Clearly a rival of the recently released Olympus SP-550 UZ “Ultra Zoom” camera, which also features an 18x optical zoom.

Introducing the Panasonic Lumix FZ-18.

The Olympus got reasonable reviews, it’s not very fast, not very sharp and the pictures are ok - but it has 18x zoom! The ultimate travelling partner perhaps.

Now Panasonic counters with this, a massive 18x zoom to match and wider at the wide angle end with 28mm rather than the normal 35/36mm and of course the quality of the Leica lens helps. Plus the great Panasonic stabiliser. They just really need to sort out the image quality and noise problems with the Venus processor.

Looks to be a well specced camera.

• 8.1 effective Megapixel CCD
• F2.8-4.2, 18X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 504 mm
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.5″ LCD display with 207,000 pixels + electronic viewfinder with 188,000 pixels
• Full manual controls
• Intelligent Auto mode features auto scene selection, face detection (for up to 15 faces), and continuous AF
• High sensitivity mode can boost ISO to 6400 (oh, good)
• RAW image format support
• Records widescreen movies at 848 x 480, with sound
• 27MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC/MMC card slot
• Support for conversion lenses and filters
• Uses proprietary li-ion battery; 400 shots per charge
• Comes in silver and black
• Ships this September for $400

But please - ISO6400? On a Panasonic, they must be kidding!

And why can’t people make f/2.0 lenses like the old Canon G2!

You can read more here:

First look: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 preview

The perfect choice for any photographer with varied photographic needs and high ambitions – Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new DMC-FZ8 7.2-megapixel Lumix camera, featuring a powerful 12x optical zoom, LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and the ever popular and indispensable Optical Image Stabiliser (O.I.S). With a joystick control for manual adjustment of focusing and exposure setting, the DMC-FZ8 offers high end specification and portability.

A fast, long 12x optical zoom lens and easy-to-use controls help make up a little for the DMC-FZ8’s image-quality issues.

A few reviews have come out, and I do like the Panasonic cameras, apart from the noise issues of course…

The FZ-8 is a slightly more compact choice than the FZ-50 series and a bit bigger than the TZ-1 series, something comparable to a Canon S3 IS.

Reviews:

Panasonic FZ-8 Consumer Review

In comparison to its predecessor, the Panasonic Lumix FZ8 is a very welcome upgrade with some great features for a very competitive price. Along with fast operation, great battery life and the bonus of a very effective image stabilisation, the FZ8 should be very seriously considered.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 Review - DPReview

If you accept that the size and convenience of this type of product means a certain level of compromise you won’t be disappointed. Viewed on-screen at 100% the output often leaves a little to be desired, but for ‘normal’ use (standard sized prints, full screen viewing) the excellent lens and reliable focus/exposure systems cannot fail to impress. On this basis I think it’s safe to say that the FZ8 just about offers enough to earn a qualified Highly Recommended, but I’d urge you to check out the sample images - and decide if you’re prepared to shoot raw when it matters and to stick to ISO 100 whenever possible - before deciding.

Review: Panasonic DMC-FZ8 compared to the Olympus SP-550 UZ

The SP-550 is better built with very good ergonomics and many features. The FZ8, though, is faster and has a slight advantage in image quality with less distortion, color noise, chromatic aberration and workable RAW. Looking at the plain figures, this match ends in a draw. However, considering the price difference (the FZ8 is over 100 dollar cheaper than the SP-550), the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 wins by a nose.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 - CNET

While the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 has problems with noise, in many other ways it is a very nice camera. Its controls make it easy to use, and it packs a very impressive feature set. If you’re not persnickety about noise or image quality, it makes a nice camera for beginner and intermediate photographers to learn on. Advanced shooters who want pristine image quality should look elsewhere.