CNET editors' take
- Reviewed on: 07/22/2004
Upside: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ15's market-leading 12X zoom maintains a wide f/2.8 aperture throughout its range for good low-light performance, and Panasonic rates its fastest full-resolution burst rate at an impressive 4 frames per second. There's a big 2-inch LCD and a manual focus ring on the lens, and this camera offers lots of image-parameter fine-tuning. It will be available in both black and silver.
Downside: Some photographers might not like that the DMC-FZ15 uses an electronic viewfinder instead of an optical one. While all of the new Lumix Z cameras offer excellent telephoto capabilities with a 35mm-to-420mm (35mm-camera equivalent) focal-length range, wide-angle fans will have to purchase an optional lens converter to suit their needs.
Outlook: When the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ15 ships in August for $500, it will provide some stiff competition for Olympus's 4-megapixel Ultra Zoom models, the C-765 and C-770. Those cameras have only 10X zoom ranges, and their lenses aren't stabilized. Look out, Olympus.
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- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 17 reviews
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"Exellent camera, except does not record sound in movie mode"
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