Full Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 has something for everyone who likes to take pictures. Let's start with beginners, all you do is set the simple mode by changing the mode dial to the red heart and you are on your way. The camera will make all the adjustments for you automatically and all you do is point and shoot the picture.The program setting on the dial will give you the exposure automatic shutter speed and aperture according to brightness of the subject. The camera has 10 different modes: Program, Simple, Playback, Advanced, Aperture-Priority, Shutter priority, Manual settings,Scene modes, Motion Picture mode and Print mode. You can have auto focusing or Manual focus, your choice. On the advaned mode and manual mode you set the f-stops, speed and Iso. The camera takes the SD memory card. It has built in flash as well. I have had this camera a week and I love it so far. I like setting my scenes and adjustments, but sometimes the simple mode works best for my friends who lacks the knowledge of settings by manual means. It comes with a USB cord and software to obtain your photographs from your camera onto your PC. It does not come with memory card ,which you must purchase separately. The scene mode give you these choices: Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports,Panning, Night Portrait, Fireworks and many more. It has stabilizer for better quality pictures. You can also decide your mega pixel quality from a choice of four settings. It also comes with battery and charger to eliminate the need to purchase batteries often. Easy to operate menus are a plus. It also comes with lens cap and Lens Hood and adapter. The price depending on where you buy it is over $ 300.00 dollars. A good quailty camera. I have now owned this camera several months and can tell you it is an excellent piece of photography equipment. The quality of the photographs that I have taken is excellent. The camera is lightweight for those that don't want to lug heavy equipment around. It is not however, for those that wnat to take pictures of far off objects and has its limitations. It is better than the point and shoot disposable cameras', but if you are a photographer you would want and need a camera with a lot more adaptability. For most people though it is a camera that will deliver high quality at a reasonable price. I have now been using this camera several months, the picture quality is excellent and it has something for everyone, but is simple enough on simple settings for the beginner.