Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)
The DMC-FZ8 features the 12x Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens that packs the same zoom power as a big, clunky 400 mm-class film camera lens. This 12x optical zoom lens is super-bright at f/2.8 to f/3.3 with a focal length of 6 to 72 mm. Rotate the lever a small amount for slow zooming, and a larger amount for high-speed zooming. This makes it easy to zoom in and out quickly when you need to or to slow down for finer zooming control. Zoom Resume stores your zoom position (magnification) in memory, so you can shoot with the same zoom setting once the power is turned on again. This helps make sure you don’t miss those great shooting opportunities. The CCDs used in most digital cameras have much smaller light-receiving areas than film does, so photos tend to have a high depth of field. You can snap photos that capture the subject in a clear, sharp focus while giving the background a beautiful soft focus. 0.44-inch Viewfinder Color EVF (188 K Pixels), 100% Field of View Image Sensor - 1/2.5-inch AF Assist Lamp ISO Sensitivity - Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1250 (High Sensitivity Mode - 3200)Dial - P (Program), A (Aperture Priority), S (Shutter Priority), M (Manual) Mode, Simple and SCN Scene Mode - Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Panning, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow and Aerial Photo Shutter Speed Program AE - 1 - 1/2,000 seconds Aperture Priority AE / Shutter Priority AE - 8 - 1/2,000 seconds Manual - 60 - 1/2,000 seconds Built-in-Flash - Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync Red-eye Reduction and Forced Off Dimensions - Width 4.43 x Height 2.84 x Depth 3.11 inch (112.5 x 72.2 x 79.0 mm) Weight - 357 grams with Battery and SD Memory Card (0.78 pounds)
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars I enjoy using this camera!
I have owned this camera for over a year and am very happy with it. It is my everyday camera around the house. Originally I purchased it after reading reviews while searching for a camera to use to shoot pictures of stage productions at our local HS. After using it for two seasons of productions, I love it’s size, handling, silent operation, superzoom and intelligent ISO features for stage work.
I recently went on a band and choir tour with our local HS. I planned on taking my DSLR setup (I stopped using my DSLR on around the stage because it does not have a completely silent shutter) with multiple lenses and a camcorder, since I would be shooting stills and video of their activities and performances. In the end, I decided to leave my fancy setup at home and only take the DMC-FZ8. I shot inside the bus (most of the pictures with the backlight windows), outdoors and on the stage. I was most nervous about the quality of the video and audio. In the end, I was surprised with the video and audio results. In one video some of the students where standing on some some red rock formations in Southern UT singing. I was 150 feet away and also below them outdoors and the audio was clear. I was surprised. Throughout the four days, I used every setting the camera has. And to think I didn’t have to change a lens! My DSLR would have been a handling nightmare trying to catch candid action shots of the students. One disappointment with this model is that you cannot change the zoom while shooting video. Of, course the DMC-FZ28K has that feature. I also want Panasonic to add a hot shoe feature to the camera line so I could use a tilt and swivel flash. I love Panasonic cameras, excellent value and great results. I own two other models.
5 Stars Fantastic Photos w/ease of use
Panasonic does not get the hoopla like Canon and some other big name brands,
but it is simply a beautiful camera!
I can’t say enough good things about it.
I had a 3mp Panasonic for a few years until I got this one a year ago.
I have taken thousands of photos, it is simply a class act camera.
I recommend Panasonic to all of my friends who are thinking of
buying a new digital camera. Obviously is it not an SLR camera
but it might as well be one! The 12x optical is great! The image
stabilizer is super.
5 Stars Can Anyone Help with Repair Request
I have had this camera for over a year and I love it. But now I need HELP. The LDC screen cracked in my purse and now I don’t know what to do. Is the LCD screen replaceable and could I do it myself? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
4 Stars Loaded With Features, But….
What happened to the price? I bought mine about two years ago for a little more than two hundred dollars! Maybe it’s the “K” designation following the FZ8. Still, if one’s going to buy this camera, it’s loaded with great features. The stablization feature works very well and the camera’s zoom is breathtaking.
The CONS of this camera include a very inaccurate white setting that makes using it on “auto” risky. Also, despite its zoom capability, I find that wide angle capability is far more useful than telescopic! Most digital cameras have distortion in both wide angle and telephoto, but the Panasonic comes with software that can help correct it.
For $225, this camera would be just about right. For over five hundred, take a hike and find something else!
4 Stars a wonderful camera
I have Panasonic DMC-FZ8 for 2 years now. I LOVE it!! It comes with a great battery that could lasted a whole trip. I bought it with me with on two of my trips to China. During each trip, I took around 400 pictures, and afterward it still had a bar of juice in it. Moreover, it has an awesome zoom feature that could be equivalent or better than some of the SLR camera. The image quality during daytime is great. A little grainy at night, other than that it is truly an amazing beast.
Filed under: Panasonic Digital Cameras