Panasonic DMC-FZ20 review: Page 1. Introduction [Digital Photography Review]

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 Review
Simon Joinson, November 2004

Review based on a production Panasonic DMC-FZ20

Updated 9th Nov: High ISO samples added to gallery

Announced at the end of July 2004, the DMC-FZ20 is the flagship model of the third generation of 'super zoom' cameras from electronics giant Panasonic, and is a direct replacement for the FZ10. Like its predecessors (and the simultaneously announced DMC-FZ3) the FZ20 sports a Leica-branded DC Vario-Elmarit zoom with a whopping 12x optical range (36-432mm equiv) and a constant F2.8 aperture. It also boasts a newly-improved optical image stabilisation system and the Venus II engine, which, according to Panasonic's documentation, is now equivalent to shooting at 3 or 4 shutter speed steps faster.

The FZ20 offers several enhancements over the FZ10 it replaces, including a higher resolution sensor (5MP as opposed to 4MP), improved hand grip and - thanks to the Venus II image processing engine - it's faster, offers better resolution and lower noise. And that's not all; it is packed with new technologies and upgrades; enhanced metering and focus systems, new shooting modes and a new mode dial, TIFF mode, a better electronic viewfinder, a new menu system and a new two mode image stabiliser.

36 - 432mm (equiv.) F2.8, 12x Leica Zoom Lens with one ED lens
Mega O.I.S (optical image stabilisation)
Venus II image processing engine
9 scene modes and full photographic control
New mode dial for easy access to exposure modes
TIFF mode
New on-screen display
Ultra fast startup, focus, shutter lag and shot-to-shot time
Available in Black (FZ20K) and Silver (FZ20S)

Panasonic DMC-FZ20 Key specifications

Street price	• US: $500 • UK: £370
Body Material	Metal and Plastic
Sensor	• 1/2.5" Type CCD • 5.3 million pixels total • 5.0 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 2560 x 1920 • 2048 x 1536 • 1600 x 1200 • 1280 x 960 • 640 x 480 • 1920 x 1080 (16:9 HDTV)
Movie clips	• 320 x 240 (10 / 30 fps) • With audio • Limited only by storage • MOV (Motion JPEG)
Lens	• 36 - 432 mm equiv. (12x zoom) • F2.8 (throughout zoom range) • MEGA OIS (Mode 1 / Mode 2) • LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT • 13 Elements in 8 Groups • 3 Aspherical Lenses/3 Aspherical Surfaces, 1 ED Lens
Focus	• 1 point, 3 point, 9 point Autofocus • Spot-focusing • Single shot or Continuous AF • Switcheable focus trigger • Manual Focus(Ring) • 5cm macro mode (Wide), 200cm (Tele)
Shooting mode	• Program (with shift) • Aperture Priority • Shutter Priority • Manual • Macro • Moving Image • Portrait • Sports • Landscape • Night Landscape • Panning • Night Portrait • Fireworks • Party • Snow • AE compensation -2.0EV to +2.0 EV in 1/3EV steps • Auto bracketing
Sensitivity	• Auto • ISO 80, 100, 200, 400
White Balance	• Auto • 4 presets • Custom WB (manual) • White Balance fine tune (R-B)
Image parameters	• Contrast (Low, Standard, High) • Sharpness (Low, Standard, High) • Saturation (Low, Standard, High) • Noise reduction (Low, Standard, High) • Color effects (Cool, Warm, Black & White, Sepia)
Continuous	• Full resolution: 3 or 2 fps • Full resolution: max 7 images (standard mode), 4 images (fine mode) • Infinite consecutive (unlimited but slower shooting rate)
Flash	• Built-in pop-up flash • Modes: Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, On/Off • Range: 0.3 to 7.0 m (0.98 feet - 23.0 feet) • External flash via hot-shoe
Storage	• SD/MMC • 16 MB SD supplied*
Viewfinder	• EVF (114,000 pixels) • Field of view approx 100% • -4 to +4 dioptre adjustment
LCD monitor	• 2.0" TFT LCD • 130,000 pixels
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 Full Speed (12 Mbits/s) • A/V out • DC-IN • Remote socket
Power	• Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery • Charger included
In the box*	• Battery Charger • Battery Pack • 16MB 6 SD Memory Card • Lens Cap • Lens Hood & Adaptor • A/V & USB Cable • Strap • CD-ROM inc ArcSoft software bundle • TIFF mode
Other features	• Spot, Center-weighted & Multi-pattern metering • PictBridge and DPOF compatible • Mega Optical Image Stabilisation • Live Histogram • AF assist lamp • Built-in speaker and microphone • Flip Animation function • In-camera picture resizing and cropping • Voice annotation • 2/10 second self-timer • Venus Engine II™ LSI Image Processor
Weight (inc batt)	556 g (1.2 lb)
Dimensions	128 x 87 x 106 mm (5.0 x 3.4 x 4.2 in)

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

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Digital Photography ReviewPanasonic DMC-FZ20 reviewPage 1. Introduction

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 Review Simon Joinson, November 2004

Panasonic DMC-FZ20 Key specifications

Digital Photography Review
Panasonic DMC-FZ20 review
Page 1. Introduction

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 Review
Simon Joinson, November 2004