PanasonicC-625AF
Zoom Compact
The story
The Panasonic C-625AF comes out of the early 1990s, when premium compacts and motorised zooms split the market in two. Catalogued as a zoom compact, it pairs the Panasonic 38–60mm f/3.8–6.7 with a 35mm film path. A bit of background: panasonic's earliest dual-focal zoom compact for the European market.
Specifications
- Format
- 35mm
- Year
- 1991
- Lens
- Panasonic 38–60mm f/3.8–6.7
- Min. focus
- 1.0 m
- Flash
- Built-in
- Battery
- 1× CR123A
Notable features
- Power zoom
- Auto DX coding
- Self-timer
Shooting it today
The Panasonic 38–60mm f/3.8–6.7 covers wide-to-short-tele in one barrel — one lens, no decisions, point and shoot. Standard 35mm keeps it compatible with whatever Kodak, Ilford, Fuji or CineStill stock you find on the shelf today. A single CR123A lithium cell powers everything including the motor; still cheap and stocked at most camera shops. The built-in flash will fire whenever the meter decides it should, so learn the override before your first night out. Minimum focus is 1.0 m, close enough for a coffee cup or a face but stops short of true macro. Built for family events, holidays and anything where you'd rather reframe than walk.
Who it's for · Verdict
Zoom compacts are still the bargain corner of the film market — pick up the Panasonic C-625AF cheap, run a roll through it and judge whether the convenience outweighs the slower aperture.
Fun facts
- §1Panasonic's earliest dual-focal zoom compact for the European market.
Find one
Most copies turn up second-hand on eBay. We've linked a saved search so you can see current listings.
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