Here are a few images that accurately reflect the abilities
of any given camera model. The images are altered only in
terms of size and sharpness after reduction and by the JPEG
compression used. Unless otherwise mentioned, assume that
any marbling or artifacts visible in the images are due to
the compression required to display them here. We feel however,
that they still faithfully represent the results we experienced.
STILL LIFE PHOTO
This subject is photographed in a room that has
a mix of fluorescent and incandescent light, but which is not
brightly lit. The camera's flash is used to add fill light.
The backdrop is 1.95 m (6.5 ft) from the camera.
As the DMC-FZ20 offers an uncompressed TIFF image format, it was used for
these images in order to obtain the highest image quality.
The flash provides very good illumination, and there is no noticeable light
drop off in the corners of the frame.
Photo
Information
Format:
TIFF
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60
Res.:
2560 x 1920
Flash:
On
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
80
File Size:
14.1MB
Focal Length:
36 mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
Now we zoom in on a specific area. The intent
is to test the sharpness of the image at the zoom's maximum
setting. The camera remains at the same distance as with the
preceding photo.
With the zoom at the telephoto end of its range, the camera had to be moved
back from the position that was used for the wide angle shot as the minimum
focus distance required is 2m (6.56 ft). The FZ20 captured a superbly detailed
image that clearly shows the printing pattern used to create the blue-grey
decorative frame around the red block that contains the name of the manufacturer
of the old photo paper.
Photo
Information
Format:
TIFF
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60
Res.:
2560 x 1920
Flash:
On
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
80
File Size:
14.1MB
Focal Length:
432 mm (35mm
Eq.)
Aperture: f 2.8, shutter speed 1/4 sec., 80 ISO.
MACRO PHOTO
In the P/A/S/M and Macro modes, the FZ20 is able to focus
on a subject 5 cm (1.95 in.) from the front element of the lens
when the zoom is set at a focal length that falls in a range
equivalent of 36 to 95mm.
The greatest magnification occurs when the zoom is at 95mm (equivalent),
allowing the camera to capture a field of view that measures 5 cm (1.95
in.) from one edge of the frame to the other, horizontally, and which has
no barrel distortion.
BUILDING PHOTO
This image is our outdoor test. The architecture
of the building, in particular the angled girders, immediately
show the presence of jaggies. The shadowed entrance can also
often reveal the quality of the exposure.
The metering of the DMC-FZ20 is quite precise and allows for a well-exposed
image that completely avoids any over - or under - exposure of the areas
that are directly lit, or those that are in shadow.
Photo
Information
Format:
TIFF
Aperture:
f4.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/500
Resolution:
2560 x 1920
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
80
File Size:
14.1MB
Focal Length:
36 mm (35mm Eq.)
The photo shows no noticeable chromatic
aberration, and exhibits good sharpness. However, a slight amount
of noise can be seen in the areas where the beams cast shadows.
ZOOM PHOTO
The powerful zoom of the FZ20 makes it possible to capture a small area
of the entrance while remaining in the same spot as for the wide angle
shot presented above.
That section of the entrance however contains a lot of shadows and the
metering adjusted to capture a clear image of these areas, though somewhat
at the expense of the areas that are brightly lit, and which are now slightly
overexposed. The image shown here shows no curving, which is an indication
of pincushion distortion. Vertical elements on the edges of the frame appear
straight.
Photo
Information
Format:
TIFF
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/125
Resolution:
2560 x 1920
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
80
File Size:
14.1MB
Focal Length:
432 mm (35mm
Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
This camera is capable of long exposures, and an image captured
late at night is presented to give an idea of its capabilities.
The FZ20 is capable of a maximum
exposure time of 8 seconds and is equipped with a noise reduction
system. Set to 80 ISO, the sensitivity level least susceptible
to noise, the FZ20 captures excellent night photos.
Increasing the sensitivity of the CCD while maintaining a large aperture
of f2.8 and an exposure time of 8 seconds produces a brighter image, but
also increases the noise that accumulates over the course of the exposure.
Nevertheless, up to 200 ISO, the noise reduction
is sufficiently effective that the images are quite useable.
At 400 ISO however, the noise reduction process lessens the details
visible in the image noticeably, and although very bright, photos
tend to look a bit impressionistic.
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Test Photos
