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**Tony Polson**

wrote:

A new Panasonic digital camera just came out. It has an 18x optical
zoom, similar to Olympus SP-550UZ. I wonder how do they prize it in
comparison to the smaller FZ8 and the larger FZ50? Will FZ8 be slowly
pull out, or is this camera a new series?
I can't help wondering whether there will be a more close association
between Matsu****a (creator of Panasonic) and Olympus. Panasonic has
LC-1 DSLR and Olympus has E-volt 330, which looks similar and share
the four third lens system (Leica lens for Panasonic and Zuikor lens
for Olympus). Is FZ18 and SP550UZ a competition, or do they end up as
a partner?

All current Olympus Four Thirds DSLRs use Panasonic sensors. The
Panasonic LC-1, Leica Digilux 3 and Olympus E-330 all use the same
Panasonic 7.5 MP sensor and Olympus viewfinder.

Is pushing optical zoom 18x a little too far, e specially using a
small P&S sensor size?

Oh yes it is!

I also wonder if Panasonic will enter an entry
level DSLR soon.

The Panasonic DMC LC-1 is an entry level DSLR camera, but with a very
expensive price tag of £999. You can pay another £800 for the Leica
version which is virtually identical at a whopping £1799 !!!

The Olympus E-330 is now discontinued, but is probably still available
at rather less than half the price of the Panasonic DSLR. Of course
the Panasonic has the excellent Leica zoom lens with built-in
anti-shake, as does the ridiculously expensive Leica Digilux 3.