Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ15K 4MP Digital Camera with 12x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom

Rating:
Summary: Can't go wrong with this digital camera
Review: After researching high magnification digital cameras for quite a while, I finally settled on the Panasonic FZ15K mostly because of it's features, and the good user ratings that I was able to find online. The features I wanted were high zoom, image stabilization, a burst mode, and low shutter lag (the time it takes for the picture to be taken after you press the shutter).

I've taken pictures with the FZ15K for two weeks now and couldn't be more impressed with this camera. Although there are lots of features, everything is smartly layed out so you will quickly be able to learn how to take advantage of all of the wonderful features.

The zoom/image stablization is amazing. 10X-12X pictures with shutter speeds of 1/60 sec are taken with a snap and always come out clear. The viewfinder and LCD are both clear and the information in the LCD is clear and easy to undrestand. Shutter lag is very low once you prefocus by pressing on the shutter slightly. It feels like a normal SLR after that with very little shutter lag. There is a bracketing feature that takes three consecutive pictures with slightly different exposures for difficult lighting situations, but most times I have used it, the normal shot is the best. The burst mode is fantastic with 4 pictures/second. I can't wait to take pictures at my daughters softball games this summer. The flash is bright and recharges very quickly. There are also lots of modes to choose from - snow , panning, fireworks, low light, sports, etc that adjust the settings on the camera for those unique situations. I tried taking pictures with bright sun and snow using the "snow" mode and they all came out great. Although you won't be using it very often, the manual focus also works very good.

Do yourself a favor, if your looking for a digital in this price range, look no longer. I can't imagine how you could do any better than this one.

Rating:
Summary: Leica & Panasonic - great team!
Review: Got one for Christmas, this camera has it all! My first picture was of an object 25ft away using the built in flash. The picture was awesome! Perfectly focused and exposed. It has a very nice viewfinder/LCD option, image stabilization option can be set to constant or just before the shutter snaps or off altogether, (you'll want to use it at higher magnifications) also has a histogram display function which enables you to constantly monitor light levels for a perfect shot, up to 3fps and more bells and whistles to keep you occupied than could fit into this review. The only thing it doesn't have is sound but then again if you want sound and motion then buy a video camera instead! This is the perfect digital still camera, with 12x optical zoom and manual/auto/manual-assist focus options it can take a perfect picture every time or let you experiment with fully automatic, Aperture/shutter or fully manual exposure options. There's even a 1.5x tele-converter available which will give you well over 600mm. These Leica lenses are truly awesome! It comes with a USB interface cable and a tv cable so you can see your pics on your TV directly from your camera. Charger automatically turns off when battery is ready, a lens hood for blocking out stray sunlight when outside and a 16mb SD card, (you will want to buy the 256). Software included is easy to use and has enough options to be as high-tech as you like. Loads easily on XP. In my opinion for the price it is the best digital camera out there today!

Rating:
Summary: Does not have sound.
Review: I do not own this camera. I post this review only to note that this model, the FZ15, cannot record sound. You can verify this by checking other websites. Despite what you may see in the specs given by Amazon, and even on Panasonic's website, this model cannot record sound to accompany the motion video. The FZ20 can, however. The other differences between this and the FZ20 are: FZ20 has 5 megapixels instead of 4. And the FZ20 has a "hot shoe" for adding an external flash; the FZ15 does not.

For myself, I will definitely be buying either the FZ20 or the FZ15. 4 Megapixels is more than enough. 3 Megapixels is enough for an 8 X 10 photo, without noticeable pixellation. 4 Megapixels is more than enough for virtually everyone. There may be advantages to having fewer megapixels. The file sizes of each picture are smaller. Also, I have read on other sites that because the FZ15 and FZ20 have the same side image sensor, pictures from the FZ20 have very slightly more noise. The more pixels you try to capture, the more noise you are likely to get. I think you would have to enlarge the pictures quite a bit to notice, however.

Rating:
Summary: Extremely high levels of digital noise at ISO 100 and up
Review: I have used a large variety of cameras - film and digital. From digital cameras I have a long time experience with Canon EOS-10D professional SLR camera and Canon PowerShot S1 IS (3.2 Mega Pixels with optical image stabilization). I have done lens tests.
When my son lost his Canon PowerShot S1 IS I decided to look for a replacement under $500 that would have an optical stabilizer and also will have such a powerful zoom. I found the family of Panasoniz Lumix cameras that had better zoom (12x or 430 mm, vs. 10x or 400mm), better aperture (2.8 vs 3.5). I got this one, and here is my experience with it.
Pros.
1. Excellent optical system with a 12x (430mm) optical zoom and optical image stabilization that works great.
2. Very lightweight camera with a slick design.
3. Large LCD screen.
4. Very convenient viewfinder (Canon PowerShot S1 IS' viewfinder was very hard to use in bright light).
5. Comes with a set of two lens hoods to minimize lens flare.
6. Autofocus works very well in low light conditions compared to Canon PowerShot S1 IS (I'll refer as Canon in the future).
7. Manual focus is great and is done by a mechanical ring instead of a little lever with Canon.
8. The controls and menus are very intuitive and easy to use.
9. Has a pretty powerful rechargeable battery and a dual voltage ~110/~220 charger in the package unlike the Canon that you have to get extra.
10. Seems to be very economical (in terms of power use), which I cannot say about the Canon.

Cons
Practically only one. The level of digital noise at sensitivity settings of ISO 100, 200 and particularly ISO 400 is extremely high. The noise is so bad in darker areas that it makes the camera almost worthless if you are shooting at or above ISO 100. I also noticed that the images are a little bit warm (colors shifted to the red part of the spectrum).

This is the reason I gave only 3 stars.

I returned mine because this mekes the camera almost useless for relatively advanced usage.

If you are looking for a much better quality with image stabilization under $900 then go for Nikon CoolPix 8800. If you are looking for a professional quality SLR camera with exceptional quality then go with Canon EOS 20D.


Rating:
Summary: a LOT of camera for the price
Review: I've had mine for six months and am amazed at the quality of the pictures, especially considering the 12x zoom. Thanks to an impressive image stabilization system, it takes nice sharp shots. Color is great and you can dial in more or less saturation. The pict-bridge feature lets you print directly from the camera - a nice touch, but it prints only one image at a time and you have to wait until it's done to select another image. I use a Canon i960 printer, which has a holder for 4x6 photo paper.

The camera flash is weak, but you seldom need it with the high ASA rating and the fact that the lens remains at f2.8 all the way through its zoom range. That's a Leica lens on the camera - one of the best in the world, up there with Zeiss and Nikon.

The camera seems pretty rugged. I've taken it hiking, thrown it in the back of the car, let my 10-year-old nephew take pictures with it, and it still works!

Rating:
Summary: Great camera
Review: I've had this camera for about a month and I have to say I think it's a real bargain. The quality of photos is fantastic. Clarity, color saturation the 12X zoom, it's all here.

Rating:
Summary: Best camera short of the DLSR's
Review: Many people consider this camera the best solution short of the much more expensive DLSR's.

It comes with Leica lenses, quality lenses usually found in much more expensive cameras.

The 12x continuous zoom with dual mode stabilizer feature that lets you hand-hold the camera for clear pictures, even at 420 mm setting at f2.8 brightness throughout the entire zoom range.
With a super-fast response, lets you snap off consecutive shots at 3 frames per second, or in Consecutive Shooting setting, it can take unlimited pictures until the SD card gets full, all this with full resolution. As with all other manufactures, you'll have to get a decent SD card, since it comes with an 8Mb card.

Also I think it has better AF then its bigger brother, the FZ20, and the pictures are sharper, due in part to the ISO64 mode.
I don't agree with the other reviewer assessment about noise. At ISO400 there will be some noise, but not at the level to render this camera useless. Keep in mind THIS IS NOT A DSLR. You can't get Dslr functions and quality at half the price.

Now one word of caution. The FZ15, like all the other Lumix cameras, are lacking the "gain-up" functionality in low light conditions. In other words, if you're in low light conditions, the LCD screen will not brighten-up, but you can manage around this annoyance.
If you'll use this camera mostly for indoors shoots, you better look somewhere else.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful camera
Review: What a great camera! All of the pictures that I have taken have been beautiful. The flash is amazing. I zoomed in on something across my living room, in the dark, with the flash, and got a great picture. I have yet to take a bad picture. It feels just like an SLR camera with out the high price. It has taken the place of my Canon Rebel. It is very user friendly. I really didn't need the manual to figure out how to use it. I keep looking for something to take pictures of. I can't wait for Christmas morning. I know I'll fill my SD card and have to use another one. I highly recommend this camera.