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

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.

Camera arrived safely and excellently packaged to prevent any damage.Arrived speedily and in pristine condition.Good communication from seller re details for delivery.Very pleased with great camera, second hand but without any indication that it had been used before

This is my first reasonably good camera - I have owned compact digital cameras and of course camera phones, but have long hankered for a decent one. I did a little bit of research, and despite the fact that this model is a few years old, it still performed well in most of the comparisons I looked at. On my first day with the camera, I attempted to take some photos of the moon (at maximum zoom) and was astonished by the clarity - I will try to add a photo to this review when I can work out how to do so - not because I think it's great, but because it shows what you can do with no knowledge or understanding of photography. I've bought a couple of books - and a subscription to Photoshop - to help on my learning journey and am excited about the possibilities of this camera. There are plenty of other, better cameras but for a good pay off between price and capability, I would thoroughly recommend this - although as I mentioned I have no experience of other cameras for comparison so please do your own research before buying this.

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.

Described as used but in good condition, and being checked, and fully sanitised. What a joke. The camera arrived promptly well done for that 1 star. The camera box smelled musty, the camera and accessories in the box were just thrown in, with the original coverings cable packaging plastic bags etc laying at the bottom. No matter the camera was in no way sanitary with finger marks on the lens and best described as dust in the nooks and crannies. The camera still had photographs saved in the memory from the previous owner so much for being checked. The x2 supplied PC connection cables are not for this camera. I fully charged the battery and got 10 - 15 minutes use. Had to order additional batteries, the overall camera condition I would grade as poor - fair in no way could it be described as good.