LCD Size:
2.7 inches
Resolution:
12.1 MP
Optical Zoom:
18 x
Ease of use
6
Show what experts say (4 reviews)
"Panasonic have tried to make things as easy as possible for the complete beginner by providing [Intelligent Auto] mode, which allows you to point and shoot the camera without having to worry about choosing the right mode or settings."
"There’s a plethora of options, with intelligent Auto (iA) to capture the action without the need to fiddle with options for the more entry-level user, complimented by an array of more advanced manual options."
"If you want a point-and-shoot mode that does everything for you, then look no further than the Intelligent Auto mode. This feature detects faces, selects a scene mode, brightens shadows, reduces blur, and tracks moving subjects."
"I was completely at a loss in the field too many times. I resorted to Reset on a handful of occasions because I just had no clue which setting I had tweaked that had disabled some feature I needed."
Picture Quality
8
Show what experts say (5 reviews)
"I was concerned that the increase in sensor resolution would have a negative impact on image quality, but this has not proved to be the case; in fact image quality is noticeably improved."
"The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 produced images of very good quality during the review period."
"Overall the FZ38 provides decent images – and that can be hard to come by given the dynamics of a 27-486mm lens."
"Overall, the DMC-FZ35's image quality was very good, though there's definitely some room for improvement."
"What I noticed immediately was how well the Panasonic FZ35 captured the subtleties of the natural light, diffused by the fog falling on common household objects."
Low light shooting
8
Show what experts say (3 reviews)
"Using high ISO sensitivity can cause some issues in low light, though the POWER O.I.S certainly goes some way to finding a happy medium."
"The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38's maximum shutter speed is 60 seconds in Manual shooting mode and the Starry Sky Mode scene mode, which is great news if you're seriously interested in night photography."
"Low light focusing was fairly quick and usually accurate, though watch your hands, as it's very easy to accidentally block the AF-assist lamp."
Video Quality
10
Show what experts say (3 reviews)
"The excellent video quality is icing on the cake."
"The movie mode itself, encoded in H.264, is high quality as we’ve come to expect from Panasonic."
"It's also pretty good in the movie department: you can record 720p video until your memory card fills up (except in Europe), manual controls are available, and you have full use of the optical zoom and image stabilizer."
Build Quality
6
Show what experts say (3 reviews)
"The all-plastic Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 feels like it could withstand the odd glancing knock, though I wouldn't like to vouch for dropping it onto concrete."
"Everything feels well made. In general, it’s top marks all round."
"It wasn't quite as well built as the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, the class leader in build quality, but the Panasonic FZ35 was just as well built as the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1."
Battery Life
10
Show what experts say (4 reviews)
"Leaving the anti-shake system on didn't negatively affect the battery-life, with the camera managing just over 450 shots using the supplied rechargeable Li-ion battery."
"The FZ35's battery life is well about the group average."
"Good for 470 pictures under CIPA standards. That’s ten up from the estimate of the FZ28, although again is a best-case scenario. If you regularly use stabilisation, the screen brightener and continuous or pre-AF modes, then you’ll eat through the charge much faster."
"Excellent battery life."
Size show formula
We simply calculate the volume (length x width x height) of the camera.
Large
Average
Small
Travel Capabilities show formula
We combine our Battery Life Score with our Build Quality score.
Bad
OK
Awesome
