Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 ...

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