Blending elements from digital SLR cameras
with those of compact cameras, the Panasonic DMC-FZ30 should
appeal to a broad segment of the market, and with good reason.
The FZ30 is a well-crafted camera that offers a good ergonomic
design. Its powerful 12X Leica zoom functions entirely within
the camera's lens barrel, making it easy to use. Similarly,
it is controlled by a ring at the front of the lens barrel,
a much better and more precise system than the usual W/T
rocker zoom control of most other compact cameras.
Indeed, in service, the DMC-FZ30
is extremely user-friendly. The external controls are easy
to operate and the camera responds quickly. The ease of use
of the FZ30 is also the result of its high resolution LCD
monitor and EVF. With the monitor in particular, images are
so crisp that the pixels that make it up are difficult to
distinguish. With the EVF, although the pixels can be discerned,
the image is nevertheless very sharp and sufficiently detailed
that with a well lit subject, it is possible to see small
details.
Aperture: f6.3, shutter speed 1/400 sec., 80 ISO.
Aperture: f5.6, shutter speed 1/100 sec., 80 ISO
The FZ30 provides all the
shooting modes expected of a camera designed for a serious
amateur. All the shooting modes are present, including a fully
functional and very flexible Manual mode that is capable of
a 6-second long exposure.
But, aside from the versatile shooting modes and the 8-megapixel
resolution of the FZ30, the most attractive feature of the
camera is its stabilized 12X zoom. The zoom covers a focal
length range that starts from a reasonably wide 35mm equivalent
and extends to an impressive 420mm.
As with all powerful telephoto
lenses, at the maximum magnification, the slightest movement
of the camera becomes amplified and can easily cause a blurred
image. Panasonic's Mega O.I.S. (optical image stabilizer),
used in a number of other models, is designed to stabilize
the focal point of the lens, thereby making it possible to
capture images with a much greater degree of sharpness than
would be possible without it, unless, of course, the camera
were mounted on a tripod.
The combined effect of the stabilization,
and the long 12X zoom can be seen in the image presented above,
and the one shown at right. Both shots were captured during
an overcast day with the camera handheld. The one above was
taken with the lens set to its widest angle of 35mm; the one
at right, with the zoom set to its maximum telephoto of 420mm.
(The yellow rectangle in the image above indicates the field
of view the FZ30 captured at the full telephoto setting in comparison
to the wide angle field of view).
Aperture f5, shutter speed 1/100 sec., 80 ISO.
The usefulness of such a powerful
zoom is undeniable. Its value is enhanced by the fact that photos
captured at either end of the zoom range do not reveal any serious
distortion, and that in addition, the very faint chromatic aberration
that can sometimes be seen on the edges of contrasting elements
in an image is limited to the wide angle.
Aperture: f5.6, shutter speed 1/100 sec., 80 ISO.
The DMC-FZ30 is the first camera to be
reviewed in these pages that offers an adjustable noise
reduction system. Offering a range of: Standard, the default
setting, High and Low, the FZ30 makes it possible for the
user to increase, or decrease, the amount of processing applied
to a long exposure.
Still, the FZ30, is relatively sensitive to noise, as have
been some other 8 megapixel cameras reviewed here. Even with
photos captured on a bright and sunny day, colour noise can
become visible in some areas such as in a uniformly blue sky.
Likewise, some noise can become discernible in shadow areas,
even at the lowest ISO setting.
But, at the same
time, while noise increases as the sensitivity of the camera
is increased, 400 ISO images remain useable with noise being
noticeable mostly in areas with a solid colour. With 200 ISO
photos, noise is simply not a distraction.
In comparison to previous FZ cameras (FZ10 and FZ20), the
FZ30 offers a much better selection of image formats. Not
only are the image proportions selectable, the FZ30 also provides
2 non-lossy image formats: TIFF and RAW. Set to TIFF, the
FZ30 records a 23.4 MB image in approximately 10 seconds,
while when set to RAW, it saves a 15.5 MB image in approximately
5 seconds using an average speed 1GB SD memory card.
Of these, the most interesting is the RAW format. Although
very poorly supported by the software enclosed with the camera,
the RAW format is extremely well-supported by the RAW plug-in
(version 3.2) for Adobe Photoshop CS2, making it very worthwhile
for Photoshop users.
Although not directly related to image quality,
the selectable image formats and ratios are yet another interesting
feature of the FZ30. The availability of "movie-like"
image formats is an advantage. Many subjects, such as landscapes
or cityscapes, look better when captured at a 16:9 ratio and
even with the less dramatic 3:2 ratio that corresponds to the
most common print sizes.
Overall, the user of the DMC-FZ30
is well served by the camera's auto white balance, its default
metering pattern. The FZ30 produces well-exposed and pleasing
images in a variety of formats. Likewise, the Leica lens is
able to produce tack-sharp images and capture delicate details.
The DMC-FZ30 is a prime example
of cameras that have been termed "bridge" cameras
as they offer some of the benefits of both digital SLR's and
compact cameras. While the DMC-FZ30 uses a slightly noisier
sensor than the larger sensors used with digital SLR cameras,
it has the advantage of having built-in stabilization and excellent
optics, high resolution, versatile shooting modes and the simplicity
of operation that is a hallmark of compact cameras. Moreover,
it is a stand-alone camera that does not absolutely require
additional components to be fully useable, and is effectively
complete at a very competitive price.
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