Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ70 16.1 MP Digital Camera with 60x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Black)
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Brand | Panasonic |
Model Name | Panasonic LUMIX FZ70 |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 16.1 MP |
Photo Sensor Size | 1/2.3-inch |
Image Stabilization | Optical |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/2000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 8 seconds |
Metering Description | Multi, Center-weighted, Spot |
Exposure Control Type | Program, Panorama Shot, Creative Control, Manual, Creative Video, Custom, Aperture Priority, Scene, Automatic, Shutter Priority See more |
Form Factor | SLR-like (bridge) |
About this item
- Bring the action in super close with category class leading 60X optical zoom (20mm-1200mm)
- Experience Full 1080/60i HD Panasonic Video recording with auto focus
- Zoom focused Dolby quality sound recording locks out ambient noise for enhanced audio quality
- Dimensions (W x H x D) 130.2 x 97.0 x 118.2 mm / (5.13 x 3.82 x 4.65 inch)
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Please read before you order. This is Used only for a few occasions ( 2 or 3 times). Functional 100 %. No issue at all. It comes with batterie, wall charger, a 64 Gb memory card (Transcend 64GB Class 10 SDXC Flash Memory Card (TS64GSDXC10E) value 30 dollars, and a Case Logic DCB-304 Compact System/Hybrid Camera Case (Black) worth 10 dollars. No refund.
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This Item Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ70 16.1 MP Digital Camera with 60x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Black) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $274.99$274.99 | $497.99$497.99 | -5% $569.00$569.00 New Price: $599.99 | $399.00$399.00 | -18% $599.99$599.99 List: $730.00 | -12% $747.99$747.99 Typical: $847.99 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Mar 21 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Picture quality | 5.0 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.6 |
Zoom | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.5 |
Image stabilization | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.6 |
Auto focus | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 3.4 | — | 4.4 |
Quality of material | 4.8 | — | — | — | 4.3 | 4.6 |
Sold By | Best Of Bargains | Amazon.com | Minty Gadgets (we track serial numbers) | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
display type | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD |
display size | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | — |
lens type | Zoom | all-in-one-zoom | Wide Angle | Telephoto | Wide Angle | Telephoto |
zoom type | Optical Zoom | Depth From Defocus | Optical Zoom | Digital Zoom, Optical Zoom | Digital Zoom, Optical Zoom | Optical Zoom |
shooting modes | Automatic, Underwater, Night Portrait, Shutter Priority, Landscape, Aperture Priority, Movie, Panorama, Portrait, Macro | N&A | Movie | Panorama | Aperture Priority, Auto, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority | Bulb Mode,Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority |
connectivity tech | HDMI, USB | HDMI, USB | — | Wi-Fi | HDMI, Bluetooth, USB | HDMI, Bluetooth, USB |
Product guides and documents
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Product information
Auto Focus Technology | Center, Face Detection, Tracking, Multi-area, Single, Continuous, Contrast Detection |
---|---|
Display Resolution Maximum | 460000 |
Photo Sensor Size | 1/2.3-inch |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
Effective Still Resolution | 16.1 MP |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 16.1 MP |
White balance settings | Auto |
JPEG quality level | Fine |
Camera Flash | F2.8 |
Image Stabilization | Optical |
Flash Modes Description | Red Eye Reduction, Low-Power Mode, Suppressed Flash, Flash exposure compensation, Fill Flash, Automatic |
Video Capture Format | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Video Capture Resolution | FHD 1080p |
Video Standard | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Viewfinder Type | LCD |
---|---|
Screen Size | 3 Inches |
Display Type | LCD |
Display Fixture Type | Fixed |
Flash Memory Installed Size | 200 |
---|---|
Batteries Required? | Yes |
Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Are Batteries Included | Yes |
Rechargeable Battery Included | No |
Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Ion |
Battery Description | Lithium Ion |
Battery Weight | 1 Grams |
Battery Life | 400 Photos |
Target Gender | Unisex |
Digital Scene Transition | zoom |
Compatible Devices | Adapter, Camera |
Audio Input | Microphone |
Connectivity Technology | USB, HDMI |
Continuous Shooting Speed | 9 |
Wireless Communication Technology | None |
Flash Memory Type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Special Feature | Live View |
Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
Skill Level | Amateur |
Specific Uses For Product | Photography, Videography |
Form Factor | SLR-like (bridge) |
Hardware Interface | AV Port |
Audio Recording | No |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
GPS | None |
Lens Type | Zoom |
---|---|
Aperture Modes | F2.8 |
Optical Zoom | 60 |
Digital Zoom | 2 |
Maximum Aperture | 2.8 f |
Minimum Aperture | 5.9 |
Zoom Type | Optical Zoom |
Autofocus Points | 23 |
Compatible Mountings | Micro Four Thirds |
Focus Type | Manual Focus |
Maximum Focal Length | 1200 Millimeters |
Minimum Focal Length | 20 Millimeters |
Expanded ISO Maximum | 6400 |
---|---|
Expanded ISO Minimum | 100 |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/2000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 8 seconds |
Exposure Control Type | Program, Panorama Shot, Creative Control, Manual, Creative Video, Custom, Aperture Priority, Scene, Automatic, Shutter Priority |
Metering Description | Multi, Center-weighted, Spot |
Shooting Modes | Movie, Landscape, Panorama, Macro, Underwater, Night Portrait, Portrait, Aperture Priority, Automatic, Shutter Priority |
Model Name | Panasonic LUMIX FZ70 |
---|---|
Brand | Panasonic |
Model Number | DMC-FZ70K |
Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #3,100 in Camera Batteries |
ASIN | B00DY2Y28M |
Color | Black |
Included Components | Camera Kit |
Age Range (Description) | Adult |
Processor Description | Venus Engine |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5.12 x 4.65 x 3.82 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1.34 Pounds |
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What's in the box
Product Description
From the Manufacturer
Long Zoom Camera LeaderPanasonic LUMIX FZ70 16.1 MP Digital Camera with 60X Super Long Zoom and Dolby® Digital Sound
Life is more than a single moment captured in time. Never miss the action with an amazing Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ70 compact digital camera equipped with 20mm wide-angle to 1200mm (60X) long zoom F2.8-5.9 lens. Experience Full HD video with auto focus and an amazing wind shielded microphone that zooms with the camera to zero in on your subject’s audio. DMC-FZ70K
Super Long Zoom Lens From 20mm Ultra Wide-Angle To 60x Optical Zoom At 60X optical zoom, the LUMIX FZ70 Point and Shot digital camera produces stunning versatility from ultra-wide 20mm to incredible 1200mm to capture dynamic landscapes, wildlife, and almost any travel scene. Capture a little extra zoom with Intelligent Resolution technology. Extend the zoom ratio up to 120X equivalent while maintaining superior picture quality.Amazingly Clear Zoom Microphone with Dolby® Digital Audio QualityRecording video with the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ70 is easy, but what's really amazing is the camera's ability to capture crisp, clear audio. The videos are accompanied by realistic Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator. Sound quality is further improved with the LUMIX FZ70 and the newly developed Wind Shield Zoom Microphone.Create Stunning Movies With Full HD Video RecordingThe LUMIX FZ70 digital camera records Full-HD 1920 x 1080 videos in both AVCHD and MP4 format. A separate button on the top of the camera lets you instantly start recording videos while simultaneously shooting photos. The Creative Video Mode empowers you to adjust the shutter speed and aperture in videos to get the creative effect you are looking for.Power Optical Image Stabilization & Active Mode Deliver Sharp, Clear ImagesPOWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) suppresses hand-shake that causes blurred photos. Even slight hand-shake movement of this point and shot camera is accurately detected and compensated for to produce sharp, clear images. Panasonic LUMIX FZ70's Active Mode performs beautifully when recording wide-angle video at such as shooting while walking. The resulting videos are stable and clear.Be Inspired With In Camera Creative Controls and Creative RetouchPanasonic LUMIX FZ70 digital camera's Creative Control and Creative Retouch modes feature 15 filter effects. The Creative Control mode lets you shoot with a filter while checking how it looks on the picture. Certain filters can be used for video recording as well. The Creative Retouch mode lets you apply a filter on a picture, in camera, even after shooting.Expand Your Vision With Creative Panoramic EffectsCreative Panorama function shoots a horizontal/vertical panoramic image with consecutive shots by overlaying the previous picture. The multiple images are stitched together in the camera to create one single-wide image capturing your scene. Get creative with one of the 11 panoramic filter effects this long zoom camera offers.
Never Miss A Shot Even With Action Photography
The LUMIX FZ70 takes your photography to the next level with blazing fast speeds of up to 5 fames per second (fps) AF or 2fps with continuous AF Tracking, keeping your subject in focus even while it moves. An even faster 3 frame burst at 9 fps helps lock in those fast moving, once in a lifetime moments. Click to See More
Amazing Low Light 16.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
LUMIX FZ70's bright F2.8-5.9 lens with 16.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor delivers phenomenal image quality in high-sensitivity shooting scenes. The camera's sensor cuts noise by about 10-15% and dramatically improves image quality vs. previous models. With the Venus Engine, this superb sensor elevates response, sensitivity, and image quality. Click to See More
Shoot Impressive Pictures With iA (Intelligent Auto) / iA Plus Mode
iA (Intelligent Auto) of FZ70 digital point and shot camera helps you make beautiful pictures with a variety of shooting-assist functions. The camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots and capture moments in both photos and videos. Adjust background focus, exposure compensation, and white balance for even more flexible control by simply moving the slider. Click to See More
Panasonic LUMIX FZ70 Premium Accessories
DMW-LA8 Lens AdapterGet closer with the Tele Conversion Lens - DMW-LA8 Lens Adapter for the 1.7X DMW-LT55 Conversion Lens.DMW-LC55 Close-up 3X Filter
Discover the details with the DMW-LC55 Close-up 3X Filter.Panasonic DMW-FL360L External Flash
Panasonic DMW-FL360L TTL external flash gives you precise control of the light in your scene.Panasonic DMW-LPL55 Polarizer Filter
Polarizing technology to give you control of color saturation.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, zoom, functionality, value, ease of use, and size of the digital camera. They mention that it takes good pictures, has an amazing zoom capability, and is versatile. That said, some appreciate the weight and size.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the camera. They mention that it takes good pictures, videos, and outdoor images. Some are also pleased with the images they get. Overall, customers are happy with the quality and functionality of the product.
"...special modes, the 11 or more internal filter modes, the 23 or so scene selection modes, and full manual mode with shutter or aperture priority mode..." Read more
"...Once again, I am still giving this camera 4 stars because it is a technical marvel and for most people who are not photography enthusiasts it will..." Read more
"...SO I am as happy as a hog in a mud waller with this camera. It take good pictures. As with any camera, you need to get used to this particular one...." Read more
"...The video in 1080 is wonderful and I just love this camera, especially for the $358 price I paid on Amazon (plus free shipping and no tax!)..." Read more
Customers like the zoom capabilities of the camera. They say that it performs best with a tripod, and allows quick and smooth zooming action. They also appreciate the digital display, making it versatile.
"I really like the FZ70 especially the super wide angle and extra zoom in the lens and now priced around $300...." Read more
"The zoom range on this camera is unbelievable. The base camera has a 60X zoom range making it the longest of any camera available at the moment...." Read more
"...1. The optical zoom is indeed incredible and a pleasant surprise...." Read more
"...The Intelligent Zoom is better than a digital zoom, and it extends the zoom capabilities to more than the 60x figure. I have used both...." Read more
Customers are impressed with the value of the digital camera. They say it has a good value for the price and is one of the best value in digital cameras.
"...5. Cheap build...Mostly plastic... To keep camera light, inexpensive and durable, plastic is the way to go...." Read more
"First let me say that the FZ70 is an incredible camera and a real bargain considering all that it does...." Read more
"...I printed it one section at a time.This is a wonderful camera for the money...." Read more
"...I have to say, I feel this camera is one of the best value purchases I've ever made...." Read more
Customers find the digital camera easy to use. They mention that the features are easy to control, the instructions are relatively adequate, and the camera is easy to handle. It has an auto mode and is completely manual, making it easy to adapt existing lens adapters and filters.
"...100 times easier than my OMD or 60D. The setup is easy, just turn the dial to ia and press the shutter ½ way to focus and then press all the way...." Read more
"...The camera is easy to operate, has an incredible amount of built in features and much more just waiting to be discovered by experimenting...." Read more
"...been in the market for some time for a high-quality, relatively easy-to-use camera that would be especially great for non-professionals like us who..." Read more
"...it fits perfectly... Button's are were they are suppose to be and easy to access.. The camera fits into a standard camera case... and not a lot of..." Read more
Customers like the size of the digital camera. They say it's compact, lightweight, and easy to carry around. Some customers prefer the smaller, lighter, and more compact FZ70. The weight and feel of the camera is impressive. The exterior fit, finish, and feel inspire immediate confidence. The camera has a handy carrying case and internal straps. The picture size can be easily adjusted down to a smaller size. Customers say the shape of the grip is excellent.
"...but it is missing the extra zoom and wide angle, but the FZ200 is more compact and takes very good images, video and is a little better in low light...." Read more
"...Despite the fact I can't just slip it into my pocket the FZ70 is very light...." Read more
"...First of all, the exterior fit, finish, and feel inspire immediate confidence, as the materials used and weightiness of the device exude quality...." Read more
"...Small sensor size limits photo qualities in certain photo situations..." Read more
Customers like the performance of the digital camera. They say it does everything well, has a 60x zoom, and performs exceedingly well. They appreciate its ability to take good pictures with a tripod and the panoramic feature works as advertised. They also like the ability to shoot landscapes and the back-lit scenes.
"...for most people who are not photography enthusiasts it will perform admirably well and provide the kind of pictures that they would be very pleased..." Read more
"...as indoor photo quality, my use of the camera indoors has produced very good results, with a nice flash that doesn't wash out pictures at all...." Read more
"...for me because I shoot mostly landscapes and the panoramic feature works as advertised, enabling you to take up to a 360 degree shot in one pass!..." Read more
"...and exposure system when I moved to the fully automatic setting - very effective!..." Read more
Customers like the color of the digital camera. They say that the colors are crisp, the images are very good, and sometimes breathtaking. They also appreciate the way the camera handles difficult areas of contrast, and it is truly spectacular in low light conditions. Customers also like the fun picture effects and pre-set scenes.
"...The FZ70 images are very good and sometimes breathtaking...." Read more
"...capabilities without reverting to the use of the digital zoom are awe-inspiring...." Read more
"...I bought this camera and LOVE it. Sharp, retina colors..just beautiful BUT the raw is misleading...." Read more
"...First of all, the exterior fit, finish, and feel inspire immediate confidence, as the materials used and weightiness of the device exude quality...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the focus of the digital camera. Some mention that it has a faster continuous focus than the one labeled, while others say that the focusing issues are too numerous and too often for their being able to find it acceptable. They say that learning how to manually focus is cumbersome, and that the camera is a little slower to change focal length.
"...that had to be "enhanced" using YouTube and autofocus problems with even midrange zoom photos and poor battery life...." Read more
"...Uses a bit more battery, but it is faster continuous focus than the one labeled continuous focus. This is why you have to read the directions...." Read more
"...The electronic view finder is a bit grainy and you could only do a rough manual focus using it...." Read more
"...Auto-focus is fast and accurate, burst shooting mode is also wonderful, as it greatly increases your odds of getting that perfect shot without any..." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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The FZ70 is very easy to hold and still snap sharp images or take excellent video with its separate video button. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is fair but not large or as bright as the more expensive models such as the FZ200. It's good enough for bright light or low light but not great.
I think this camera is aimed mainly for the beginner or anyone considering buying a dSLR but not prepared to spend the hundreds or thousands for extra lenses beyond the kit lenses included with most dSLR. It appealed to me for the wide angle and extra zoom. The FZ70 will take macro images but it not nearly as good as any dSLR or MFT (micro four thirds cameras)
The image stabilization on the FZ70 is outstanding just like the FZ150/FZ200. I was able to get sharp hand held images at 60X zoom most of the time. It should be impossible to do that but with some extra bracing, the sharp images were close to all of the time. I think the Panasonic FZ150/FZ200 has the best image quality for the bridge cameras but there is not a huge difference. The FZ70 images are very good and sometimes breathtaking. I checked out an assortment of wide angle to full zoom images and was amazed just how good they were. An example....I took an image of a house 1/5 of a mile from the camera, hand held at full zoom. I could almost see the individual granules in the shingles and individual leaves in the trees behind the house. I can't do that with my Canon 60D dSLR and $600 zoom lens. I recently took the FZ70 along with an Olympus OMDEM5 with a Panasonic 14-140, that combination cost 6X the FZ70 to the local zoo. I used the FZ70 for the wide angle images and the extreme zoom images. I captured in sharp detail, all the animals in their habitat as if I was right next to them. The OMD allowed capturing images through any cages or fencing, something that is nearly impossible to do with the FZ70. The EVF for the OMD is vastly superior which you would expect, which made image taking much easier with that camera. It also had touch controls and more adjustment capable but is not as user friendly as the FZ70. So how did the images compare? Amazing close in sharpness which was very unexpected. The OMD captured much more detail and better color, but you expect that with a larger sensor and better lens.
Is the camera easy to use?....extremely easy. 100 times easier than my OMD or 60D. The setup is easy, just turn the dial to ia and press the shutter ½ way to focus and then press all the way. When you grip the camera and use the EVF, your images will be vastly improved over your phone or LCD compact camera.
What about all those 1 or 2 star reviews you may have noticed? Each of those reviews has pointed out some deficiency which the reviewer experienced with the camera. I believe most of it is unfamiliarity with the camera rather than a defect. An example: 1. blurry images=hand shake during exposure or speed too slow, using full zoom in too low of light...solution, use flash or raise the ISO . 2. Audio noise when zooming...at full zoom the camera's microphone amplifies sound especially at full zoom. 3. Slow startup...big zoom needs time under a second to set itself. 4. Missing features.....to keep cost low, unneeded features not included with this camera. 5. Cheap build...Mostly plastic... To keep camera light, inexpensive and durable, plastic is the way to go. Metal frames add a lot of weight and cost and defeat the purpose of easy to carry around camera. My OMD is much smaller but also much heavier with it all metal framework. I can take images in very wet conditions something not recommended with the FZ70 but who wants to take pictures in the rain? It does help in humid or dusty conditions.
If you do not want to spend much over $300, the FZ70 is a great deal. If you have some extra money, I think the FZ200 is the way to go but it is missing the extra zoom and wide angle, but the FZ200 is more compact and takes very good images, video and is a little better in low light. If you want the best images and videos possible in a bridge camera you may want to consider the new Panasonic FZ1000 and/or Sony RX10. These cameras with large sensors and larger lens, cost under $1000 but provide much better low light images and video that comes close to dSLR quality. These cameras are larger and heavier than the FZ70 but smaller and lighter than a dSLR. It is worth considering if you have the budget. If you like just automated settings, big zoom, the FZ70 is a great choice. Read the manual first it's online. Basic and Advanced. If you have a tablet, who doesn't, it's an easy to read PDF. If that puts you to sleep get the camera first and wait until you need to know how to do more complicated things.
I said all that to say this........one of the great features of this camera is the ability to increase the zoom range by selecting less than 16.1M resolution. I have taken it down all the way to 5M, still get crystal clear pictures and this increases the zoom range from 60X all the way to 270X! Yes, you read correctly!!! Then.....if you add the digital zoom you can end up with a total on camera zoom range of 675X. Have you ever heard of anything like this? Then for fun and games I took a Sony brand teleconvertor for my Sony that is rated for 1.7X and mounted it to my Lumix. The standard filter size for the Lumix is 55mm but I had bought a Goja filter adaptor ring in order to be able to use my several hundred dollars worth of existing filters. Many of them are 58mm so I simply bought a Goja 55mm to 58mm adaptor ring and viola......instant filter availability. AND.....it just so happens that my Sony teleconvertor has 58mm threads and I was able to couple this right to my Lumix, which now takes the 675X max zoom of the camera with izoom and digital zoom, multiples it by 1.7 and now gives a total zoom range of 1147X. That is NOT 1147 mm.............it is 1147X zoom range.
Now.......I will admit, the camera is a bear to use in a hand held mode, but that is just what I did to see worse case scenario. I am going to post a couple of pictures taken hand held at these extremes so you can just see the potential this camera offers. My, my......we are almost talking spy type pictures from 10 miles off. I will let you judge the photos........not for clarity or subject matter.........but just for an example of the zoom range of this camera. I will say this here........the bus in the photos was roughly 500 feet from my position and all photos were taken hand held from the same spot.
But even without the impressive zoom features......this is one heck of a camera. The pictures, even at 5M are crystal clear and will be certain to please. Then with all the built in special modes, the 11 or more internal filter modes, the 23 or so scene selection modes, and full manual mode with shutter or aperture priority mode.........you can go any route that you need for your shooting needs.
Another feature I like about this camera is that while filming a video you can press the shutter button and take a still photo. Or while viewing a video you can take still photos from the video. I am anxious to experiment with this more as I have a son in the band and I usually take multiple cameras to their concerts, etc. in order to video it and also take some still shots. With this camera I am hopeful to be able to do both with one instrument. We have the first White Shoe rehearsal this Thursday and our first football game this Friday. It will be a time to see what this camera can really do with its zooming ability from up in the stands.
In closing, as a camera buff of many years (40+) I am well pleased with this purchase. I have had a Pentax SPII, a Pentax ESII, a Nikon N70, a Nikon D50, several smaller point and shoot type all in one cameras and now this Panasonic. For ease of use, range of features and cost vs ability......I put this Panasonic Lumix at the top of the pack in features. No, it does not have the quality that either the Pentax or Nikons do.....but then again..........this camera cost a fraction of what they did and some of the individual accessory lenses I have bought for them in the past cost several times the cost of this camera............so it is not even a fair comparison. But for features...........my expensive toys cannot begin to compare with the ability of this camera. I am well pleased with it. To see the zoom range please look at some of the photos I am going to upload.
I said all that to say this........one of the great features of this camera is the ability to increase the zoom range by selecting less than 16.1M resolution. I have taken it down all the way to 5M, still get crystal clear pictures and this increases the zoom range from 60X all the way to 270X! Yes, you read correctly!!! Then.....if you add the digital zoom you can end up with a total on camera zoom range of 675X. Have you ever heard of anything like this? Then for fun and games I took a Sony brand teleconvertor for my Sony that is rated for 1.7X and mounted it to my Lumix. The standard filter size for the Lumix is 55mm but I had bought a Goja filter adaptor ring in order to be able to use my several hundred dollars worth of existing filters. Many of them are 58mm so I simply bought a Goja 55mm to 58mm adaptor ring and viola......instant filter availability. AND.....it just so happens that my Sony teleconvertor has 58mm threads and I was able to couple this right to my Lumix, which now takes the 675X max zoom of the camera with izoom and digital zoom, multiples it by 1.7 and now gives a total zoom range of 1147X. That is NOT 1147 mm.............it is 1147X zoom range.
Now.......I will admit, the camera is a bear to use in a hand held mode, but that is just what I did to see worse case scenario. I am going to post a couple of pictures taken hand held at these extremes so you can just see the potential this camera offers. My, my......we are almost talking spy type pictures from 10 miles off. I will let you judge the photos........not for clarity or subject matter.........but just for an example of the zoom range of this camera. I will say this here........the bus in the photos was roughly 500 feet from my position and all photos were taken hand held from the same spot.
But even without the impressive zoom features......this is one heck of a camera. The pictures, even at 5M are crystal clear and will be certain to please. Then with all the built in special modes, the 11 or more internal filter modes, the 23 or so scene selection modes, and full manual mode with shutter or aperture priority mode.........you can go any route that you need for your shooting needs.
Another feature I like about this camera is that while filming a video you can press the shutter button and take a still photo. Or while viewing a video you can take still photos from the video. I am anxious to experiment with this more as I have a son in the band and I usually take multiple cameras to their concerts, etc. in order to video it and also take some still shots. With this camera I am hopeful to be able to do both with one instrument. We have the first White Shoe rehearsal this Thursday and our first football game this Friday. It will be a time to see what this camera can really do with its zooming ability from up in the stands.
In closing, as a camera buff of many years (40+) I am well pleased with this purchase. I have had a Pentax SPII, a Pentax ESII, a Nikon N70, a Nikon D50, several smaller point and shoot type all in one cameras and now this Panasonic. For ease of use, range of features and cost vs ability......I put this Panasonic Lumix at the top of the pack in features. No, it does not have the quality that either the Pentax or Nikons do.....but then again..........this camera cost a fraction of what they did and some of the individual accessory lenses I have bought for them in the past cost several times the cost of this camera............so it is not even a fair comparison. But for features...........my expensive toys cannot begin to compare with the ability of this camera. I am well pleased with it. To see the zoom range please look at some of the photos I am going to upload.
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That said - I'm not a professional photographer, and the photo quality from this camera is exceptionally adequate for my purposes. I chose this particular camera after a lot of research because the length of the telephoto zoom vs the price was unbeatable. I do a lot of hiking, and end up taking pictures of a lot of wildlife - and often you're a great distance away from these animals. A more typical zoom wouldn't allow you to get some of those shots. People have remarked that the photos I've shown them are amazing, and that I must have 'quite the professional camera to get shots like that.' There's definitely nothing wrong with the quality of the photos you'll get from this camera - as long as you keep some things in mind (lighting, bracing the camera for a steady shot when using the long zoom, etc).
Pros:
- Super-long 60x zoom (1200mm equiv)
- Optical Image stabilization (great for those super-long handheld shots)
- Automatic HDR using multiple images with back-lit subjects - ever taken a picture of a group of people with the sun in the background, only to find the pictures shows a silhouette of the people as they're too dark to see given the light behind them? This automatically fixes that.
-Great video quality too - and the microphone seems to work really well even in the wind
- Enough controls to do a lot manually if you want - control shutter speed, aperture, etc. - or leave it in auto and let the camera decide
- Build in creative effects if you're into that
Cons:
- Not water resistant or dust/sand resistant at all - makes me nervous to take it some places
- Hard to tell how much battery you have left on the screen or in the viewfinder before it gets to low battery
- This is sort of a pro and a con - but it has some internal memory - so you can actually take a number of photos without a memory card in it. This is great until you forget to put your memory card in. I typically turn on my camera and snap a pic of the wall on the way out the door just to ensure came is charged, memory card in place, etc - but it got me with this one.
I took all of the photos here with this camera, and all were taken hand-held, no tripod. I think amazon scales down the images for the review - so obviously these aren't at full resolution, but I think they show what you can do...
Reviewed in Canada on August 26, 2016
That said - I'm not a professional photographer, and the photo quality from this camera is exceptionally adequate for my purposes. I chose this particular camera after a lot of research because the length of the telephoto zoom vs the price was unbeatable. I do a lot of hiking, and end up taking pictures of a lot of wildlife - and often you're a great distance away from these animals. A more typical zoom wouldn't allow you to get some of those shots. People have remarked that the photos I've shown them are amazing, and that I must have 'quite the professional camera to get shots like that.' There's definitely nothing wrong with the quality of the photos you'll get from this camera - as long as you keep some things in mind (lighting, bracing the camera for a steady shot when using the long zoom, etc).
Pros:
- Super-long 60x zoom (1200mm equiv)
- Optical Image stabilization (great for those super-long handheld shots)
- Automatic HDR using multiple images with back-lit subjects - ever taken a picture of a group of people with the sun in the background, only to find the pictures shows a silhouette of the people as they're too dark to see given the light behind them? This automatically fixes that.
-Great video quality too - and the microphone seems to work really well even in the wind
- Enough controls to do a lot manually if you want - control shutter speed, aperture, etc. - or leave it in auto and let the camera decide
- Build in creative effects if you're into that
Cons:
- Not water resistant or dust/sand resistant at all - makes me nervous to take it some places
- Hard to tell how much battery you have left on the screen or in the viewfinder before it gets to low battery
- This is sort of a pro and a con - but it has some internal memory - so you can actually take a number of photos without a memory card in it. This is great until you forget to put your memory card in. I typically turn on my camera and snap a pic of the wall on the way out the door just to ensure came is charged, memory card in place, etc - but it got me with this one.
I took all of the photos here with this camera, and all were taken hand-held, no tripod. I think amazon scales down the images for the review - so obviously these aren't at full resolution, but I think they show what you can do...
Only thing lacking is a wired shutter remote port.