I normally don't write product reviews, but this camera is outstanding. I have wanted to get into more serious photography but don't want to have to lug around an SLR everywhere I go. I'd rather have something I can take anywhere. May get an SLR at some point, but right now I really don't care.
My first digital cam was a Nikon Coolpix 880, which had great manual features and excellent imaging/color. Only problem was the 3.2mp resolution and the fact that I might as well carry around a brick. I bought a Canon SD450 and took it to Panama. I was really disappointed. Generally, Canon photos are sharp with great color. The camera had washed out colors and was susceptible to some serious blur. My friend and I agreed that our girlfriends' Canon A400's (possibly the best 3.2mp camera for novices) took much better photos than this one. Some of the photos actually looked as if they were taken on a video camera. The battery life was tolerable (about 140 pics) but I decided to take it back and get the Panasonic.
The DMC-FK01K takes the best digital photos I've seen outside SLRs. The colors captured by this camera will make your jaw drop. It's that good. I'm surprised at the number of photos I've taken which make me feel like a good photographer. The stabilization feature helps out a lot with blur, but it won't fix everything. The video taken with this thing is incredible and will give you almost 20 minutes of 840 pixel-wide resolution (albeit mono audio) video with great detail on a 2GB high-speed SD card. My friend bought one on the same day as me and told me his is taking some incredible photos in Las Vegas right now. Knowing how this camera does its job, I would have been willing to pay $450 for it.
Rather than do a long, drawn-out diatribe, I'll just list all the fantasic things about this camera, plus a couple of MINOR drawbacks. I have always liked Panasonic products and this is the best one I've seen so far. Prepare to buy lots of fast memory (up to 2GB) it will be worth it.
ADVANTAGES:
1. Incredible picture quality, particularly colors, with great definition. 3.6X optical zoom makes a big difference, compared with 3.0X.
2. Wide-angle Leica lens is great. 3:2 and 16:9 picture modes take great photos and make you see your prospective photos much differently.
3. Stabilization prevents most blurred photos (read up on how sophisticated this feature is at leica.com via panasonic.com link).
4. Very small less than 1/2" wider than the Canon SD450. The screen sticks out a bit, so you will a screen protector.
5. Beautiful design the flat black body with silver/chrome trim looks very cool, like an old camera.
6. Outstanding battery life. I've taken almost 100 photos and some video, and the battery still shows full. People are reporting almost 300 photos before recharging.
7. Great widescreen (mono sound) video 2GB SD card gives up to 20 minutes at highest resolution, 30fps.
8. Enough near-manual modes to do what is needed (if you buy a small tripod for nightshots the only way to take night photos, the pictures will turn out amazing).
9. Gorgeous LCD screen with a daylight feature and a great mode which allows you to see the screen when you hold it above your head.
DISADVANTAGES:
1. Image stabilization is not perfect all the time, but is certainly much better than not having it. Helps a lot with video.
2. You can't zoom while you're taking video, so you need to know your shots and anticipate edits.
3. Make sure you're careful of the power switch when putting it in your pocket.
Move over, Canon.
rob
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