POSITIVE:
+ Power great nature photos (see my uploaded pictures)
+ The zoom is fantastic, he makes sharp images
+ The machine is very light and handy
+ Stabilizer is excellent and allows both pictures at 1/4 sec. And sharp zoom pictures without a tripod
+ Autofocus is lightning fast and very intelligent
+ Macro is great (see my uploaded pictures)
+ Menus are clear, simple scroll, and all buttons are within reach, yet unobtrusive
+ Fully automatic mode is almost foolproof (see below)
+ Full manual setting possible (see below) F2.8- F8.0 and 60sec. - 1/2000 sec (depending on the aperture value) + Manual Focus possible.
+ Power RAW photos and RAW + JPEG simultaneously (that means per image is a RAW + JPEG a stored)
+ Power excellent videos (HD 720) up to 29:59 minutes (EU rules ... grr) per memory card (depending on size).
+ Included software I actually find very useful
+ 16: 9, 4: 3, 3: 2 format possible
+ Battery is very good, but I still recommend a second. (OEM batteries usable in version 1.0)
+ There are settings and programs for just about anything you need (see my uploaded from Wasserburg am Inn as an example)
+ Power AVCHD Lite videos (leaves more space for pictures left)
+ AVCHD Lite videos can be edited with Corel Video Studio 12 (the program I use and am very satisfied)
NOT SO POSITIVE:
- Fully automatic with a flash may be slightly rauschig
SOLUTION: You can manually adjust ISO to 80 or 100 (in P mode and Intelligent ISO is OFF) then the problem is resolved and you get noise-free images. One can also in Intelligent ISO mode highly limit the ISO to 200, 400, 800 or 1600. At ISO 200 you do not get very good pictures with flash, but some noise, but still really good. That's why Full Auto is only FAST foolproof. You have to change with lightning just a few settings for photos, then everything is OK
- The full manual setting is fine, but the manual focus is only possible with a small joystick. I find myself not so great, even if it is well done. The lens is fixed, and does not rotate to focus as you are used to from other cameras
- The zoom noise is noticeable in the video, but it is not too distracting
- Autofocus in video mode is simply annoying without end. It focuses and refocuses incessantly and destroys your videos
SOLUTION: It is the Continuous AF Off make the M Video mode (then P), and then not is constantly focused and refocused. Highly recommended for each video. I let the Zoom mostly at 3x and do Continuous AF, then you can make pretty good videos.
- Videos limited to 29:59 minutes per beat, but several films of 29:59 are possible until the card is full (thanks Udo!). But if an EU rule, and has nothing to do with the camera, but you should still know
- RAW photos you can edit BUT with IrfanView. There is a RAW photo update if one of you used IrfanView ... (thanks George!) The included software is also not bad.
CONCLUSION
Anyone looking for a great bridge camera that makes both great pictures and great videos, do not have to look any further. The many options allow also enthusiastic amateur photographers fun and creativity and the super Full Auto Mode (with small detachable weaknesses) also allows to make the point-and-shoot people without hesitation images. The camera is very light, easy to handle, has many creative settings, well-crafted menus, a large display, and met almost perfectly my expectations for a bridge camera.
I would recommend the camera highly.
