Panasonic DMC-FZ30

Reviewed September 2005

Characteristics

The DMC-FZ30 is equipped with a CCD sensor measuring 1/1.8 inch diagonally. It is composed of 8.32 million pixels, of which 8 million are effective when capturing a maximum image size of 3264 x 2448 pixels.

CCD sensitivity starts at 80 ISO but can be pushed to 100, 200 or up to 400 ISO. Moreover, 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 80 to 400 ISO when the flash is used.

The 12X Leica optical zoom of the FZ30 covers a focal length of 7.4 to 88.8mm, the equivalent of a 35 to 420mm in 35mm format. With such a long focal length, it is hard to get a sharp image when the camera is handheld. On this new model, Panasonic is carrying over the Image stabilization — found on most of its camera lineup — to compensate for slight movements of the photographer so that the recorded image is crisp and sharp.

The lens apertures start at f2.8 at the wide angle end of the zoom, and close down to f11, becoming f3.7 through to f11 when the zoom is at its maximum telephoto setting.

The metallic trim on the lens has three indentations, and is designed to support the lens hood that is included with the camera, as well as either one of two optional conversion lenses: a wide angle converter (DMW-LW55, 0.7X) or a telephoto converter (DMW-LT55, 1.7X).

The FZ30's shutter speed range is dependent on the shooting mode in use, but has a maximum range in the Manual mode, where it starts at 1/2000 second and extends to 60 seconds. In addition, a noise reduction system is employed for all images captured at slow shutter speeds.

With the DMC-FZ30 Panasonic makes good use of the new formats for image proportions. The FZ30 is able to accommodate different image outputs, be it print or displays such as HDTV television or the newer wide LCD panels for computers. The DMC-FZ30 is able to capture pictures in three ratio formats, and a total of 10 image sizes are available:

Moreover, 3 file formats are available:

• TIFF: images are recorded without any compression, the largest image size creating files of 23.5 MB which are written to an SD card in approximately 11 seconds. In addition, when the image quality is set to TIFF, a JPEG copy of the image in Standard JPEG format is also recorded.
• JPEG offers the choice of either one of two compression levels: Fine, which is the least compressed format with the highest image quality; or Standard, which applies a higher compression level, allowing the camera to store more images, but lowering the image quality.
• RAW: this format records the output image coming from the CCD without applying camera settings for exposure compensation, sharpening, or white balance setting, although these settings are noted as part of the Exif data encapsulated with the image file. Using ArcSoft Photo Impression included with camera — or Adobe Photoshop CS2 and the newest RAW plug-in (3.2) — it is possible to read and re-save RAW images into more common formats such as TIFF or JPEG.

While some parameters can be selected directly with the external controls of the camera, others have to be selected using the FZ30's menu system. Irrespective of the mode, the menu is composed of two parts: the options that correspond to the current mode in the first section, and the Setup options in the second section.

The maximum number of options available on the camera are shown when the camera is set to P, S, A, or M modes, while in the Scene and Auto modes the options are more limited. With the more advanced modes, the options of the recording menu are spread over three screens:

• White Balance:
  • Auto,
  • Daylight,
  • Cloudy,
  • Halogen,
  • Flash,
  • White set 1,
  • White set 2,
  • and White Set to set the white point manually and store it in either of the 2 memory locations above.
• Sensitivity: Auto (80 to 200 ISO), or 80, 100, 200, or 400 ISO.
• Aspect Ratio (see above):
  • 4:3.
  • 3:2.
  • 16:9.
• Picture Size: serves to select one the image sizes (see above).
• Quality:
  • TIFF,
  • Fine (least compressed),
  • Standard (more compressed),
  • or RAW.
• Audio Rec.: On or Off. This option allows recording a 5-second clip immediately after an image is captured. Audio recordings are not possible when the camera is set to Burst mode, TIFF, RAW or with the Starry Night scene mode.
• Metering Mode: (P, S, A, M, and Movie modes only)
  • Multiple,
  • Centre-weighted,
  • and Spot.
• AF Mode serves to select how the Auto focus functions:
  • 9-area AF: the camera uses all the 9 AF points to focus automatically.
  • 3-area AF High Speed: the camera uses 3 horizontal AF points from which to select the focus point automatically.
  • 1-area AF High Speed: allows selecting any of the 9 AF points using the FOCUS button and the 4-direction control, and is faster than the next option as the focus distance is limited. (See the Ergonomics section.)
  • 1-area AF: allows selecting any of the 9 AF points using the FOCUS button and the 4-direction control, but focusing is a bit slower as there is no focusing range limit. (See the Ergonomics section.)
  • Spot Focusing: concentrates the AF point on a small area.
• Continuous AF (C-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. Allows activating or turning off the AF assist lamp, which serves to automatically illuminate the subject when the ambient light is too low to allow the AF to work. The AF area is locked at the centre. This option isn't available in Scenery, Night Scenery, Fireworks, Starry Night, or Panning mode.
• Digital Zoom: controls whether or not the 2X or 4X digital zoom is available. The zoom crops the central portion of the image and interpolates it to the selected image size, which lowers 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, and
  • Sepia captures a sepia coloured photo.
• Picture Adjustment serves to modify:
  • Contrast: High, Low or Standard.
  • Sharpness: High, Low or Standard.
  • Saturation: High, Low or Standard.
  • Noise Reduction: High, Low or Standard.
• 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-LW55) 0.7X.
  • Telephoto (DMW-LT55) 1.7X.
• Extra 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 f4 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.

When the camera is set to Movie mode, the menu is shorter and fits on 2 screens:

• White Balance: as with the still image modes.
• Motion Rate: 30 fps or 10 fps.
• Metering Mode: similar to the still image modes.
• AF Mode: as with the still image modes.
• 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.
• Colour Effect provides the same 4 settings as in image capture mode, or Off.
• Conversion: to indicate to the camera that an extension lens is mounted.

In Playback mode, the menu is presented in a similar way as the capture menu, with an access to the Setup section on the right tab. The options of the menu are organized on three pages:

• Slide Show: can be set to show all images on the card, or only those that have been set as favourites []. The on-screen time of images can be selected (1, 2, 3, 5 secs. or Manual but only with the display of favourites) and any sound associated with an image can be cut off if desired.
• Favourite: gives the option to mark some images as favourites which add the symbol [] to the images. It is then possible to erase all images other than the favourites and view them in a slide show.

• Rotate Disp.: makes it possible to display the pictures that have been shot vertically or have been rotated in the correct direction.
• Rotate: serves to rotate a photo 90° to the left or right.
• DPOF Print: serves to select images for printing on a DPOF compliant printer, a printing service, or when the FZ30 is connected directly to PictBridge compliant printer.
• Protect: allows selecting images and tagging them to prevent an accidental erasure.

• Audio Dub.: makes it possible to add a voice annotation lasting up to 10 seconds to any image except those recorded using the TIFF or RAW format.
• Resize: serves to resize any image, with the exception of TIFF or RAW images, to a lower resolution so as to store more images on the card.
• Trimming: allows re-framing an image and saving the cropped version either with the same file name, overwriting the original, or as a new image. Images with sound attached cannot be trimmed.
• Aspect Conversion: images taken in 16:9 format can be converted to 3:2 or 4:3 format for printing.
• Clean Up: this function only works with SD cards and serves to clean-up the card (defragmentation), returning it to its original write speed.
• Format: formats the memory card.

The DMC-FZ30 is compatible with SD (Secure Digital) and MMC (MultiMedia) memory cards, but some functions such as the Clean-up option of the Playback menu are limited SD cards.

The table below provides the approximate number of images that can be stored with the 32 MB card provided with the camera:

The Lumix FZ30 is powered by a rechargeable Lithium ion battery (CGR-S006A) housed inside the grip, behind a locking door. A charger (DE-993B), is supplied with the camera, and takes approximately 2 hours to fully recharge the battery.

At the top is a special connection for an optional wired remote control (DMW-RS1) which can be used to release the shutter of the camera.

Just below, there is a port that serves for both USB 1.1 (compatible USB 2.0), and 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, and the USB protocol set to either PC or PictBridge in the Setup menu.

Finally, near the bottom of the compartment, a DC-IN jack allows the DMC-FZ30 to be connected to household current using an optional AC-DC adapter (DMW-CAC1).