Panasonic Lumix Manual

Panasonic’s all-in-one superzoom cameras have garnered very positive reviews from critics and consumers alike over the years, and with good reason. The winning combination of the Lumix line’s Leica-branded optical zoom lenses of up to 12x, and Panasonic’s rock-steady MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), have produced cameras that can get incredibly close to the subject while maintaining solid sharpness. Panasonic’s latest ultrazoomer, the 10.1 megapixel, 12x optical, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 replaces the popular FZ30; and in that regard, it has some big shoes to fill.

The Panasonic FZ50 is more evolutionary than groundbreaking, which is actually good. Looking virtually identical to the FZ30, the Panasonic FZ50 has the same 12x optical (35mm to 420mm in 35mm format) lens as its predecessor but an uptick in resolution (of course), to bring it to the now de rigueur 10 megapixels. Also new on the FZ50 is the Venus Engine III LSI image processor which moves basic camera functions along at a fairly good clip while ostensibly reducing image noise when shooting at the camera’s maximum ISO 3,200 light sensitivity rating. The Panasonic FZ50 also features Panasonic’s new Intelligent ISO Control (IIC) which harnesses the power of the Venus Engine III to automatically detect subject movement and adjust ISO and shutter speed to suit the action and lighting conditions.