Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38 vs Nikon Coolpix P90 Comparison
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38
Nikon Coolpix P90
The Nikon Coolpix P90 offers 24x zoom compared to the 18x on offer from the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38. This definitely gives the Coolpix P90 the upper hand if you need to shoot from distance, for example for sports and wildlife photography. As with other Panasonic digital cameras the Lumix DMC FZ38 has an option to further increase the amount of zoom available if you are willing to shoot at lower resolutions. As you step down in terms of megapixels extra zoom becomes progressively available. There is a maximum 35.2x zoom at your disposal when shooting at 3 megapixels.
Basic Specification
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38
12 megapixels
18x Optical Zoom
2.7 inch LCD screen
Viewfinder
Manual Exposure
Macro Focus: 1cm
Dimensions: 117.6 x 75.8 x 88.9mm
Weight: 367g
Conversion lens compatible
High Definition movies
Nikon Coolpix P90
12 megapixels
24x wide angle optical zoom
3 inch LCD screen
Viewfinder
Manual Exposure
Macro Focus 1cm
Dimensions: 114 x 83 x 99mm
Weight: 400g
Not conversion lens compatible
Standard Definition Movies
Features
As you can see both the Coolpix P90 and the Lumix DMC FZ38 have a wide range of features. These cameras are aimed at more experienced photographers, but they are also likely to be attractive to anyone who is looking to learn about photography or to someone who simply would like a camera with plenty of zoom.
Looking at some of the more subtle differences the Coolpix P90 has the larger LCD screen. The LCD screen also tilts by up to 90 degrees to help you out in awkward shooting conditions.
When it comes to shooting movies the Lumix DMC FZ38 has a clear edge. It is one of the few digital cameras that is able to capture stereo sound. It also lets you zoom in and out while you are recording a movie.
Design
The Lumix DMC FZ38 is both smaller and more lightweight. Both cameras come in black. They are similar in shape to a Digital SLR.
Start Up and Shutter Lag
This is another area where the Panasonic model has the edge. In fact the time it took to take a single shot (0.25 seconds) and five shots (7.47 seconds) make it one of the top cameras in this class.
Power Supply
Both cameras run on lithium ion batteries.
Picture Quality
I thought the Lumix DMC FZ38 did exceptionally well in my tests. There tends to be less difference in picture quality with these larger, more expensive cameras, but I felt the FZ38 had the edge here. Both cameras are capable of taking a good quality close up picture when placed in macro mode.
Ease of Use
Panasonic and Nikon are two of my favourite brands when it comes to ease of use, so there is little to choose between the two cameras when it comes to ease of use. To get the most out of all the various features you will need to get out and about and be prepared to experiment, but that should not prove to be too much of a hardship.
Verdict
If it is extreme you want the Nikon Coolpix P90 has the advantage, unless you decide you do not need to utilize all the pixels on offer. In most other instances I found the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38 to be the winner. Sometimes you pick up a camera and seem to find an instant rapport with it. That was how I found the Lumix DMC FZ38. If I was looking for a reasonably priced super zoom digital camera that also allowed me to reel off the occasional bit of video footage this would be the camera for me.
Product Shots
Front View
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38
Nikon Coolpix P90
Back View
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38
Nikon Coolpix P90
Top View
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38
Nikon Coolpix P90
