From the point-and-shoot simplicity of the stylish SZ series,
right up to the ultimate flexibility of the G Series with their
interchangeable lenses, all Panasonic Lumix cameras take great
photos. But how do you know which digital camera is for you?
If you're looking for a great travel companion - the TZ series
with built-in GPS tagging and a spectacular zoom lens for close-up
shots of the most far-away details; or get into the action with the
tough FT series - shockproof, waterproof, and even freezeproof!
If it's pure detail you're after, you'll want to take a closer
look at our premium compact LX series - but also the TZ, FZ, and FT
which feature a wide, bright Leica lens. And if lenses are your
thing, try the G Series with its range of interchangeable lenses (some even
feature multi-angle LCDs for taking shots from the oddest of
angles).
Beyond the actual taking of great photos, all new Lumix cameras
are capable of HD Movie recording, with some able to link directly
to your Panasonic Viera TV for big screen viewing of your
handiwork. And each camera is attuned to its intended user's style
- from touch-screen ease of use, to high-powered, high-speed
performance.
So you see, it's not too tricky to choose the right Lumix for
you - and once you've made your choice, it's seriously easy to take
great shots. That said, here are five things you might consider
when choosing your Lumix digital camera.
Family photos or serious shots?
Why do we make so many models? Because your
photography style and needs are as individual as you.
Some people fill their libraries with shot after shot of family
and friends - in which case a slim, pocketable camera with features
like red-eye elimination, blur-free party pics, and faces in focus
every time are crucial. That kind of photography makes Panasonic's
iA (Intelligent Auto) mode something to look for, with all those
helpful things built in.
Others take arty shots of desert sunsets and architectural
details, in which case the clever exposure management and
superbright wide-to-zoom lenses of the TZ or LX series take
priority.
Into sensational portraits and on-the-spot photojournalism? The
higher-end G Series feature spectacular lens technology and
surprisingly compact bodies, with all the manual control you need -
should you wish to try beating iA mode, that is!
Megapixels - Data vs Detail
It's often the first selling point, but how many
megapixels do you really need? These days every Lumix camera has a
large enough sensor to capture great pictures. At the entry level,
12.1MP is more than enough for everyday use; while at the higher
end, 14.1 or more gives you enough detail to create high
resolution A4 sized prints without any issues at all (especially if
you shoot in uncompressed RAW mode, available on Lumix cameras like
the G Series).
Simply put, each Lumix camera has the right amount of Megapixels
to suit its purpose, so perhaps focus more on features, lens, and
portability. And don't forget, the storage media your Lumix uses is
widely available (unlike some formats) and is more affordable than
ever - so grab a great big memory card, leave your camera on its
highest-resolution setting, take all the pictures you want, then
use the large up to 3.0" LCD display on every Lumix to select
and keep the best shots.
The Lens: wide angle, optical zoom or fixed-focus? How
much is enough?
Photography is entirely dependent on light - meaning
no amount of electronic wizardry will make up for a lacklustre
lens. The old adage still stands: buy the best lens you can afford.
Luckily, this makes the first part of your decision very simple,
because many Lumix cameras feature LEICA lenses - widely regarded
as the gold standard (not many famous photographers haven't had
Leica in their kit!).
Next comes the slightly trickier step: wide, or zoom, or both,
and how much of each? Of course you could jump straight to the G
Series with their interchangeable lens systems and have the whole
world in your hands. But for family photos, a 25mm wide lens will
let you get more people in the picture without having to stand
"over there". Add a 4x optical zoom for great shots of kids on
stage, or on ponies. If your family is more into surfing,
skydiving, or standing on mountains, you'll need the 12x (300mm)
zoom capability of the TZ or FZ series.
Whichever lens you choose, look for image stabilisation like
Panasonic's Mega O.I.S. (or Power O.I.S. on the higher-end and
sports models) to help with long-lens shots. And you can rely on
Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Scene Selector to make the
most of the beautiful tones your LEICA lens draws in.
To learn more about what to look for in a Lens, take a look at
our guide on
Understanding Camera Lenses.
The Pocket Test: Will it be comfortable to carry?
While the G Series are still the smallest and lightest cameras
in their class at time of writing, each is nevertheless a serious
piece of kit. If you don't have the motivation to carry the full
creative power of a G Series camera with you, choose the camera
that suits your style.
Despite packing a huge amount of power, multi-megapixels and
some long, long zoom lenses, most Lumix cameras are classed as
"ultra-compact" - meaning they fit your pocket or your purse. Some
come in a range of colours, too. Ultimately, if you're not after
the G Series' interchangeable lens flexibility, almost any Lumix
will fit in your pocket. It's just up to you which one fits your
budget.
But here's a trick: if you're a really dedicated traveller, the
new Lumix TZ features built-in GPS for geo-locating photos from
your road trip - and you can play back a slideshow by location.
Beyond Auto Mode: Do the camera's features give you
room to grow?
If you're really just the snapshot type, you don't
need to worry about this - every camera in the Lumix range features
some very smart technology to make every photo as good as it should
be. For example, Intelligent Scene Selection analyses your image
and chooses from the most common "scenes" - like Night Portrait or
Macro - adjusting multiple camera settings on the fly to make the
most of the opportunity.
The great thing is, technology doesn't have to take over; it can
give you a great base from which to start experimenting. Once
you're confident, override Intelligent Scene Selection and choose
your own Scene from loads of options, including some very creative
styles. The detail-focused TZ series even offers full manual mode,
including manual focus with detail enlargement to make absolutely
sure you're on the mark.
Now you've got a bit of detail, it shouldn't be too difficult to
choose your Lumix - but once you've made your choice, you'll find
it seriously easy to take great shots.
* Please note technical specifications can change over time as new
models are introduced.
