Panasonic DMC-FZ72 Camera Black 16.1MP 60xZoom 3.0LCD FHD 20mm Lumix DC Vario

Looking for a high zoom bridge camera for around £200? Then you can't go wrong with this camera. It does everything it says and the image quality is great. The zoom is fantastic, I took some pictures of the moon at full zoom without a tripod and they are truly amazing - I can see where the Clangers live! The image stabiliser really does work hard to produce clear images and you can flip the camera into manual mode and easily adjust the aperture and speed on the fly to get some really great images and effects. The menu is in the usual easy to use Lumix style and there are enough settings and features to enable some really individual and impressive looking images to be produced.I own a range of other cameras from DSLR's to simple point and shoots, this camera, given it's wide range of features and the ability to zoom from 20mm wide angle to 60x, means that it's now my most used camera.I love photography but I don't get hung up by looking too technically into the specifications, if it takes stunning and exciting images then that's enough for me. This camera delivers on all fronts - great value for money.

I just loved my FZ45- it was a great bridge camera. I started off using it as a "point and shoot" on auto, and quickly moved onto fully manual operation as the camera design made it so easy. It took some amazing images.I sold it on as I was looking for a bridge camera with a further telephoto reach ie.. The FZ72.The FZ72 is a newer version of the FZ45 but with better optics and more functions. I thought the FZ45 was great, but this is just amazing. The quality of the camera and the images it takes are as good as my Nikon D7100 and you don't need to change lenses !I use this camera in support of my D7100, for when I am out doing landscapes with a wide angle lens, I have the FZ72 in case there is a immediate opportunity arises that needs a variable reach lens and I don't have time to change lenses. On both cameras I am shooting in RAW and the quality is the same for both. The FZ45 is also handy for MACRO shots and has a nice big 55MM lens that opens wide. At the wide end the camera has a 20mm focal length and 1200mm at the other end - WOW ! I also use a conversion lens with this camera ( LT55) and this takes the zoom out to X120 ie. doubles the distance. There is a setting on the camera for this - its called "conversion" and works for macro and telephoto. Think what a DSLR would have to do to achieve distance, and also the costs involved for expensive tele zoom lenses.The only thing wrong with the camera is its limited aperture range, it only goes up to F8. but for some reason this doesn't affect the operation of and the final result coming from the camera. This camera as far as I am concerned is a winner, that's why its my second one. I would recommend this camera for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

Excellent for getting shots of birds at 60-120 zoom. Bit pixilation on some shots in low light on full zoom which is noticeable when the image is full size. Doesn't do close up shots very well I.e. Insect on a flower as the auto focus has trouble with it and my mobile camera does a better job of those shots. However good for wide angle scenery shots. The software makes it easy to get photos off the memory card which you have to buy separately. The software allows you to extract stills from the video you take on it as well. However for any fancy editing your going to want a separate photo package beyond that it's a good camera for your money as your buying it for the zoom.I just used the iA setting and let the camera do the work. However I have found the macro zoom off one of the other dial settings but It's just a x3 zoom. This is supposed to be for extreme close ups but I still think my Nokia Lumia 620 is better for them.

I have had my Panasonic FZ72 Bridge Camera for almost a week now and I am still overawed with it's capabilities.I am a keen amateur photographer and have used compact, DSLR and Bridge Cameras over the years and to date this camera is by far the most versatile.Takes great photos with a wealth of in camera options. My favourite to date is in the Creative Control menu and the one point colour option. You can select any colour and the camera will de-saturate all other colours within your frame and leave only the colour selected showing. This saves so much messing around in Photoshop and is a real time saver.As for the camera itself, it is nicely weighted with all controls within easy reach. Scene mode, Intelligent Auto, Creative Control (previously mentioned) Panorama and all the usual manual controls are available along with video control.To switch from the rear screen to the eye viewfinder requires the push of a button but so far I have mainly used the rear screen. One downside of the camera is that the rear screen is not articulated and you will have to get down low for ground shots or find somewhere to give you added height for shots that require the camera to be elevated. I note the FZ200 has an articulated rear screen (but it doesn't have the 60X zoom that the FZ72 has).Onto the lens, the range is fantastic. Wide angle gives you just that. Superb wide shots clearly focused. The other end of the zoom range is even more impressive. Keeping within the optical zoom range of 60X (1200mm) the camera again manages to function very well with anti-shake performing well in keeping subjects in focus. Going beyond this into electronic zoom is astounding however although the anti-shake makes a valiant attempt at retaining focus, a monopod or tripod would be advised (although I have managed a few attempts in focus and I am not the steadiest when it comes to handling cameras).Manual focus is an option although this has to be achieved using the control thumbwheel on the reverse of the camera and the control pad for fine tuning. Again these controls come easily to hand and once you have tried this a few times it becomes second nature. Manual focus is easily selected from the button used for Auto Focus/Auto Focus Macro/Manual Focus which is again conveniently placed.You have the option of two function buttons (one is the AF/AE Lock button and the other is the rocker button (left side)).The remainder of the functions can be viewed in the multitude of reviews that professionals have written about this camera however my humble observations above are intended to highlight my views on some of the things that have impressed me about this camera.Providing it continues to function without any faults in its build quality then I am extremely pleased with my purchase of this camera and I would highly recommend it to anyone who like me enjoys taking photographs of varying subjects but doesn't want to carry around a heap of lenses. You have camera here that can, with certain limitations, take great photos (and video) within the 20mm to 1200mm range and all this for the fraction of the cost of a single telephoto lens.