Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 12.1MP Digital Camera with 18x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD
by Panasonic
Our Price: $489.19
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: PanasonicModel: DMC-FZ35P-K
Color: Black
Product features:
- 12.1-megapixel resolution
- 27mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens; 18x optical zoom with POWER O.I.S.
- HD movies with 1280 x 720-pixel resolution; AVCHD Lite format
- 2.7-inch TFT LCD screen
- Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
- Joby GP1-A1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod (Grey and Black)
- Adobe Photoshop CS5 Upgrade [Old Version]
- Joby GP2-D1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod for Digital SLR Cameras with Bubble Level
- Serif PhotoPlus X3
- Aperture 3
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 12.1MP Digital Camera with 18x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD
Customer Review: A step up from the DMC-ZS3
Summary: 5 Stars
For the end-user with a new camera, some of the following might suggest results could be improved after thorough experimentation with settings. I am not trying to compare this to my previous camera, but rather note similarities in picture quality and movie quality without much use of manual controls, for instance. Performance and extensive set of controls is why I am rating this camera five stars, not four as I had originally. Any cons given are minor features that would have been nice, but given its price, Panasonic was very generous with this model, and every other camera I compared it to just didn't cut it for me.
I purchased the Panasonic DMC-FZ35 because my previous DMC-ZS3 stopped working after a bad fall two months ago. This new camera is not a compact, looks like DSLR but can't be mistaken for it (lightweight, most obviously doesn't take SLR lenses, and quality far from it), and very good but not great. Here are the pros and cons (all I say here is the photo and movie quality is the same as the ZS3, which is disappointing compared to the photos samples on a site such as Photography Blog, but I might not be using the correct settings). Honestly, in my experience, I would give this camera four stars, mainly because (with any given camera in its price range/specifications), flash is weak (not listed in cons), and photos often aren't consistent even after the same shot. On to the rest of the review...
Ease of use: Five stars--user-friendly and many different settings, very fast performance
Picture quality: Four stars--very good in decent lighting but poor in low-light/higher ISO, but RAW will help somewhat
Battery life: Five stars--haven't measured it but given daily usage between movies and photos, about a week before recharge necessary
Durability: Five stars--very well-constructed, comfortable, and lightweight compared to some cameras its size (possibly thanks to plastic)
Macro function: Four stars--sometimes might not focus well but it depends on lighting conditions and the settings used for the subject
Pros:
18 X zoom is excellent for close shots, but consider zooming slowly and in decent lighting conditions or it won't focus well
Average photo quality for a camera in its price range (low-light performance is near-average, expected given its CCD sensor size)
Excellent HD movie quality in ample light (see cons for the same drawback as the DMC-ZS3)
Image stabilization is (at least) average and works better than some cameras in its price range
Zoom noise not evident (or barely audible) while shooting movies, unlike most cameras capable for this function, very good stereo sound
RAW support (but two cons with this format)
Very fast performance (as fast as some DSLR cameras in ample light--fraction of a second in ample light, about 2 seconds in low-light)
Formats high-capacity card (8 GB) in two seconds (much faster than other cameras I have used)
Accepts lens filters (not included), lens hood (included), and snug lens cap, similar to those found on a camcorder
Camera is lightweight and some people might think you are carrying a DSLR look-alike (design may resemble DSLR, but you know it's not!)
Perhaps as close to DSLR performance and appearance you can get (somewhat redundant to the above, but does it really matter to you?)
Battery life is excellent (or average--much larger battery pack compared to the relatively small battery pack used in compact cameras)
You can use generic or other brands of spare battery (TechFuel by Batteryheads an excellent choice, and inexpensive)
Cons:
Can't record voice memos (you can on Samsung HZ25W, Canon's PowerShot SX20 without record voice memos as was featured on SX10), which is quite odd
Can't take pictures while shooting movies (some cameras and most camcorders can do this, but will interrupt the movie clip some seconds)
Face detection seems a little below par (often achieved slightly better results with the DMC-ZS3, mainly a tad less noisy on faces)
Doesn't feature blink and smile detection that some newer cameras offer (such as Samsung and Sony)
Movies recorded in AVCHD Lite look severely compressed in low-light regardless of quality setting--use the MOV (motion JPEG) instead
AVCHD Lite works best in good lighting conditions, but I am guessing to reduce the level of noise in low-light, compression artifacts
RAW format is R2W extension, most programs like Photoshop don't support it (unsure about CS4--I have CS3), and slightly better over JPEG
Lens filters seem to have green bubbles when a very bright subject is in the field (especially the sun), perhaps common reflection issue
Use of inexpensive lens filters that aren't multi-coated, such as UV filter, appear in my eye to give only 5% reduction in bluish tint
No fluorescent light mode (can improve indoor lighting issue), slight vignetting, slight green/purple fringing, and poor high ISO quality
However, in some cases, higher ISO looks decent enough for small prints (a little better overall compared to the DMC-ZS3)
Can't take multiple shots (fps mode) in high-resolution; same for some other Scene modes can only be taken in 3, 2.5, and 2 MP resolution
Some settings in other modes (such as Intelligent ISO, Picture Adjustments, etc.) resets to default when dial changed or camera turned off
I think this camera is very good, but not excellent. For $350 or so, this was a great purchase with many different settings, modes, and overall average quality for movies and photos, depending on what you want to achieve. Not much different from the DMC-ZS3, and that camera I really liked because it was compact, but the advantage with the DMC-FZ35, and all camera that aren't compact, you don't have to worry as much about dropping it as long as you have it around your neck with the shoulder strap. It won't be pocketable, but you wouldn't want to anyway if you carry lens filters and other accessories. Between a lightweight fixed-lens camera and a heavy DSLR with point-and-shoot speediness, you have the best of both worlds. I haven't used the software and don't intend to try it--all I do is move the files off the card to the Mac.
Highly recommended product! If anyone has any suggestions on how to achieve better results, please let me know. I haven't used the camera for very long, but just long enough to write my review as promised (read my review on the DMC-ZS3, if you haven't already done so). The lens filter I bought with this is the Tiffen (the basic $8 or so type) and TechFuel spare battery. They work great, given any limitations provided. Make sure you have the appropriate bag to tote this wonderful piece of equipment around. Tamrac is an excellent choice--my father uses that brand, and I have a little one that will fit this Panasonic just fine. Of course, this camera isn't waterproof, but the lens filter and lens hood might protect it better if you are using it on a day with light mist or light snowfall. If the UV lens filter doesn't cut down on the bluish tint, set the dial to SCN and the Snow Scene mode will probably work better. Generally, you want to purchase the appropriate filter for what you are doing. Maybe spend a little more for a (better-quality and better-coated) Hoya lens filter. The UV lens filter doesn't seem to cut it for me, but that was my mistake. Good luck! Any feedback is welcome!
I am planning to keep my broken DMC-ZS3 if I ever want it fixed. In fact, if you have the DMC-ZS3, you will really like the DMC-FZ35. They complement (and compliment) each other! For example, use the DMC-ZS3 at an amusement park where safety and portability matter most; use the DMC-FZ35 on a hike or in the mountains where accessibility and accessories matter most. Of course, you can use either on a tripod, and the screw-hole where the tripod mounts made of metal, whereas plastic it could fracture easily.
One last question--can you use MultiMedia cards in the DMC-FZ35 as you can in the DMC-ZS3? (I don't use MultiMedia, and so perhaps this question isn't practical for me, but what if someone else uses them and wants to know?)
More Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 12.1MP Digital Camera with 18x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD reviews:
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Description of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 12.1MP Digital Camera with 18x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD
Corrective power for visibly clearer zooming. Hybrid still/motion images with POWER O.I.S. and an 18x optical zoomAVCHD Lite Beautiful HD movies, extended shooting timeThe FZ35 records HD movies with 1280 x 720-pixel resolution. It uses the AVCHD Lite format (MPEG-4/H.264) to achieve higher image quality while storing less data than the conventional Motion JPEG. Plus, the FZ35 is equipped with an HDMI output terminal for direct transmission of digital image and sound signals. Just connect the camera to an HDTV using a single HDMI mini cable (optional) for fast and easy slideshow enjoyment.Creative Movie mode: You can adjust the aperture and shutter speed any way you like. This mode gives you a wider range of expressive possibilities to explore in your movie making.Zoom-in movie: You can zoom in and out while shooting movies.Stereo mic: This camera features Dolby Digital Stereo Creator, which records dynamic, true-to-life audio to bring out the power of your HD images.IA mode (Movie): Y...Digital Cameras
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