The Panasonic Lumix FZ18 has 18x optical zoom, making it one of the highest in its category. It is an 8.1 megapixel that bridges the gap between compact and SLR cameras and retails for a fraction of the typical SLR price. It has both auto and manual controls, including Panasonic's new Intelligent Auto Technology, which detects faces and chooses the correct focus, exposure and scene settings. It has a Leica 28mm wide-angle lens for wider shots and is known for its sharp pictures.
