Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ62 user reviews

braso 6 May 2013

Comment: I have just bought this camera but I have one question. Is it possible record more 30 minutes in a same clip? I have a memory card, class 10, with 30 GB, but I can't record during hours. I have to stop when 30 minutes pass. Could you help me? Thanks!

Ipad4fan 19 January 2013

Good: Cheap

Bad: ??

Comment: Cool

barbara 28 December 2012

Comment: In response to Laago, the manual is on the CD in the box. I saved it as a PDF on my PC and I printed it off 2 pages to a page as the writing is nice & big, and back to back, so it is not too big at all. Pretty standard for any product needing a manual these days.

barbara 26 December 2012

Comment: This is my first bridge camera, I have always had compact cameras up to now. I have moved from the DMC-TZ8 and I find the controls very similar.
Am learning, but so far easy to use and great photos :)

Mike S 11 October 2012

Good: Image quality, camera build, ease of operation, comprehensive menu.

Bad: Nothing so far!

Comment: I previously owned (& still own) the FZ48 so it was an easy transition for me to move to the FZ62. I have not found any of the problems that 'laago', the previous poster has experienced. Auto focus is fast & accurate, my fingers or thumb do not unintentionally hit buttons, etc. I was initially concerned that the increase to 16MP from the previous 12MP may degrade picture quality but the opposite is true, the pictures are sharp & colour rendition is accurate. On the default setting, in common with many cameras, the images are a little soft but that can be altered in camera, I use mine set at +1 or you can sharpen the images with photo editing software. The FZ62 has almost all the features of the FZ200, obviously it does not have the constant 2.8 aperture at full zoom but that does not present a problem to me. Battery life is excellent giving me over 450+ shots per charge. My main reason for not buying the FZ200 is I do not like adjustable screens, they are invariably connected with an internal ribbon cable which, with constant use, is prone to breakage, I speak from experience! I'm delighted with the FZ62 & can highly recommend it to anyone considering buying it.

laago 6 October 2012

Good: as before

Bad: as before

Comment: I forgot to mention the other camera FZ200 you mention in your review.
I actually was tempted, went to see it in fact.
What put me off:
Heavier & Bigger, the raw aspect was good but I have that with my old Olympus, it's OK if you have hours to waste!
The price for me was not a factor, I searched weeks for a SMALLER bridge camera & the the FZ62 was the best compromise, but not very small!

laago 6 October 2012

Good: as before

Bad: as before

Comment: I forgot to mention the other camera FZ200 you mention in your review.
I actually was tempted, went to see it in fact.
What put me off:
Heavier & Bigger, the raw aspect was good but I have that with my old Olympus, it's OK if you have hours to waste!
The price for me was not a factor, I searched weeks for a SMALLER bridge camera & the the FZ62 was the best compromise, but not very small!

laago 6 October 2012

Good: Value, viewfinder, some photos are good, movies are good, battery life

Bad: Body design & buttons, erratic stills focusing, no manual, no extened exposure,

Comment: UPDATED 2/10/2012
I own this camera & after a nightmare trying to get the printable manual (see below) the jury is still out.
I agree with the other reviewer/writer it has excellent features, too many without a manual to hand, also too many menus.
Without actually looking at the rear buttons before shooting it is easy to hit the wrong one/button during use, especially the AF/AF closeup/MF button, sometimes I manage to touch one by mistake in use & I don't have an enormous thumb! The red movie button on the top seems eratic both beginning & stopping a movie, sometimes does not work for me so I prefer to use the main dial for movie mode, also the on/off lever feels as if 1 day it will snap!
Since writing the above I have definitely found the buttons on the back a problem, touching them without trying, & the design of the body with a space for your thumb.........you need deformed hands to use it, that's probably why I touch the buttons accidentally, the auto focus does not focus on the object always, sometimes on something in front of it to the side instead, I've tried changing the focus modes to no avail.
OTHER GRIPES...............NO MOVABLE SCREEN, also the lens cover..............problems getting off & on!
The zoom lens works well in low light, & now have made good movies & shot reasonable photos in Auto mode. The stills are OK but I expected more, especially using the Zoom the camera does not auto-focus well in my opinion. Another big gripe as has been stated in all reviews is the lack of any extended time mode. I used to like shooting the night sky, also movement of speed shots, not possible at all.
I have owned 2 Olympus cameras previously & both were better thought out body-wise, also allowed night shots etc.
I did think about sending it back but shall continue in my quest for excellence because what else is available?
So to sum up..........
GOOD
Value for money & features compared with competitors, I spent days researching them all.
Has a viewfinder.
Some/most photos are good.
Movies.
Battery life.
BAD
Stills focusing. On one menu option it has various so-called focus points outlined together, who wants that, I just want to focus on the main object?
If I could I would post examples but not sure you can with comments?
No extended exposure.
Instructions.
UGLY
Body design & button placement.
Panasonic website/sites, although they do respond quickly.

THIS WAS MY 1ST COMMENT! Panasonic have changed their website since!?
I received the camera OK but there is no manual.
I went to Panasonic.eu, downloaded the manual, printed it.............over 200 pages only to find the downloaded FZ62 manual had different functions to the actual camera received. So I went back to Panasonic, registered it as OTHER because there is not a FZ62 showing then looked for another manual. I found a manual with the FZ62 I had but it also has the FZ200 which means spending ages separating the pages because they are not separate but mixed together.
I decided to complain to Panasonic............on the form for contacting Panasonic Customer Services.eu they only have USA States so I had to choose WYOMING to get it sent!
The manual problem is scandelous, BE WARNED IN ADVANCE you only receive a very basic paper instruction leaflet included with the camera.