DPexpert: [REVIEW—PANASONIC LUMIX FZ28]

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October 08, 2008

[REVIEW—PANASONIC LUMIX FZ28]

Price: $770

Well evolved super zoom

The low-down: This 10 megapixel pseudo SLR is the latest iteration of the Panasonic superzoom (Leica-branded lens with 27–486mm focal length) The lens has very effective image stabilisation and is sharp at all focal lengths. The electronic viewfinder is not great but the LCD screen is a fine resolution 6.7cm and the EVF is better than no viewfinder at all. There is both a high degree of automation and also a suite of full manual controls, so both point-and-shooters and serious photographers are catered for. Controls are logical and well laid out and the printed user manual is clear and comprehensive. Auto focus is fast and accurate at all focal lengths. There is face detection and auto focus tracking of moving subjects.

Like: The lens is magnificent. The effectiveness of the image stabilisation is simply sensational – hand-held photos taken at full zoom extension, equivalent to 486mm, are amazingly sharp. Image quality at ISO speeds up to 200 is very good. ISO400 is OK and 800 is just usable.

Dislike: Unfortunately if you opt for the Intelligent Auto function you won’t know what ISO speeds the camera is choosing until after the event. Auto white balance is poor and the camera is easily fooled under artificial or mixed light sources.

Verdict: This camera is a pleasure to use. The bad old days of intolerable shutter lag in all-in-one superzooms are well behind us – the Panasonic is as responsive as any compact camera. It can’t match a true SLR, but it is priced against the low end entry SLRs, so when it comes to choosing a camera the advantages of the FZ28 are bulk and weight and the fabulous lens. Usually when testing a superzoom allowances must be made for image deterioration at the longest focal length, but the FZ28 combines excellent glass and clever image stabilisation with precise focusing for no-compromise results.