Good Gear Guide
16/12/10
2
This is my third Lumix FZ series camera, and by far the worst. Anything above ISO200 and the photos show complete lack of quality, especially when viewed 1:1. Its just not a great superzoom.
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Porphyriaboy
1
After 14 months with this camera, I know it well. I had a Lumix FZ series before this model. I think it was an fz-28. Anyway...
This camera can be as easy or as involved as you could want to go short of pro photography and many "pro" features are found on this model. The usual Lumix Intelligent mode is here and usually works just fine. Many options, including a high-frame burst mode are here as well as manual focus. Once you learn how (pushing the right button) you are in manual mode. Sometimes it takes a man or woman to do a computers job.
I have taken some really wonderful pictures with this camera. I have found its night limitations so I won't be taking it to photograph stars but it handles the moon, a very bright object wonderfully. On a tripod you hardly need a telescope to get great lunar shots.
The picture quality is sharp till the light gets low for any camera...in these situations the fz-40 does not excel yet I have seen worse. The lens on this camera can almost do it all. At extreme range it shows slight bluish distortion at the corners but unless you are trying you probably won't notice.
The camera has RAW output plus AVCHD lite capability. I recorded my own baptism with it and was thrilled with the quality...great picture and since the camera was on a tripod, untouched, good sound (wish an external mike was an option). The LCD is sharp, clear but fixed, no swiveling but a real (well, electronic but real, nonetheless) viewfinder, a wonderful invention many designers seem to forget more and more. To me it is essential at times.
This camera is no toy but easy-to-use the first day. Unless your photographic ambitions lie towards the semi-pro, the smitten hobbyist or a true professional you cannot go wrong with the Panasonic Lumix-DMC-40.
Panasonic has much newer and no doubt better cameras since I bought the above camera. If you find one for a fair price it is still new enough to impress!