Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5K 5MP with a Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) that compensates the handshake, plus a newly developed 12x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 36mm to 432mm in a 35mm film camera). The DMC-FZ5 is heir to the 3.1-megapixel DMC-FZ3, but enhances its excellence not only through an increase in the total number of captured pixels, but also with other innovative technical improvements such as faster AF and various design development on the grip and position of the shutter button, to encourage higher-level shooting with comfortable operation. The DMC-FZ5 is distinct in its body size and usability, allowing users to enjoy an expanded world of photography.
The remarkable 12x optical zoom can capture large frames of photo subjects even a long distance away. Furthermore, Panasonic’s Mega O.I.S. assures stability of the magnified image and resolves the problem of blurring when the zoom photography is operated by hand without the assistance of a tripod. The camera is equipped with a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens for high resolution imaging with very little distortion. Moreover, the combination of 3 aspherical lenses preserves an astonishingly compact body size even for a 12x optical zoom digital still camera.
The engine, or the brain, driving high picture quality and quick response of the camera is once again the leading-edge image processing LSI Venus Engine II, which boasts excellent resolution in the horizontal and the vertical, in addition to the diagonal. An industry-leading release time lag of 0.008 second and a shutter interval of approximately 0.4 seconds (not including time for AF) allows you to precisely capture your target subject. What’s more, consecutive shooting performance boasts the capability of sequential shots at a rate of 3 frames per second at full resolution. An unlimited consecutive shooting function allows you to take photos in succession until the memory card or built-in memory is full.
The Lumix DMC-FZ5 digital camera is equipped with a 5.0-megapixel CCD and newly developed Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens offering 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 36mm to 432mm on a 35mm film camera) with aperture of f2.8 to f3.3. The combination of 3 aspherical lenses, the crystallization of Panasonic’s optics technology, generates high optical performance while preserving the compactness of the unit. The zoom range can be totally extended to 48x when combined with 4x digital zoom.
Helpful consumer’s review
This camera has far exceeded my expectations. I am one of those geeks that research everything on the market before making a purchase. There are plenty of cameras that looked like they would meet my needs, but as I researched and tested, too many had glaring flaws or fell short on critical features.
I’m not going to waste your time and mine repeating all the details of every feature from the earlier reviewers. They did a great job of listing its strengths and weaknesses. Instead, I will waste our time sharing my personal impressions on the use and results of this fine camera.
The image stabilizer is like magic. I have been able to take indoor, hand held shots that would have been impossible with an un-stabilized camera. I cannot overstate the value of this feature. In well lit pictures the stabilization makes for a crispness I haven’t seen in a point and shoot type camera (perhaps the massive Leica lens may have had something to do with this too). The flash has impressed me as well. It seems to meter very well compared to my Cannon A70. No more flash blown out shots on close up groups. Rarely did it get it wrong.
I spent yesterday at the Point Defiance Zoo in Seattle, running the FZ5 through its paces. The resulting pictures blew me away. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face looking at the pics on my computer afterwards. I’m no pro, but some of the pics were. It was a bit humorous to hear comments all day long by other Point and Shoot photographers “I wish I had more zoom”, all the while I am taking crisp 12x close-ups of all the fuzzy critters in cages.
Also, I like a camera that looks and handles like a camera, not some kind of Star Trek shuttle craft with a lens on the front. The Minoltas look goofy and handle goofy. Scotty, beam me up.
