PANASONIC Lumix DMC-FZ8

Surprisingly compact, but still big enough to shoot comfortably with two hands, the FZ8 offers 7-megapixel resolution, optical image stabilisation, raw capture and a stonking 12x optical zoom -- and its ease of use makes it great for beginners

Fast 12x optical zoom lens; convenient joystick control; manual exposure controls; optical image stabilisation; raw image capture

Noisy images; so-so image quality; ISO 3,200 hidden away in a scene mode

A fast, long 12x optical zoom lens and easy-to-use controls help make up a little for the DMC-FZ8's image-quality issues

Announced on the 31st of January 2007, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 is one of the latest Panasonic digital cameras and features a 7.2 megapixel sensor, a 2.5" screen, and a Leica 12x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilisation. The 12x optical zoom...

 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 is an excellent ultra zoom digital camera - image quality is very good with great colour and detail although noise and lack of detail at the higher ISO settings causes some concern. The camera offers an excellent Leica 12...

Overall picture quality - Lowlight photographs

Purple fringing

The Panasonic DMC FZ8 is one of the best super zoom digital cameras I have tested. It is also available at a very reasonable price. Picture quality is very good indeed. There are a wide range of features, but Panasonic have still managed to make the DMC F...