Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38EB-K

Been looking for a decent 'bridge' camera, not quite ready to jump to a DSLR yet. Saw this for sale on [ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ38EB-K-Digital-Camera/dp/B002KHMJ78/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277977701&sr=1-1"]Amazon @ £219[/ame] & wondered if anybody has personal experience of it? Reviews seem pretty good & it fits the bill for my requirements (got a DMC-FZ7 at the moment & like it, FZ38 obviously a wee bit higher spec but the HD (?) video examples I've seen look pretty damn good)
Any thoughts appreciated.
HH.

Every Panasonic Lumix owner I know of (real life and virtually) hasn't a bad word to say about them regardless of the model.

Why the reluctance to jump to straight to dSLR?

A new, budget-end dSLR with an 18-55mm kit lens (e.g. Canon 1000D, Sony Alpha a330, Nikon D3000) can be had for £300-350, or around half of the cost again of the DMC-FZ38EB-K you are looking at. Many of the budget dSLRs are or are based on older flagship models.

If weight is the issue, a four-thirds system has the best of both worlds - body not much bigger than some compacts without the "heavy" prism and mirror but with the benefit of interchangeable lenses. The disadvantage of these is the format is new, and so prices are similar to some mid-rage consumer dSLRs.

Thanks for the reply little_pob.
Budget's a big consideration for me, I'm still trying to justify spending £219 to my missus. I too really like my Lumix but my camcorder's been playing up & thought the FZ38 was a decent way to kill 2 birds - replace the camcorder & get a new camera that's more like a DSLR until I get the cash together & the time to learn how to use a DSLR properly.
Think I'm gonna go for it.
HH.

I have a fz-38 and think its a damn fine camera, the hd video is very good. I thought about the dslr vs bridge camera but when you add on the cost of lenses, for what i wanted anyway they cost more than the dslr, not including the weight etc. Yes i would like a dslr with a selection of long zoom lens but the fz 38 does it for me at a reasonable price.
Bottom line: I have owned one since christmas and if i dropped it or lost it today i would by another one straight away.
If you have any other questions about the fz-38 i can try my best to answer them.
Alun

Hi HappyH , i bought my fz38 just on this review alone HERE

Went on holiday to Icmeler Turkey at easter and the results were amazing especially using the 18 x zoom even in Hd video mode.

Well impressed and i even got a 2 year warranty with it from Buy a Camera

Go for it H its the real deal roud:

Ordered it late last night, Amazon said August delivery (guess they sold out the stock after it was posted at HUKD) I've ordered today from Curry's thru Quidco for a couple of quid more, hopefully they can deliver sooner.
Thanks again for the recommendations / advice.
HH.

Let us know how you get on...

If you do go on to buy a dSLR in the future, a couple of the photography blogs recommend keeping hold of point-and-shoot/bridge cameras as a second camera ideal for reccying/proof of concept, holidays and other "chuck-it-in-a-bag" activities.

Camera arrived & first impression is it's very good, exactly what I was expecting / hoping for. The HD video is great, quality much better than my old camcorder. It's got face recognition s/w I'm still playing with, off on me hols next week so will get a chance to play some more then.
HH.

Great news Happy,
Many people have found the best mode for photographs to be "P" mode rather than any other, in normal conditions anyway. I have also found that my pictures improved by using the view finder rather than the Lcd screen, mostly because you tend to hold the camera steadier when held close to your face.
I also set the ISO manually to 100 or 200 in good light rather than rely on the auto mode. Also if taking photo's inside, set the white balance manualy, to do this:
Press joystick>scroll accross to AWB>scroll down to a "1" with two triangles under it>press display button Then point to a white piece of paper so it covers the rectangle on screen and press the "menu set button" I have found this to make a vast improvement on indoor photo's but don't forget to change back to AWB if going outside.
Hope these few tips help
Alun

Thanks for the tips mate, I appreciate it.
HH.