Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5S 5MP Digital Camera with 12x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Silver) | List Price: $449.99
Discount Price: $194.00
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Brand: Panasonic
Binding: Electronics
Features: - 5.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
- Amazing 12x optical zoom gets you close to the action without sacrificing image quality
- Super-fast shutter times: .008 seconds to release (not including AF time) and .4 seconds between shots
- Stores images on Secure Digital (SD) cards; 16MB card included
- Powered by a Lithium-Ion battery pack (7.2V, 680 mAh); battery charger included
Great pics, jammed lens [Posted on 2007-01-14]
I bought the DMC-LZ5 for my teen daughter a year ago. Right after the 1-year warranty expired (naturally), the lens got stuck in the "out" position and would not retract. The camera wouldn't focus, so was unusable.
I was able to fix it by gently pulling the lens housing and rocking it from side to side until it snapped into place.
The camera worked fine after that for a few months, then got stuck again, this time in the "in" position. After turning on the camera, with the lens cap off, it would display "Remove Lens Cap and Press > Button". Pressing the ">" button displayed an out-of-focus image. (This same problem was described by another Amazon reviewer.)
I was able to fix it again by pushing on the ring around the lens (without touching the lens of course) and rocking the lens from side to side until it snapped into place.
Since it's not my camera, I haven't seen what actually causes it to jam up myself. A guess is that turning the camera on with the lens cap in place caused the lens to jam against the lens cap and damaged the drive gears.
I'm not a camera repair person, just passing this info on for anyone else that may have a useless DMC-FZ5 laying around. I hope no one else will need this information :-)
Decent Camera but beware of Lens jamming problem [Posted on 2007-03-04]
Bought this camera 2+ years ago. Everything worked really well for the most part and took some amazing pictures. This was really my ideal digital camera and I would've given it more stars if it wasn't for the fact that it quit on me after the warranty ran out. It just stopped working..the lens was stuck in the inside position and i was unable to fix it. I ended up opening it up to check out the mechanics and now it is truly finished :). I am thinking of buying the fz7 as replacement but not sure due to the jamming problem I experienced with the fz5.
Lens jammed after only a year [Posted on 2007-06-03]
I LOVED this camera, everything about it, until it jammed for no apparent reason after having it just over a year. I've seen other users with the same problem on this website so I guess I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. But, do I buy another Panasonic, do I upgrade to the FZ8, don't know whether I trust them or not which is a shame because as I mentioned it is great - easy to learn & use, takes reliable pictures etc.
Compact body, sharp photos, easy to use [Posted on 2007-07-04]
The Panasonic Lumix FZ5K (K for black, S for silver) is came out on February 2005. In tech terms, it's a little old but still a great camera and an even a better value. It has dummy-proof modes that allow newcomers to digita photography to focus on the composition and is advanced enough for all but the pickiest dSLR users. The package includes everything you need to get started, including the battery charger.
--- Target Audience ---
Newcomers to digital photography to advanced users. If you're new to photography, the FZ5 includes programmed modesIf you're a basic-to-advanced amateur, the program, aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual, compensation, and multiple other settings allow for broad creative control.
--- Pros ---
Truly inexpensive 5MP.
- You can grab one of these in Wolf/Ritz Camera or Fry's for $177-190.
Broad optical zoom range at 6-72 (36-432 equivalent on a 35mm camera).
Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 1:2.8-3.3/6-72 aspherical lens.
- I've read that Leica doesn't actually manufacture this lens but the pictures speak for themselves and their "seal of approval" appears well represented.
Max aperture of f/2.8.
Super-compact.
- I've used an Olympus OM-1n for many years. This camera set the standard for compact SLRs. The DMC-FZ5 is smaller... way smaller.
Pretty responsive shutter despite its "age".
Integrated flash.
"Flippable" hood.
2-hr battery charge (lasts 200-250 photos).
"Sealed", non-interchangeable lens design.
- With its broad zoom range, equivalent to a 36-432mm zoom lens on a 35mm camera, this is probably not a concern. The fact that it is closed removes the dreaded dust issues that only advanced dust-removal technologies can take care of.
--- Cons ---
Will not accept SD cards above 1GB.
Only 5MP (i.e., don't plan on framing anything above 8" x 10").
No RAW format support (TIFF is supported and will likely do the trick for non-pro users).
Proprietary battery (no biggie; I've found third-party equivalents for $5-10).
No hotshoe.
Owned for 1 1/2 years..love it! [Posted on 2007-12-12]
This is my quick review:
1. Per usual, spent 2 weeks pouring over the specs, reviews and ratings
prior to purchase
2. I have small children and need something durable and responsive.
3. I'm a casual user...just a little more than a point and shoot queen.
In July 05 I plunked down the money for this camera. I have no regrets...absolutely, positively LOVE IT! I have taken it everywhere, banged it around, dropped it, had my small children take photos with it.
I brought home the Canon and Fuji in the same price range. Tried both and
returned both. High points for me are it's light weight, Image Stabization (a must with kids), rapid fire repeat photo ability, and
easy downloads.
Would buy it again in a heartbeat!
Click here for more details and discount information...
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