Images obtained with the ESO VLT and FORS1 in [O III] 5007 on- and off-band, as well as r_Gunn filters, are analyzed to search for planetary nebula (PN) candidates. In the continuum-subtracted [O III] 5007 on-band images, a large number of emission-line regions were detected. We describe the criteria employed for distinguishing PN candidates from compact HII regions.