Panasonic DMC-FZ5

Reviewed April 2005

Image Quality

To many people the Panasonic DMC-FZ5 is going to look like a smaller and lighter version of the DMC-FZ20, the top of the line in the gamut of image stabilized cameras from Panasonic. Indeed, the models have much in common. Both have a 5-megapixel resolution, both have a 12X zoom, and at a glance both seem to have very similar functions.

Not surprisingly however, there are some substantial differences between these two models, not the least of which are that the FZ20 has a constant f2.8 aperture throughout its focal length range, and is able to support an external flash.

Nevertheless, the resemblances between the two models are interesting and, if economics and specifications alone are considered, obviously make the DMC-FZ5 extremely attractive.

One of these characteristics is the FZ5's powerful 12X zoom, a lens that includes a stabilizer. The stabilizer is a piece of photographic technology which until very recently was only found on very high-end 35mm lenses, and which is now being democratized by the overwhelming acceptance of digital photography and by the popularity of long zoom lenses.

As always, the stabilizer minimizes the unintentional movements of the photographer, movements which become exaggerated when the zoom is at telephoto settings, potentially ruining the image.

The stabilizer of the FZ5 is remarkably effective. It makes it possible to capture images at full zoom, and still hand-hold the camera down to shutter speeds of 1/60 second and possibly even less for those with a steady hand.

Furthermore, the DMC-FZ5 has a useful addition over the previous version of the camera: an external control for the stabilizer mode which makes it simple to switch from one mode to another as it avoids going through the menu. Just like other Panasonic cameras that offer a Mega OIS, the stabilizer of the FZ5 can operate in either of two modes, or be turned off.

Set to Stabilization Mode 1, the system prevents vibration as soon as the shutter release is pressed and stabilizes the image on the EVF or on the monitor, as well as stabilizing the image when the photo is captured. While this system can be helpful during composition, Panasonic clearly describes it as being less effective than Mode 2, which only stabilizes the image at the moment of capture. Nevertheless, both these modes are useful, and making them available at the touch of a button next to the shutter release is a good idea.

In addition to the image stabilizer, the excellent image quality of the FZ5 is directly related to the Leica lens. The zoom produces images that are free of barrel distortion at the widest angle — including at macro distances — and which are similarly free of pincushion distortion at the telephoto end. Moreover, although a slight chromatic aberration — purple fringing — can sometimes be detected in photos that contain very strong contrasts, it is quite minimal and should not be a source of concern.

On the exposure side, the DMC-FZ5 is also an able performer. The default Multiple metering system is quite trustworthy, and regularly produces exposures that contain a good balance between light and dark zones. Likewise, the Auto white balance is usually accurate and colours turn out to be quite faithful to reality.

The FZ5 also offers a TIFF format — 4 seconds to store a 14.1 MB image — which is a feature that has become all too scarce on many cameras in its price range. Yet, to the user, the availability of the format is a guarantee that if desired or needed, the best image quality of which the camera is able is always available.

In use, the DMC-FZ5 is comparatively quick. It takes approximately 3 seconds to start the camera which, considering the size of the lens that needs to be extended, is quite reasonable. Similarly, the camera exhibits no shutter lag once the auto focus is established, has no EVF freeze, and provides a very short shot to shot time.

All these strong points, and that the FZ5 is equipped with an excellent and stabilized lens, has a a low sensitivity to noise (see the night shots in the Test Photo section of the review), and offers a good range of shooting modes make it one of the top contenders in its category.

So, while there are other cameras that have generally similar on-paper characteristics, the FZ5 offers a few extras that make it easy to justify its slightly higher price tag.