Announced at the end of July 2004, the DMC-FZ3 is part of the third generation of 'super zoom' cameras from electronics giant Panasonic. Like its predecessors (and the simultaneously announced DMC-FZ20) the FZ3 sports a Leica-branded DC Vario-Elmarit zoom with a whopping 12x optical range (35-420mm 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 figure for the FZ20 was quoted as 2 or 3 shutter speed steps).
The FZ3 is also significantly smaller than previous models, and - thanks to the Venus II image processing engine - is 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.
- 35 - 420mm (equiv.) F2.8, 12x Leica Zoom Lens
- Mega O.I.S (optical image stabilisation)
- Venus II image processing engine
- 9 scene modes and full photographic control
- TIFF mode
- New on-screen display
- Ultra fast startup, focus, shutter lag and shot-to-shot time
- 'Simple' mode for novice photographers
Panasonic DMC-FZ3 Key specifications
Street price | US: $399 UK: £350 |
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Body Material | Plastic |
Sensor | 1/3.2" CCD, 3.34 million total pixels 3.1 million effective pixels |
Image sizes | 2,016 x 1,512 |
Movie clips | 320 x 240 pixels @ 30fps 320 x 240 pixels @ 10fps Duration only limited by card capacity (streaming) Motion JPEG (.mov) With sound |
Lens | 35 - 420mm equiv. (12x optical zoom) |
Focus | 1 point, 3 point, 9 point Autofocus Spot-focusing Single shot or Continuous AF Switcheable focus trigger 5cm macro mode (Wide), 120cm (Tele) |
Shooting mode | Auto |
Sensitivity | Auto ISO80,100,200,400 |
White Balance | Auto 4 presets Custom WB (manual) |
Image parameters | Color Effect (Cool, Warm, B/W, Sepia) Picture Adjust (Normal, Standard, Vivid) Sharpness (3 levels) |
Continuous | 4 fps, up to 7 frames (fine), 13 frames (standard) 2fps (limited only by capacity of card) |
Flash | Built-in pop up flash Auto, Manual on/off, Red-eye reduction: on/off, Slow sync: on/off Range (ISO auto): W 0.3m - 4.6m (0.98 - 15.1 ft) Compensation (-2.0EV to +2.0 EV in 1/3EV steps) |
Storage | SD/MMC 16 MB SD supplied* |
Viewfinder | EVF (114,000 pixels) Field of view approx 100% -4 to +4 dioptre adjustment |
LCD monitor | 1.5" TFT, 114,000 pixels |
Connectivity | USB 2.0 Full Speed A/V out DC-IN |
Power | Panasonic CGA-S002A Lithium Ion pack 7.2V, 680 mAh (Optional AC adapter) |
In the box* | Panasonic DMC-FZ3 camera |
Other features | Spot, Center-weighted & Multi-pattern metering |
Weight (inc batt) | 326 g (11.5 oz) |
Dimensions | 108 x 68.4 x 84.8mm (4.25 x 2.7 x 3.3in) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
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