Digital compact cameras are developed all the time, but this little wonder runs rings round most. I got my eyes on it when reading the super-zoom review at dpreview.com:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q110superzoomgroup/
It weighs less than a pound, fits in a big pocket, has 18x zoom, and takes excellent HD videos, has a functional stereo microphone (not that many compacts have that), and using the motor-zoom while making videos work very well - an almost unique feature).
My wife has used it side-by-side with me, using my Pentax K-x with Sigma 120-400, and it is not always I who get the better shot, especially if both are on monopods, or tripods.
Even though the FZ38 has anti-shake (Optical Image Stablisation, just like the Sigma 120-400), it needs at least a monopod at full zoom (equivalent to almost 500mm!), as it is so very light. The monopod, though, makes wonders, as it makes the O.I.S. fast enough, even at full zoom!
It also shines as a macro camera, and at everything in between! As long as there is light enough!
Colour-wise, WB-wise, and handling-wise, it has no apparent flaws, even the built-in flash is OK! And it comes with a fairly decent sun shade, and a good lens cover!
It's only flaw, as with all digital cameras with small chips, it isn't perfect in low light!
So, while I can take good free-hand shots of the moon with my Pentax K-x and the Sigma 120-400, you will not be able to do it with your FZ38
!
It has proved to be a perfect complement to my wife's Olympus PEN E-PL1, as there are no long lenses available for it, as yet!
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q110superzoomgroup/
It weighs less than a pound, fits in a big pocket, has 18x zoom, and takes excellent HD videos, has a functional stereo microphone (not that many compacts have that), and using the motor-zoom while making videos work very well - an almost unique feature).
My wife has used it side-by-side with me, using my Pentax K-x with Sigma 120-400, and it is not always I who get the better shot, especially if both are on monopods, or tripods.
Even though the FZ38 has anti-shake (Optical Image Stablisation, just like the Sigma 120-400), it needs at least a monopod at full zoom (equivalent to almost 500mm!), as it is so very light. The monopod, though, makes wonders, as it makes the O.I.S. fast enough, even at full zoom!
It also shines as a macro camera, and at everything in between! As long as there is light enough!
Colour-wise, WB-wise, and handling-wise, it has no apparent flaws, even the built-in flash is OK! And it comes with a fairly decent sun shade, and a good lens cover!
It's only flaw, as with all digital cameras with small chips, it isn't perfect in low light!
So, while I can take good free-hand shots of the moon with my Pentax K-x and the Sigma 120-400, you will not be able to do it with your FZ38
!It has proved to be a perfect complement to my wife's Olympus PEN E-PL1, as there are no long lenses available for it, as yet!
