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More…Panasonic's new Lumix DMC-FZ28 has features that give it a jump on many of its competitors in the advanced point-and-shoot and megazoom categories. Its predecessor (the Lumix DMC-FZ18) was already a good camera, though not without a few flaws: It couldn't zoom in video mode, and it had disappointing battery life.
Panasonic Lumix FZ28
- Spec Navigator
- Digital Format
- Display
- Exposure
- Image Processor
- Included Hardware
- Included Software
- Lens
- Shutter
- Storage
- LCD Screen
- Exposure Controls
- Dimensions
- Power
- Flash
- Lens Features
- Connectivity
- Other Features
Image Processor
| Number of image sensor pixels | 10.1 megapixels |
| Image sensor | CCD |
| Maximum horizontal image resolution | 3648 |
| Maximum vertical image resolution | 2736 |
| Image sensor quantity | 1 |
| Image format |
|
| White balance | 0 |
Included Hardware
| Included Hardware |
|
Included Software
| Included Software | PHOTOfunSTUDIO -viewer- 2.1E ArcSoft (MediaImpression / Panorama Maker) SilkyPix Developer Studio 3.0SE, QuickTime, USB Driver |
Lens
| Accessory Lens | 0 |
| Lens Model | Leica DV Vario-Elmarit Lens |
| Telephoto Aperture Maximum | 4.4 mm |
| Wide-Angle Aperture Maximum | 2.8 mm |
Exposure Controls
| Maximum shutter speed | 2000 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 15 |
| Bulb setting | 0 |
| ISO equivalencies |
|
| Exposure settings | 0 |
| Exposure compensation range | 0 |
| Number of scene modes | 17 |
- Lab Tested
- How We Test Point-and-Shoot Cameras »
Pros
Powerful 18x optical zoom lens
Shoots high-definition movies
Cons
Auto white balance acts unpredictably
Slow to focus at telephoto end
Bottom Line
Light, durable, and easy to use, this Panasonic megazoom model performs marvelously under most conditions.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28
Lumix FZ28 Review, by Danny Palmerlee, PC World March 13, 2009
With the 10-megapixel DMC-FZ28, Panasonic has nixed those two problems entirely. The FZ28 lets you use that huge 18X optical zoom while shooting video (in HD, no less), and in the PC World Test Center's tests, its battery life maxed out at 500 or more shots on a single charge (up from just 420 shots with the Lumix FZ18). The sum of those improvements? The camera was a joy to use.
Similar to its advanced point-and-shoot competitors, the Lumix FZ28 boasts a whopping 18X optical zoom (27mm to 486mm in 35mm film equivalent) and a range of manual controls.
But unlike most of those competitors--except the Olympus SP-570 UZ and the Canon PowerShot G10 IS--the FZ28 is capable of shooting in RAW format. Not only does this eliminate any exposure and white-balance problems that arise during capture (since you can correct them after the fact), it offers complete post-production control over your images.
The FZ28 also boasts a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens: excellent glass, to say the least. But surprisingly, in the PC World Test Center's subjective tests, the Lumix FZ28 lagged some of the competition when it came to image quality.
In well-lit, indoor test shots, PC World Test Center jurors noted inaccurate color reproduction on the bright end of the spectrum. The jurors assessed overall image quality as "Good," on a par with Canon's highly-rated PowerShot SX10 IS and close to the PowerShot G10 IS, but trailing high-zoom advanced cameras such as the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 and the top-ranked Olympus SP-570 UZ.
In my own hands-on testing, the FZ28's most serious shortcomings were white balance and focus speed. When shooting inside with a flash (under tungsten light), the camera consistently produced overwarm images. Outside, however, the white balance was spot-on. Focus speed was noticeably sluggish when the lens was zoomed all the way in; on the wide-angle end, though, focusing was fast and accurate.
One standout feature is the FZ28's ability to shoot 720p HD movies (1280 by 720 pixels at 30 frames per second). Although to my ears the sound quality was less than stellar, the videos themselves were excellent, making the camera an acceptable substitute for a video camera when you want to travel lightly.
I found nearly all the camera's functions intuitive to use. A back-of-camera "joystick," which controls the FZ28's manual functions, threw me off at first, but it was a cinch to operate once I got used to it. The mode dial on the top of the camera makes switching easy between manual, program, aperture-priority, shutter-priority, and automatic modes. The dial also has five dedicated scene modes (portrait, landscape, sports, night-portrait, and close-up) and two custom modes. A final dial option is a gateway to 17 additional scene modes, giving you more shooting parameters than you'll probably ever use.
Overall, there was little I didn't like about the FZ28, except for a few very minor annoyances: When holding the FZ28 with two hands, my left thumb rested directly in front of the focus assist lamp, making focus difficult in low light (until I noticed what was happening and moved my thumb). Also, the flash does not automatically open; it requires pushing a button. Finally, I found the manual focus useless, although that seems to be par for most cameras in this class.
Given the price (about $400), the Leica lens, the telephoto reach, the wide angle, and the camera's ability to shoot RAW, the Lumix FZ28 is a solid high-zoom point-and-shoot.
--Danny Palmerlee
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PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
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79
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80
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81
- See Complete Lab Results »
Performance Comparison with Similar Point-and-Shoot Cameras
79
85
79
81
See a full Comparison Chart of These Point-and-Shoot Cameras »
Performance
| Battery Life (minutes) | 273.5 |
| Battery Life Score | Superior |
| Image Quality Score | Good |
| Image Quality, Color | 50.4 |
| Image Quality, Color--Adjusted | 60.7 |
| Image Quality, Color--Auto | 40 |
| Image Quality, Distortion | 59.1 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Noise | 40.5 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Noise Reduction | 51.2 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Sharp Interpolation | 74.6 |
| Image Quality, Exposure | 44.9 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Flash | 53.4 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Normal | 41.3 |
| Image Quality, Overall | 46.8 |
| Image Quality, Sharpness | 45.2 |
| Number of Batteries | 1 |
| Number of Shots | 500 |
User Reviews
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: paleobishop
Strengths: easy to usequite nice image quality, can add a 46mm filter!RAW is great option
Weaknesses: Tends to "blow" highlights
Overall: Purchased as a backup for my DSLR--also a light camera easy to toss in the backpack when not shooting formally--but still shoots acceptable images. It fills the bill nicely. Photos have good color, clarity, edge-to-edge sharpness, and there is even decent bokah at medium to long-range tele. Nice for portraits as well as macro. Overall has a professional feel and finish.
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Reviewed by: swmurphy55
Strengths: Features: 18X Zoom, Anti-Shake & Red Eye Reduction! Easy to use and quick to learn how to operate well.
Weaknesses: None
Overall: I had bought a Fuji film S8000 fd and liked it a lot. But I kept hearing about this camera and a friend of mine bought one. Game changer, this camera is so much better in every way.
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Reviewed by: yildiz
Strengths: Leica glass, F2.8, wide-angle, lightweight, you can zoom while filming, vivid and crisp pictures
Weaknesses: slow response
Overall: My sister had FZ18, and I borrowed hers time to time. Loved the camera and decided to buy Panasonic DMC-FZ28 for myself, and I am thinking that this Panasonic line is the one of the best superzoom non dslr camera around. I considered buying DSLR until I came to my senses and realized that for 99% of anyone's photographic needs these cameras fill the bill. If you're a professional photographer or really serious hobbyist, perhaps the cost and hassel of a DSLR is justified. Otherwise I highly recommend Panasonic DMC-FZ28 to anyone who wants a lot of control, a great lens and lot's of features.
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