John C. Dvorak wrote in his Inside Track column (v25n10) about the Best Camera for the Money Dept. Now, this was from May when he noted that at a keynote address at one of the largest users groups still operating that “every other member was shooting photos, and all of them were using the same camera: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30.”
“This camera does a lot right. Although it has a fixed-mount lens, it looks like a hot digital SLR, both stylish and professional. Its 12X Leica zoom lens, combined with an 8-megapixel sensor and image stabilization with in-camera image processors, is pretty much all you need short of professional gear.
“The camera is underappreciated because Panasonic still shows zero marketing prowess. If these guys ever wake up, they will dominate the industry along with Sony, another company that fell asleep at the wheel. I visited with both companies at the Photo Marketing Association show, and Panasonic still talks a big game and Sony is still arrogant. I see no changes. It’s now getting funny.”
More info:
- Panasonic DMC-FZ50 10.2-megapixel digital SLR – I was unable to find the 8-megapixel FZ30 on the Panasonic web site, and the FZ50 looks to be the latest replacement.
- PC Magazine’s review of the Lumix DMC-FZ30 (an Editor’s Choice, from Sept. 2005)
- Steves Digicams Review of the DMC-FZ30 (late 2005)
Tags: Panasonic, digital camera, DMC-FZ30.
AP reported yesterday that “people who buy certain Windows personal computers this holiday season will be offered free or heavily discounted coupons to upgrade to Microsoft Corp.’s new operating system, Windows Vista, under a program designed to spur sales despite Vista’s delay.” 
From the news: “Parents everywhere are concerned with children’s access to inappropriate media content. Microsoft, along with our friends at Best Buy and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, is leading an education campaign to provide parents with tools to help them make the right entertainment choices for their families. These tools can help parents keep their children away from video games that they consider inappropriate and from unwanted online encounters.