camera

amazing picture quality
I've gotten a chance to test this camera next to my Canon 1DS MkIII. The Leica comes out the winner with superb picture quality. The sharpness is incredible and the colors are pure and clean even in mixed lighting. There are a few areas where the Leica cant compete. One, obviously is price. Two, the camera doesn't have high ISO capability. ISO 640 is about where it starts to get noisy in the shadows. Last, while it does have auto focus, it's no match for a 35mm Canon or Nikon. It doesn't have the array of focus sensors. It does have a build quality that is unrivaled and the whole camera and lenses are remarkably well sealed from dust and moisture. It feels great in your hands. It really is a medium format digital masquerading as a 35 mm.

silly
I first contemplated buying a digital SLR when Canon had their first which cost ,000 br /I didn't take them up on such a deal. br /When Nikon offered the D1 at ,000 I bought one. br /At ,000 this product is huchi-Gucci br /Leica has a huge cache' but this is simply dumb. I wonder if a Panasonic version will emerge at ,300? br / br /

This is one lame listing!
Is it just me or has Amazon forgotten to mention anything about a lens other than above average glass. From the listing, you really can't tell if a lens is included or not! Leica does make way above average equipment and this S2 is truly over the top. Unfortunately, I would have to disagree with another of the Amazon listed features: Affordable! Yeah, if your budget has room for another car payment.

Date resets when batteries are removed.
I've owned this product for 3 years. The title of this review is my first complaint. Date stamps are very important when capturing an event and when on vacation. And I forget easily. My second complaint is no customizable default resolution setting. It reverts to the factory default resolution setting every time you close the cover. Irritating. Otherwise, I have had no problem in light or dark environments. Good clarity. Works well with iPhoto on my Mac. Definitely not a "pocket cam".

Broken before one year!
I bought this camera from a user on amazon used, in "new" condition. It arrived during the winter holidays fine. The pictures are okay if you know how to work it. The camera eats batteries like crazy, so you almost have to buy lithiums (Which add up in price quite quickly.) The camera now pauses for about one minute after each picture, and sometimes the lens or screen won't even work!!! My sister just got a new canon point and shoot. It made me realize how much better the new cameras are for the same price. If you are buying a point and shoot, don't waste your money on this. Buy something that lasts.

I LOST MY CAMERA IN LAS VEGAS
After four or more years old reliable is gone. I must replace her. Olympus FE-250 I think will be my new camera. That old 3.2 MP took great pictures for emails and stuff. Yes you can expect two AA batteries per 20-30 pictures, but if you use it on the go, and infrequently it's perfect. 5 stars for reliability, ready when I am and ease of finding batteries. But for she's too cheap to replace and I can afford better.

It is just OK
I have had this camera for 2 years now. It has its pros and cons. br /Like everyone else, the battery life is terrible. Others say that you need a lithium battery which I have not tried. Regular AA batterys only lets me take about 25 pictures. br /Also, it is slow and has long delay when shooting picture. You definatly miss the moment you are trying to capture. br /Pros: It is pretty user friendly. I love how it hooks up to my computer and downloads VERY easy. Anyone can do it. You dont need to be a rocket scientist on this one.

Great Pictures, Some Style Flaws
I've had my camera for a bit over 4 years now, and it still works great. I know the problem that the previous person has had, but I figured out how to fix it somehow (probably something with the batteries). This camera takes 2 double A batteries and I use the rechargable ones. However, the batteries don't have much life in them after a year and run out of juice pretty fast so I always have to bring lots of spares (think like 3 replacement sets for an event where you take lots of pics). br / br /It does take video, but the quality isn't worth it for the 60 seconds you get. There is no sound recorded for the video. br / br /The best thing I can say about this camera is that if you know how to use it well, it takes really good quality pictures. Get familiar with the different settings and learn how to control what the camera does, and with that I'd argue it is almost as good as my friend's 0 camera for sheer beauty of pictures. The only glitch is I hate the flash. I just don't tend to like pictures with flash anyways, I like the more yellowy natural light look. I also tend to have a problem with red-eye with regular flash so I always have to use the red-eye reduction setting to take pics of people. This camera also comes with a panorama setting which works well with the program that comes with it (with some practice). br / br /I really like how you don't need a card reader to download your pics onto your computer - the USB cable (which is a pretty common cable among electronics) plugs right into the camera port. br / br /Overall a great camera for its current price, great camera overall in my opinion, and a wonderful camera for learning how to take and edit digital photographs!

FANTASTIC
THIS CAMERA IS THE BEST CAMERA I OWN, EXCEPTIONAL LENSES TODAY HIGH MEGAPIXELS CAMERAS DO NOT EQUAL TO THIS, I HAD THIS CAMERA A LONG TIME AND STILL KICKS BUTTS. br /MICHAEL

great lens and camera with some slight flaws
I bought this camera in June '04 and haven't had a single problem with it. If the rating system had half stars, I would give it a 4.5 out of 5. It's that good, really. br / br /I have an extra battery; it comes in very handy because recharging takes some serious time. I bought a 512 MB smart media - a wise investment when yhou're on trips. br / br /Of all the things it does well, the lens is the best feature. 12x zoom brings the subject in close with sharp edges and great color and contrast. The image stabilizer works very well, as several other reviewers have noted. However, it can give you a false sense of security at long focal ranges; for really sharp images at the upper reaches of the lens, you need a tripod or a really steady grip on the camera. The manual focus works well and macro mode brings you stunning close-ups. The flash is OK for small groups but has limited range; I prefer to set the ASA fairly high and skip the flash to avoid the inevitable differences in exposure based on distance from the camera. br / br /The camera is surprisingly large, due in large part to the lens; it's too large to slip into your pocket. But it's durable. Over the past 10 months it has knocked into chairs, tables, doors and whatever, and even survived a drop on a hardwood floor, with no apparent damage. br / br /The LCD is big and bright but washes out in strong sunlight as do most others. Switching to the viewfinder takes care of this problem. The diopter adjustment on the viewfinder helps people like me (with glasses) see the screen easily. br / br /This is the first camera I have had with PictBridge, the ability to print straight from the camera. I hook up the USB cable to my printer and set the printer for 4x6 and have a print in less than a minute. I chose the Canon i960 printer, which has worked well with this camera - easy to set up, easy to print and really sharp prints with great color and contrast. It would be nice if Panasonic would allow you to pick several pictures to print at one time, instead of one at a time, but this is a minor inconvenience. br / br /Overall, I am very pleased with this camera and have taken a lot of great pictures with it.

Great camera when it works but 13 months later it does'nt
My wife got this camera for me when they were relased in 12/03 for my Christmas presant. I was very sick at the time with a Galbladder infection and lose of patassium. It was March before I felt like useing the camera. It worked great and was everything I was wanting in a camera. The first big usage of this was on vacation. All otoaled I have taken 1300 pixs with this unit. I got up on the 21st of this Feb to us it to post a knife on eBay I turned on the camera and hear a strange grinding sound, as I tried to focus I could not get it to in manual or auto and it has nt worrked since. My wife paid almost 0 for this unit. When I call the Panasonic help line they tell me that unfortuinately it will have to be sent in for repair and is no longer covered under warrnety. spend a little extra and buy a cannon!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome
There was no other camera that could compete with this when it came out, and now only its sucessors from Panasonic can do so (well them and a 0 Nikon, but I'd rather save my money). This camera is that good. Is it perfect? No, not at all. I could write a lengthy listing of gripes, but they pale in comparisons to the positives: br / br /A high performance Leica designed (Panasonic manufactured) lens br /Opitical image stabilizer br /Fast burst mode br /12x zoom br /Solid Japanese built body br / br /All in all, you will have fun taking great shots at birthday parties, zoos, fireworks, parks, concerts, and many other places--I did. Why? The lens, it allows for blur free images thanks to its wide aperture and image stabilizer, and it also allows you to get close to the action with a tremendous zoom. Other camers may offer 10x zooms, but the lack the image stabilizer so everything is big AND BLURRY. Buy this or the newer FZ-15 or FZ-20 from Panasonic--you won't regret it.

In A Word - SUPERB
I have a web site in which I compared identical pictures of Minolta A1, Nikon 5200, Canon S60 and Sony W1. Althought the latter two (Canon and Sony) were also excellent, the Panasonic FZ10 was the best of the cameras in terms of picture quality and flexibility. The S60 is certainly a close contender in quality. But the Leica Zoom 35-420mm on such a light camera, re-defines the meaning of travel camera. br / br /In the old days a travel SLR camera was at best a 28 to 90mm SLR. The thought of taking along a 300 or 400mm zoom was absurd because those lenses weighed too much or were too big. But the Panasonic FZ10 changes all that. While it is technically not an SLR, it certainly serves the same function about 98% of the time. I took the camera on a recent cruise to Scandinavia, and got great pictures from 35mm to 420mm. br / br /The anti-shake feature is very handy for those long focal length pictures, and works very well. br / br /HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

good
This Camera is good, not excellent, when you take picture it take time to save the picture at least 5 to 10 second per picture, br /rest is good.

Comments on CB350
In general its an ok camera. Worth the price I think. However, it is slow to take a picture. Plus my CB350 does not turn on at certain times. It's an off and on issue. I push the power button, and nothing happens. Funny thing is, I shake the camera, then push the power button and it works then. My wife says to return it. Any others have this issue?

the best
we bought this camera for several reasons ..grandkids who have to play with everything, size and picture quality not to mention ease of use..it answers the bell in every catagory and is all but indestructable..

Have always LOVED this camera!
The Olympus Stylus 1030SW is the BEST affordable waterproof camera ever. The problem with Olympus is they thought they could improve on it, so they discontinued it and came out with the 8010. Bad move Olympus. The 8010 is very slow, the sound and video quality is terrible and the way you can choose functions leaves a lot to be desired. Let me put it this way....by the time you get it turned on and your shooting function selected your target has moved on. br / br /Sometimes leaving well enough alone is a good thing. If you notice when searching for a 1030SW you can hardly find one anywhere, "Maybe because it is discontinued you say...", well no. Even discontinued items can be in surplus on the internet if they weren't popular. Right now finding one and getting it is a struggle and you'll pay about 0 or more for it than the readily available 8010, and why is that???, because the 8010 well...is a poor purchase by comparison. I bought two of the 8010's hoping I just had a bad one the first go round, but alas...it was just a bad camera. br / br /I had my original 1030 stolen and replacing it has been a nightmare. After several sites saying they had one and me placing an order, I got the email...well we don't have this in stock but we'll sell you something else. I said no and kept looking, eventually paying over 0 for one but its worth it!!!!! br / br /The grass is not always greener Olympus!

It's surviving my Clumsiness
Being Tough: br /It's pretty good. I have dropped it so often that I have lost count. I'm short 5'5'' and it's rated at 6 feet drop I believe. The casing in front of the camera, the green piece of metal is dented and litter with scratches that you can't really see, except for one where the paint is off. I have a screen protector because I'm paranoid about that part of the camera (it ain't scratch proof). I dropped it in a wishing fountain and it's fine. Most of the time I put it in jean and just go through the day with it in my pockets. My real carabiner with my keys would tap my jean's pocket with the camera on it and it still work. Took it to... New Port Beach, I believe, and it was fine -- made sure the sands didn't go into the lens but other then that it was fine. br / br /Picture Quality: br /This is my first digital camera and I'm not a professional photographer or anything, so I can't say much about picture quality. It's decent but you can't take like a picture of a wood pecker from 7 feet away with max zoom and whatever (I've tried it). I found it annoying when I was trying to take pictures of the aphids, green little bugs, that was on top of my black car, couldn't focus. If you zoom in it can't focus and if you zoom out you can't take a picture of the insects because they're a bit small. So those are the two things I've noticed maybe there are options to fix that, if there are any I haven't found it. So overall, my impression of picture quality is decent and maybe a bit below that. br / br / br /Main reason I wanted one because I wanted to take picture of my adventures but it have to handle my daily life and it does that spectacularly. Oh you can use it for video recording which is ok I guess. I haven't use it much for anything other than taking pictures. br /

Better have a steady hand
The camera is durable as my wife found out when she dropped it out of her lap exiting the car. I love to show off it's waterproof by dropping it in a glass of water in front of friends (make sure everything is closed). br / br /It takes great pictures, but my gosh, you better have a steady hand. My wife can't take a focused picture to save her life and even when I try, it is difficult. I've tried different settings, even the "steady hand" and I get a good amount of pictures but I'd say 30% are out of focus. And when you take trips or are trying to capture a memory, it really sucks to find out later that the picture was out of focus. br / br /I would still recommend this camera, just pay close attention to the focus.

Do not buy this camera!
I got this camera as a Christmas gift in 2008. I go to college in Florida and spend a lot of time at the beach, so I thought it was a great camera for my lifestyle. However, the FIRST time I took it in the water, it gave me the "card cover open" error message. I called customer service, sent it in (still covered under warranty), and they fixed the problem after telling me this is a very common problem because of some sensor that has a tendency to malfunction. I got the camera back, and while I was traveling in Egypt a few months later, it broke again! (Thank goodness I had an SLR with me too). The functions pictured on the spinning menu dial do not match up to what is actually happening on the screen, and I can no longer access an "auto" mode. No matter what I spin the setting to, most of the time it thinks I am on "favorites", and I can't get it to take videos. I solved most of the problems by just taking the long way through the menu, but I sent it in to get it fixed, and now a few months later it is doing the same thing. I also took the camera out kayaking the other day (mostly flatwater, nothing even intense!), and now when I turn it on, the screen is black. The lens cover will open, and there are water droplets beaded up underneath it. I am DONE with this camera. It has been nothing but a disappointment (not to mention slightly below-average image quality) and always seems to break when I need it most. I think I'm going to get the Pentax Optio W90 and say goodbye to this camera forever!

Good camera, just don't drop it.
Good performance, no shock resistance. The performance of this camera was good enough that we got one for our teenager. She dropped it on a grass/dirt surface and jammed the lens. Canon fixed it fairly quickly (~0). A few months later, it slipped ~2 feet onto a wooden floor. Lens failure again. Time to try something shock- and clutz-resistant!

Broken
I was so excited to get my first-ever digital camera, and I did my research to get this one. First digital camera, I was enamored with the macro and zoom and detail. As more cameras have come out, I'm missing certain features (not the point of this review). br / br /One year later, this camera is broken. I've never mishandled or misused it. One day, I pulled it out of the cupboard, put fresh batteries in, and the lcd screen on the back didn't work. And hasn't since. No rhyme or reason. I'm not rich, so I can't buy another camera, so I just settled for the optical viewfinder. That's fine, except that it doesn't line up the pictures correctly. If I aim at a tree for the center of the pic, the tree is almost out of the recorded picture. Of course, this messes up the auto focus as well... it doesn't know I'm shooting a picture of a tree, it thinks I'm aiming at the grass behind the tree... br / br /Frustrating!

Good when I bought it but got worse with time
I bought this in 2008 and at the time it was an awesome camera specially for the price. The quality of the pictures is really great, and I love that it has a lot of different features like recording and indoor and outdoor options. I guess my biggest complain is the battery life which SUCKS! Now it is to the point where I can put in brand new batteries in it and it will start flashing and beeping the red low battery warning within 10 minutes. I have no idea what to do about it since I bought it so long ago, and I can't even remember if I had a warranty on it or not. If you want something cheap that will get you through a year or two then buy it, but if you want it to last you longer then think of getting the upgrade or something totally different. If it were not for this battery issue the camera would get a 5 star though, hopefully Cannon has fixed it in its newer models.

A560 A Great Camera
I purchased this camera nearly three years ago. One thing, which goes for all new cameras...it that you have to committ the time to get to know your product, how it works, settings, etc. You can't just pull it out of the box and start taking once-in-a-lifetime family vacation pics! I always take out of the box and shoot stationary/fixed objects. I will shoot my backyard shed from my kitchen door, potted flowers [red] from my front porch, the tree in the parkway, my truck in the driveway, the flag [red/white/blue]. All of these will be taken at different modes and rates of zoom. At that point I will look at on my pc screen and make adjustments to the settings etc. If a camera plain out sucks, I bring it back asap! br /My first digital was a Canon A80 nearly seven years ago which has worked great. My six year old son [who I grudgingly have to say takes better pics than my wife] is using it as his first digital [he trained on disposables for about 2 yrs.]. I bought this A560 to use on job sites to take before after construction pics etc. I wanted something good that would not cost too much since I usually keep it in my work truck. It takes AA batteries and I have only used hi-end rechargables in it which last a super long time. With a 2GB card I have it set up to take about 1200 pics, which is way more than I will ever need at one time. A large card like this is nice when you want to take video clips which this does with sound. Never had a problem, many of the things that could be improved over the years have [size/battery/processor] to keep up with the market. I know that canon has a lot of new product in their line-up and that some folks have had mixed reviews with some of their entry level models. I looked at a few in the price point I paid for this one [0-150] and some seem "hollow" and flimsy. I am in the process of getting a new camera for my wife and I'm probably going to buy a SD1200-is, it is the least expensive ELPH with the D4 image processor [their most advanced] and at 9. And like the old A80 and A560 it is solid and feels durable. br / br /I have looked at many, many, many... models of cameras over the years from ALL of the major makers. I like and frequent [...] for excellent reviews, I like to read other end-user reviews also. I have always choosen the Canon so far for a good balance of price/quality/performance. Everyones needs are different. And there are some Canon models I definitely would not buy. I have had/seen friends and family use Sony and Nikon models I really liked but they were the higher end [pricey] compact models. br / br /If you can find an A560 less than 0 new or a solid refirb at a good price BUY IT. It will be a dependable workhorse. And is better than all of the sub-0 units from any make I have seen currently.

The Best Point-n-shoot I have ever used
I love its portability, ease-of-use and picture quality. It has enough options to control exposure, timings, color temp etc for a amateur photographer. (The 5-star ratings are keeping in mind what I expect from a point-n-shoot camera. Obviously the picture quality is not as good as a SLR.) I have used it extensively and loved every bit of it. Except recently, when it died due to lens error. I guess some particles (sands?) got stuck in the lens system. Now it fails to start. The repairing cost is not justified. I would highly recommend this camera unless you are a serious photographer and need something more than point-n-shoot.