Announced just before PMA in February 2005, the DMC-FZ5 is one of two direct sucessors to the popular (and dpreview Highly Recommended) DMC-FZ3. Like its predecessor the FZ5 sports a Leica-branded DC Vario-Elmarit zoom with a whopping 12x optical range (35-420mm equiv), though the larger sensor has resulted in a slightly slower F2.8-F3.3 aperture range. It also boasts the same newly-improved optical image stabilization 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).
Aside from the boost from 3 to 5 million pixels (bringing it in line with the high-end DMC-FZ20), the FZ5 has a range of relatively minor changes over the FZ3, including longer battery life, a repositioned shutter release and improved grip design, larger LCD screen, orientation sensor and a new fast focus mode, which Panasonic claims gives a 30% improvement on the previous model.
- 5.0 million effective pixels
- 36 - 432mm (equiv.) F2.8-3.3, 12x Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT Zoom Lens
- Mega O.I.S (optical image stabilisation)
- 1.8-inch colour screen
- New fast focus mode
- Improved battery life
- New orientation sensor
- Venus II image processing engine
- 9 scene modes and full photographic control
- TIFF mode
- Ultra-fast startup, focus, shutter lag and shot-to-shot time
- 'Simple' mode for novice photographers
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 vs FZ20 (differences)
![]() Panasonic FZ20 |
![]() Panasonic FZ5 |
|
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Lens Max Aperture | F2.8 | F2.8-3.3 |
Flash hot shoe | Yes | No |
Built-in flash range | 7m (22.9 ft) | 4.5m (14.7 ft) |
Manual focus | Yes | No |
Orientation sensor | No | Yes |
Screen | • 2.0-inch • 130,000 pixels |
• 1.8-inch • 130,000 pixels |
Weight | 556 g (19.6 oz) | 326 g (11.5 oz) |
Size (HxWxD) | 87 x 128 x 106 mm (3.4 x 5 x 4.2 in) | 68 x 102 x 85 mm (2.7 x 4 x 3.3 in) |
Battery life (CIPA) | 240 | 300 |
Converter lenses | Optional | Not available |
The FZ5 closes the gap between the high end and mid-range Panasonic 'super zoom' to such a degree that the arguments for the DMC-FZ20 come down to size (some people prefer the bigger camera), flash (the FZ20 has a hot-shoe for external units and a more powerful built-in flash) and manual focus. Although Panasonic doesn't sell add-on lenses for the FZ5, third-party solutions are available.
Color options
Like the FZ20, the FZ5 will be available in two colors; black and silver. The camera used for this review is a silver model, though we much prefer the 'mini FZ20' look of the black version.
Panasonic DMC-FZ5 Key specifications
Street price | US: $499 (tbc) UK: £360 (tbc) |
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Body Material | Plastic |
Sensor | 1/2.5" CCD, 5.36 million total pixels 4.9 million effective pixels |
Image sizes | 2560 x 1920 |
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 | 36 - 432mm 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), 100cm (Tele) |
Shooting mode | Program |
Shutter speeds | 8-1/2000 sec Shutter speeds of over 1/1300 sec only available at apertures over F4.0 |
Apertures | Wide: F2.8 / F3.6 / F4.0 / F4.5 / F5.0 / F5.6 / F6.3 / F7.1 / F8.0 Tele: F3.2 / F3.6 / F4.0 / F4.5 / F5.0 / F5.6 / F6.3 / F7.1 / F8.0 |
Sensitivity | Auto ISO 80,100,200,400 |
White Balance | Auto 4 presets Custom WB (manual) |
Image parameters | Color Effect (Cool, Warm, B/W, Sepia) Picture Adjust (Natural, Standard, Vivid) |
Continuous | 3 fps, up to 4 frames (fine), 7 frames (standard) 2 fps (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 - 4.5m (0.98 - 14.8 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 | 1.8" TFT, 130,000 pixels |
Connectivity | USB 2.0 Full Speed AV out DC-in |
Power | Panasonic CGA-S002A Lithium Ion pack 7.2V, 680 mAh (Optional AC adapter) |
In the box* | Panasonic DMC-FZ5 camera |
Other features | Spot, Center-weighted & Multi-pattern metering |
Weight (inc batt) | 326 g (11.5 oz) inc memory card and battery |
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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