Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18

Quality Pictures With Point-and-Shoot Ease

If you're shopping for a new digital camera you basically have two options: pick up a toy shooter that can't grow with you; or plunk down a grand for a fancy digital SLR and face its huge learning curve. But there's a third way that's better: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18, a high-end point-and-shooter with sweet new-tech features, is really all about one thing: It shoots striking pictures. The DMC-FZ18 contains an 8.1 megapixel sensor and a head-scratchingly powerful 18x zoom on a 28mm wide-angle lens (12x is standard on most rival cameras). With this lens, you can zoom in on the pitcher (or belly itcher) from the bleachers or pan out and shoot the whole field. But the DMC-FZ18's strength is its intuitive interface and friendly presets. The Intelligent Auto Mode combines four great features into one: image stabilization to minimize camera-shake; intelligent ISO for freezing action scenes; automatic subject and scenery adjustment to cut glare and enhance shadows; and face detection for improving portraits. And this camera helps you learn. The Custom mode lets users play with different settings and save them, slowly building confidence, experience, and mature photographic preferences.

WIRED Takes awesome pictures. Very easy to use. The 18x zoom doesn't sacrifice detail. Great software package with flawless panoramic stitching.

TIRED You can't use the zoom option when playing back video with audio on the LCD screen, which caused us to miss the loud 18X version of a seal chomping on a companion's nose. And the audio coming out of the speaker was a bit tinny.

• Camera Resolution: 8.1 megapixels
• Optical Zoom: 18x
• Digital Zoom: 4x

• Style: Compact/Ultrazoom
• Media Format: Flash, SD Card
• Manufacturer: Panasonic
• Price: $350
Release Date: September, 2007