Approx. dates of manufacture: 2009
Sensor Size: CCD 1/2.3"
Lens: ƒ/2.8-4.4 DC Vario-Elmarit (Leica)
Lens focal length: 27-486mm (35mm film equivalent)
Max Resolution: 4000 x 3000
Memory card: SD or SDHC (up to 32GB)
Battery: CGR-S006E
Approx. street value: low
I haven't added this to any of my lists yet, including my sidebar menu, because I haven't decided whether I'm going to keep it. This came in a box of assorted cameras from a friend who no longer wanted them. I picked out the two film cameras, but I'm dithering about the digitals. I let go of all my non-Canon digitals, but that was easy because they were all point-n-shoots.
This is a "bridge" between a DSLR and a point-n-shoot, about half-way in size and capabilities. The only thing that really keeps it from being a DSLR, or even a modern mirrorless, is its fixed lens. These bridge cameras can be very nice; the long zoom range makes them very useful and fun to use; many (including this Lumix) records video with sound as well as stills; and it's a lot lighter and easier to handle than a full size DSLR, especially if you have smaller hands. It would still be a very good camera for kids.
The big reason to keep it is that it will likely be the only camera I will ever own that has the word Leica on it. Good reasons to let it go would be that I still have various Canon bridge cameras with the same or similar specs; and the Panasonic battery charger has the wrong cord on it, so if I want to charge the battery I'll have to do something about that.
The model next to the right-hand grip says it's an FZ38. There's also an FZ35 which appears, from everything I've read, to be identical; only the people who made the decision to split the branding know or remember why.
Camera manual: Panasonic's Website