I have had a Panasonic Lumix camera for a few years now. The reason I chose it was that I wanted a small camera with a big lens – not a big SLR style one. The zoom I wanted was for taking pics of my son at sports etc. , where normal 3x zoom compacts just wouldn’t do.
Size has to do with it as well and the Panasonic had the smallest 12x zoom camera around. Not talking dirty here but size is important , too big and I know the camera will sit at home and be forgotten. It’s a fine line between performance and size and at the time the FZ-3 was perfect.
Panasonic upped the models with mainly megapixel increases, keeping the great lens (f2.8 for the full 35to420mm zoom) until this new model , the FZ-18 … it has an 18x zoom! Not only has the zoom length gone greater (504mm) it now is wider as well, 28mm. Excellent. The Fstop has increased, naturally, with this long lens – f2.8-4.1, still very, very good.
The size is bigger and, to be honest, for my use it is just a little too big now. The TZ-3 would get more use in our family as it still has a pretty good 10x lens but is in a tiny body that we would carry around. Remember it doesn’t matter how good the camera is if you leave it at home, and that is what I think would happen with the FZ-18.
goldcoaster 
would love to see some photos taken by this camera, even a tree if ya don’t like posting pics. I have a few cameras but they are old and I really need to upgrade. I do like the looks of this one though.
I’ve had a Lumix for a couple of years and am constantly amazed by the quality of photographs that are possible. I chose this camera because it was as close as I could get to the quality of a digital SLR.
Exactly, Duncan.
The lens is superb.
Homemom, I don’t have this new camera, just the older FZ-3 – which is 3megapixels but has great performance that I think would still beat most cameras like it.
A friend of mine has a Lumix and loves it. I have just been given a Canon 400D by my very generous wife (minister for finance) and hope to improve my skills. I just love digital photography and the freedom it provides.
An off topic comment here – I noticed you commented at blogpond about “simpsonize me”. Did you get it to work yet? The best photo I found to use was a head shot taken in front of a light coloured background with plenty of contrast. I took mine in front of a white wall inside the house. Also, I used a full size 4 megapixel photo.
Coach I have tried Simsonizeme a tonne of times and only occasionly it worked except all the time no matter what photo I used of my son and choose Dude, I still ended up with a female character!
I’m thinking of leaning towards Canon S3. Do you think Lumix is much better than S3? any hint?
Thanks for the comment Benedict.
When I bought my FZ-3, the Canons equivalent was the S1. The Lumix, then, had a much better lens (faster) and optical stabilisation. The other big point for me was the Lumix was smaller, meaning I would take it with me more often.
Now Canon has gone from s1 to s2 and now s3 (actually there is a s5) but it is still too big for me, althought the Lumix is getting bigger as well.
Remember the FZ18 is an 18x lens – starting a lot wider than the Canon (good for getting everyone in the part photo) and longer than what Canon has.
For these types of cameras, Olympus has their version as well but you need their memory card, I think the the Panasonic with it’s superb Leica lens is still the best option.
Thanks for brief there.
I’m not concerned about the size particularly in super zoom series. But optical stabilization and faster lens pulls me towards Lumix now 🙂 I haven’t really looked Olympus as an option. I has looking for similar in Sony, the DSC H5 series.
What turned me off the Olypus was the lens is n’t as good but mainly the memory card – you need to use their brand of card to get full use of the camera – I would rather a more standard memory card like SD or nowdays SDHC.
Looks like a great cam. BTW how much is the price?
hey there, after little bit of research. It seems FZ50 has a noise problem above ISO200 level. Do you think that would be point to be considered?
Benedict, check out DPreviews, they have test photos that you can have a look at and compare. I think it is fine but it is a subjective thing that maybe you wont like.
Yes, you’re correct! It is more subjective and finally I made my mind to book my Lumix FZ50. I did it couple of hours before and now eagerly waiting for it.!
You won’t be sorry with it, Benedict. It is a great camera.