Panasonic Lumix® DMC-FZ50 Digital Camera

My main reason for purchasing this fine camera is the excellent image stabilizing facility. I have a tremour and my previous camera, while first class, lacked this. However, all other aspects of the camera suit me perfectly. As a lover of wildlife, the 12x optical zoom coupled with the 2x or 4x digital zoom, produces a massive 24 or 48 power. Even this can be extended to around 85x by using the 3.2mp setting on which the optical zoom can produce over 21 times. The macro is first class also. I prefer to use the 10.1 mp setting as this, coupled to the excellent Leica lens, makes for spectacular quality photographs. I opted for the 2 gig card which allows 400 images to be captured before downloading. Battery life is also good being sufficient for well over 300 pictures. The other facilities are considerable and too many to go into here. All in all a top piece of kit, and highly recommended.

I will try not to repeat what others have said.
Fast to start, Fast to focus, easy controls, Battery seems to last for ages, beautiful pictures, loads of features, good lens range, no lens to carry, change, dust etc., all that most need.
3 custom modes so you can set all the controls to your favourite settings.
You can set it to voice record after each shot (I didn't know this, but its great if you are cataloguing things, I use it at work).
The 2 wheel controls can be set to your preferred settings.
Quick manual zoom ring on lens (which saves battery) get you to the correct place with out over shooting and leave your left hand finger on the shutter button.
195 quid like new with extras (still £350+ in the shops).
Buy one, if you don't like it, sell it again.

its just bit high con in compact camera range. I think in ten mp cameras range, you only got a choice eaither panasonic / fugi.

I purchased this camera for making stop motion animations, it works well with animation software and suffers no flicker problems. The body is lightweight but of a fairly flimsy construction, but fine for use in a studio.The price new or second hand is ideal for stop motion enthusiasts, an analogue converter is required for connecting to P.C or laptop.To see results click the link.

http://quantumofsolacetribute-24fps.blogspot.com/

This camera fits nicely between a DSLR and pocket sized models, called by some a bridge camera. First impressions are of a well made piece of kit which fits in the hand nicely with the minimum necessary controls nicely to hand in positions that can not be altered by mistake (unlike a certain other manufacturers model, where by holding the camera your thumb rests on certain buttons).

On first use in default mode it became all too obvious that the in camera software is too aggressive in dealing with pictures taken, and having read some reviews I followed their advise and reduced the contrast,sharpness,saturation and especially the noise reduction to minimum to much greater effect, the results are now much more acceptable bearing in mind the number of pixels for the CCD sensor size, which was always going to be a compromise.

In use I find the camera very easy to use and am surprised at the results obtained, comparing it with my old Canon S3IS there is a noticeable difference in the softness of picture taken, the Canon appearing not to so aggressively clean up the image but this is something you get used to.

The big plus for this camera is its optics, the focal coverage is virtually the same as the Canon S3/S5 but of far better quality, It is a big plus especially for those of us used to using SLR cameras to have both the Focus and Zoom operated manually if need be with the added advantage of image stabilization. I found the lens very good in macro mode, when manually focusing the centre view is enlarged on the viewfinder display enabling very accurate focus indeed.

The camera comes with a usfull package including a lens hood, this unfortunately gets in the way if you have to use the inbuilt flash (plus point it does not automatically pop up) casting a shadow in the lower half of the shot, it is a pain if you forget, but the camera also comes with inbuilt flash shoe for external flash if you care to use it.

This type of camera will always have its shortfalls if you are 'Jack of all trades and master of none', but is a very useful tool for taking on those trips where the SLR kit is too much to carry, this model is a little large to fit in your pocket, but is light and easy to carry.

BUYER BEWARE!

If you are thinking of purchasing second hand and want to make use of all the functions available ie. Video and the ability to view your shots on your TV, make absolutely sure you get a UK spec model, this is a must, you can not always take as gospel what you are told as I have found out, but luckily for me I only use it for taking shots which makes no difference.

The camera comes with a very useful LCD display which can be rotated almost through 360 degrees enabling those overhead shots to be taken, it also can be pushed flat into the back of the camera for protection or when swung round again be pushed in to use as a permanent display/preview.

In reality this camera is more like a one lens small SLR in the way it feels and operates (electronic viewfinder instead of an optical one allowing).

All in all I think this camera is a great buy, its quality reflected in its price.

I bought this camera as it is the brand name I most trust (along with Sony). That it was the best value for money wasn't bad either! As a non-techie, it took me a little while to understand the camera - but that's me, not the camera which is superb! The service from the sellers was faultless too. Highly recommended!

This is an excellent camera and this replaced a damaged one. It has a huge, good zoom with a bright viewfinder and screen. It delivers excellent 10+ MB pictures in jpeg and raw. Requires a fast SD card if shooting RAW + jpeg. Zoom is on a collar on the lens so it is quick and the zoom stays where it is left when you switch off. I always leave it set to 420 mm equivalent. Reviews panned its picture quality at settings higher than 100 ASA (ISO). Later reviews found it to be good up to 400 ASA. I use it as a holiday/everyday camera as my wife does not like the DSLR and kit accompanying us on holiday and it has not let me down. I holiday where the light is usually sufficient for 100 ASA. Reviewing pictures is a pain as if you delete one it defaults back to the shooting mode. Many settings and modes but I use 'Aperture Priority' almost exclusively so I am not experienced in them.

I love my camera because its very handy and has a wonderful quality. To be honest I bought it just by accident and I didn't have any experience of this mark of camera.Thank you for everything.

A good camera that does automatic pics very easily and also turns into a real professional camera when required, I got a very good deal from the supplier. Handbook is easy to read and understand.

I was recommended by a friend and could not wait to order one, the pictures are supreme in all modes, a superb camera.

I bought the camera to upgrade my Panasonic FZ7. Well worth the money the picture quality etc is far superior although my old one was excellant.It carries a lot more features and requires some time to learn them but well worth it.I find that any add on lenses filters etc that are 55m fit and so can buy very reasonable.This camera is for anyone who aspires to take proffesional photos and has a little knowledge of basic digital photography. I HIGHLY RECOMEND IT TO ANYONE.

As an old 35mm SLR camera owner & more recently the owner of a succession of digital compact cameras I was looking for a camera that could provide me with good quality (not professional) photographs at an affordable price (could not afford a good quality digital SLR).
After searching the web I came across the FZ50 on ebay & was instantly attracted to its sleek compact design & after reading the spec was amazed at what you get for your money.
Not wanting to rush into a fairly expensive commitment (£300ish), I did some additional research looking at numerous independant reviews, I could not find one review that rubbished this excellent value for money camera.
Since purchasing the camera I have used it on numerous occasions, family party's, scenery, action shots, close up macro lens work. On each & every occasion the camera has produced very good results (sometimes despite my failings!).
Using the camera up to around 800 ISO produces good image quality that can be easily manipulated on the inclusive software or on standard computer imaging software.
I was also extremely pleased to find that the lens adapter ring from my old 35mm camera (35mm to 32mm) fitted the FZ50 & this allows me to use the filters & macro lenses that I already have, saving me a few quid.
Although not one of the reasons for buying the camera, it also has the capability of producing good quality digital video footage limited only by the storage capacity of the media card.
One of the interesting cabilities of the FZ50 is the ability to use the lens in the manual mode, allowing the user to use the camera like a digital SLR with a precise seperate zoom & focus ring, great when wanting to take those creative shots.
One of the things I would recommend is the purchase of a high speed multi media storage card. The use of a standard SD card does cause a small lag of a couple of seconds as it writes the image over (bit frustrating if you want to take action shots etc).
Overall I found very little that I didn't like about the FZ50 & am very pleased with this technicaly & estheticaly pleasing value for money stylish camera.

After much studying and having used a Fuji S7000 for three years, I puchased firstly the LZ18, it was very flimsy and the shutter button was faulty over only five days. The LZ50 is much better built and a far better and only slightly more expensive camera.

On test, it will equal a digital slr at around 100/200 ISO, results start to drop off at around 400 ISO. However, for the money and ease of carring it around, it is, for me, a far better proposition than a digital slr. The LEICA 35-420 lens alone is worth the £300! I tested the Canon 350D and 20D, it easly equals them at the lower ISOs and they are only supplied with a 29-88 non stabilised lens of mediocre quality.

I have been using cameras for over 40 years, and done weddings and portraiture for 25 years, the Panasonic LZ50 is probably the best camera is have ever used
GO AHEAD AND BUY ONE, NOW ! ! ! !

I found that the camera arrived in excellent condition it was exactly as described.The item arrived within two working days as promised.I bought an item that had hardly been used and to all extent and purpose was as good as new. I would recomend that anyone that is genuinely thinking of buying an item research it and be aware of the cost new and then search ebay to find the item that states that it is V.Good condition and e-mail the seller with questions about condition ,use etc. set a max bid and watch it until you are ready to bid and if successful use Pay Pal to pay for the item as you do get insurance up to £500. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!

I found the FZ20 a bit difficult to learn so thought "Oh well if I've got to learn all this lets go for 10M pixels then" thinking that the 50 would be like the 20 but with more megapixels. Well it isn't! The FZ50 is a completely different beast again, BIGGER! and better (bigger than a 35mm film SLR owing to the big zoom lens). There is no power zoom on this camera but as power zooms can be rather fierce in operation this is not really a problem. The viewfinder is brilliant and I mean that literally and is very easy to see; in fact it is so good that the viewing screen is almost superfluous. Icons pop up as well if you are doing things wrong! The macro is incredible and easy to use. All in all I would say that this is a professional camera, pity I didn't have it in time to shoot the footprints on my windscreen! (nevertheless the Police were quite impressed with the results from the FZ20 saying that it is really difficult to photograph footprints on glass) For everday use this camera is just too big, it is an enthusiasts camera, still you can't get a quart out of a pint pot. Battery is yet another proprietory lithium-ion type, 7.2V 710maH so if you want to use AAs you will need another brand of camera. As to the zoom it is phenomenal and should make it easy to photograph a small bird on a tree. Considering that one can go from macro to ultrazoom all on one lens is a miracle and the camera will record video as well. As to the digital zoom when this is used as well, resolution drops to 3 megapixels but that's still very good.

This is about as good as a non DSLR camera gets in my opinion. I had to have one from the minute I held one in the shop.

Its solid, faily heavy and quite bulky, so not for you if your after something pocketable. But, as with anything, especially cameras, if you want quality, you have to put up with a few niggles.

The only ones with this camera are quite a slow auto focus time, not unusable, but slow. However, this can be compensated for by using the manual focus ring on the "barrel" of the camera, which feels silky smooth and operates nicely.

The zoom function is also by means of a ring which allows for quick zooming and some fun with long exposures ;-)

The tilting screen is also quite useful when shooting low subjects as well as high ones.

The image stabalisation is second to none and a real help when using the full length of that zoom !

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I wanted a digital slr. but couldn't justify the outlay,then a client where I work suggested this Panasonic.It had greater zoom than any slr (35 -420.) without buying a massive long lens and the icing on the cake;the lens is by Leica.With 10.1 megapixels it is more than adequate for anything I need.The equivalent slr would cost at least twice as much.At under £300.00 I can't believe how good this camera is and would reccomend it to anyone.

bought from ebay needed camera to take distance shots this is so easy to understand excellent quality my wife used the camera on video mode of myself flying microlight never tried before but even she is impressed great for the amatuer and professional well worth the purchase zoom easy to use and camera lightweight photo quality excellent

This is definetely the best purchase I have made so far on Ebay. This camera has 10 million pixels and a 12x optical zoom lens. Because of the image stabiliser built into the camera, the pictures come out crystal clear every time. I have had 6 digital cameras and this is by far the best. I would recommend it to beginners and professionals alike. It is very easy to use, you can have it completely automatic, or you can have manual settings. There is a very useful thread on the front for either additional lenses or filters, and it can be used with the built in flash or there is a hotshoe for an external flash. It is a photographers dream and you can easily get as good pictures with this as with a digital slr.

I would buy again from this shop....I would buy again from this shop....I would buy again from this shop....I would buy again from this shop....

I HAVE HAD THE CAMERA FOR JUST OVER A MONTH NOW AND COMPARED TO IT,S CLOSEST RIVAL (THE FUJIFILM 9600) I WOULD SAY THE BIGGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE IS 'IMAGE STABLISATION' MIGHT NOT SOUND LIKE MUCH BUT UNLESS YOU TAKE ALL FOTOS USING A TRIPOD IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERANCE TO THE FINISHED PHOTOS.IT,S SHAPED AND HANDLES LIKE A DSLR WITHOUT THE HASSLE OF CHANGING LENSES.

A camera that finally lives up to its promise and delivers a piece of kit to shout about. Buy one with confidence.

Great camera, great price, good communication from vendor about despatch date etc. Best bit was that the vendor threw in the three pin converter that allows the universal (i.e. non-UK!) adapter to be used in the UK. They didn't need to - that they did shows great customer focus - cheers!

My partner bought this camera for us, and when first seeing it i was scared to play with it in case i broke it! After spending a few days and practice sessions with it, i worked it all out and now work it all with ease. Instructions are clear and easy to understand. Camera is not as fragile as i thought.Easy to work. Great lookig. Brill zoom. Auto function for slr virgins like me. Manual function for non-slr virgins! Takes brilliant pictures and good movies. Photos look brilliant up on computer screen and when i took memory card to kodak machine to print out, they came out brilliantly too! Nothing but praise for this camera.