Strengths: Strength is that is comes across as advertised.

Weaknesses: Almost does too much.

Summary: Though I am a career teacher and adjunct professor, I used to moonlight as a photographer and used both large format Mamiya cameras and 35 mm Nikon equipment. My first digital was a quite good Kodak 10x zoom 5meg camera, yet I wanted something a bit more sophisticated. I did quite a bit of research, taking into consideration quality, features, other reviews, and, of course, price. I also did not want to be weighed down with additional lenses with a SLR. Everything kept pointing to this Panasonic camera, and, to be sure, the Leica lens was a drawing card. Though perhaps a bit premature after only three days, I am astounded at the power and versatility of this camera. I would, however, recommend that any user spend quite a bit of time with the instruction manual which is more than a good night's read. My guess is that in spite of the many features, I will take the majority of pictures with the "Program" or "iA" mode. It is not a credit card sized camera, but it is pretty compact and light which means it won't be a pain in the neck on vacation.

Strengths: Superb macro mode, great lens system, good documentation, great "intelligent" mode.

Weaknesses: Plastic body looks flimsy, but isn't

Summary: I've loved all my Panasonic cameras; TZs, FZs, etc. Looking back, I've tried Sony, Canon, Fuji, Oly, etc., but they always wound up being returned to the store. I've never taken back a Lumix.My first outing with the FZ28 was a pleasure. I love macro shots of flowers, insects, etc. When I put the images into my PC, I was breathless. When I zoomed into the core of a daffodil, the detail was incredible. I could literally make out individual molecules. I was stunned.Since then, I've done sunrises and sunsets, moon shots, clouds and I never fail to be impressed with the results.

Strengths: Superb lense, very easy to use, Smaller than comparable cameras, fast shooting with motion auto focus, HD video mode

Weaknesses: Still bigger than a posket digitalPlastic body feels a little light.

Summary: I purchased this for my Dad, after he lost his Fuji. It is by far a much better camera, with a superb lens. Its about as close to the perfect camera as you will get for a point and shoot. the noise has been reduced over the F18, which my brother has. He sees it as a little better, and the price is excellent. I really like the HD video mode, which allows the camera to truly work as a video camera replacement when it would be nice to have one. The zoom is pretty much all you need for most use, and the low light performance is very good. The flash still shadows with the anti flare attachment, and there is no good place to store it, so just get rid of it. Its fairly compact, and feels a little light, but not as small as I would like (Nothing is totally perfect). All together it is an excellent camera which will suit most users for many years. It would make an excellent gift for someone who wants to have more than a point and shoot, but does not want to lug around the larger SLR's. Battery life is pretty good.

Strengths: Super 18x optical zoom, Leica 27mm wide angle lens, HD video function with zoom, light weight, RAW, 60 sec shutter, internal memory

Weaknesses: Plastic housing, hard to focus when using high zoom, need a tube for filters or lens, no twist LCD, small EVF, no external flash

Summary: Most of the weaknesses I mentioned above are up to user's point of views. I really love this camera although I only use it for a week. Compare to the price, this is really the greatest super zoom camera in the market. If you want to have an advanced camera but have no money to buy the DSLR, try this one and you won't disappoint.

Strengths: Nice zoom and macro mode, intuitive menus, great LCD screen, comparatively light, Made in Japan, takes 8 GB SD card, inexpensive spare battery can be purchased online.

Weaknesses: Images on a soft side, image stabilization doesn't seem to be working that great, annoying lens cap.

Summary: I am an amateur photographer and I like taking camera with me almost everywhere I go. I also have my Kodak C875 8 MP pocket camera that I have used for 2 years and still enjoy. By upgrading to Panasonic DMC-FZ28K, I was hoping to get: image stabilization, bigger zoom, EVF and some additional manual controls, like white balance. I had read a lot of nice reviews before I decided to purchase this camera. I've found it, however, a bit trailing my expectations, mostly because of annoying lens cap and images lacking sharpness. Image stabilization is not as great as I though it would be, either. The biggest advantage, of course, is a great zoom that can be extended to 32X (!) in a 3 MP mode.*********Having said all that, I have to confess that I've used it just for a few weeks and mostly in auto mode and that I am still learning Panasonic DMC-FZ28K camera. I really hope that my best shots with this pretty cool overall camera are still ahead.

Strengths: Huge optical zoom, fantastic image stabilization, great layout.

Weaknesses: None so far.

Summary: Had this camera for a week now and absolutely love it. Got it mainly for the big zoom lens. This one effectively goes from 27 to 486 mm. In macro mode you can get so close that the object almost touches the lens. -The 160 page manual is very well done. About the only thing you really need to know before shooting great shots is to charge the battery first. -I found the buttons and switches to be fairly self-explanatory. Really like the simple record/playback switch, the flash pop-up button and the viewfinder/LCD button. They even included a tether for the lens cap. - The image stabilization is rock solid, even at maximum magnification. I have taken pictures at 18X zoom, image stabilization on Auto mode, and got beautiful pictures simply holding the camera out in front of me without a tripod, which is incredible coming from a senior citizen. - The ability to shoot pictures in RAW mode may be desirable for some, but be forewarned, the RAW files are huge, 12,048 KB. - This camera has numerous features for those that want to experiment but I have found that the Intelligent Auto (iA) mode will likely be my favorite setting as it is able to automatically detect what mode you are in, i.e. portrait, landscape, macro, etc. - This camera will not disappoint you.