Choosing a super-zoom camera (part 4)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ48
5 stars
$426 including VAT
www.lambda-tek.com
Although it risks being overshadowed
by the pricier FZ150, the FZ48 is a powerful package. Its lens
is extremely sharp, and ranked among the leaders in the
ability to resolve details at a full telephoto zooming position, regardless
of its 24x zoom range. It also benefits from what Panasonic
calls a nano surface coating,
which reduces lens gleam when taking outdoors pictures. Its
performance was not as fast as FZ150, but was still speedy, taking a
photo every 0.9 seconds in our tests. Continuous
mode ran at 3.7fps and, even though it was limited
to seven images, with a fast SDHC card, it
was ready for another shot in less than 2 seconds.
Having full control over manual
exposure is wonderful for creative photography, perhaps
it is even more important than video recordings, where control
over the shutter speed is essential to manipulate
the blur motion; FZ48 and FZ150 are the
only two cameras in this category to provide it. With
a 30-minute clip length, extremely low noise in low
lighting and high-quality stereo soundtrack, this is
a much better video camera than any common camcorders.
There are lots of buttons for quick access to main
settings and expansive scope to refine image quality,
including erratic noise reduction and the ability to set the
maximum ISO and minimum shutter speed. It is a great
feature for passionate photographers, so it
is disappointing that RAW capture mode is not available, especially
when FZ48’s predecessor had it.
Fortunately, FZ48’s JPEG was a good
start. The lens showed perfect focus throughout its zoom
range and lively abundant colors. There is small sign
of lens distortion and no chromatic aberrations. Noise
reduction blurred delicate textures in well-lit photos and smudged
details in darker lighting conditions. However, indoor shots were
still above average. FZ48’s image quality is only
surpassed by the much more expensive Canon SX40 HS and
FZ150. Its picture quality is not the only reason to consider paying
more for other costly models, but if your budget is £300, FZ48 is
a reasonable choice.
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Summary
Verdict.
Excellent photos, even better videos and fast performance – everything we
want in an ultra-zoom camera with a sensible price.
Ultra-zoom digital camera.
12 megapixels (4.000x3.000), 24x optical zoom (25-600mm), 3-inch LCD (460.000
pixel), SDXC slot (70MB internal), Li-ion battery, 80x120x105mm, 498g,
one-year RTB warranty.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150
5 stars
$608 including VAT
www.morecomputers.com
FZ150 bases on the brilliant FZ48 with
some additionally interesting features and a huge performance
boost. Raw capture mode is an important feature, and is
an irritatingly rare one in this
year’s ultra-zoom cameras. 3-inch screen is completely
articulated, especially useful for video recordings.
Videos also benefit from the 1080/50p ability, although it
is not a generally supported format; 1080/50i video recording is
available, too. We would prefer the 1080/25p option,
but it is a small complaint. There is a microphone
jack and a hotshoe to hold an external microphone or a flashgun.
You can also capture 3.7-megapixel photos without interrupting video recording.
Autofocus speed and performance
was amazingly fast. We measured the image-to-image time
of 0.65 seconds, while RAW capture started
at 0.9seconds, coming down to 2 seconds after 15 photos. Continuous
performance is at 12fps for 12 consecutive images, or 5.5fps
while autofocus updates between each shot. This
mode lasts for 22 JPEGs before falling
to 2.7fps. This is
the fastest super-zoom cameras we have ever seen.
The picture quality is much improved
over its predecessor, FZ100, thanks to its 12-megapixel background-illuminated
CMOS sensor. Super noise reduction made a big difference to
low-lighting image quality, and even more improved in
bright lighting conditions. Since we first review the FZ150, it
has had a firmware update, giving it an advantage over
the FZ48. Only Canon SX40 HS can beat
it for photo quality, although FZ150’s output processor closed the
gap. Moreover, FZ150 offers sharp focus, splendid colors and excellently
rated automatic exposure. The
Intelligent Auto Mode made life easy, while other
modes offered extensive control over picture quality.
SX40 may be on top for basic photograph
quality, but being given the FZ150’s faster performance and RAW
capture mode, it will likely result in better images.
Plus its elite video mode, FZ150s becomes our most
favorite ultra-zoom camera.
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Summary
Verdict.
Over-the-top performance, reliable image quality, significant controls and
top video mode made this camera worth every penny.
Ultra-zoom digital camera.
12 megapixels (4.000x3.000), 24x optical zoom (25-600mm), 3-inch LCD (460.000
pixel), SDXC slot (70MB internal), Li-ion battery, 82x123x111mm, 528g,
one-year RTB warranty.
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