35, mainly because of a preference for the AVCHD Lite (H.264) over Quicktime video format, for the superior image quality and RAW support, and because the camera weighed much less (both cameras were significantly larger than my previous S2 IS). I have been mostly happy with my decision, but I do have some issues with some of the Panasonic features.
  
  Likes:
  - Terrific 720p HD video quality
  - Better image quality in all situations
  - Manual controls are better (in my opinion) possibly because of the "rubber eraser/joystick"
  - More custom modes (three), and good variety of "scene" modes
  - Relatively fast autofocus
  - 2.7" LCD is larger and has a better viewing angle when viewed off-center
  
  Dislikes (in great detail):
  - No flip-out/articulating screen (I tried to remedy this by purchasing a Flipbac, which is not nearly as versatile and ends up getting in the way a lot of the time). The LCD is better, but is still nowhere near the quality of IPS, and looks terrible when viewed at extreme angles (completely avoidable with an articulating LCD). Panasonic's DMC-FZ50 has such a screen, but is dated and does not have 720p video.
  - Continuous/burst shooting is severely crippled to a maximum of 3 shots at 12.1MP at 2.3 fps, versus the SX20IS which shoots at only 1.0fps at 12.1MP, but allows an unlimited number of shots. The FZ35 does have a high-speed unlimited continuous shooting mode if you are willing to navigate to "Scene Mode->Hi-Speed Burst" (as it is unavailable elsewhere) and downgrade the image size to 5MP or less, but this is not significantly better than the shooting speed of the SX20 at these low resolutions
  - The half-press autofocus/autoexposure lock only allows you to take a single shot with the automatically calculated settings, unlike the SX20IS (and every camera I ever touched) which allows you to release the shutter halfway (after taking your first picture) and take additional photos with the locked in settings. This is an incredible waste of time because the camera must be refocused for each shot even if the exposure/aperture/ISO settings are already perfect. This can be partially remedied by using the "AF/AE Lock" button to lock the settings prior to taking multiple pictures, but sadly this feature does not work in "Intelligent Auto" mode, which I use most of the time
  - Audio quality in movies is not nearly as clear due to microphone placement on top of the flash instead of in front of the camera
  - Playback mode does not show a preview of each picture when scrolling rapidly (by holding down left or right), however in "Review mode" (which is accessible by pressing the "Fn" button while in shooting mode only), scrolling rapidly shows EVERY preview picture (it does take longer to scroll). There should have been an option to change this in the settings.
  - Panoramic mode is rather limited compared to the SX20 (supports only horizontal/vertical panoramas, and the previous picture is barely visible on the screen as it is too transparent)
  - No option to hold the captured image on the screen as long as the shutter is fully depressed, the closest option is to hold the image until any button is pressed (but this forces you to confirm every shot before you can take another)
  
  I believe nearly all of these issues could be fixed with a firmware update (other than the screen/microphone), which would honestly make this become a clear winner over other cameras in it's class.
  
  I look forward to the next generation of ultrazooms, and hope that Panasonic can fix these small issues, which are blemishes on an otherwise stellar camera. 4.5/5.0

• 18) FINALLY, a camera I can love!

  by Diane K. Miller on January 19 2010
    10+ helpful votes

  When I finally decided on a megazoom, it came down to the Canon 20is (would have preferred the 10is, actually), and the FZ35. I was able to have hands on time with the Canon first. My top priority is picture quality, and it just didn't measure up. Add to that its lack of filter threads (WHAT??!), no raw format, AA batteries (hate 'em), excessive size and weight, higher price, and past bad experience with a Canon, and I opted to buy the FZ35 sight unseen, risky as that was. The reviews for this camera are really stellar, and well deserved.
  
  Some have said the FZ35 is lightweight, and because of that, feels cheap. Personally, I don't need for my camera to be heavy/bulky to prove it is quality made--I need it to perform, and this one does. All the extra weight of those cameras that feel more "quality" starts to hurt when you've got your arms over your head waiting for your shot.
  
  Not many people have talked about the joystick. I'm a big fan of joystick control, because it puts so many functions at the tip of your thumb, and accesses them quickly without having to move your hands around the camera. Holding it in briefly gives you the Quick menu, where you can alter the stabilizer, metering mode, focus mode, white balance, ISO, intelligent exposure, file size, quality, and LCD options. With the camera in Manual Mode, you can change the aperture and shutter speed in a split-second using the joystick. (Those two parameters are displayed at the bottom of the screen, and I like that shutter speeds less than a second are displayed as a fraction, not as just the denominator of the fraction). Half-press the shutter, and you get a bar graph showing over- or under-exposure. This will slide as you alter your settings so you know where you stand.
  
  The manual focus is also done with the joystick, which is unique. I like that you don't have to remove either hand from the camera in order to focus. If you need to autofocus for the moment while in manual focus, you just press a little button on top and it's instantly done for you, while still keeping you in manual focus mode. Nice way to cheat when you're in a hurry. Ü
  
  I find the LCD nicely accurate. On my old Piece-O-Junk Canon, I had to run in and load the pics on the computer to know what they really looked like, and often it was an unpleasant surprise. It took way too many shots to get a few good ones. I've had no such experiences with this camera.
  
  The battery pack is also a big PRO for me. Regular AA batteries never quite pulled the weight of my Piece-O-Junk. A lame camera became even lamer, and I hated dealing with all those AA's. This nice little battery pack is wonderfully compact, easy to handle, and fits nicely into my camera case (Lowepro AW 160--holds my camcorder too), as does the included charger.
  
  Best of all, the picture quality is excellent. I've taken over 800 pictures with the FZ35, mostly in Manual Mode, and have been nothing short of thrilled with the results. I've finally got a camera that is a joy to use in so many ways. The macro mode is incredible, BTW. I've also gotten good results indoors without flash, but in my dark house that requires manual control and sometimes a tripod (or skip all that and just use the flash). What this not-so-little gem has accomplished is nothing short of incredible.
  
  The FZ35 is so capable and gives you so much control, it's almost a bit of a waste to use it in Auto mode. I would strongly encourage you to plug thru the manual, buy a book on digital photography if needed, and experiment. This is a sophisticated camera with many options, some of which you just simply won't discover without reading the manual.
  
  I haven't used the movie function at all, so can't comment on that.
  
  Summed up in seven words, I LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!

• 19) Excellent high zoom digital compromise between point and shoot and SLR

  by PGMS on November 15 2009
    10+ helpful votes

  I have always had an issue with point-and-shoot cameras after spending years using excellent SLRs from Canon and Pentax. The picture quality was always superior, and unlike digital point and shoots, they didn't break just by looking at them. Although I cannot vouch for how long this camera will last, it seems to be pretty well built. No unwanted vibrations and it is solid and pretty small. I had to find something that did more than the $100-$200 shirt pocket type cameras, but something that my wife might still be willing to take with her to take pictures at a party or one of my kids sporting events or concerts. This camera definitely fits the bill. Although the 18X zoom is not as powerful as some of the others on the market, you can stretch it to 35X if you use only three megapixels. You'll still get a good picture for online or a 4x6 print with that. The camera also takes excellent HD videos with decent stereo sound. Its excellent autofocus tracking also helps keeping on your subject when taking video or burst shooting. The lag is pretty small too, so you don't have to guess where somebody is going to be when the shutter finally releases.
  
  If there is an issue with the camera, it is that there is no printed manual, and the manual could certainly be more informative. For example, nowhere does it state that you won't be able to take HD video using the in-camera memory (you can actually get about a 1-minute low-resolution video in its 50mb. Also, there are so many different functions, that a good manual would be very helpful, even for us guys who don't like taking directions or reading a manual.
  
  Some of the outstanding features include: AF tracking and focus lock, which allows the camera to track a particular subject. Multiple scene modes have the program adjust for different conditions (back lighting, movement, candle light, bright sun etc). This is where a better manual would come in very handy. The camera can produce JPEG, raw or JPEG and raw files, so you can edit away if you like. Its red eye reduction is decent, but there is no in-camera red eye editing.
  
  Be aware that the HD movies can be created in two file types. JPEG is what most of the world uses, while the AVCHd allows longer movies, it is much harder to work with for editing and many programs cannot use it.
  
  Overall, this camera fits the bill. It is less expensive than many of its competitors, performs better, and matches or exceeds all in features and picture quality. Just get us a manual for our $320!