• Very high resolution and detail capture throughout the zoom range
• Sharp results
• Good, natural color
• Superb 12x optical zoom
• Very effective image stabilization
• Excellent handling - more compact than a DSLR but very stable
• Comprehensive range of controls
• Very fast operation
• Well designed menu system
• Nice handling and control layout
• Easy to use
• Excellent screen
• Usable EVF
• Autofocus illuminator
• Powerful flash
• Good battery life
• Good value for money
• Program shift
• TIFF mode

• Visible noise at ISOs above 100
• Very occasional exposure problems
• Focus at extreme telephoto sometimes hunts, occasionally misses
• Low resolution movie mode
• Some red fringing at 12x/wide apertures (rarely seen in prints)
• Mode dial too easy to knock in use, changing modes
• Images can look a little soft viewed at 100% - sharpen up well though

Overall conclusion

Sitting at the top of Panasonic's deservedly popular super zoom range, the FZ20 gets as close to the handling, versatility and quality of a digital SLR as any compact yet; offering superb, responsive handling, masses of control, a stunning 12x F2.8 lens and very high resolution results that produce beautiful prints. The image stabilization system allows you to hand-hold at the 12x end of the zoom range at speeds as low as 1/30th second (if you've got a steady hand), which transforms the experience of using a big zoom absolutely; and the short end (36mm equiv.) is wider than many 3x zoom cameras, which is an additional bonus. Throw in the ability to use add-on converter lenses, external flash compatibility, an excellent screen and good battery life and you've got a very capable system camera that offers excellent value for money.

Of course it's not all a bed of roses. I'd love to see this camera with a larger CCD, as noise at higher ISO's basically restricts its serious use to ISO 80-200, and even at ISO 200 the noise is visible in darker areas on larger prints. You also need to play around with exposure a little to eke the maximum dynamic range out of a scene, but this is common to all 5MP cameras.

However, given the high resolution, sharp results produced, the excellent overall performance, lack of optical problems in 99.9% of shooting situations and keen pricing, it's impossible not to recommend the FZ20 - take a look at the samples gallery and decide for yourself if the level of noise is acceptable; we certainly think it's a small price to pay for such an impressive camera.

Want to make sure you don't miss out on any future reviews?
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter!

Enter the 'Panasonic Talk' Discussion Forum