Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 camera review

eThe Panasonic Lumix FZ-28 has a sensor resolution of 10.1-megapixels from a 1/2.33-inch RGB CCD image sensor, and Panasonic has coupled this to an image-stabilized, Leica DC Vario-Elmarit-branded 18x optical zoom lens with a useful range all the way from a 27mm wide angle to a 486mm telephoto. As you’d expect for a long-zoom camera, there’s a choice of both an electronic viewfinder and an LCD display. The Panasonic FZ28’s electronic viewfinder is a 0.20-inch LCD type with 201,600 dots of resolution, and yields a 100% field of view. There’s also a 2.7-inch LCD display with 230,000 dot resolution, which again has 100% coverage. The Panasonic FZ28’s lens has a maximum aperture that varies from f/2.8 to f/4.4 across the zoom range.

The minimum focusing distance for the Panasonic DMC-FZ28 is ordinarily some 30 centimeters, but drops to just one centimeter at wide angle when switched to Macro mode. At the tele end, focusing down to two meters is the norm, but a Tele Macro mode drops this to as close as one meter when the zoom is set from 11 to 18x.

The Panasonic DMC-FZ28 has a multi-area autofocus system which also includes a single-point "high speed" focusing mode. As with many digital cameras these days, there's also a face-detection function, with Panasonic's implementation capable of detecting up to 15 faces in a scene. Once detected, the camera can then use the information to adjust both focus and exposure to properly capture your subjects' faces. The Panasonic Lumix FZ28 also has an implementation of autofocus tracking, which can monitor a subject as it moves around the frame, continuing to update autofocus as required. Panasonic's AF tracking is linked to the face detection system, allowing the camera to continue tracking a face even if it briefly turns to a side profile -- although it should be noted that the face detection system does require the subject be looking toward the camera to achieve its initial detection.

ISO sensitivity ordinarily ranges from 100 to 1,600, with the ability to extend this as far as ISO 6,400 equivalent in High Sensitivity Auto mode. Shutter speeds from 1/2,000 to 60 seconds are possible, controlled automatically. The Panasonic DMC-FZ28 uses Intelligent Multiple metering, with Center-Weighted and Spot metering modes also on offer. There are nine white balance settings including Auto, two Manual modes, five fixed presets, and a color temperature option. A whopping selection of thirty seven scene modes let users tailor the look of their images -- including a selection of "Advanced" scene modes that fit into five categories. For the creative types there are both manual and aperture- / shutter-priority modes on the Panasonic FZ28.

A five-mode flash strobe includes both red-eye reduction and slow-sync capabilities, and has a rated range of up to 8.5 meters at wide angle, or 5.4 meters at telephoto. An interesting feature of the Panasonic DMC-FZ28 is an image-leveling function that detects if the camera was slightly tilted at the time of capture, and then corrects for the tilt, automatically cropping as necessary to achieve a straight horizon. There's also digital red-eye correction, and Panasonic's Intelligent Auto, Intelligent Exposure, Intelligent ISO, and Intelligent Scene Selector functions as seen on past models. As well as Raw and JPEG still images, the Panasonic FZ28 can capture 30 frames-per-second movies with sound at up to high definition 1280 x 720 pixel resolution, although the compression used is the older QuickTime Motion JPEG type, so file sizes are likely to be fairly high.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 stores its images and movies on Secure Digital or MultiMediaCards, including the newer SDHC types. There's also a generous 50MB of built-in memory. Connectivity options include USB 2.0 High-Speed, standard definition NTSC video output, and high-def component video output (although the cable for this is an optional extra). Power comes from a 7.2V, 710mAh proprietary lithium-ion battery, rated as good for 460 shots on a charge to CIPA testing standards. The software bundle includes PHOTOfunSTUDIO Viewer 2.1E, ArcSoft MediaImpression, ArcSoft Panorama Maker, and SilkyPix Developer Studio 3.0SE.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 started shipping in August 2008, priced at $400.