Panasonic Lumix DMC FH-8 16.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)

I purchased this camera (in the purple/violet shade, as shown) this spring, when my trusty six-year-old digital Samsung tired out and the lens kept sticking. At the same time, I purchased a DSLR. I've been quite pleased with both my DSLR AND this camera-- but as far as value for the money, this Panasonic Lumic DMC FH-8 really goes the distance.I love all of the modes (especially the sunset mode, the food mode, the baby1 and baby 2 modes), and the video is pretty great quality and easy to use. I also love that the on/off button and the switch for switching between shooting mode and viewing photos already taken are so easy to operate.The main advantage of this camera is its lightweight body. The main reason I purchased this camera (after researching for months, reading reviews both online and off, and surveying many friends and students about cameras) is that it combined a compact body with a higher MP count. The photos from this camera are excellent, especially for a compact camera. It's also great for travel-- which was my second requirement for a new camera, as I was making a trip across the country to visit and to take pictures of my new niece. :)An extra perk is that the flash on this camera works well but doesn't tend to make my loved ones blink, as (unfortunately) the more powerful DSLR flash tends to do.This digital camera also does well in low-light situations.One of the very few drawbacks of this camera is that it tends to need recharged quite often-- although I must admit that my old compact digital camera was only 8.1 MP, so "quite often" might be a relative statement. It's easy to recharge, but if you travel quite a bit, I'd say to either pack the charger with you or to take an extra, charged battery.Overall, this camera is a solid five and a great value for the money. I'll continue to use this camera (as well as my DSLR) to capture photos of my darling niece as well as travels for years to come, as it packs well (into a purse or a carry-on bag) and so easily records those impromptu moments I'd hate to forget. :)

This camera takes excellent photos when the "IA" or Intelligent Auto mode is chosen. The camera automatically chooses the right setting almost 100% of the time and then you have a great photo. We have taken this camera to the Amazon, the Galapagos and the Grand Canyon (1 week whitewater rafting) and it has survived..... well sort of. We haven't dropped it or gotten it wet or soaked... no not at all. What we have though is a camera whose lens is totally covered with dust on the INSIDE. It cannot be cleaned unless I open the camera up. Almost all shots now are full of over 10-20 dust blobs. It makes using the telephoto useless, because the blobs are huge. IPhoto will fix the blobs, but it takes time and is annoying to know that we have a great piece of technology that just cannot stand up to constant use. We've taken about 15,000 photos in 2.5 years with this camera and about 10 hours of video. The video is excellent by the way.Because the cost of having the inside of the lens cleaned is more than the camera is worth, I will chance taking the camera apart next week. There is a video on YouTube showing how to do it. Of course there is the chance that the camera will be useless, but that's the risk.The reason for the dust? Everytime the camera is turned on and the lens comes out of the body, that action sucks in air inside the camera. If you have the camera in your pocket and the body of it has some dust on it.... then.... guess what.... the dust gets sucked in.This has not happened on other cameras I've owned. This is the 3rd digital camera. So... now I'm not sure if I'll ever buy a Lumix again.

This camera is all and more of what I was looking for. I have a nice digital that takes wonderful still shots for my jewelry business BUT it won't take a picture of anything that moves <G>. I needed a small digital (inexpensive) to take photos of the kittens I foster. Needless to say they are NEVER still. I did quite a bit of research before ordering this one. I've owned Panasonic products before but never a camera. I've had it a month now and it not only takes beautiful photos and STOPS the motion (and mine) but it also takes perfect shots of my jewelry including closeups with the macro. I never read documentation unless I have to and this camera is so intuitive I only had to check the purposes of the buttons and was on the road! The settings are simple and easy and some even have a little scrolling marquee banner with additional info that displays with it.I was afraid at first that the small size would be a problem for me because I'm used to using a larger one with a grip. No problem! I put the strap on as a precaution against dropping it, but it's size is just fine, in fact I can put it in my pocket for those unplanned photo ops if I wish. The little case I got for it is perfect and has a caribiner style hook for your belt BUT if I went on a long trip I'd want more space for the back-up batteries and charger I also purchased. This will definately be my travel camera!Don't be afraid to buy this baby. It's a great camera even at twice the price I paid, which was terriffic!Happy "shooting"!