Panasonic DMC FZ7

portability, image quality, usability, price, zoom

design, stabilizer

91% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

12X optical zoom. Excellent image stabilization features. Decent video capabilities. Very inexpensive for a superzoom.

Some shutter lag. Nonarticulating LCD.

With 12X optical zoom and excellent image stabilization, this addition to the Lumix line wins our Editors' Choice for a budget superzoom.

Excellent resolution & sharp results Good, natural color and excellent exposure Superb 12x optical zoom Effective image stabilization Small and light, but well built Comprehensive range of controls Very fast operation Very fast (and accurate) focus...

Higher than average Noise at ISO 80 Strong color noise at ISO 200+ Mild Chromatic aberration and corner softness in macro mode Mild vignetting at widest zoom setting / widest aperture New LCD is bright, but resolution is lower Occasional focus hunting...

Over the last few years we've been spoilt - cameras have seen huge leaps in capabilities from one generation to the next, whilst at the same time prices have steadily been falling. I think it's safe to say that for the time being we've got to accept...

With the introduction of the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ7, Panasonic offer a truly worthy successor of the FZ5 camera. Its predecessor was already well received, but did leave room for improvement in certain areas. The Panasonic FZ7 has turned out to be a...

Generally good image quality, very crisp-looking photos, Long 12x zoom lens, Very effective optical image stabilization, Large 2.5" LCD display, LCD/EVF viewfinders work better than average in low light, "High Angle" mode for LCD display is great for...

Significant chromatic aberration in the corners of the image at full telephoto, Higher than average image noise at ISO 400, some noise present even at low ISO settings, Tiny 16MB memory card that's included is pointless - Buy a large card right along...

Not too long ago digital cameras with advanced features and SLR-mimmicking long zoom lenses were considered "chunky" or bulky. But with the public's increasing demand for smaller and smaller cameras with longer and longer zooms--and with manufacturers'...

Very good photo quality (though see issues below) ; 12X optical zoom lens ; Optical image stabilization system ; Large 2.5" LCD display is visible in low light (though see issues below) ; AF-assist lamp, good low light focusing ; Superb performance,...

Images noisier than they should be, especially at high ISO sensitivities ; Some average redeye ; LCD resolution isn't great ; High sensitivity scene mode does not impress ; Can't remove memory card while camera is on tripod ; Tiny memory card included

Despite a few flaws (most notably noise in images), the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 is a very likable ultra zoom camera, and one that I can recommend. It combines high quality optics, image stabilization, manual features, and performance, without breaking...

In the good old days you could carry around a gigantic 400mm lens and people thought you were cool. If you tote around such big glass now, you're likely to be considered a low-life paparazzo - plus you'll throw out your back after a day or two.

Fast 12x zoom lens with optical image stabilization ; Large LCD with good visibility ; Powerful flash ; Full manual controls with an array of accessories ; Unlimited, fast continuous shooting ; Fast performance ; Good movie mode ; Fairly good image...

Low LCD resolution ; Startup and shut down time could be faster ; No jog dial and bad positioning of tripod mount ; Fairly high noise, color fringing levels a little high ; No focus or zoom available while recording movies

The Panasonic Lumix FZ7 features 6 megapixels, 12X zoom, a large 2.5 inch LCD, an ISO 1600 high sensitivity mode and optical image stabilization.