20 Most Recent Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ38 (DMC-FZ35K) Digital Camera Questions & Answers

As you know Panasonic issues Firmware Updates that can be downloaded online, and then installed using a computer and an SD card. Some of those Firmware Updates made the cameras refuse to turn on if the battery was not an "approved" Panasonic battery. This significant change was not publicly announced. Panasonic Lumix batteries are available, but there are also dozens of different generic Lumix batteries available, and there is no reference source as to which generic batteries are "approved." Therefore I would encourage you if you have a Lumix camera that is balking on startup to first try a genuine Panasonic Lumix battery that is fully charged. You may find that the only problem was a generic battery that the camera did not care for. (And of course many "Lumix" batteries sold online are not actually Lumix batteries, but merely counterfeits. They have Lumix markings and are often very good imitations on visual inspection.) Another reason some Lumix cameras will not power up is the memory card. Sometimes people use a newer SDHC type card in an older Lumix, and the camera goes into electronic spasms trying to read the newer card. An older plain vanilla SD card will often solve the problem instantly. If a Lumix camera is not powering up with a 8gb SDHC card there is a good chance it will power up immediately with a 1gb SD card. I frequently recommend the Lumix TZ5 to people starting out, as it is a quality build, metal, not toy-like plastic, has more manual controls than most people will ever use, and the engineering is remarkable. I repair TZ cameras and donate them to homeless shelters and domestic abuse safe houses and college photography students and such, as they have full User Manuals available to download, full Service Manuals available for download in PDF format, have a very gentle learning curve, and produce photographs that are superior to many of the current cameras in the 600 to 800 dollar range. Yet a used TZ5 can be bought for 50 dollars or so. Update the Firmware to v 1.2, never carry it in a leather camera case or pocket or purse or with any cloth of any kind, and you have a superb camera for many years.

Some Panasonic Lumix cameras are made in Japan expressly for Japanese Buyers. These cameras may be programmed in Japanese and Japanese only. They cannot in any way be converted to English or any other language. Most Lumix cameras have a menu option that allows choice of language. That option is not available in some Japan-originated cameras. I see Lumix cameras often on eBay that are listed as "From Japan". Be careful. I advise you ask the Seller to take photos of the LCD screen of that specific camera being sold with the menu choices showing, to be certain that it is not a Japanese language only camera. Insist also on a photo of the bottom plate. Is it in Japanese? Sellers have told me in the past "You can choose any language easily". Yes, that is true. If the Lumix camera was made in Japan for export. But if it was made in Japan for use in Japan it may not be true.

I have repaired too many Lumix cameras that someone recently purchased. This is what I urge anyone to do if they are considering the purchase of a used Lumix. First, absolutely pass, swipe right, turn the page, on any Lumix that does not show TWO photos of the front of the camera, 1 with the lens fully extended and 1 with the lens fully retracted. Most people are aware of the Kiss of ***** of Lumix cameras; the System Error. If a Seller won't post photos of the lens both extended and retracted it likely is because the lens won't extend and retract. Second, insist on a photo of the camera from behind while the camera is turned ON and the LCD screen is in sharp focus and fully visible. When a Lumix has a System Error it usually shows "System Error Zoom" or similar in the LCD screen. If a Lumix is for sale and the Seller shows only the back of the camera but not with the LCD screen lit and sharply focused, you are wise to not purchase that camera. I will add further posts, if requested. I think the Lumix cameras are some of the finest cameras available, exquisitely engineered and high quality. But there are definite caveats when shopping for a Lumix.