Panasonic Lumix FZ100 review
Review Date : Wed, 1 Sep 2010
Author : Mike Lowe
- Product Shots: Panasonic Lumix FZ100 product images
- Sample Photos: Panasonic Lumix FZ100 sample images gallery
The Panasonic FZ100 is the company’s latest superzoom, offering a 24x optical zoom lens (25-600mm equivalent). But at over £400 is the FZ100 worth the cash? The What Digital Camera Panasonic FZ100 review...
| Pros: | 25-600mm lens capacity, good optical image stabilisation |
|---|---|
| Cons: | Expensive, no eye-level sensor for EVF/LCD switching, image quality fairly grainy, lack of sharpness at longest telephoto |
The Panasonic FZ100 is the company's latest superzoom, outdoing the existing FZ38's 18x optical zoom with a new 24x (25-600mm equivalent) Leica lens. But for £420 is the Lumix FZ100 worth the cash?
Panasonic Lumix FZ100 review - Features
Packing in a 25mm wideangle 24x optical zoom Leica lens means that the Panasonic Lumix FZ100 is capable of reaching the heady heights of a 600mm telephoto equivalent. Although it outdoes its younger Panasonic FZ38 sibling, its zoom range isn't quite as wide-ranging as the Fujifilm HS10 - the latter with a 30x optical zoom lens capable of a 24-720mm equivalent. The Lumix FZ100 does also add optical image stabilisation (Power O.I.S.) to the stable which, thanks to its lens-based design can help to keep shots steady when framing, plus final captured results can counter for handshake too.
Whether capturing still images or HD video, the Panasonic FZ100 has you covered. As well as an 11 frames per second burst mode for stills capture, there's also a Full HD 1080 50i movie mode that uses Panasonic's AVCHD for optimum compression.
Alongside intelligent Auto (iA) mode's point-and-shoot simplicity, the FZ100 also has a full remit of PSAM manual controls and an easy-to-use layout akin to a DSLR. A variety of scene modes for easy shooting, My Colour Mode for creative black and white, Vibrant, Nostalgic and many more, plus Motion Deblur (which raises the ISO and shutter speed depending on whether the subject shows signs of movement) also feature.
The rear 3in LCD screen is a high-resolution 460,000 dots and is mounted on a tilt-angle mechanism that allows the screen to turn through all conceivable angles - from front-facing, to vertically or horizontally adjacent to the camera which is ideal for use in unusual shooting scenarios. When shooting in bright light, for extra support or just personal preference, there's also an electronic viewfinder (EVF) available.
Have your say!
Latest comments
May 20 03:16
darwin
...the only major drawback in my case is the batterypack - for a months time already I cannot find a supplier for a spare here in the Phils.(not even the store where I got it) - how I wish Lumix/Panasonic utilize the more common AA batteries.
June 17 17:20
Doug Sinnott
I have owned my FZ100 a while now,and the more I use it,the more I am impressed.It's so quick,as quick as my old Nikon D40 at focussing,and capturing images,and has hardly any shutter lag.Its much speedier than either the Canon SX30,or the Fuji HS10/20. I have adjusted the sharpness by one stop,set the noise reduction to -one.and the colour to vibrant. How anyone can sneer at the images from the FZ100,is beyond me. They're as least as good as anything I've had before,and better than some. There is enough different settings in the FZ100,to get it set up just as you want it,which will help you get the best out of this great camera! This produces some nice images,with little or no noise at lower ISOs,needing minimal sharpening in your editing program,
July 03 07:22
Doug Sinnott
As regards my previous comment,I should qualify that the FZ100 can produce excellent A4 prints,even with a fair bit of cropping,but large poster size prints,or if you do a lot of high ISO/low light photography,then a DSLR will give better results,none of which concern me. However,the FZ100 will enable you to get better macro shots,and capture distant shots you just wouldn't have got with any DSLR,without several expensive,(and heavy!)additional lenses. And how many DSLRs can capture 11 frames per second at full resolution? None.
July 30 10:19
Barry Oakley
The FZ100 was my choice ahead of a DSLR. As a wildlife enthusiast I was tired of lugging a bagful of lenses and found the camera's Leica zoom lens gave me excellent sharp pictures of birds with lots of detail.