Following in the footsteps of the FZ7, the updated 7.2 megapixel Panasonic DMC-FZ8 is equipped with a 12x optical zoom lens that delivers a 36mm-432mm equivalent focal length. Unlike many Panasonic cameras, the FZ8's lens starts at 36mm, which about average for long zoom digital cameras. The FZ8 is equipped with Panasonic's signature MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) to help balance the lens's superzoom capabilities. While the FZ8 isn't a major step-up from its predecessor, the new model has several welcome additions including the ability to shoot Raw files, which helps compensate for the camera's meager two compression options for JPEG files. At 207,000 and 88,000 pixels, respectively, both the 2.5-inch LCD and the now larger EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) sport higher resolutions than the FZ7, which is a much needed improvement. A few new Scene modes have also been added, including a Pet mode that can track and record the subject's age with each picture... [read more]