The DMC-FZ8 has won the 'Highly Recommended' Award by DP Review.com - Click Here to read the review.

The perfect choice for any photographer with varied photographic needs and high ambitions - Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new DMC-FZ8 7.2-megapixel Lumix camera, featuring a powerful 12x optical zoom, LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and the ever popular and indispensable Optical Image Stabiliser (O.I.S). With a joystick control for manual adjustment of focusing and exposure setting, the DMC-FZ8 offers high end specification and portability.

Bridging the gap between high-end compacts and digital SLRs, Panasonic's DMC-FZ8 offers a level of control close to that of an SLR, but without the need for interchangeable lenses. Perfect for photographers on the move and families who want to shoot pictures outdoors for example, the FZ8 offers an easy way to enjoy the fun of capturing beautiful digital pictures.

Optical excellence from aperture to zoom
The Lumix DMC-FZ8 is equipped with a 7.2 megapixel CCD and a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens offering a powerful 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 36mm to 432mm on a 35mm film camera) with an aperture of F2.8 to F3.3. If this wasn?t enough, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function uses the centre part of the CCD to provide additional magnification, extending the zoom power to an impressive 18x. Using this feature in combination with the 4x digital zoom brings the total zooming power to a remarkable 72x.

The combination of 11 elements in eight groups, including 3 aspherical lenses generates superior optical performance while maintaining the compactness of the unit.

Shaken not blurred
Panasonic is the first manufacturer to have successfully incorporated Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) into its compact cameras ? a feature strongly appreciated worldwide and now considered to be a standard requirement of photography. O.I.S minimizes the jitter from shaky hands that causes many photos to look blurred. By shifting the O.I.S lens unit to keep the optical axis aligned straight against the CCD, the camera ensures images are captured with supreme clarity and sharpness.

While hand-shake is the single biggest cause of blurry images, it is not the only one. Another problem is the motion blur that can occur when a subject moves as the shot is being taken ? particularly common when taking pictures of sports, or young children for example. Building on the success of its predecessor the FZ8 incorporates a new feature designed to resolve motion blur. Intelligent ISO Control detects whether the subject is moving and, as necessary raises the ISO setting and shutter speed according to how fast the subject is moving and the light conditions. This happens automatically, so you can effortlessly shoot without the need to adjust the settings every time the conditions change.

The best just keeps getting better!
Heir to the award winning DMC-FZ7, this new addition to the Lumix range has enhanced the excellence of its predecessor not only with the total number of pixels but also with several other innovative technical improvements. A key improvement is the inclusion of Panasonic?s advanced image-processing LSI, Venus Engine III that can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1250 with full resolution. Noise reduction is also greatly improved, with picture noise removed in stages during image processing. Critical noise is analysed, and chromatic and luminance noise are reduced separately. The chromatic noise, which has greater effect on picture quality, is then selectively suppressed, resulting in clearer images.
Other Characteristics:
Battery technology: Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Built-in flash: Y
Built-in microphone: Y
Calendar: Y
Camera playback: Movie, Single image, Slide show, Thumbnails
Camera shutter speed: 1-1/2000
Colour of product: Black
Compatible memory cards: mmc, sd
Contrast adjustment: Y
DC-in jack: Y
Depth: 79 mm
Digital SLR: N
Digital zoom: 12x
Display: LCD
Display diagonal: 6.35 cm (2.5")
Display resolution (numeric): 207000 pixels
Flash modes: Auto, Flash off, Red-eye reduction, Slow synchronization
Focal length range (f-f): 6 - 72 mm
Height: 72.2 mm
Image editing: Resizing, Rotating, Trimming
Image sensor size: 1/2.5"
Image stabilizer: Y
Interface: USB
Lens system: 11/ 8
Megapixel: 7.2 MP
Normal focusing range: 0.3
Normal focusing range (tele): 2 - ∞
Normal focusing range (wide): 0.3 - ∞
Optical zoom: 4x
PictBridge: Y
Saturation adjustment: Y
Scene modes: Beach, Candlelight, Children, Fireworks, Landscape, Night, Night landscape, Night portrait, Party (indoor), Self-portrait, Sports, Sunset
Sensor type: CCD
Supported aspect ratios: 4:3, 16:9
Video capability: Y
Video recording: Y
Weight: 357 g
White balance: Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Shade
Width: 112.5 mm