Gail's Digital Photography Blogs

Gail's Panasonic FZ18 Blog

Dials and modes are intuitively placed.
Joystick gives quick access to important camera settings - no more stopping what you're doing and having to wade through a menu system, though the option still remains.
Dedicated AE/AF Lock button - Yippee!
Fast and accurate focus, though can struggle at full tele in low light.
Mode Dial display- when enabled, as you switch to a different mode via the Mode Dial, each mode appears on the LCD or Electronic Viewfinder; eliminates the need to look at the top of the camera when switching from one mode to another.
Excellent viewfinder; easy to see and use; I protect it with an anti-glare screen protector by Boxwave.
High Angle LCD mode can be used as a Low Angle Mode by turning the camera upside down. Images remain right-side up thanks to the camera's orientation sensor.
Not too heavy, not too light.
Built-in memory - only a measly 27MB, but is really great in a pinch when you forgot the memory card in the card reader. (Of course I've never done that! :)
Price includes Lenshood and Lens adapter.

Noise issues have improved but there is still some visable noise at all ISO numbers if you pixel peep; ISO 800-1600 barely useable but at least are there if you have no other shooting options.
LCD can easily scratch - get a screen protector.
The EVF/LCD button doesn't let you temporarily shut off the LCD or Electronic Viewfinder.
Ho-Hum movie mode - fixed focus during video recording; can't zoom the camera while recording; not a fan of MOV file format.
Viewfinder cup is made of plastic; rubber would be more comfortable; the plastic may sratch eyeglasses.
There ia a bad lag when using the flash in iA mode, long enough miss part of a slow moving subject such as when photographing a child.
Index in the camera manual is awful; the manual can be overwelmin, so go slow with it; it is packed with helpful information and photo-taking tips.
The PhotoFunStudio Software that comes on the CD is the worst I ever used; so I use it only to download the FZ18 images files (JPEG, RAW, Video) then use another viewer to view JPEGS.