Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 14.1 MP Digital Camera

I was in the market for a camera with more user control and wide-angle/zoom capability than a digital compact camera but without the size/bulk characteristic of digital slr cameras. I choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 14.1 MP based on the recommendations of a friend and my own research. I consider myself an average amateur photographer that understands the basic workings of a digital camera. I have used the camera for about 1 month and have taken 100's of pictures. The camera has met my expectations in terms of control of picture taking and quality of images.

If you are considering purchasing a super zoom, I suggest looking at the manufacturers specifications and even downloading a user manual from the manufacturer's site, if available, so you can evaluate the features of the camera and whether it will suit your needs.

Features that I use and like about this camera (these comments are not meant to indicate presence or absence in comparison to other brands of super zooms):
* saves images in JPEG and RAW formats (and even both at the same time). The RAW format allows you to have a greater flexibility in using photo-editing software than JPEG since it contains all the picture information captured by the camera's image sensor.
* information about exposure controls can be shown both on the 3" lcd screen and in the view finder. Seeing information about exposure controls in the view finder is very handy and is especially so on bright sunny days. However the lcd screen is bright enough to be visible in normal daylight situations.
* you have great flexibility in controlling the camera: you can let the camera make all the decisions so you just have to press the button to take the picture or you can opt for a totally manual mode where you set the aperture, shutter speed, sensitivity (iso), white balance, control for camera shake etc...
* flexibility in storing images: uses SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards
* 24x optical zoom: from 4.5mm to 106mm. 35mm equivalent for a 4 x 6 picture is from 26mm to 624 mm. This allows nice wide angles to telephoto closeups with good picture quality. This is one of the main reasons for my supplementing my compact digital camera, which had limited wide angle and zoom features, with this camera.
* battery easily lasted all day of picture taking (outdoors in mild temperatures). The manufacturer quotes 580 per charge but I have not taken that many in a day (around 100 or so). However, always a good idea to have a spare battery.
* F stops range from F2.8 to F11 at wide angle and F5.2 to F8.0 at the tele end.












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