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I agree in full with what everyone says about the image quality and ability to take raw pictures. It is a remarkable camera. One complaint I had was its ability to autofocus in low-light levels. Even manual focusing, which appeared on the screen to be in focus later turned out to be out of focus. I would recommend to them to use a white light focusing mechanism instead of the red light that comes on in low light, near object situations. Cameras I have used with this white light have always autofocused better for me. What confused me(and this is more of an observation that a complaint) was the inclusion of this camera in a 'point and shoot' category. By definition, it is a point and shoot in that it doesn't have a mechanical shutter like the SLR cameras. However, the camera is rather large, and if one is expecting to take this camera in a carry-on on a plane, please refer to the pictures I uploaded using 2 other camera types against this camera.

I was really on the fence about purchasing this camera but I couldn't be happier that I did. I'm thrilled!! My camera needs were: everyday use, amateur landscape photography, and most importantly product photos for my online business.

This camera takes beautiful product photos. Without even adjusting the settings you can showcase breathtaking details of your products while creating an attractive background blur. This camera delivers beautiful details at a manageable output that's easy to compress for web use.

Things I love:

The macro settings are fantastic! If you need detailed images this camera is perfect.

Low light - My canon point and shoot completely died so I had to hurriedly take a bunch of photos the minute this camera arrived. I took a few hurried shots in low light without changing any settings. I was pleasantly surprised to discover how well the images turned out.

Viewfinder - This has one of the most comfortable/larger viewfinders on digital cameras that I've ever encountered.

LCD - I love how the LCD flips down for optional use and allows you to protect your lcd screen. That you can tilt the screen at angle is fabulous!

Other notes: Definitely purchase a memory card if you don't already own a compatible one for this camera. Without changing file sizes or settings, you can only store 5 pictures with the memory card that is included in this package.

If you love digital cameras but miss the details of your old 35mm camera then this digital camera is for you. Yes, this camera is larger but it's NOT a pocket camera. It feels just like I'm using my 35 mm print camera, something I never thought a digital camera under $500 could ever accomplish.

Great deal on this camera. It offers so much in control, and yet will still take a snapshot. It arrived on time, in good order, just as advertised. I was hesitant as it was a third party vendor (Adorama), but it was an excellent deal and completely as advertised.

I really didn't want to rate this product at this time. Not because of the product, but because of the poor service.

They did not mail it out until the day is was due at my front door step. They had a glitch in their system, recognized it, and sent the product out at Two day-air. (wonderful). Then more glitches happened. They sent the package with a note insisting that I personally sign for it.

They clearly should have asked me first. Like most people, I can't lose work and sit around for a four-hour UPS delivery window. I tried to contact them and get something done, but it didn't work. I called them several times (had to wait "on hold" for 30-45 minutes - BY THE RECEPTIIONIST, OR WHO EVER IS SUPPOSE TO ANSWER THEIR PHONE- each time). I consider that a rude way to conduct business. I also sent emails which to which they promptly responded. They offered serious apologies, but still no camera.

FINALLY, about 7-10 days behind the delivery schedule, the camera arrived. By then I was so disgusted with the company that I refuse to accept this shipment. I was fed up with the vendor.

Of course that called for another round of phone calls to which I was put on hold for over an hour - I finally hung up in disgust. Let me make one thing clear in their defense. The unbeliably bad phone call waits were just to get someone to answer the phone and conect me to the right department. The one or two times I actually got to peak with someone in the right ddepartment was otstanding. They are good people. That is why I waited more than month to offer my comments. They, I blieve, they did their best to get the camera to me. They had nothing to do with the UPS delivery system.

I am still waiting for my refund!!! They don't answer their phone (try calling thei number). They also no longer answer my emails

It's time for me to get Amazon involved. I want my refund!!!

Anyway, I finally brought the camera from another store. IT WORKS WONDERFULLY. BUY IT!

Purchased FZ50 a year ago, I have a small professional photog business. It replaced the excellent FZ30 (which replaced an FZ20). I also replaced the TZ3 with the TZ5 for a "personal" point-and-shoot camera, so have extensive experience with Lumix. Tried D-SLRs, and other prosumer (mid-range) camera brands. This is a prosumer camera. A good Canon or Nikon D-SLR will take better pictures in many cases, but only if you can wade through the complex menus and understand more than the basics of photography, despite their claims for auto mode. D-SLRs have more options in most cases, but several friends who went D-SLR, thinking they'd get just a fancier 35mm replacement, quickly became unhappy with the complexity, but where they could handle it, the pix were easier to handle in Photoshop 5.0, and a few with CS2. Lumix has an excellent ability to "read" in the auto/scene modes. The FZ50 does have some limitations with hard shadows (can mostly be compensated for), on occasion will be slightly slow in focusing, and its flash (typical in this price range) is barely ok. It's only slightly smaller than a standard 35mm SLR. It has difficulty with action shots: the faster the action the more likely you'll get blur (running, volleyball, etc.). Use of an Extreme III or Ultra II (or other brands' equivalent) helps by speeding up the "write to" cycle significantly, but it just isn't a great action camera. For less than fast action, especially for everyday sunlit or overcast pix, even with movement, it is exceptional. I get many compliments for my work, and with 6.0 or CS3, the color is marvelous, only a hair below D-SLR. The anti-shake helps my old hands (I was a pro 40 years ago). I love the 12X zoom, and while 10.1 Mp files are very large, the 8 Gb (over 4,000 pictures possible), and 16 Gb SDHC cards (over 7,000 possible) are more than most prosumers will need. My TZ5 (8 Mp) will also do over 4,000 with those cards (the counter doesn't go that high, just says "999"). The FZ50, while not a pocket camera, is reasonably light, if (like its 35 mm predecessors) slightly bulky, yet it fits my hand well, and rarely makes my hand/arm tired. Relatively simple menu makes it easier and quicker for those of us who aren't high "techies" or quite as fast as we used to be. Telephoto is quick and smoothe. I hope Lumix continues putting out such great and quality features for a substantially lower price than a D-SLR, I'll keep upgrading. For those who want better than point-and-shoot, but aren't quite ready for expensive complex pro, this a great camera.