The DMC-FZ20 is the replacement for Pansonics popular FZ10. The design folks at Panasonic stuffed all the FZ10’s best features into a new more streamlined body with a bigger handgrip and a significantly larger LCD screen, punched the resolution up to 5 megapixels (the FZ10 was 4 megapixels), added a lossless TIFF format (the FZ10 was JPEG only) and a center-weighted metering option. How good is Panasonics flagship prosumer digicam? Check out what follows for a definitive answer.

NUTS & BOLTS

Viewfinder/LCD

The FZ20’s eye level tunnel style (Galilean) zooming EVF (electronic viewfinder) displays TTL images that are fairly bright, sharp, color correct, and relatively fluid. The hard plastic finder eyecup is a nice touch and there’s a diopter correction adjustment for eyeglasses wearers. The EVF is a bit dimmer than average, which may cause some problems in low light compositions. The EVF doesn’t automatically gain up in low light (which it should). Panasonic’s engineers should seriously consider including this capability on the FZ20’s replacement.

The FZ20’s 2” full info LCD screen is sharp, bright, color correct, and fluid. There’s a real-time (live) histogram display (a graphic depiction of the image frame that shows areas of over/under exposure -- sort of like a built in digital light meter) for fine-tuning exposures before tripping the shutter. LCD screen brightness can be adjusted via the setup menu. Both EVF and LCD screen show 100 per cent of the image frame.

Zoom Lens

The Heart of the FZ20 is its f2.8/36-432mm (35mm equivalent) all-glass Leica DC-VARIO ELMARIT zoom lens (13 elements in 8 groups with 3 aspherical surfaces to control optical distortion and one ED element to improve contrast and color). Leica has been famous for making outstanding camera optics since 1923, and the FZ20’s constant aperture zoom (most digicams feature variable aperture lenses --- the maximum aperture becomes smaller as the user zooms toward the telephoto end of the optical range) continues this tradition. The FZ20’s zoom maintains its fast f2.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range and that means users can shoot at higher shutter speeds and in dimmer lighting at the long end of the zoom range.

The FZ20’s lens consistently performs up to its illustrious pedigree. This monster zoom is sharp as a tack. Corners are noticeably sharper than average and I didn’t detect any vignetting (darkened corners) which is amazing given the complexity of this lens. Contrast and color are very good, but there is some very minor barrel distortion at the wide-angle end of the zoom range and some barely visible pincushion distortion at the telephoto end of the range. Even more amazing is how well chromatic aberration is controlled by the FZ20’s monster optic, even in high contrast color transition areas and around dark objects against a bright sky. Slight violet fringing can be seen occasionally around the edges of very bright and very dark image elements at the telephoto end of the zoom range.

Image Stabilization

The FZ20’s most impressive feature (after its amazing 12X zoom) is its image stabilization technology. Panasonic’s engineers developed a gyroscopic balance system that shifts the lens elements to compensate for camera shake/motion. In practice the FZ20’s image stabilization allows users to shoot at shutter speeds up to 3 stops slower than would have been possible without image stabilization, a really nice feature for those who like to shoot action/sports/wildlife and lowlight subjects. For example, if a shutter speed of 1/500th of a second is required to avoid the effects of camera shake (without image stabilization) the FZ20 (with IS enabled) can capture a sharp image of the same subject (everything else being equal) at 1/60th of a second. The FZ20’s Image Stabilizer has three modes; off (self explanatory), position one (Disp Exp) – the lens is stabilized continuously so the LCD screen can be used for composition/confirmation (which uses a lot of battery power) and, position two (Exp) – the lens is stabilized just prior to exposure – (which uses less battery power).

Does it work? Yes, but battery life suffers noticeably as a consequence. Panasonic’s image stabilization technology isn’t magical, so there won’t be any miracles – the IS system can only counteract minor movement/shake; it won’t neutralize sharp or violent shifts or reduce blur caused by moving subjects. Photographers who want/need sharp handheld action/sports/low light images and a long zoom are pretty much limited to the FZ20, K-M’s Z3 and A1/A2, or Canon’s S1 IS.

Panasonic includes a really nifty lens hood (with adapter ring for filter/auxiliary lens use), but the lens hood has to be removed for flash shots (it partially blocks the light path) and when the AF assist beam is enabled.

Auto Focus

The FZ20’s 9-point TTL contrast-detection auto focus system is smooth, fast, and precise (close to real time with pre-focus). Auto focus options include Single AF, Continuous AF, and Spot AF. AF is generally quite accurate, however it does tend to hunt a bit (and has a tendency to lock on higher contrast objects in the background) with low contrast subjects. Minimum focusing distance (in macro mode) is just shy of 2 inches.

Manual Focus

In manual focus mode the FZ20’s Leica zoom functions like a traditional camera lens, just flip the switch on the side of the lens and adjust focus by turning the (electronically rather than mechanically linked) ring on the lens barrel. In MF mode the central portion of the LCD screen is enlarged (making it easier to see when the image is sharp), but no distance scale is provided. The FZ20’s MF system is quick, accurate, and noticeably simpler to use than the cumbersome “rocker switch” MF systems found on most digicams.

Flash

The built-in pop-up speedlight provides a relatively standard array of flash options, including: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Slow-sync, Fill, and Off. The FZ20 provides Flash compensation, which allows output to be adjusted /-2 EV in 1/3 EV increments. Pansonic claims the maximum flash range is 23 feet, which seems a bit optimistic based on my limited use.

There’s also a standard hot-shoe for mounting external flash units. The FZ20’s hot shoe is compatible with Panasonic's DMW-FL28 and most 3rd party flash units. Users should be aware (according to my friend) that older flash units often have a very high trigger voltage, which may damage the FZ20’s internal circuitry.

Memory Media/Image File Format(s)

The FZ20 saves images to SD/MMC memory media. Images can be saved at two JPEG compression levels or in TIFF (uncompressed) format.

Connectivity

USB out, A/V out, and DC in

Power

Power management is one area where the FZ20 falls down on the job. Power is supplied by a proprietary Panasonic CGA-S002E 7.2v/680mAh Li-ion battery pack that’s good for 200-250 exposures (full time LCD and occasional flash use) which isn’t too bad (but it's not too good , either). My friend warns, “Panasonic camera batteries are usually carried only by camera stores that sell Panasonic cameras or large volume mail order/on line merchants” – in other words you aren’t likely to find any CGA-S002E’s at your local Target/K-Mart/Walmart/CVS/Rexall, etc. In partial amelioration of the FZ20’s power management shortcomings, shooters can use the charger (which needs about 90 minutes to charge a CGA-S002E) as an AC adapter to power the camera anywhere there’s a standard electrical outlet.

EXPOSURE

The Panasonic DMC FZ20 provides a useful range of exposure options including: Program AE, Scene modes, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and full Manual modes. In Program AE mode the FZ20 selects the aperture and shutter speed, but the user is free to choose most other exposure parameters. Users can also select one of the FZ20’s Scene modes -- Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Panning, or Night Portrait -- and the camera automatically optimizes all exposure parameters for the specific type of scene selected. In Aperture Priority mode, shooters select the lens aperture and the FZ20 selects the appropriate shutter speed. In Shutter Priority mode users select the shutter speed and the FZ20 selects the appropriate aperture. In Manual mode users have complete control over all exposure parameters.

Movie Mode

The DMC-FZ20’s Movie mode (with mono audio) provides a single file size 320x240, but two fps rates – either 10 or 30 fps. Recording time is limited only by the capacity of the memory card. Auto Focus, zoom setting, and lens aperture are locked at the start of video clip recording.

Audio Notation

The FZ20 can record (up to 5 seconds) audio notes to accompany still images, however audio notation cannot be used for TIFF format image files.

Metering

The FZ20’s default metering system divides the image frame into segments (multiple-segment light measurement system) and then evaluates the brightness and contrast in each of these areas to determine the best overall exposure. More advanced users can enable Spot or Center-Weighted metering modes for more control in tricky lighting. The Spot mode also allows users to align the center of the frame with the most important compositional element (like the eyes in a portrait) and bias the exposure on that very small area and then re-compose. Center-Weighted metering is useful for re-creating the retro look of “classic” golden age photography or ensuring that the exposure is based on a large central area of the frame.

White Balance

The FZ20’s White Balance system provides TTL Auto and pre-sets for Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen, and flash. The FZ20 also provides a Manual setting that allows users to retrieve a previously WB setting, and White Set mode (for adjusting the color balance manually with a white card, ceiling, or wall).

Sensitivity

The FZ20’s sensitivity can be set for TTL Auto (default) or ISO (35mm equivalent) values of 80, 100, 200, and 400. The FZ20’s Sensitivity options are not as broad as one would expect with a camera this complex. For instance, in the Auto setting the sensitivity range (without flash) is limited to 80-200 ISO. When the pop-up flash is enabled the sensitivity range is limited to 100-400 ISO. A digicam of the FZ20’s stature should provide either a low end 50 or 64 ISO setting and the entire sensitivity range should be available to users, with or without the flash, at the Auto setting.

In-Camera Image Adjustment

In camera image adjustment is an often overlooked but very important tool for overcoming minor exposure problems. The FZ20 provides shooters with a useful range of incremental color, contrast, and sharpening tweaks that will help demanding photographers achieve precisely the image they want.

The FZ20’s Exposure Compensation mode allows users to subtly modify exposure because very bright or very dark subjects can trick light metering systems into underexposing or overexposing images. The FZ20’s base exposure can be adjusted from /-2 EV in 1/3 EV increments to compensate for difficult lighting and subject/background reflectance/non-reflectance problems or to compensate for environmental exposure variables.

Very minor exposure differences can affect the overall tone and dramatic appeal of an image. FZ20 users can ensure that they’ll get very close to the perfect exposure with the camera’s auto bracketing function. The FZ20 can capture 3 exposures in rapid sequence (with one press of the shutter button) varying the exposure by /-1EV in 1/3 EV increments.

The FZ20 provides Flash Compensation which allows flash output to be adjusted /-2 EV in 1/3 EV increments. The FZ20’s Noise Reduction system utilizes dark-frame subtraction to automatically reduce image noise in long exposures. The FZ20’s White Balance compensation mode permits users to bias hue toward cooler (blue) or warmer (red) colors in /-5 incremental steps.

CONTROLS, DESIGN, & ERGONOMICS

The FZ20 looks (and handles) like a compact 35mm SLR and bears a striking family resemblance to is predecessors (FZ1, FZ2, FZ10), despite its slightly streamlined new look. The mostly polycarbonate body seems tough enough for most non-professional uses and the big ergonomic handgrip is comfortable to hold (it also provides a nice balance for the big zoom). The FZ20’s controls are logically laid out and come intuitively to hand. The menus are easy to understand and well organized for quick navigation. The zoom lever is a bit cumbersome to use and I don’t understand why the Leica/Panasonic design folks didn’t allow the lens ring (used for adjusting focus in manual focus mode) to be used to adjust the zoom setting in Auto Focus modes. Panasonic’s new Venus Engine II processor (according to Panasonic) provides faster image processing, higher quality images, and more efficient image stabilization.

The FZ20 is a substantial digicam, too bulky for anything smaller than a large fanny pack or medium sized purse. Like its predecessors the FZ20 is available in either a black or silver finish. Experienced digicam users should be able to operate the camera right out of the box -- neophytes, technophobes, and first time digicam users should need no more than a brief familiarization scan of the owner’s manual before they can start shooting.

Technical Specifications

Resolution: 5 megapixels (2560x1920)
Viewfinders: EVF (electronic viewfinder) and 2.0” color LCD
Lens: f2.8/36-432mm (35mm equivalent) all-glass Leica DC-VARIO ELMARIT zoom (13 elements in 8 groups with 3 aspherical surfaces to control optical distortion and one ED element to improve contrast and color).
Auto Focus: 9 AF point Contrast Detection
Exposure Modes: Auto, Program, Scene modes, Shutter priority, Aperture priority, and full Manual modes.
Flash: Built-in Multi Mode
Hot Shoe: Yes
Metering: Multi-Segment Evaluative, Center-Weighted, and Spot
Exposure Compensation: Yes /-2EV in 1/3EV increments
Noise Reduction: Yes—Automatic on shutter speeds of one second or longer
Image Formats: TIFF and JPEG
Sensitivity: TTL Auto, 80, 100, 200, & 400 ISO equivalents
White Balance: TTL auto, Pre-sets (Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen, and flash) plus a retrieve prior WB setting and a Manual WB setting
Image Storage: SD/MMC
Connectivity: USB, A/V out, DC in, Audio in
Power: Panasonic CGA-S002E 7.2v/680mAh Li-ion battery pack

Street Price Range $449.00 -- $649.00

Included

16MB SD card, CGA-S002A li-ion battery, AC adapter / battery charger, Lens hood/adapter ring, Lens cap, Neck strap, USB cable, DC cable, A/V cable, Software CD, User’s Manual (printed)

Optional
Panasonic wide-angle and telephoto auxiliary lenses, Panasonic DMW-LMC72 multi-coated lens protection filter, Panasonic DMW-LND72 (3 f/stop) neutral density filter, Panasonic PE-28S flash, Panasonic DMW-CAC1 AC-DC adapter

In the Field/Handling & Operation

I have an old friend who sells new and used digital and analog cameras and accessories. He and I often get together on weekends to play with new camera equipment. He turned up on a recent Saturday morning with a brand new Panasonic DMC FZ20 and asked if I wanted to ride out to Glendale and help him check it out. Our first test job was to shoot some color tests using a homemade macro stage and a selection of brightly colored (red, green, yellow, blue, orange, and purple) plastic children’s beach toys arranged artistically on a sheet of white background paper. This test allows us to check color accuracy and White Balance (and provides us with the ability to compare results from camera to camera). The FZ20 performed like a champ---colors were bright, well saturated, and dead on accurate (in manual “white set” mode), the FZ20’s auto White Balance produced a very minor, but consistent pinkish/yellowish cast.

It was a little cold (upper fifties), but the sky was a clear azure blue and the oblique early winter light was absolutely beautiful. Glendale is one of the best-kept secrets in Kentucky, a scenic little village about fifty miles south of Louisville. Savvy shoppers love Glendale because it is one of the best places in the Bluegrass State to shop for small antiques, Americana collectibles, and Kentucky crafts.

The oldest part of Glendale hasn’t changed since the 1920’s when local farmers still bought all their supplies and sold their crops and livestock here. The classic nineteenth century L&N depot (now a snazzy restaurant called appropriately, the Depot) sits along the railroad tracks that cut right across Glendale’s main street. There's a real general store, dozens of antique and craft shops, and a superb country restaurant where visitors can chow down on authentic upper south comfort food in an early twentieth century railroad hotel.

We spent a couple of hours wandering around the old village, shooting the small Norman Rockwell like Victorian houses (many converted into shops) and the throngs of early Christmas shoppers who descend on Glendale every year to find those special one of kind gifts that are available nowhere else. Once the light started to go and the cold finally got to be a bit too much we dropped into one of Glendale’s genuine treasures, the True Kentucky Store. True Kentucky specializes in handmade crafts from all over the Bluegrass State (including pottery, hand blown glass, baskets, jewelry, candles, furniture, and the most extensive collection of books about Kentucky and books by Kentucky authors available anywhere). While I used the FZ20 to snap pictures of classic piecework quilts and a hand made black willow “stick” basket from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, my friend dropped almost four hundred bucks on Christmas gifts.

After we finished up at True Kentucky we walked down to the Whistle Stop Restaurant to get a bite to eat before our drive back to Louisville. The Whistle Stop started out (1n 1975) serving sandwiches to local farmers in town to buy supplies and groceries, visit the hardware store, get a haircut, or stop by the bank. After almost thirty years the funky old restaurant is famous (word of mouth advertising has made the Whistle Stop the most popular restaurant within a fifty-mile radius of Glendale). We were lucky to get a table pretty quickly and ordered country ham (Kentucky country ham is sort of like a slightly salty version of Italian Prosciuto) and white bean soup and the Whistle Stop’s Peach Cobbler (which is universally recognized as the best in the Bluegrass).

While we waited for our food we took turns using the FZ20 to quietly shoot whatever caught our fancy in the dimly lit old restaurant. Even at f2.8 and 1/60th of a second (in manual exposure mode) the FZ20’s auto focus had trouble separating our subjects from their surroundings. We couldn’t use the flash without attracting unwelcome attention to our sneaky natural light photo studies and since the FZ20’s EVF was totally useless, we used the LCD screen (with the camera casually sitting on table between us for stability and stealth) and manual focus mode to compose images of our fellow diners. The food was much more satisfying than the dim/low light performance of the FZ20, so our visit to the Whistle Stop wasn’t a complete waste of time.

When we got together Sunday morning, it was even prettier than Saturday afternoon, so we headed downtown to shoot some action at Louisville’s Extreme Park. Local skateboarders utilize the Park’s twenty-four foot full pipe, the eleven-foot bowl, and the six-foot quarter pipe to hone their moves. The Park is a photographer’s dream with stunning visual opportunities (the colorfully clad boarders stand out beautifully against the light colored concrete) and the bowls and pipes are perfectly placed for getting incredible action shots of daredevil boarders “catching some air” in gravity defying leaps.
We’ve been to the Extreme Park many times to shoot the boarders and both of us were looking forward to trying out the FZ20’s 12X Leica zoom to get some frame filling shots of boarders in action. We spent about two hours shooting some genuinely talented young athletes (skateboarders love showing off for the camera). The FZ20’s 9-point auto focus system is very fast, but it still had trouble locking focus on skateboarders moving at amazing speeds, but the image stabilization really helped us with sharp images when we were able manage optimal framing/timing (centering the boarder in the frame AND stopping the action). Successfully shooting rapidly moving action with the FZ20 will require users to both pre-focus AND anticipate the moment of peak action (by about half a second).

PERFORMANCE

Image Quality

Images are very sharp with consistently good color, excellent shadow/highlight detail, and balanced contrast (due in large part to the superb Leica zoom). Image noise is slightly above average at the ISO 80 and 100 settings, noticeable at ISO 200, and fairly high at ISO 400. ISO 80 produces the best images, but there is very little difference between the ISO 80 and ISO 100 settings. Minor Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) and noticeable "jagglies" (processing artifacts) are visible, but not obtrusive.

We printed a couple 5X7’s and an 8X10 with an Epson 2200 (on Epson photo paper). Detail, contrast, and resolution were very good --although the hand held shot from the Extreme Park was blurred when enlarged to 8x10. At full telephoto most users will need a tripod to guarantee tack sharp focus when shooting action. Color was accurate but a bit oversaturated (most consumers will regard this as a pro rather than a con).

Timing/Shutter Lag

Overall, the FZ20 is pretty quick, but not as quick as the K-M A1. The buffer holds from 4 to 7 shots (depending on quality setting) at 2 fps in low speed mode and the same number of shots at 4 fps in high speed mode—which is very impressive. Shutter lag is slightly below average, but close to real time with pre focusing. Write to card times seem to be about average for JPEG images (TIFF format images require about 4 seconds which is quite snappy for a 14-15MB image file). AF lag is fairly short and the FZ20 moves its big 12X zoom from wide-angle to telephoto in 2.5 to 3.0 seconds.

Tweakability Quotient

How good is the FZ20? Does it allow savvy users the ability to create truly personalized images via genuinely responsive exposure compensation, flash compensation, exposure bracketing, AF bracketing, in-camera image adjustment (saturation, contrast, sharpening), and white balance capabilities?

My scale begins at 1 (auto exposure only---no ability to “tweak” image control parameters) and runs through 10 (virtually unlimited ability to “tweak” control parameters to add a signature “look” to images).

A higher “TQ” number identifies a camera that provides users with a much wider range of flexibility and individual input into the exposure process and consequently a higher degree of creative freedom. A lower TQ number identifies a camera that limits user input into the image making process and the degree to which that limitation inhibits the creative process.

The FZ20’s TQ is 6.5 (my champ, to date, is the Olympus C8080 which rates an 8.5), which is noticeably lower than I expected.

A Few Concerns

The FZ20 should probably be the best long zoom digital camera currently available, however that is not the case. The electronic viewfinder is nearly useless in dim/low light and AF is also less than stellar in poor lighting. Power management is one area where the FZ20 falls down on the job. Power is supplied by a proprietary Panasonic CGA-S002E 7.2v/680mAh Li-ion battery pack that’s good for 200-250 exposures (full time LCD and occasional flash use). Here’s the problem, enable image stabilization and power reserves will drop sharply (especially in the disp exp mode). High capacity (2100-2300 mAh) AA NiMH rechargeables would have added to the FZ20’s weight and mass, but they would have provided more power over a longer time frame. Purchasers who plan to utilize the FZ20’s image stabilization should factor in the cost of at least one back up battery.

Conclusion

The FZ20 will appeal to lots of amateur photographers searching for the ultimate prosumer digicam, but I think (over the long run) many purchasers will become disenchanted because with Panasonic’s flagship model has more than its fair share of pedestrian engineering and design missteps. In the final analysis the FZ20 ends up being a bit less than the sum of its parts. If you’re looking for a long zoom digicam that does (almost) have it all (and you can live without the FZ20’s constant f2.8 maximum aperture) the Konica-Minolta A1 should move to the top of your short list.

Remember, Epinions is always your best source for critical independent reviews of the electronic gadgets and gizmos on your “must have” list.

For definitive advice on How to Choose a Digital Camera please see my review:
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-2E46-17B174E2-39A418E3-prod1

For information about similar/competing 3-6 megapixel long zoom prosumer Digital Cameras, you may find the reviews below informative:

Canon Digital Cameras

Canon Powershot S1-IS
http://www.epinions.com/content_145477242500

Fuji Digital Cameras

Fuji Finepix S7000
http://www.epinions.com/content_120479321732

Konica-Minolta Digital Cameras

K-M Dimage Z3
http://www.epinions.com/content_159561911940

K-M Dimage A1
http://www.epinions.com/content_132907372164

Olympus Digital Cameras

Olympus Camedia C765
http://www.epinions.com/content_152865181316

Olympus Camedia C770
http://www.epinions.com/content_160344280708



Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 549.00
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts