The Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38 is a 12 megapixel digital camera with an 18x optical zoom lens. Extra zoom becomes available if you lower the resolution.

A maximum 35.2x zoom becomes available when shooting at 3 megapixels. 4x digital zoom is available too. The lens has wide angle capabilities and has a focal length equivalent to 27 - 486mm in 35mm format.

To further increase the capabilities of the lens it is compatible with conversion lenses.

• Image stabilisation
• Self timer 2 or 10 seconds. Plus 3 shot mode
• Sensor size: 1/2.33 inches
• Digital Red Eye Correction
• Special resolution for widescreen television playback
• Special resolution for 6 x 4 inch prints
• Face Detection focusing
• Colour Effect Mode: Natural, Vivid, Black & White, Sepia, Cool, Warm
• RAW format
• Conversion lens compatibility
• Picture Adjustment: Contrast , Sharpness, Saturation, Noise Reduction

Among the focusing options are a manual focusing, controlled with a joystick on the back of the Lumix DMC FZ38 and AF tracking. There is also a macro mode for close up shots that can focus from 1cm away from the subject. You also have access to zoom in, in macro mode. There is a setting for face detection too.

The LCD monitor is 2.7 inches in size. The screen is made up of around 230,000 dots. There is also an electronic viewfinder for composing photos.

The flash modes are: Built-in-Flash Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Flash Synchro; 1st, 2nd.

The maximum flash range is 8.5m. This falls to 5.4m when the zoom lens is fully extended.

There are a number of preset scene modes. These are: Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Flash Burst, Panning, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach,, Snow, Aerial Photo, Pinhole, Film Grain, High Dynamic (Standard, Art, B&W), Photo Frame, Panorama Assist .

In addition to these you have access to Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Macro.

You will struggle to find a more advanced movie mode. The Lumix DMC FZ38 is able to shoot High Definition movies with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. Zoom can be used while recording is in progress and sound can be recorded in stereo. On top of this you can set the aperture size and shutter speed. Image stabilisation is available too.

You can also opt to select a scene mode appropriate to the movie you are recording. The modes available are Portrait, Scenery, Low Light, Flower, Soft Skin, Food, Objects, Party, Candle Light, Sunset, High Sensitivity,, Panning, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo, Pinhole, High Dynamic(Standard, Art, B&W), Film and Grain.

Among the more advanced features are:

• Aperture Size: F2.8 - 8 (Wide) - F4.4 - 8 (Tele)
• Shutter Speed 60 seconds to 1/2000 seconds
• Exposure Compensation: 1/3 EV step, +/-2 EV
• ISO Sensitivity Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
• High Sensitivity: ISO 1600 - 6400
• Auto Bracketing: +/- 1/3 EV ~1EV step, 3 frames
• Light Metering: Intelligent Multiple, Center Weighted, Spot
• White Balance Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, Halogen, Color Temperature, White Set 1, White Set 2, (Selectable at Portrait, Soft Skin, Sports, Baby, Pet, High Sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Pinhole, Panorama Assist mode) White Balance Adjustment (2-axis adjustable, ±9steps each, Blue/Amber and Magenta/Green bias)
• Continuous Shooting Mode Full-Resolution Image, 2.3 frames/sec Max. 5 images (Standard mode), Max 3 images (Fine Mode), High-speed Burst Mode: approx. 10 frames/sec (recorded in 3M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9)(Speed Priority) approx. 6 frames/sec (recorded in 3M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9)(Image Priority) Flash Burst Continuous Shooting Mode Max. 5 images (Standard mode)
• Manual Exposure
• Aperture Priority
• Shutter Priority

All the necessary cables and software are supplied to attach the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38 to a computer, television set and compatible printer.

Description:	12 megapixels and an 18x optical zoom lens
Ease of Use:	8
Features:	9
Colour:	8
Macro:	9
Indoors:	9
Value for Money:	9
Style:	8
Movie Mode:	10
Image Quality:	9
Build Quality:	8
Total:	87
Verdict:	The Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38 is a super zoom digital camera with plenty of features for stills photography. It also has a very advanced movie mode. I found picture quality to be very impressive. The camera is also able to respond quickly to photo opportunities. Recommended
Review Date:	October 2009
Related Pages:	Panasonic DMC FZ38 Specification Panasonic DMC FZ38 Sample Images Panasonic DMC FZ38 Features
Comparisons:	Fuji Finepix S200exr vs Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38
Comparisons:	Nikon Coolpix P90 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38

	GBP 238.50
	GBP 249.99
	GBP 299
Click a flag for prices from other countries:

Camera	Rating
Fuji Finepix S200EXR	87
Panasonic DMC FZ38	87
Canon Powershot SX1 IS	87
Sony DSC HX1	85
Canon Powershot SX10 IS	85
Canon Powershot SX20 IS	84
Olympus SP-590 UZ	83
Nikon Coolpix P90	83

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, please make sure you double check the feature set and specification at the point of purchase.

Panasonic DMC FZ38