Camera Buy - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20K 5MP Digital Camera with 12x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Black)

Manufacturer: Panasonic

Average Evaluation:

Batteries Included: 0
Binding: Electronics
Brand: Panasonic
Color: DMC-DF20 Black
Connectivity: AV
Digital Zoom: 4
Display Size: 2
EAN: 0037988977932
Feature: 5-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 13-by-17-inch enlargements
Floppy Disk Drive Description: None
Has Red Eye Reduction: 1
Included Software: Yes
Label: Panasonic
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Maximum Focal Length: 72
Maximum Resolution: 5
Minimum Focal Length: 6
Model: DMC-FZ20PP-K
Number Of Items: 1
Optical Zoom: 12
Publisher: Panasonic
Studio: Panasonic
Variation Description: DMC-DF20 Black

Features
5-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 13-by-17-inch enlargements Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 12x zoom lens combines with 4x digital zoom for 48x total zoom MEGA optical image stabilizer; 2-inch TFT LCD screen; PictBridge Compatible Store images on Secure Digital (SD) memory card (16 MB SD card included) Powered by lithium-ion battery pack (included with charger)

Accessories
PhotoPlus X2 Digital Studio Corel Photo Album 7 Deluxe Adobe Photoshop CS4 Upgrade Adobe Photoshop CS4 Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

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Editorial Reviews:

Featuring a 5-megapixel CCD sensor, the DMC-FZ20K delivers a wide range of detail and color with images up to 2560 x 1920 pixels--enough information to make photo-quality prints up to 13 by 17 inches. Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 12x zoom lens, with 3 aspheric elements, combines comfortably small size with superb image rendering. By combining with a 4x digital zoom, users will have an equivalence of a 48x zoom lens in a very compact body, though users should note that digital zoom degrades picture quality.

Movie Mode and Audio
The DMC-FZ20K lets you shoot QuickTime Motion JPEG video at resolutions up to 320 x 240 pixels with sound. The amount of video you can capture is limited by space on the memory card; you'll fit more at low quality (10 frames-per-second) than at high quality (30 frames-per-second). The movies aren't camcorder quality, but they're fun and convenient, and they're perfect as e-mail attachments. You can also record audio comments, up to five seconds in length, for your still pictures.

More Features

Flip Animation: Allows you to create your own frame-by-frame animations.
Unlimited Consecutive Shooting: Allows consecutive shooting up to the capacity of the SD memory card.
Two-inch diagonal polycrystalline TFT LCD display (130k pixels)
Hot shoe for external flash attachment
Mega Burst Shooting Mode: Shoot up to seven images at three or two frames-per-second in standard resolution, or up to four images in fine resolution. This option is designed to provide you with the best selection of photos during action, such as a sporting event.

Storage and Transfer
Images and video are stored on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards. A 16 MB SD card is included. Files can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98/Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Printing
This camera supports the PictBridge standard. PictBridge is a technology that lets you transfer pictures from a digital camera to a compatible printer, without a PC or image-editing software. Because PictBridge is an industry standard, users can connect PictBridge-compatible devices made by many different manufacturers. Learn more about PictBridge.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by lithium-ion battery pack (included with charger). It measures 3.43 by 5.02 by 4.18 inches and weighs 1.14 pounds.

What's in the Box
DMC-FZ20K digital camera, battery charger, battery pack, 16MB SD memory card, lens cap, lens hood with adaptor, A/V and USB cables, strap, and CD-ROM

Reviews :

Evaluation:

Conclusion: superb camera

Review: I bought this camera used for $99. What a bargain!! It takes fabulous pictures! I downloaded pictures I took at Niagra Falls and use them as my screen saver and I can't believe I took those pictures. They look like they were taken by a professional! I still have a lot to learn on this camera but so far the pictures are stunning. I can't imagine what kind of pictures I'll be able to take when I learn more about the camera.

The only one tiny problem I have is where they put the digital view finder. When I look through it my nose touches the LCD screen. But other than that I love this camera. What a great find!!!

Evaluation:

Conclusion: Oldie but goodie

Review: At 5 megapixels this camera is somewhat outdated, yet with owning newer and supposedly better cameras I still grab this one most often. The lens is stunning, fast and clear with an amazing zoom ratio. I got this camera when I was fascinated with photographing ducks. The 430mm equivalent zoom is perfect for bird photography. Compared to an SLR with equivalent length of zoom it's so light and easy to handle. And with a 36mm equivalent wide angle it replaces an entire kit of lenses. And with a 2.8 aperture it's remarkably fast for such a zoom.

My biggest complaint is that the with a minimum aperture of F8 I can't get quite the depth of field that I'd sometimes like. Some other features are a bit dated, too. Maximum movie size is 320 x 240 pixels. The USB connector is only the slower version 1. But since I don't like hauling multiple lenses around (or changing them in bad weather) and don't really use this as a movie camera, it's still the camera that goes on hikes with me. If you can find a used one at a good price don't worry about the 5 MP limit. The few photos that I've needed to print at a large size, I've taken to a print shop that does giclee printing. I have a stunning 16" x 20" shot of a red tailed hawk that's as fine as any of my 35mm prints. The printing was pricey but considering the framing and mounting costs the $15 printing cost was trivial.

Evaluation:

Conclusion: No long exposure capability

Review: I've had this camera for a few years now and love it, BUT I have discovered that I cannot do long exposures needed for most night photography.

The maximum built-in exposure time is 8 seconds, far too little for most night photography. It's a great camera if you don't want to do time exposures but a big disappointment if you do.

Evaluation:

Conclusion: It's all about the pictures

Review: I got the FZ20 when it first came out. It was an addition to several other digital and film cameras that I own.

Having been a semi-pro photographer for years, we have to realize that different people look for different things in a camera. That's one reason why I have a lot of cameras.

However, if size is not a factor but I still can't carry a complete camera bag with interchangeable lenses, then my go-to camera is the FZ20. Why? Well, if I am shooting in low light, the results with either a Sunpak 422D or Metz 60CT is great. Also, in normal situations where the onboard flash will work or in available light situations within the range of the camera, the lens on this hummer will catch shots that I would otherwise not get. The incredible zoom range, quality within the range and 2.8 aperture are an incredible combination. Think about it. And while it is 5 MP, because of the broad zoom range, there is far less need to crop a photo later on, losing resolution. With the FZ20 one has far greater flexibility in framing and cropping the photo in the camera, using the lens. The results are pretty stunning

The camera has been very reliable over the years, taken lots of bumps and bruises, and just doesn't quit. No problems whatsoever. Destined to become a classic, I think.

The internal battery is pretty good, and I always carry a spare, but I use external batteries with this to help keep me going during a shoot.

CONS, well there are a few. Not the best for video display of shots taken at extremely low light, but print results look good.

Some people have complained about the viewfinder and screen, I find that they work perfectly well for me, and would not have wanted to buy the camera at a higher cost for something better than it has.

This is another common complaint that I read about... and that is image quality of cameras. Too often the image quality will vary depending on whether the photo is being displayed on a computer screen or printed. And if it's printed, the printer and paper used. When printing either at a lab or on my dye sub printer, I have never had a bad photo with this camera, except for, say, user error.

OTOH, photos taken with my non-Lumix cameras tend to look flat and uninspiring by comparison. There is something about the Leica lenses that makes people really flip out over the Lumix shots.

Also, the location of the SD card is in the BOTTOM of the camera, which is a drag when using a tripod. You have to unscrew the camera from the tripod base to get to the card. Max card capacity is 2GB. Which is generally enough. Why they didn't mount the card in the side of the camera is a mystery.

Evaluation:

Conclusion: AWSOME

Review: This camera is Awsome, the ZOOM is insaine on it, it gets crisp cristel clear shots, just make sure you have some experience using a more pro camera like this one.

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