The big lens of the DMC-FZ20 forms
an image on a 1/2.5 inch, 5.36 million pixel, CCD of which
5 million pixels are effective when capturing a maximum image
size of 2560 x 1920 pixels. CCD sensitivity starts at 80 ISO
but can be pushed to 100, 200 or up to 400 ISO. Moreover, and
an Auto ISO mode can be used, allowing the camera to automatically
adjust sensitivity over a range of 80 to 200 ISO when the flash
is not used, and 100 to 400 ISO when the flash is used.
The stabilized Leica 12X
DC Vario-Elmarit zoom is composed of 13 elements in 8
groups, and includes 3 aspherical surfaces to eliminate distortions
in addition to using one ED glass element to improve contrast
and colour. The lens offers a a focal length rang of 6 to
72mm, the equivalent of
a 36 to 432 mm zoom, and offers a constant aperture range
at all focal lengths starting at f2.8 and
going to f8.
The shutter speed range varies according to the shooting mode in use, the
selected aperture and whether or not the flash is used, nevertheless, the
FZ20 has a range that covers from 1/2000 second to 8 seconds. In addition,
a noise reduction system — which
can be adjusted via a menu option — is employed for all images captured
at a slow shutter speeds.
Image stabilization is provided
by a gyro-sensor that serves to detect unintentional camera
movement (camera shake), and which, with the help of a microcomputer,
immediately compensates for the movement so that the recorded
image is crisp and sharp.
A switch positioned on the left
side of the lens barrel serves to switch from autofocus to
manual focus.
Once in manual focus, the large ring on lens barrel can be used to adjust
the focus, much like any manual focus camera, but with one difference:
the focus is fact electronically adjusted as the ring is turned. Moreover
as an assistance to the user, if the option is activated in the menu, the
FZ20 magnifies the central part of the frame, making it easier to see when
the image is sharp.
The metallic ring at the front
to the lens barrel — directly in front of the focus ring — is
removable and the thread that it screws onto can be used to
attach an adapter (VVYQ3213 or VYQ3226) that serves as a base
for the lens hood (VYQ3234), both of which are supplied with
the camera. In addition, a Multi-Coated filter (DMW-LMC72)
can be used to protect the camera's lens without affecting
the image quality, or a Neutral Density Filter (DMW-LND72),
equivalent to an additional 3 f-stops, both optional, can be
attached to the adapter.
The DMC_FZ20 offers a choice of
six images sizes:
2560 x 1920 pixels,
2048 x 1536 pixels,
1600 x 1200 pixels,
1280 x 960 pixels,
640 x 480 pixels
and 1920 x 1080 pixels which corresponds to HDTV format
(16:9)
Furthermore, photos can be stored using either one of two
JPEG compression levels, or with an uncompressed TIFF format.
For the highest image quality JPEG, the Fine image
quality level offers a compression ratio which on average
is around 8:1, while Standard provides has a ratio
of approximately 15:1. The uncompressed TIFF format on the
other hand records a 14.4 MB image file in approximately
4 seconds.
While the external controls of the camera allow setting some functions
quickly at the press of a button, a number of other settings need to be
selected in the recording menu. The menu system is made up of a section
for the current mode, and an access to the Setup menu (the Setup menu
is covered in the Interface and Software section of the review). The
overall number of options presented in the menu changes with the mode in
use, but the generally speaking, the P/A/S/M and Macro modes provide all
options. The complete recording menu fits over 4 screens, the fourth screen
only showing when an external flash is mounted on the camera:
White Balance provides preset white balance settings
for Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen, Flash.
In addition, Manual recalls a previously set white balance,
and White Set serves to set and register a setting for
a lighting situation that does not match any of the built-in
options.
Sensitivity: is set to Auto by default, but can be
set to 80, 100, 200, or 400 ISO when the camera is set to P/A/S/M
or Macro modes.
Picture Size: serves to select one of 6 image sizes (see
above).
Quality provides 3 choices for the image quality,
TIFF, Fine, or Standard.
Audio Rec.: On or Off. This option allows recording
a 5 second immediately after an image is captured. Audio
recordings cannot be attached to TIFF format images.
Metering Mode: to choose the metering mode, Multiple, Centre-weighted,
or Spot.
AF Mode: either 9-area AF, or 3-area AF (horizontal),
or 1-area AF, or Spot focusing.
Continuous AF: On or Off. When On, the camera
adjusts the focus continuously instead of only when the
shutter release is pressed halfway. While this shortens
shutter lag, it drains the battery faster.
AF Assist Lamp: On or Off. The AF assist lamp
serves to automatically illuminate the subject when the
ambient light is too low to allow the AF to work.
Digital Zoom: On or Off. Controls whether or not
the 4X digital zoom is available. The zoom crops the central
portion of the image and interpolates it to the selected
image size, which can lower the image quality.
Colour Effect provides 4 settings or Off. Cool shifts
the image towards blue tones, Warm shifts the image
towards red tones, B&W records the image in
black and white, Sepia captures a sepia coloured
photo.
Picture Adjustment: this option allows modifying
contrast, sharpness, saturation, and the level of noise
reduction applied to the image. For each an adjustment
of High, Standard, or Low is available.
Stabilizer offers three options:
OFF
Mode 1: both the live image and the captured
image are stabilized.
Mode 2: the stabilizer only kicks when the
image is captured.
Flip Animation: allows creating a 20 second video
clip by automatically assembling up to 100 images.
Conversion serves to let the camera know when
a conversion lens is mounted:
Wide angle (DMW-LWZ10) limits the zoom to 2X and
captures the equivalent of a 29 mm lens.
Telephoto (DMW-LTZ10) limits the zoom to 6X and
produces the equivalent of a 324 to 648 mm lens.
External Flash: when the optional external flash
(DMW-FL28) or a third party flash is mounted on the camera,
it possible to lock the aperture to f2.8 and the sensitivity
to 100 ISO, whatever the capture mode, using the Preset option.
Alternatively the Manual option leaves the user
complete freedom over all settings.
External Flash Burst depending on the flash used,
this option allows capturing a burst of up to 3 images,
at 2 or 3 frames per second while an external flash is
mounted on the camera.
In the Motion Image mode (movie mode), the DMC-FZ20 offers
a 2-screen menu which contains many of the options of the still
image menu:
White Balance: as with the still image mode.
Motion Rate: 30 fps or 10 fps.
Metering Mode.: similar to the still image mode.
AF Mode: as with the still image mode.
Continuous AF: On or Off, either the camera continuously
adjusts the focus, or the focus is locked at the first
frame.
AF Assist Lamp: On or Off, if needed the AF light
can come on.
Digital Zoom: On or Off. When On the digital zoom
is added to the optical zoom, but once the recording starts
the zoom position is locked.
Stabilizer: provides only two choices Mode 1 which
stabilizes the viewfinder image, or Off.
Conversion: to indicate to the camera that an
extension lens is mounted.
In Playback the menu is presented in a similar way as the capture
menu, with an access to the Setup section along with
the Play menu:
Rotate: serves to rotate a photo 90° to the left
or right.
Protect: allows selecting images and tagging them
to prevent an accidental erasure.
DPOF Print: serves to select images for printing
on a DPOF compliant printer, a printing service, or when
the FZ20 is connected directly to PictBridge compliant
printer.
Slide Show: can be set to show all images on the
card, or only those that have been selected with DPOF.
The on-screen time of images can be selected (1, 2, 3 or
5 secs) and any sound associated with an image can be cut-off
if desired.
Audio Dub.: makes it possible to add an voice
annotation for up to 10 seconds to any image except those
recorded using the TIFF or HDTV format.
Resize: if necessary, serves to size down any
image, except TIFF or HDTV format photos, so as to store
more images on the card.
Trimming: allows re framing an image and re saving
it over top of the existing image, or as a new image. Images
with sound attached cannot be modified.
Format: formats the memory card.
The DMC-FZ20 is compatible with SD (Secure Digital)
and MMC (MultiMedia) memory cards. The memory card slot
is located in the same compartment as the battery, underneath
the camera.
The FZ20 is retailed with a small 16 MB which can store:
Resolution
TIFF
Fine
Std
2560
x 1920
0
5
11
2048
x 1536
1
9
17
1600
x 1200
2
14
28
1280
x 960
3
22
41
640
x 480
13
69
113
HDTV
1920 x 1080
2
13
25
Potential purchasers should consider the purchase of a large and relatively
inexpensive SD card necessary.
At the top is a special connection for a
wired remote control (DMW-RS1) which can be used to release
the shutter of the camera.
Below, the connection serves for both USB 1.1 (compatible USB 2.0), or
for A/V (audio/Video) out, and the cables necessary for each are supplied
with the camera. The video out signal can be configured to either NTSC
or PAL in the Setup menu.
At the bottom, a DC-IN jack allows the DMC-FZ20 to be connected to household
current using the optional AC-DC adapter (DMW-CAC1).
The Lumix FZ20 is powered by
a rechargeable Lithium ion battery (CGA-S002E) which is held
in place by a spring-loaded latch, preventing it from falling
out when the memory card is removed. A charger (DE-993), is
supplied with the camera, and takes approximately 90 minutes
to fully recharge the battery.
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