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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50S (silver)

Manufacturer: Panasonic Part number: DMC-FZ50

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Compare with most popular

$811.99 at 1 online store

CNET Editor rating:
3.5 stars Very good
Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 reviews

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Product series; Accessories; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: If you can get past its large size, Panasonic's DMC-FZ50 is a decent choice for a superzoom.
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Amazon.com Marketplace	See store profile	See Site	Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price	$811.99 Shop now as of 07/04/2009

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*Total price for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50S (silver) are estimated and may vary slightly based on exact tax, shipping, manufacturer rebate or any sale/promotion on the merchant site.

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Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 reviews
My rating: 0 stars

Showing opinion 1 to 7 out of 7

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4 stars

One of the noisiest cameras ever

by kholland15 on December 12, 2006

Pros: The camera and functions are beautiful

Cons: Anything other than flash photos or very bright light yeilds unacceptable picture quality

Summary: I read so many mixed reviews about the noise of this camera. I read a few professional reviews that lead me to believe the noise was worse than the S3IS, ...

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Summary: I read so many mixed reviews about the noise of this camera. I read a few professional reviews that lead me to believe the noise was worse than the S3IS, but that it was compensated for by the quality Leica lense. The fact of the matter is that this camera is only good for flash photos or very bright sunlight because the noise for anything above 200 ISO is unbelievable. You can forget about taking pictures of your childrens indoor band concerts. It makes me sick to my stomach to have to send such a beautiful camera back because it just isn't any good for taking pictures.
Updated
After going to great lengths to fully test all the modes and quirkes of this camera, I have found that it CAN produce excellent quality photos even at ISO settings as high as 800. The camera's shortcoming, in my opinion, is that the fully automatic settings yeild underexposure in moderate to low light without flash. By using manual settings this problem is easily overcome. If I could change my rating, I would agree with the editors rating of between 7 and 8.

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7 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 stars

$500 for 420mm image stabilization lens

by eteune on November 4, 2006

Pros: $500 for 420mm image stabilization lens

Cons: not as good as $2500+ equivalents

Summary: This camera only costs $500. And for that amount of money to get a 420mm equivalent Leica lens WITH image stabilization is outstanding. Did the CNET review say 'tungsten lighting'??? ...

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Summary: This camera only costs $500. And for that amount of money to get a 420mm equivalent Leica lens WITH image stabilization is outstanding. Did the CNET review say 'tungsten lighting'??? This is a $500 prosumer camera, not a professional studio DSLR! Yes, the body is big, but for a reason: the lens. Yes, the image quality is not on par with more expensive cameras, but that is why they are more expensive. If you want the great zoom with a great lens and tons of other options to tweak just about everything, but don't want the weight or much greater expense of buying a separate image stabilization zoom lens to add to your already expensive DSLR, then this camera is great! I think it is an outstanding compliment that people compare this camera to DSLRs even though it costs much less.

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6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 stars

Better than Canon S3

by elstonhill on October 23, 2006

Pros: filters screw on lens, manual focus easy to use, optional wide screen photos

Cons: Noise, small screen

Summary: Feels like a SLR. Love the ability to screw on filters without a stupid tube. The Manual focus is so easy to use. Manual shutter speed and aperature also easy ...

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Summary: Feels like a SLR. Love the ability to screw on filters without a stupid tube. The Manual focus is so easy to use. Manual shutter speed and aperature also easy to use. A lot more megapixels than the Canon S3. Optional wide screen photos including movies.

Advantages of Canon S3 is small size and use of AA batteries.

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4 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
6 stars

Beautifully Desgned but Deeply Flawed Camera

by archangelmr on May 7, 2007

Pros: Excellent build quality, superb lens, ergonomics, balance, wonderful articulating LCD, 16 x 9 movie mode

Cons: inconsistent image quality, inadaquate sensor, chroma noise, limited dynamic range, short warranty

Summary: As an experienced (25+ years) photographer, I can only say that this camera is a paradox.

On paper, the FZ-50 is without quesstion the best camera of its type. In

...

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Summary: As an experienced (25+ years) photographer, I can only say that this camera is a paradox.

On paper, the FZ-50 is without quesstion the best camera of its type. In the day-to-day use, the reality is quite different, however.

Although I absolutely love the handling and build quality of the FZ-50, its tiny, over-crowded 10MP sensor and image processing algorithms simply don't do the excellent Leica optics justice. As a result, the camera is a beautifully-desgned, but flawed tool that will ultimately disappoint most enthusiasts or serious amateurs.

Noise and graininess (at ALL ISO settings above 100) is one problem, but I've seen surprisingly little discussion of the camera's other issues such as its limited dynamic range (dark shadows, blown highlights, anyone?), and its often wildly inconsistent metering and autofocus capability.

I love the feel, feature set and optics of the Lumix FZ-50 more than any other camera I've owned, but also get FAR more throwaway images from it with it than any other, as well. The FZ-50 is an especially poor choice for any sort of indoor or low-light photojournalism-type work. (Don't even think about using the FZ50 for indoor sports, unless you're prepared for cell-phone quality images at its "high sensitivity" ISO 3200 setting.)

I have an ancient Nikon Coolpix 2100 (an entry-level 2megapixel point-and-shoot) that consistently produces higher quality images than the LUMIX FZ-50 in ALL modes under almost all conditions -- except ISO 100 -- Go figure.

So, consider the wonderfully built FZ-50 by all means, but also weigh its limitations, relative to other superzooms and bridge cameras, as well. Some may wish to onsider the Fuji FinePix 6500FD (with its superior sensor and face detection) as an alternative.

Had Panasonic focused on image quality instead of senseless, marketing department-driven pixel stuffing, the FZ50 would be the fineset bridge/superzoom camera available. But they didn't...So it isn't, alas.

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2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 stars

Sorely disappointed!

by gplourde on May 3, 2007

Pros: Numerous features, rotating screen

Cons: Picture quality, noise, focus problems

Summary: We purchased this camera prior to its release and had high hopes that we'd get razor sharp pics once the camera arrived. Well, no matter the mode, our shots ...

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Summary: We purchased this camera prior to its release and had high hopes that we'd get razor sharp pics once the camera arrived. Well, no matter the mode, our shots are grainy, out of focus - just plain frustrating. We've taken 2500+ pics in the last several months (new baby) and really only have 30 or so that we would call 'ok'. Don't let the features dazzle you.

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2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 stars

a great camera!

by sikkrevenge on November 15, 2007

Pros: great zoom, nice pictures, easy to use.

Cons: hard to control noise, hard to adjust the white balance.

Summary: This is the camera I started out using as a learning photographer. It does really good in most cases, but I've seen better. I love my camera, and I'...

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Summary: This is the camera I started out using as a learning photographer. It does really good in most cases, but I've seen better. I love my camera, and I'm not planning on getting rid of it. I just wish it was a little better. I would recommend it for someone that has a little experience with messing with the settings and someone who is okay with dealing with noise.

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9 stars

VERY NICE!!!

by chrisman34 on May 12, 2007

Pros: awsome detail, as easy or complex as you want it to be

Cons: none yet. have had it 2 weeks and am amazed at quality

Summary: I am a novice that wanted good pics. I have baught higher end point and shoots and have been unhappy. I love this thing....colors are very close to true. ...

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Summary: I am a novice that wanted good pics. I have baught higher end point and shoots and have been unhappy. I love this thing....colors are very close to true. Some very minor tweeks on free photo editing software brings them in perfect. This this has performed great, and I havent taken it off auto mode yet!!! Imagine what I will be saying when I learn all the controls and take it off auto!!

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Showing opinion 1 to 7 out of 7

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Part number: DMC-FZ50
Description: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ50 is a 10.1-megapixel camera with MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and powerful 12x optical zoom f/2.8 LEICA DC lens. The DMC-FZ50 boasts a 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD for its image sensor and Venus Engine III for the image processing LSI, making it possible to record an image at max. ISO 1600 high sensitivity setting at full resolution. Furthermore, by dramatically reducing the noise levels, the DMC-FZ50 is able to capture 10.1-megapixel full resolution images even in high sensitivity recording. To fight against the major cause of blurred images, Panasonic invented the MEGA O.I.S. system taking advantage of its superior lens technology to compensate for handshake - a feature, which has long been incorporated into the LUMIX range of cameras. In addition, to also compensate for the other major cause of blurred images - movement of the subject - the FZ50 is also equipped with the Intelligent ISO Control (hereafter I.I.C.) and max. ISO 1600 high sensitivity recording capabilities within the advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine III. When set to the I.I.C., the Venus Engine III detects the subject's movement and adjusts the ISO setting and shutter speed to best suit the subject movement and the light condition automatically. Panasonic's excellent image stabilizing system allows users to take clear, crisp images in any situation automatically, leaving everything to the camera. From a point of view of usability the DMC-FZ50 is equipped with a new Function Button which serves as a shortcut to quickly set frequently-used settings such as recording image size, light metering, AF area, white balance, and ISO sensitivity. Also, thanks to the newly incorporated custom setting function, your frequent setting patterns can be memorized and it can be instantly applied by simply selecting this function with the mode dial. The 2-inch LCD flips out to 180 degrees, making it easier to view even when shooting from high or low angles. The DMC-FZ50 is bound to spark the imagination of high-end users and join the Panasonic LUMIX high-end model lineup.

General
Product Type Digital camera - Prosumer
Width 5.6 in
Depth 5.6 in
Height 3.4 in
Weight 1.5 lbs
Enclosure Color Silver
Main Features
Resolution 10.1 megapixels
Color Support Color
Optical Sensor Type CCD
Total Pixels 10,400,000 pixels
Effective Sensor Resolution 10,100,000 pixels
Optical Sensor Size 1/1.8 in
Light Sensitivity ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO 3200, ISO auto
Digital Zoom 4 x
Shooting Modes Frame movie mode
Shooting Programs Food, Snow, Baby1, Baby2, Candle, Panning, Scenery, Fireworks, Soft skin, Starry sky, Night scene, Sports mode, Party/indoor, Portrait mode, Night portrait, High sensitivity
Special Effects Cool, Warm, Sepia, Black & White
Image Stabilizer Optical
Image stabilizer feature Optical stabilization helps prevent blurry pictures, especially for handheld cameras at slow shutter speeds or when using high optical zoom.
Max Shutter Speed 1/2000 sec
Min Shutter Speed 60 sec
Exposure Metering Spot, Multi-segment, Center-weighted
Exposure Modes Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority
Exposure Compensation ?2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
Auto Exposure Bracketing 3 steps in 1/3 EV step
White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
White Balance Presets Flash, Shade, Cloudy, Halogen, Daylight
Digital Video Format QuickTime
Still Image Format RAW, JPEG
TV Tuner None
Video Capture QuickTime - 848 x 480, QuickTime - 848 x 480, QuickTime - 640 x 480, QuickTime - 640 x 480, QuickTime - 320 x 240, QuickTime - 320 x 240
Memory / Storage
Flash Memory 32 MB Flash - SD Memory Card
Supported Flash Memory MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card
Floppy Drive None
Image Storage Fine, Standard RAW 3648 x 2736, JPEG 3648 x 2736, JPEG 3264 x 2448, JPEG 2560 x 1920, JPEG 2048 x 1536, JPEG 1600 x 1200, JPEG 3600 x 2400, JPEG 3248 x 2160, JPEG 2560 x 1712, JPEG 2048 x 1360, JPEG 3584 x 2016, JPEG 3072 x 1728, JPEG 1920 x 1080
Camera Flash
Camera Flash Pop-up flash
Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Slow synchro, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
Red Eye Reduction Yes
Effective Flash Range 1 ft - 23 ft
Features AF illuminator, Flash +/- compensation
Lens System
Type Zoom lens - 7.4 mm - 88.8 mm - F/2.8-3.7
Focal Length 7.4 mm - 88.8 mm
Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 35 - 420 mm
Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
Auto Focus Points (Zones) 9
Min Focus Range 11.8 in
Macro Focus Range 5cm
Lens Aperture F/2.8-3.7
Optical Zoom 12 x
Zoom Adjustment Manual
Lens Construction 10 group(s) / 14 element(s)
Lens Manufacturer Leica
Features ED glass, Aspherical lens
Additional Features
Self Timer Yes
Self Timer Delay 2 sec, 10 sec
Flash Terminal Hot shoe
Additional Features DPOF support, Audio recording, Built-in speaker, Contrast control, Cropping an image, Histogram display, Resizing an image, Sharpness control, PictBridge support, Saturation control, 16:9 widescreen mode, Digital image rotation, Digital noise reduction
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type Electronic
Viewfinder Color Support Color
Viewfinder Diagonal Size 0.44 in
Viewfinder Resolution 235,000 pixels
Field Coverage 100%
Display
Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2 in - Color
Display Form Factor Rotating
Display Format 207,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
Type None

Microphone
Type Microphone - Built-in
Connections
Connector Type 1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x DC power input
Expansion Slot(s) 1 x SD Memory Card
Software
Software Apple QuickTime, Drivers & Utilities, LUMIX Simple Viewer, Adobe Acrobat Reader, ArcSoft Camera Suite
Miscellaneous
Carrying Case None
Included Accessories Strap, Lens cap, Lens hood, Lens adapter
Cables Included 1, 1 x USB cable, A/V cable
Power
Power Device Battery charger - External
Battery
Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery - 710 mAh ( Included )
Environmental Parameters
Min Operating Temperature 32 ?F
Max Operating Temperature 104 ?F
CNET Labs' Benchmarks
Labs information All values are expressed in seconds. Please visit our labs information page for information on how digital cameras are tested.
CNET Labs Flash shot to shot time 1.3
CNET Labs Raw shot to shot time 4.5
CNET Labs Shot to shot time typical 1.2
CNET Labs Shutter lag bright 0.5
CNET Labs Shutter lag dim 1.0
CNET Labs Typical burst speed 1.9
CNET Labs Wake up time 1.1

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50S (silver)

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