FZ30 PR, preview, and samples

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05...sonic_fz30.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz30/

From the press release:

"Panasonic is proud to introduce the 8-Megapixel, 12x optical zoom
(equivalent to 35mm to 420mm on a 35mm film camera) LUMIX DMC-FZ30
inheriting MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) as an up-and-comer
to its creative super zoom FZ double-digit line. The DMC-FZ20,
released in 2004, has been internationally acclaimed for meeting the
needs of the market by realizing the ideals of users.

The 12x optical zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens, which has been
handed down since the first launch of the FZ series, underwent further
development to provide even more superb picture rendering. The other
key feature, the Optical Image Stabilizer, MEGA O.I.S. is deservedly
continued as Panasonic advanced the theory that it should be standard
in all digital still cameras. The newly incorporated Extra Optical
Zoom extends the zoom ratio by using the center part of the high
resolution CCD, to achieve 15.3x for 5-Megapixel and 19.1x for
3-Megapixel images with minimal deterioration.

Along with CCD size and total effective pixels, the FZ30 also has
enhanced its excellence in other features: addition of a manual zoom
ring to the manual focus ring, which was very popular in the FZ20;
easy-to-see free-angle LCD; and adjustable dials for the aperture and
shutter speed controls. Both the LCD and EVF have had their resolution
increased by about 180%, offering a sharp, clear view. All these
complete the FZ30 in the resulting picture quality and operationality.
The newly developed 8-Megapixel CCD is compatible with the 9-pixel
mixed readout method, so now moving pictures with dramatically
increased brightness can be recorded at 30 fps in VGA size, previously
only recordable in QVGA. This technology is used for the LCD
monitoring to provide a bright and clear view so subjects can be seen
easily, even in low-light situations.

Taking advantage of these outstanding features, the LX1 incorporates
the high speed, high quality image processing LSI the Venus Engine
II. It boasts quick responsiveness that realizes the best-in-class
level release time lag of 0.01 sec. Adopting a non-collapsible lens
has substantially reduced startup time from about 5 sec to 0.97
sec. AF time in 1-point high-speed AF has been dramatically reduced to
a quarter the level* of that of the previous DMC-FZ20.

Furthermore, by adopting a newly developed lithium-ion battery with a
capacity increased from 680 mAh to 730 mAh, the FZ30 realizes the
shooting of approx. 280** images for one charging. The LUMIX DMC-FZ30
has the flawless basic specifications to fuel the spark of imagination
in high-end users and is destined to join the Panasonic LUMIX high-end
model lineup."

Dave Sill wrote:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05...sonic_fz30.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz30/

Thanks for posting that, Dave. With the manual zoom and manual focus
controls, VGA movies, and swivel viewfinder it looks like a true
photographer's camera!

Cheers,
David

On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 14:09:39 GMT, "David J Taylor"

wrote:

Dave Sill wrote:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05...sonic_fz30.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz30/

Thanks for posting that, Dave. With the manual zoom and manual focus
controls, VGA movies, and swivel viewfinder it looks like a true
photographer's camera!

Cheers,
David

Any idea on noise compared to the FZ20?

wrote:
On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 14:09:39 GMT, "David J Taylor"

wrote:

Dave Sill wrote:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05...sonic_fz30.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz30/

Thanks for posting that, Dave. With the manual zoom and manual focus
controls, VGA movies, and swivel viewfinder it looks like a true
photographer's camera!

Cheers,
David

Any idea on noise compared to the FZ20?

Good question. What is the size of the pixel (in absolute units!)? A
bigger sensor would mean a bigger lens and a much bigger and heavier
camera (volume being proportional to linear size cubed). I did notice
that the weight had crept up from the FZ20 and the maximum lens aperture
at full zoom had crept down a little.

I looked at the sample images and there was some noise present in the
darker areas, as you would expect from an 8MP sensor of that physical
size. Whether it would be a problem an 8 x 10 print I don't know, you'd
need to print the samples out for yourself. My guess is not, providing
you stick with the lower ISO settings.

I was impressed with the lens quality on the couple of sample images I
downloaded at full resolution.

Cheers,
David

"David J Taylor"
wrote in
. uk...

Any idea on noise compared to the FZ20?


More samples can be seen at the Lumix global site:
http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/l...dels/fz30.html

Some noise is apparent on most pics there.
Skin tones are much improved though, as seen both from dpreviews samples and
Panasonics samples.
/per

"Some" noise... I think my eyes are deceiving me. The level of noise (also
at low(er) ISO's!) is in my opinion extremely bad. Especially for a camera
at this pricepoint. The lens itself might be very good, the sensor is
obviously too small for this number of megapixels. Don't get me wrong, not
trying to start a flame here (hey, I just ordered an H1, which can't be
described as a noiseless digicam as well...), just being objective. I also
think that they should have used the 7 megapixel sensor. Okay, you lose some
resolution but you gain a lot in the image quality department. But alas, to
satisfy the market they opted for the worse. Logical, but sad.

The rest of the camera I truly adore though. Very nice lens, manual zoom and
focus, big tiltable screen, great!

P-P.


"David J Taylor"
wrote in
message . uk...
wrote:
On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 14:09:39 GMT, "David J Taylor"

wrote:

Dave Sill wrote:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05...sonic_fz30.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz30/

Thanks for posting that, Dave. With the manual zoom and manual focus
controls, VGA movies, and swivel viewfinder it looks like a true
photographer's camera!

Cheers,
David

Any idea on noise compared to the FZ20?

Good question. What is the size of the pixel (in absolute units!)? A
bigger sensor would mean a bigger lens and a much bigger and heavier
camera (volume being proportional to linear size cubed). I did notice
that the weight had crept up from the FZ20 and the maximum lens aperture
at full zoom had crept down a little.

I looked at the sample images and there was some noise present in the
darker areas, as you would expect from an 8MP sensor of that physical
size. Whether it would be a problem an 8 x 10 print I don't know, you'd
need to print the samples out for yourself. My guess is not, providing
you stick with the lower ISO settings.

I was impressed with the lens quality on the couple of sample images I
downloaded at full resolution.

Cheers,
David

P-P. Henneken wrote:
"Some" noise... I think my eyes are deceiving me. The level of noise
(also at low(er) ISO's!) is in my opinion extremely bad. Especially
for a camera at this pricepoint. The lens itself might be very good,
the sensor is obviously too small for this number of megapixels.
Don't get me wrong, not trying to start a flame here (hey, I just
ordered an H1, which can't be described as a noiseless digicam as
well...), just being objective. I also think that they should have
used the 7 megapixel sensor. Okay, you lose some resolution but you
gain a lot in the image quality department. But alas, to satisfy the
market they opted for the worse. Logical, but sad.
The rest of the camera I truly adore though. Very nice lens, manual
zoom and focus, big tiltable screen, great!

P-P.

The ability of noise to destroy any particular image is dependant on the
exact image viewing contidions. Whilst you can see the noise on the
sample images when viewed at 1:1 zoom on the screen (hence my describing
it as "some noise"), can you see the noise on these images when printed
out or viewed at normal size? I don't mean taking a magnifying glass to
an 10 x 8 inch print either! Vieweing at 1:1 on my screen corresponds to
a print width of 37 inches, not a size I have ever used. Personally, I
cannot agree with "extremely bad".

I do agree that there are lower noise sensors available (at least to some
manufacturers), and I do agree that for many purposes 5MP would be
adequate. 8MP is indeed market-driven. At a rough estimate, the
sensitive area per pixel is the same on the FZ20 and FZ30, so actually
having a larger total sensitive area should produce a net improvement for
images under normal viewing conditions.

Cheers,
David

"P-P. Henneken" wrote in
.nl...
"Some" noise... I think my eyes are deceiving me. The level of noise (also
at low(er) ISO's!) is in my opinion extremely bad. Especially for a camera
at this pricepoint. The lens itself might be very good, the sensor is
obviously too small for this number of megapixels. Don't get me wrong, not
trying to start a flame here (hey, I just ordered an H1, which can't be
described as a noiseless digicam as well...), just being objective. I also
think that they should have used the 7 megapixel sensor. Okay, you lose
some resolution but you gain a lot in the image quality department. But
alas, to satisfy the market they opted for the worse. Logical, but sad.

The 7 Mpix cameras, like Sony DSC-P200 and Canon SD500 are now better
regarding noise than most 5 Mpix cameras.
Maybe the manufacturers will learn to handle the challenges of an 8 Mpix
sensor eventually, but evidently not yet...
The noise grain is so much larger and more noticeable than the pix
resolution even at 100 ISO.
/per

From the panasonic site samples, I don't think they have made any great
leap forward in the noise area.. However, the pixel-level sharpness is
very impressive.. grudgingly I'll admit it looks a tiny bit sharper
than my C8080's 8Mp sensor..

Panasonic's photographer seems unafraid to blow the odd highlight, I
notice..

Looks promising, but let's wait for the real reviews..

wrote:
From the panasonic site samples, I don't think they have made any
great
leap forward in the noise area.. However, the pixel-level sharpness
is very impressive.. grudgingly I'll admit it looks a tiny bit sharper
than my C8080's 8Mp sensor..

Panasonic's photographer seems unafraid to blow the odd highlight, I
notice..

Looks promising, but let's wait for the real reviews..

I agree, see what the reviewers say, but the images and lens quality look
very good so far. At the edges of those blown highlights there seems to
be little in the way of artefacts.
If I was interested in the camera (and it won't replace my FZ5, but my
wife likes the swivel LCD so could replace her FZ20), I would be printing
out those sample photos to see what the small amount of noise looks like
when printed, rather than when viewed on the screen.

Cheers,
David