Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 is a 5-megapixel digital camera with a high-quality Leica 12x optical zoom. The Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 12x zoom is equivalent to a 36 - 432mm zoom on a 35mm camera with a F2.8 to F3.3 maximum aperture. Panasonic's advanced MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) enhances the camera's telephoto zoom capabilities, helping to deliver sharp, vivid images even when taking handheld telephoto shots or shooting in low light. It uses motion sensors, which detects even slight hand movement and integrally links the lens control to the motion of the camera to reduce jitter. Pretty cool.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 5MP Digital Camera with 12x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom

Photoxels have posted a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 Review today. They liked this digicam a lot. Here's a quote-

"While the new Panasonic FZ30 is currently generating the most excitement among enthusiasts, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 remains the ultra zoom digital camera with the best bang for the money. It has pretty much everything a beginner to serious amateur photographer could wish for: very good image quality, superb 12x optical zoom with an effective optical image stabilization, fexible exposure control, and very fast operations.
...
The Panasonic FZ5 is fast, with no practical shutter/AF lag. In fact, auto focus is incredibly fast, approaching dSLR speed. The camera is very responsive and this responsiveness makes it a pleasure to use.

A large 1.8 in. LCD monitor makes focusing and composing easy. An AF-assist light helps achieve focus in low-light. The onboard flash is quite good with a 15 feet reach."

DMC-FZ5 Features:
* 5-megapixel effective CCD for images up to 2560 x 1920 pixels
* Leica DC-VARIO ELMARIT 12x zoom, equivalent to 36-432mm on a 35mm camera
* Optical image stabilization to help prevent camera shake and blurring
* Venus Engine II LSI for robust camera operations
* Mega Burst continuous capture @ 4 or 2fps up to 7 images (4 in Fine mode)
* Macro focus with autofocus down to 1.9 inches
* 1.8-inch TFT color monitor with 130,000 pixels
* Eye level color electronic viewfinder with dioptric adjustment
* Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual modes
* Macro, Portrait, Sports, Panning, Night Portrait picture modes
* High Speed and Low Speed Continuous, AE Bracketing and Timelapse modes
* 320 x 240 QuickTime movies, 30fps or 10fps w/audio
* Shutter speeds from 1/2000 to 8 seconds (Shutter priority and Manual modes)
* Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow synchro and red-eye reduction modes
* Intelligent Multiple and Spot exposure metering
* TTL Auto White Balance, 5 presets and custom set
* Secure Digital memory card slot, 16MB card included
* Plug-n-Play USB, Mass Storage compliant
* PictBridge Direct-Print compatible
* Li-ion rechargeable battery and rapid charger included