The Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ30 often is the replacement Panasonic's well liked DMC FZ20 which came out in late 2004. The FZ30 improves on that camera in almost every way, specially in building and ergonomics.

I'll mention pricey first. Despite an increase in resolution from 5 to 8 megapixels, the look quality has never improved that much. Panasonic's new 8 megapixel chip is pretty noisy (which equates to "grainy" in film cameras) and overall the photos won't look more effective for a given print size as opposed to the old, 5 megapixel camera. There's nothing to state the wonderful pictures are unacceptable they're good, the truth is, apart from pictures ingested low light but that when you now have the 5 megapixel camera, always rush to order an 8 megapixel and expect great improvements. The detail from the shots, however, is quite good.

With that dealt with, almost anything else with regards to the camera has improved to your quite incredible degree. It truly does feel as if Panasonic followed their customer response and fixed most everything they did not like.

The camera may be larger than the FZ20, making it quite hefty larger than some SLR cameras, the fact is that, although a SLR by having a comparable lens will be larger. It is usually not light, at about one and a half pounds. This certainly does mean that on the web steady and hold, but it's not even a pocket camera.

The lens is completely new, and in contrast to that in the FZ20, just isn't going to retract or move during focussing or zooming all of the movement is internal. This means stashed away far more sealed and solid feeling, and plays a role in making start up times commendably fast. Unlike the previous model, zooming is performed accompanied by a ring surrounding the lens just like a traditional camera, rather than by way of motor and rocker switch. This takes a little getting used to several fish tank using other lawn movers, but soon becomes second nature and much quicker as opposed to the motor. In manual focus mode, the lens are generally focussed with another lens mounted ring. The display shows a zoomed in area to aid manual focussing, and that i found this feature quite usable.

The zoom range is 35 420mm (35mm camera equivalent), which can be pretty much just like the previous camera and provide a 12x range. This particular as much telephoto reach as they are practicable to hand hold and uncover a pointy picture, despite having image stabilization. Should you desire more, Panasonic sells an add on lens giving extremely reach, but I'd advise a tripod. You're prone to desire more wide angle, i really believe, and another conversion lens is available for those.

Unlike the prior camera, the lens does not possess consistent F2.8 aperture, but alternatively gives F2.8 with the wide end and F3.7 on the long end. This is still good; clearly, some compromise had to be made.

Overall, the construction feels much more solid and high quality compared to a FZ20. The hand grip is improved, being more deeply and easier to grasp, additionally , the location on the shutter button has been enhanced. The FZ20 always felt a little bit of fragile, and this camera does not.

The LCD screen will be much improved, also now can be a flip down and twist model, meaning it might be folded inward to safeguard it, or folded as a result of view previously mentioned or (that has a twist) below. This is the extremely helpful feature, which make it simple shoot over crowds or get a more natural view of young children, pets etc. I feel the sideways flipping style is slightly much easier to use than this downward one, but this really still top notch, and then a solid upgrade.

Menus and operation seem little changed from your FZ20, and are also good. The flash seems better than most, and doesn't wash things out with close subjects either.

While I don't use movie modes hardly the least bit, Absolutely , from reading the manual that your movie mode in such a people are much improved from FZ20, and will produce full speed VGA quality movies of shortish duration. For upwards of short clips to your kids, I'd recommend a show camera instead.

In conclusion, this can be a excellent camera that these days certainly is the king of this mega zoom, fixed lens camera market. The wonderful pictures are of the same quality or compatible with while thatrrrs available, plus ergonomics, usability and 'real camera' solidness, the FZ30 is true now unbeatable. It functions and feels an awfully high quality home gym, and i also don't believe you can obtain a better "all in one" camera for your money at this moment.

One should be aware of, though, that compromises are supposed to get that huge 12x zoom range inside of a camera. Unless you need all that telephoto, you could potentially buy an entry level dSLR for minimal extra income; wedding ceremony kit lens they come in might be much the inferior of this FZ30's Leica mega zoom, the dSLR's imaging chip will produce higher quality images, specially in low light.

If there is a FZ20, that may be definitely worth the upgrade? Not to be able to upgrade for image quality; yes, if you want a extra solidly built, ergonomically satisfying camera. Usually well worth the money? All things considered, the choice is yours, but I'd advise visiting a store and handling one; you can love it, it's that good.