The Panasonic FZ35 is arguably the most refined camera in our test field. At base ISO it reliably delivers clean but yet detailed images that are sharp across the frame and zoom range. Focus, exposure color and white balance are consistently spot on. The FZ35's snappy responsiveness in combination with the intuitive and coherent user interface make it a joy to use. It works very reliably in Auto mode but is also very suitable for photographers who like to set their shooting parameters manually.
If we had to criticize the camera for something it would have to be its comparatively short zoom range. While its predecessor, the FZ28, was in this respect one of the better models amongst its peers, things have moved on since then and the new model is only a minor upgrade. As such, it might look a little weak next to a camera such as the Nikon P100 with its 26x zoom lens and CMOS high speed capture modes
Having said that, the Panasonic offers an excellent feature set, and a very good video mode with manual controls and stereo sound. If you can manage with the slightly shorter lens and don't need 1080p or super slow motion video, and image quality and fuzz-free, snappy operation are high up your list of priorities the Panasonic FZ35 is the best option amongst the cameras in this group test.
- We like: High quality LCD, effective image stabilization, snappy operation, intuitive user interface, fast and reliable AF, reliable metering, decent high ISO output (for smaller prints), compact design, RAW format, excellent video quality with stereo sound and manual controls
- We don't like: 'Short' zoom range (compared to the competition)