Putting Zoom Into Your Life

All right, Mr. DeMille, we're really ready for a close-up now. Panasonic has introduced the Lumix DMC-FZ10 4-megapixel camera ($600), a super-zoom still camera that mimics camcorders in its ability to close in on shots. Its 12x-optical-zoom Leica lens lets you clearly capture the writing on the spine of a paperback 30 ft. away. Too much zoom can sometimes result in shaky pictures. To counteract that, Panasonic integrated an optical image stabilizer, technology commonly found only on camcorders. Stabilizer or no, it's still a challenge to shoot at great distances. That's why, for anyone interested in the FZ10, the best accessory would be a tripod.