Strange numbering

[glenafton]

Good morning,
On the front of my camera (Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50) there is some numbering that I don't understand. dc vario-elmarit. 1:2.8-3.7/7.4-88.8 asph
Can someone please explain what it means
Glenafton

[mjs1973]

Those numbers represent the cameras maximum aperture and the focal length of the lens. The 2.8-3.7 are the maximum apertures for your lens. At the widest zoom range your max aperture is f/2.8. At the telephoto end of your focal length the maximum aperture is f/3.7.

The focal length range of your lens is 7.4-88.8mm's. Many P&S and compact cameras have numbers like this that don't make a lot of sense to most SLR photographers. Do to the small size of the sensors, the focal length #'s are very small as well. You need to convert it to focal lengths that make sense. In your case, your camera has a 35-420mm equivalent focal length of a 35mm SLR.

[glenafton]

Mjs,
Thanks for that. I have been wondering just what all the different numbers meant.
Well now I know.
Glenafton