Much cheaper than a DSLR but as good for most things (Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50)

Member Name: Immlang

Product:	Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
Date:	06/04/08 (85 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ease of use, control, picture quality, fantastic optical zoom

Disadvantages: It's quite heavy and bulky, though no more than a DSLR

For SLR-like results but without removable lenses, this is well worth a look. It has a full range of manual control, if you want it as well as program and auto modes, with a particularly well thought-out user interface that means you do not have to go through menus to get to the commonly used functions.
It's as heavy and bulky as an SLR, but as the 12x zoom lens is fixed it is impossible to get dust on the CCD sensor.
It has an electronic viewfinder, so you see what the sensor sees and you can use it in bright sunlight. It is not as bright and clear as the viewfinder on a genuine SLR, but I find it totally acceptable.
The image quality is superb, easily up to printing on A3. I have just ordered an add-on wide angle lens, so will report on that in due course.

Summary: Look at it before splashing out on a DSLR

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