Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 Review

Announced almost exactly a year after the launch of the FZ20 (the model it replaces), the DMC-FZ30 (launched in July 2005) is the latest flagship model in an ever-growing range of 'super zoom' cameras from electronics giant Panasonic. Like its predecessors the FZ20 sports a Leica-branded DC Vario-Elmarit zoom with a whopping 12x optical range (35-420mm equiv), though this time without the constant F2.8 aperture. It also boasts Panasonic's tried and tested Mega Optical Image Stabilization system and the Venus II engine.

Much of what made the FZ20 such a popular camera remains, however, there are some significant changes, many of which address concerns voiced by users and reviewers of the FZ20. The FZ30 has a new 12x optical zoom lens which features a mechanically-linked zoom ring, manual focus ring (electronic), full internal zoom and focus (non-extending) and several improvements to the control layout. The FZ30's 8 million pixel CCD is also very slightly larger than that of the FZ20, (approximately 1.75 mm larger diagonally), and the FZ30 also now provides a RAW capture option, which promises more flexibility in image processing for the more advanced photographer.

Similar in design to the FZ20 the FZ30's lens barrel is shifted over slightly and the hand grip has been made larger, there are also more controls available on the camera body. Other changes include a higher resolution flip-down LCD monitor and control dials front and rear. Full details of changes are shown below.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 vs DMC-FZ20 (feature & specification differences)

	Panasonic DMC-FZ30	Panasonic DMC-FZ20
Sensor	• 1/1.8" Type CCD • 7.18 x 5.32 mm (info) • 8.0 million effective pixels • 9-pixel readout for video	• 1/2.5" Type CCD • 5.76 x 4.29 mm (info) • 5.0 million effective pixels • 2-pixel readout for video
Image sizes (max)	• 3264 x 2448 (4:3) • 3248 x 2160 (3:2) • 3072 x 1728 (16:9)	• 2560 x 1920 (4:3) • 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
Image formats	• RAW • TIFF • JPEG	• TIFF • JPEG
Lens	• 35 - 420 mm equiv. • 12x optical zoom • F2.8 - F3.7 • 14 elements in 10 groups • MEGA OIS Image Stabilization • Non-extending • Internal zoom & focus • 55 mm lens thread	• 36 - 432 mm equiv. • 12x optical zoom • F2.8 (throughout range) • 13 elements in 8 groups • MEGA OIS Image Stabilization • Extending type
Zoom	Mechanically linked zoom ring	Lever zoom (electronic)
Digital zoom	• 2x or 4x • "Extra optical zoom" for smaller sizes	• 2x or 4x
AE Lock	• Half-press shutter release • AE-Lock button	Half-press shutter release
Control dials	Front and Rear	None
Macro mode	On focus mode switch (lens barrel)	On mode dial
Manual focus	• On focus mode switch • Has one-shot AF button	On focus mode switch
Shutter speed	60 - 1/2000 sec	8 - 1/2000 sec
Aperture	• Wide: F2.8 - F11 • Tele: F3.7 - F11	F2.8 - F8
Scene modes	14 modes	9 modes
Viewfinder	• 0.44" EVF • 235,000 pixels • In-line with center of lens	• 0.33" EVF • 114,000 pixels • Offset to left of LCD
LCD monitor	• 2.0" TFT LCD • 235,000 pixels • Flip-down and twist	• 2.0" TFT LCD • 130,000 pixels • Fixed
Thumbnail index	• 9 images • 16 images • 25 images	• 9 images
Orientation sensor	Yes	No
Battery	• Lithium-Ion rechargeable • 730 mAh, 7.2V	• Lithium-Ion rechargeable • 680 mAh, 7.2V
Weight (inc batt)	740 g (1.6 lb)	556 g (1.2 lb)
Dimensions	141 x 86 x 138 mm (5.5 x 3.4 x 5.4 in)	128 x 87 x 106 mm (5.0 x 3.4 x 4.2 in)

Other changes / improvements

• Wider, deeper hand grip
• Faster startup time (thanks to non-extending lens); 1 vs. 5 seconds (FZ20)
• New smaller add-on ND filter, telephoto and wide-angle lenses screw onto front of lens
• Tripod mount now in line with lens
• SD card door moved to side of camera rather than with battery
• Brighter LCD and EVF performance in low light because of 9-pixel CCD readout (binning)
• Video capture now uses 9-pixel CCD readout for better low light performance

Panasonic DMC-FZ30 Key specifications

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area