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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

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  1. User ratingsUser ratingsratings of product added by Productz users
  2. Expert ratingsExpert ratingsexperts ratings from editorial reviews
  3. Consumer ratingsConsumer ratingsratings from the biggest online stores worldwide
Legend
  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Poor
  4. Average
4.2
based on all reviews
User ratings:
38
4.1 out of 5
38 user ratings
5 stars
26 %
4 stars
55 %
3 stars
18 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Consumer ratings:
4.4 / 5
Editorial reviews:
14
  1. See more
4.2 out of 5
8 user ratings
5 stars
50 %
4 stars
37 %
3 stars
0 %
2 stars
12 %
1 stars
0 %
Read editorial reviews

Pros

  • Colour and detail at low ISOs is very good
  • FZ35 offers a good feature set and performs very well in all areas
  • the monitor as an alternative to the image composition

Cons

  • The macro mode could drive nature fans insane
  • Bad Tiny joystick controller
  • lacks in ultimate zoom length

Key specs

  • CCD
  • 6.08x4.56 mm
  • 12.1 Mpx
  • 4000, 3000 px
  • 4.4
  • Continuous, Monitoring, Multi point, Selective single-point, Single, Spotus
  • 2.7 in
  • no

Compare technical data of the product to its category

Panasonic

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 - Pros & Cons

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

Pros

  • Colour and detail at low ISOs is very good
  • FZ35 offers a good feature set and performs very well in all areas
  • the monitor as an alternative to the image composition

Cons

  • The macro mode could drive nature fans insane
  • Bad Tiny joystick controller
  • lacks in ultimate zoom length
  • not bright in daylight21Panasonic 45-175 lens on an Olympus body
  • doesn't have an external flash shoe
  • Panasonic FZ35 is not the highest resolution Small Sensor camera
  • doesn't have any connections for external microphones and headphones
  • Does the Panasonic FZ35 have Weather Sealing
  • Panasonic FZ35 have Image Stabilization
  • exposure metering sometimes proved to be a bit erratic and produced
  • it cannot compete with an entry-level DSLR

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 - Technical Overview

PoorAverageGoodExcellent
IconScreen size
2.7 in
Best:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710
Screen size: 6.7 in
IconISO maximum
1600
Best:
Pentax KP
ISO maximum: 819200
IconEffective pixels
12.1 Mpx
Best:
Hasselblad H6D-100c
Effective pixels: 100 Mpx
IconMax resolution
4000 x 3000 px
Best:
Leica M11
Max resolution: 9528 x 6328 px

Panasonic - Video Reviews (5)

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 - Full Specifications

Icon
Sensor
Sensor typeCCD
Sensor size0.24 in
Sensor photo detectors13.0 Mpx
Effective pixels12.1 Mpx
Image ratio w:h
  • 4:3
  • 3:2
  • 16:9
Max resolution4000 x 3000 px
Other resolutions
  • 4000x2672
  • 4000x2248
  • 3264x2448
  • 3264x2176
  • 3264x1840
  • 2560x1920
  • 2560x1712
  • 2560x1440
  • 2048x1536
  • 2048x1360
  • 1920x1080
  • 1600x1200
  • 640x480
ProcessorVenus Engine V
Icon
Optics and focus
Optical zoom18.0 x
Digital zoom4.0 x
Minimum aperture2.8
Maximum aperture4.4
Focal length equiv27 - 486
Focus adjustmentAuto
Autofocus
  • Continuous
  • Monitoring
  • Multi point
  • Selective single-point
  • Single
  • Spotus
Manual focusyes
Normal focus range11.81 in
Auto Focus (AF) assist beamyes
Macro focus range0.39 in
Image stabiliserOptical
Filter threadyes
Folded opticsno
Filter diameter1.81 in
Icon
Photography features
Camera shutter typeElectronic
Minimum shutter speed60.0 s
Maximum shutter speed1.0 s
Shutter priorityyes
Aperture priorityyes
Manual exposure modeyes
Exposure compensation plus2
Exposure compensation minus-2
Expousure compensation steps1/3
Continuous shootingyes
Self-timer delay2.0 s
Histogramyes
Subject / scene modesyes
Built-in flashyes
Flash range8.5
Flash modes
  • Redeye Reduction
  • Slow Sync
External flashno
Continuous drive2.3 fps
Scene modes
  • Beach
  • Candlelight
  • Children
  • Close-up
  • Fireworks
  • Night
  • Night landscape
  • Night portrait
  • Panorama
  • party
  • Portrait
  • Sports
  • Sunset
Self-timeryes
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
3D supportno
Manual settingsyes
Self-timer options
  • 2
  • 10
Icon
Audio features
Built-in microphoneyes
Microphone typeStereo
Voice recordingyes
Icon
Dimensions
Weight14.53 oz
Width2.97 in
Height2.98 in
Depth3.5 in
Icon
Power
Battery life (CIPA)470
Battery technology
Lithium-Ion
Battery capacity710.0 mAh
Rechargeable batteryyes
Icon
Other features
Timelapse recordingno
GPSno
Orientation sensoryes
Calendaryes
Date imprintingyes
Image editing modes
  • Resizing
  • Trimming
Icon
Image
ISO
  • 100
  • 200
  • 400
  • 800
  • 1600
  • 3200
  • 6400
  • Auto
ISO Autoyes
ISO high autoyes
ISO minimum80
ISO maximum1600
Maximum image resolution4000 x 3000 px
White balance presets5
White balance modes
  • Auto
  • Cloudy
  • Custom
  • Daylight
  • Shade
Custom white balanceyes
Supported image file formats
  • JPEG
  • RAW
Photo effects
  • Black&White
  • Sepia
Image stabilizeryes
Image stabilization typeOptical
Supported aspect ratios
  • 3:2
  • 4:3
  • 16:9
Uncompressed formatRAW
Icon
Screen and viewfinder
Screen size2.7 in
Articulated LCDno
Screen technologyLCD
Screen dots230000
Touch screenno
Field of view100.0 %
Live viewyes
ViewfinderOptical
Icon
Videography features
Maximum resolution640 x 480 px
Video recordingyes
HD typeHD
Supported video file formats
  • AVCHD Lite
  • MJPEG
Analog signal format systemNTSC
Camera playback
  • Single image
  • Slide show
  • Thumbnails
Max frame rate (highest resolution)30.0 fps
Motion JPEG frame rate30.0 fps
Icon
Design
Body typeCompact
Colour of productBlack
Environmentally sealedno
Icon
Storage
Internal storage40.0 mB
Compatible memory cards
  • SD
  • SDHC
Storage types
  • SD
  • SDHC
Icon
Connectivity
HDMIyes
HDMI ports quantity1
USB version2.0
DC-in jackyes
Remote controlNo
PictBridgeyes
NFCno
Wireless network (Wi-Fi)no
Bluetoothno
AV outputyes

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 - Q&A

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic - Editorial Reviews (14)

4.2
Based on 14 reviews
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 review
Expert Reviews logo
Expert Reviews
Published: 14.01.2010
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 review
5.0

Pointlessly high resolution aside, the FZ38 maintains Panasonic’s lead in the ultra-zoom camera market

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Review | Photography Blog
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photographyblog.com
Published: 27.07.2009
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Review | Photography Blog
4.5

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 (also known as the DMC-FZ35) is a new super-zoom camera that builds on the considerable success of the FZ28 and FZ18 models. Offering a high-definition video mode with stereo sound, faster autofocus and startup, new Power O.I.S anti-shake system and longer battery life, the Panasonic FZ38 concentrates on behind-the-scenes improvements whilst retaining the intuitive handling, Intelligent Auto mode, manual shooting modes and RAW support of the FZ28. Priced at £329.99 / $399.95, we bring you the World's first ever review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38
CNET logo
CNET
Published: 20.08.2010
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

You might think the 12.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-FZ38 superzoom would be exorbitantly expensive, given its 18x zoom, super-fast autofocus, support for raw files, and high-definition movie mode. But it's not. It's one of the best superzooms available, and one of the cheapest too

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 / FZ35 | Cameralabs
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Cameralabs
Published: 28.11.2009
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 / FZ35 | Cameralabs

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Compact Camera Group Test: SLR-like 'super zoom' cameras
DPReview logo
DPReview
Published: 06.07.2010
Compact Camera Group Test: SLR-like 'super zoom' cameras
3.8

It's now more than a year since we published our last superzoom group test and despite the hype surrounding mirrorless system cameras such as Micro Four Thirds or the Sony NEX, and the fact that entry level DSLRs are becoming more and more affordable, superzoom cameras are as popular with consumers as ever. It is easy to see why. The combination of a large zoom range from wideangle to super telephoto, DSLR-like ergonomics and an attractive price point guarantee that these cameras appeal to a very broad audience.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
Photo Review logo
Photo Review
Published: 17.02.2012
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
4.3

An advanced digicam with a fast, 18x zoom lens plus support for raw file capture and AVCHD Lite HD video recording capability.Panasonic's DMC-FZ35 Lumix camera replaces the popular FZ28 at the top of the super-zoom line-up and offers P, A, S and M shooting modes to please photo enthusiasts, along with AVCHD Lite HD video recording. It carries on the SLR-like styling of its predecessor, along with the same Leica DC Vario-Elmarit zoom lens. Other familiar features include the joystick controller, which was first seen in the FZ7 model plus much of the control layout and most menu functions.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 - Review
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Digital Photography School
Published: 20.11.2009
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 - Review

Note: Updated Review – The editor of this amazing Web site has kindly allowed me to revise my review of the Panasonic FZ35 camera. In hindsight, it needed a bit of a brush up! Some people, using a digital SLR, find it a hassle to continually change lenses when shooting a wide variety of subjects.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35K digital camera
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Good Gear Guide
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35K digital camera
4.0

Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ35 lets you fine-tune photos and video

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic DMC-FZ35 Review
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Imaging Resource
Published: 27.07.2009
Panasonic DMC-FZ35 Review
4.5

Panasonic DMC-FZ35 review, find out how the DMC-FZ35 stacks up against the competition in our real-world review with in-depth image quality comparisons.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
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Stuff
Published: 22.09.2009
Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

This is a quality 12-megapixel camera with a nice lens.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic FZ35 Review | Camera Decision
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Camera Decision
Published: 06.07.2010
Panasonic FZ35 Review | Camera Decision
2.3

Panasonic FZ35 is a 12.0MP Small Sensor Superzoom camera with a 1/2.3-inch sized CCD sensor and 27-486 mm F2.8-4.4 lens. Read our FZ35 review to find its pros and cons.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic Digital Camera - Lumix DMC-FZ38 review
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www.reviewstream.com
Panasonic Digital Camera - Lumix DMC-FZ38 review

The FZ38 is simple to use. Automatic mode is remarkable and suitable in most cases. Macro mode is particularly successful. The quality of the photos ...

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 (Lumix DMC-FZ38): Digital Photography Review
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DPReview
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 (Lumix DMC-FZ38): Digital Photography Review

Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38
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Trusted Reviews
Published: 28.07.2009
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38
5.0

We've got an early review of the replacement for the Lumix DMC-FZ28, the Lumix DMC-FZ38.