It might even compete with the SLR’s but I don’t have a digital SLR so I can’t really make that statement. My FZ-30 served me well for 2 years until it quit working due to getting wet. (Thank you American Airlines)
I primarily use my camera for well lit out door shots. I do a lot of sports photography and the telephoto is always on max. I did use it for indoors as well and never saw the noise problem that some people comment about. It has a great balance and feel, focused accurately and took crisp clear pictures with accurate colors.
I decided to replace it with a Canon S3 IS (very good reviews)since the FZ-30 was out of production, and the Canon was about $150 less. That was a mistake. There is no comparison, The Panasonic took so much clearer pictures. The Canon is quite a bit smaller and lighter, it does not have the quality feel of the Panasonic. I am returning the Canon and ordering an FZ-50.
Almost any camera can be considered for travel. You just need something that will record the moment, right? Wrong! No, you want to be able to look back on your experiences with photographs that will recall the wonderful emotions of the original moments. Your camera is an important consideration. You will want to be able to capture a wide angle view of a gorgeous sunrise on the beach, or zoom in to photograph an amazingly beautiful bird that is not part of your home environment, or to capture the running of the bulls in HD video. And to top it off, your camera needs to be very portable so you can take in anywhere you go without being too cumbersome.
There are only a handful of cameras able to do these things with fantastic image quality. The best way to find such a piece of technology is to search the Internet until you find exactly to right camera. Fortunately, that has Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20K Camera been done for you. Here is the formula:
- Check the most reliable Camera Review web sites for the features that you desire - it's a very tedious process
- Once you find several cameras that fit your specifications, check the Internet for what buyers of the cameras in question think about their purchases
- Narrow your choices to two possibilities
Having done these steps, the choices are Panasonic Lumix ZS3 and Canon Powershot SX200 IS. Both cameras are highly rated and able to accomplish the tasks of a great travel camera. Plus, they can be carried about in a pocket or purse.
Here is a short list of the features
- 10.1(ZS3) or 12.1(SX200) Megapixels
- 12x Zoom
- 720p HD video
- 3.0-inch LCD with 460,000 dots resolution
- Optical Image Stabilizer
- ISO sensitivity up to 1600
- Face Detection
Both Canon and Panasonic have gained a reputation for their excellent group of compact digital cameras, and these two are no exception.
Why don't you take the time to view a more in depth list of camera features for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 and the Canon Powershot SX200 IS at http://www.digital-photographic-resources.com. You will also find the reasons for purchasing one camera rather than the other. While you are there, check out the Cameras and Stuff Blog.
Help answer the question about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20K Camera
How long can videos last on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30?
I think this is the camera I Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20K Camera want to buy, but I really need a camera that can take pretty long videos. I know the video quality is good on this camera, but does each video last at least 5-10 minutes?
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Near Mint Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ20 5.0 MP Digital Camera - Black - w Accessories US $99.00 (5 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 16:47:01 PDT |
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Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ20 5.4 MP Digital Camera - Black US $150.00 End Date: Monday May-21-2012 15:08:10 PDT |
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Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ20 5.0 MP kit...w/original hood,cords and filter set!Mint- US $97.95 End Date: Sunday May-27-2012 16:42:08 PDT |
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Near Mint Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ20 5.0 MP Digital Camera - Black - w Accessories US $99.00 (5 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 16:47:01 PDT |
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
For my purposes, I do not need a digital SLR and all the work that goes i9nto one- I’ll never be that good a photographer. Really don’t need all this has to offer either, but it’s fun to play with and see how it can make impossible shots come out.
Earlier this summer I decided to get an upgraded point nad shoot, so I’m comparing this camera to a Nikon Coolpix P80 that I like a lot. But in some ways this just seems to take better pictures. The one feature I like most is the ring focus instead of the motorized zoom (don’t even know if I’m using the right term for this).
The one thing I like better on the Nikon is the memory card capability- have an 8GB in that, the DMC supposedly only takes a 2GB, so I have to live with 500 pictures.
So, I’m happy taking MUCH better pictures with both and comparing them and getting to know which does what best.
Finally, I’ll say once again I don’t do specs, leave it on auto most of the time and take the memory cards to Shoprite for instant developing, don ‘tu s e the computer, don’t leave film in 35mm for a year anymore, so I now have photo albums filled with excellent pictures
It might even compete with the SLR’s but I don’t have a digital SLR so I can’t really make that statement. My FZ-30 served me well for 2 years until it quit working due to getting wet. (Thank you American Airlines)
I primarily use my camera for well lit out door shots. I do a lot of sports photography and the telephoto is always on max. I did use it for indoors as well and never saw the noise problem that some people comment about. It has a great balance and feel, focused accurately and took crisp clear pictures with accurate colors.
I decided to replace it with a Canon S3 IS (very good reviews)since the FZ-30 was out of production, and the Canon was about $150 less. That was a mistake. There is no comparison, The Panasonic took so much clearer pictures. The Canon is quite a bit smaller and lighter, it does not have the quality feel of the Panasonic. I am returning the Canon and ordering an FZ-50.
This is a very nice camera for taking on my bike rides. Though it is not a pocket sized Point and shoot camera, it weight much less than my Nikon D-200. I love the 12X optical zoom. I was able to photograph a nest of Sandhill Cranes every day, as I biked the trail next to the nesting pond. True to the reviews I had read about it, this camera has some noise issues at anything higher than 80 Iso. At max optical telephoto it also produces softer photos than I would get with the Nikon, but closer range it takes tack sharp photos with great, true color rendition. The vibration reduction is great. I have shot some cose-ups in the shade at a 30th of a second and got sharp results. I found the rotating LCD screen helpful with low angle and some higher angle photos. The transfer time is a bit slow, but when you use a faster memory card, I have found it satisfactory. I use a high speed 1 GB SD card and shoot at the raw setting with acceptable results. I haven’t tried all the possibilities with this camera, since I’ve only had it for a short time, but, even with it’s noise shortcomings, I would recommend this camera to friends.
I’m a camera dummy but I get really great pictures with this camera. One of my friends thought I had an expensive SLR camera when he saw some of my pictures and looked really puzzled over how I got such such great pictures when I told him it was “just” a Panasonic, not a Nikon.
I’ve had this camera for around a year and use it almost every day. It’s a workhorse and it’s been flawless. Be sure to get a 1 gig high speed SD memory card to go with it. Also, get a tripod for those zoom shots.
A Retired professional, I have had medium format and numerous pro 35mm’s. This is my choice camera. I have prints on my wall up to 24×30 (and larger which I gave as gifts) from this camera. They were printed by non-pro, online order labs and they receive great unsolicited compliments. This camera has top capabilities and came with a leica 35-420 lens! It is easy to operate and the battery long-lived. I was comparing it to newer cameras since I’m used to having to upgrade frequently, and realized there is no need to spend more. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30K 8MP Digital Camera with 12x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Black)
I currently own 2 Panasonic cameras, an older FZ5 and this recently purchased FZ28.
I have been extremely happy with the FZ5. I can’t say enough good things about it. But when I saw an FZ28 that offered a manual focus and a larger LCD panel for less than what I payed for my trusty FZ5, I bought. I have already returned it to Panasonic because pictures that were focused routinely with the FZ5 were anywhere from poor to totally unusable. Panasonic promptly replaced my “new” FZ28 with a “refurbished ” unit. I don’t feel comfortable with that tradeoff and the refurbished unit has the same lack of sharpness in pictures as the new one. The problem seems most pronounced in medium to long zoom shots. With the FZ5 I could count the whiskers on my cats face across the yard. With the FZ28, I am not sure he has whiskers. Functionally, I dislike the position of the review button. I find my thumb bumps it too easily in to the review position . And the lens hood is the most Rube Goldberg device I have encountered on any camera. On the FZ5 it just twisted on to the lens, bayonet style. On the FZ28 a screw on adapter ring is required and the lens hood the clamps to the adapter ring by turning a small thumb screw on the side of the hood. I gave the camera 2 stars because the macro works fairly well and I like the larger LCD. But I would say that only about 40% of the pictures I take are acceptable keepers compared to a 90% or better success rate with the old FZ5. Unfortunately, it is too late to return the FZ28 but I know which camera is going along on my upcoming vacation. My trusty FZ5! Anyone interested in a cheap FZ28???
I purchased this camera to replace an old Sony. I needed one with a good zoom and that could take good, clear shots of my son’s varsity soccer games. This one definitely delivers. Out of over 1500 shots I’ve taken, only a handful were blurred, and that was because I moved, not the fault of the camera. It also does a great job on macro shots, like flowers. Without me even trying, it gave me a great shot of a hummingbird in flight! I love that you can adjust settings as much or as little as you want, depending on your level of expertise. It gives me lots of room to grow as a photographer. For the money spent, it really is a lot better camera than I expected to find.
This is a great camera for the price. Zoom is terrific and quality of pictures is the best. I would recommend this to anyone. It is lightweight and easy to handle. My sister would like one but now you can’t hardly find them under $400.
I’ve had this camera for 4 weeks now, and couldn’t be happier. It is a great camera for amateur photographers (like me) who don’t want to pay for an SLR but still want to take great pictures.
Super Zoom captures a great images. Convenient auto modes for the inexperienced. Images suffer after ISO 400. Typical for Lumix. Takes near HD video with quick-time format although the audio is sub par. The price has ballooned to Six hundred plus. I paid under three hundred for this unit October ‘08. Maybe a testament to the quality of this camera. This unit has never found a way to disappoint me.
Update June 2009. Well it’s been a couple years and this camera is still my all-time favorite. Lumix has come up with some really nice cameras that are more compact and have that advantage, but wow, the photos from the FZ20 are just spectacular. Hope it lasts forever. I’ve bought some new batteries and more memory cards
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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.
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!!!
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.
I bought this camera because of Consumer Reports in 2005 said it
was the fastest in terms of lag time. I needed to capture pics of my little cousins. And they were right, it is fast. It even has 3 frames per second mode.
I found it quite easy to learn how to use the features of this camera for someone new to digital.
Bonus 12x zoom with 24x digital zoom- you can capture things many cameras would miss.
I took photos at my cousin’s wedding and at least two were framed in their house- there were many other people who took photos besides me.
Also in using the 3 frames a second mode, I got a great picture of my cousin with her father when she was flinching and the next 1/3 a second she had her eyes open- this camera allowed me to capture that. Otherwise the picture would have had her with eyes closed.
NOTE: – do be careful what kind of bag you put this in. My camera finally has some fine lint that worked its way inside the lens, although I don’t see it in the pictures so far.
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.
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