Cool Tools reviews the $350 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 digital camera
In the latest Cool Tools, Kevin Kelly raves about the inexpensive
Lumix DMC-FZ5 digital camera,
P5F344C1D 1Several silicon valley billionaire gadget freaks
turned me onto a hybrid camera they had discovered: the Lumix. Made
by Panasonic (a name not usually associated with cameras) the Lumix
seems to have a secret following. The mid-level model has the glass
lens of a SLR, but at a smaller scale. Attached to a hand-sized 5-
megapixel sensor is a very fast, extremely sharp zoom lens made by
legendary optician Leica. The zoom is wonderfully telescopic, ranging
12X, all the way from the 35mm equivalent of 36 to an astounding 432
(!), yet clearly bright at 2.8 f/stop, which is perfect for low light
without flash, and -- the key innovation here -- it employs image
stabilization. The lens self corrects for vibrations. This means that
I can shoot indoors and night with zoom extended (yes!) and get razor
sharp shots. During daylight it is startling clear. Turns out that
for real world use, sharpness is probably more important than
megapixel size.
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001055.php
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007OV472/ref=nosim/
104-5705545-4500740?n=502394
