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 |
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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 |
Movie clips | 320 x 240 (10 / 30 fps) With audio Limited only by storage MOV (Motion JPEG) |
Lens | 36 - 432 mm equiv. (12x zoom) |
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) |
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) |
Power | Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery Charger included |
In the box* | Battery Charger |
Other features | Spot, Center-weighted & Multi-pattern metering |
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
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