Home > Consumer Reviews > Panasonic DMC-FZ50EB-K Digital Camera - Black (10.1MP, 12x Optical Zoom) 2.0 " LCD

There is too much confusing choice of cameras out there. I agonised over this for ages. I wanted a camera for good nature and outdoor shots. I have just seen the results from the first extended trip, and they are outstanding. This has more to do with camera quality than photographer quality.

The main benefits of the camera are:
1. Very good picture quality. No sign of blurring even when viewed on a 19" screen. Colours seem true to me.
2. Great telephoto: up to 420mm optical zoom. Panasonic has an extended zoom which allows 5 megapixels at 600mm: enough for most needs and again has no blurring effect: probably some combination of the opitcal image stabiliser and the camera's lightweight which helps to reduce shake.
3. Relatively light camera weight: easy to carry, and easy to keep a steady shot.
4. Price. I would have had to spend over £1,000 to see much improvement.
5. Functionality. Dead easy to use. Even for me.
6. LCD Monitor twists in all directions, making it possible to compose pictures properly in even the most awkward corners.

Are there things for Panasonic to look at? A few, maybe:
1. Battery life: I think I got about 180 shots per battery charge, not using the LCD monitor or flash. If you use the manual focus function you will extend battery life dramatically, but life is short and autofocus is easy. Buy and carry an extra battery.
2. Macro focus is a bit fiddly: you need cooperative frogs to stay still (if you want to photograph frogs).
3. Make sure you format your memory card before using it. I nearly had a disaster with this and found it very difficult to transfer pictures to a computer. If I had remembered to format the card first, it would have been extremely simple.

Overall, well worth five stars and I have no regrets about this purchase at all.

I purchased this camera in April 2007 after reading rave reviews from many amateur to professional camera sites and blogs. It has not disappointed me yet.
I bought the black version, which looks like a serious contender to all market leading SLRs, which is what it is intended for. This probably is the best bridging camera so far available.
Its Leica lens with manual zoom and focus ring gives it almost an SLR feel, without the hassle of the multiple lens changes required with an SLR. The fully manual override option is fantastic adding to the SLR functionality.
The menu is easy to use. The function option gives you some customisability too.
The Optical image stabilisation is an excellent tool, which you will realise is the most practical aspect in the camera soon enough; you cannot live without it.
The battery life is good, with 300-350 snaps taken easily with one charge. But I do have a back up battery just in case.
The lens hood is a useful accessory, especially in bright settings.
The rotating LCD panel is a beauty. I find this extremely useful when taking pictures of my children at odd angles, especially when they are fooling around on the floor. It is also quite handy at parties, when you want to take photos over other people's heads.
Indoor photography is no concern. Set it in intelligent ISO mode and the camera comes out with beautiful pictures. You would be the envy of your friends, when seen lugging this beauty. Even some digital SLRs during our latest party from work could not hold a candle to my Panny, in terms of the oohs and aahs it generated.
Now, there has been a lot of criticism about the noise it produces, especially at high ISO settings and its noise reduction engine and software. As an amateur who wants a bit of excitement in photography, this, in my opinion is no big deal at all. What I would suggest is use the lowest ISO (definitely no more than 400) and turn off noise reduction. Or for the uninitiated, just use Auto ISO or Intelligent ISO setting. You cannot go wrong.
Get a good filter to protect your lens - it is a must. I have a HOYA filter 55 mm.

The other reviewers here have done a fine job so I'll try not to cover the same ground.
Having been a photographer for some considerable time it is a delight to have a lightweight camera with a range of 35mm to 420mm. No more ton weights of lenses to carry around and missed shots due to having the wrong lens on camera! This camera is excellent for nature, candid and most landscape photography. The ergonomics are truly excellent. It has a full range of auto and manual exposure controls - it can be used by a beginner but is really more suited to those who either know or are willing to learn some of the more technical aspects of photography. A raw beginner may find the manual very daunting.

Electronic Viewfinder is Brilliant!
I'm not a big fan of LCD monitors as they are difficult to use in bright conditions - I much prefer the intimacy of a viewfinder. No need to worry on this count with this camera - the electronic viewfinder is outstanding. It is bright enough to use even in dim conditions. If you allow manual override on focusing then a touch of the focusing ring brings up a magnified central portion which makes fine tuning focus a breeze!

Optical Image Stabilizer
This is meant to reduce the blur caused by camera shake - particularly as you go up to the longer end of the focal length scale (420mm).
This works but only to a degree - it can't do miracles! There's no person on this planet who can hand hold a camera rock steady. At the longer end of focal length (420mm) the magnification of shake is substantial so even with stabilizer active some softening of image will occur. This might not be too noticeable for small prints but for best results use a tripod or a monopod. I have tested this and there is a significant quality improvement if you use a tripod.

So in summary this is a high quality, versatile and rewarding camera which quite simply makes you want to go out and take pictures.

I spent a long time looking at this camera compared to the Canon S3, Fuji S9500 and Sony H2/H5 and even some low end DSLR's. The picture quality (in my opinion) beats the other point and shoot camera's but of course not the DSLR's. But then to get the equivalent lenses (with image stabilisation) would be BIG money. I just love the versatility this camera offers - that you can take a macro followed by a 12x zoom shot without digging into a heavy bag of lenses. The Optical image stabilisation, movie mode, swivel screen, Leica lens, raw mode, user friendliness and sheer 'wow factor' make this just simply an awesome camera. I highly recommend it

I bought this camera for just £280 from another website and it's certainly the best you can get for your money. Although not a full SLR it certainly has the feel of one. The optical zoom is incredible and the range of features is top notch. I bought this camera before my first trip to Paris and took some of the best pictures of my life with it. The scene modes are extremely helpful - I particularly like 'sports mode' a lot as it's good for taking pictures of fast moving subjects and 99% my shots turn out perfect, no blur or distortion.

You'll seriously struggle to find a negative review about this camera anywhere in the world.