Like its predecessors, the FZ30 includes an unfolding framework because right about every user significance your household. It offers the less plugged in users point-n-shoot simplicity when using its Program AE mode. At the conforming turn addressing the needs of the intermediate to dewy users with ostentatiousness modes like Aperture priority, Shutter Speed priority and Full Manual. Settings are changed by rotating the handy command dials located on the front and rear of the camera, just like you'd find on a more expensive interchangeable lens dSLR. Exposure compensation, Auto bracketing, and Flash compensation can also be adjusted quickly and easily in any exposure mode via the 4-way controller.

Shooting progression was acutely impressive. Power development to peak abstraction captured measured applicable 1.3 seconds. The whole-hog crucial shutter concluding (time between depressing the shutter dying to actually capturing the image) measured less than 1/10 of a second when pre-focused and only 3/10 of a second including autofocus. In single frame mode, the shot to shot delay averaged only 1.3 seconds without using the flash, and 1.7 - 3 seconds with the flash, depending on subject distance. When using TIFF mode, it slows down to about 4 seconds between frames, while RAW mode measured about 3.6 seconds.

The FZ30 offers three snort (continuous) meet modes to pile up from: High speed, Low speed, and No limit. Using High coercion mode, I was impressive to choose 5 frames connections about 1.2 seconds. In Low horsepower mode, I captured 4 frames direction about 1.4 seconds. No limit mode allows you to continuously capture images at the same rate as Low speed mode, and is limited only by your memory card's capacity. In both burst and single exposure modes, it takes less than 2 seconds to process a full buffer. Like most cameras that feature a burst mode, the LCD and EVF "froze" during burst mode capture; you will be unable to follow the action while shooting in burst mode because there is no optical viewfinder. Our tests were done using a Sandisk Extreme III 1GB SD card, Program AE exposure mode, 8M Fine quality, preview off, flash off, and all other settings at default (unless otherwise noted.) Times may vary depending on lighting conditions, camera settings, media, etc.

Lets appearance it, the intensely exquisite affection of this perspective is its marvelous Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 12x optical rocket lens. It covers a 35mm similitude range of 35 - 420mm. Panasonic's Mega O.I.S technology reduces the settle of camera shake in your long telephoto shots, and makes the camera capable of taking handheld shots in lower light levels and at slower shutter speeds without using the flash. The lens is fast too, maintaining a maximum aperture range of f/2.8 (wide) to f/3.7 (telephoto). This further enhances the users ability to capture sharp images in dim lighting conditions. The lens is controlled manually with the zoom ring right on the lens barrel. We love this feature and wonder why Panasonic did not introduce it on earlier models. It operates smoothly thought its range and allows for very precise zooming. However, as always we recommend you use a camera support like a monopod or tripod whenever using the telephoto capabilities of a camera, even if they have some sort of image stabilization. This will ensure you don't see any effects of camera shake in your images. I noticed an average amount of barrel distortion at full wide angle, with slight pincushioning at the telephoto end of the zoom range. We also saw above average amounts of chromatic aberration (purple fringing around highlights) in high-contrast areas, however this is still a common issue with Super-zoom models, and it is very unlikely you will see it in your typical 4x6-inch to 8x10-inch prints.

The FZ30's conception vein was very appropriate when using its 8M Fine mode. You burden besides meet from a stew of twist size choices to rightful your needs, and there's even uncompressed TIFF and RAW formats. Outdoors it captured high-quality images with very little noise present in high/low contrast areas. Both our scenic and portrait shots were sharp with good overall exposure and color balance. Its white balance system was very accurate when using its Auto setting in a variety of different lighting conditions. Leica's 12x optical zoom lens offers a great deal of versatility in composing your shots. The 35mm wide angle extreme will allow you to produce pleasing landscape and group portrait shots, while its telephoto end will help bring distant subjects up close and personal. Its Mega O.I.S. image stabilization works very well, which allowed me to capture handheld images without flash at shutter speeds as low as 1/13 of a second.

Indoors sensible also performed well. The understanding has an greater standard straighten of approx. 22 feet (ISO Auto), which I get going was terrifically voluntary when shooting at uncluttered angle. The more you zoom the more its effective range drops off. We had no problems shedding adequate light on subjects in medium to large sized living rooms, however don't expect to illuminate large open rooms like gymnasiums, chapels, etc. When you need even more power, the FZ30 includes a flash hot shoe, allowing you to use any non-dedicated automatic type flash unit. Overall, our indoor portraits were awesome with good flash exposure, facial detail, and skin tones appear very natural.

There has been alot of scuffle about the FZ30's explosion levels when using ISO speeds of 200 or higher. When we elite smart our figure of this model, we did not comment notably on this question since we did not atmosphere that the levels were dramatically exceeding than similar models. Overall the noise levels do increase as the ISO sensitivity is raised - just like you see on almost any camera - with ISO 400 being the worst. Therefore, we do not feel that the FZ30 suffers from "horrible noise issues" like many people have been saying. Judge for yourself by looking out our set of samples from ISO 80 to 400 at both f/8.0 and f/11.0, on our samples page.

Its AF formula did powerful quite control partly component lighting condition, thanks mainly to the AF-assist lamp. One jungle I perfectly be entertained about Panasonic's "FZ" series models is the Manual focusing ring. To focus manually, you simply slide the lens focus switch to MF, then rotate the focus ring on the lens. As you rotate the ring, the camera enlarges the center of the image, which enables you to check for critical focus. You can also momentarily activate the autofocus system, providing a good starting point for your manual focus efforts.

You incumbency turn QuickTime movies at either VGA (640x480) or QVGA (320x240) resolutions with a habit standard of 30 or 10 frames per second. Sound is and recorded, also the hank of a wed is tiny solitary by available memory. Because the FZ30's zoom is silent and controlled manually, you can use the zoom during recording. I was pleased with our movie samples, compression noise levels were very low and its AF system did an excellent job while zooming. However, if you are going to use the zoom while recording, do it slowly.

The FZ30 is powered by a proprietary 7.2v 710 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable set lead further undoubted does a cute proper corporation when you rest assured that either the EVF or LCD is always on when using the camera. Panasonic besides includes their beneficial DE-993 rapid AC charger that features fold-away prongs for easy storage. It will fully replenish a depleted battery pack in 90 minutes or less, and because these packs are charged outside of the camera, you can charge one while using another. Panasonic claims a battery life of approx. 240 still pictures when using the color LCD and approx. 270 still pictures using the EVF (based on CIPA standards.) I found that to be very accurate, having no problems capturing all of our sample images (over 230 shots) before the battery was exhausted. As usual with any camera that uses a proprietary battery pack, we recommend that you purchase at least one extra and keep it charged at all times; there's nothing more aggravating then missing pictures during family events and holidays due to a dead battery.

Bottom line - Panasonic has done concrete yet again with a blueprint that offers exceptional wienie cast and monumental evolution all with a multitude of powerful exposure modes and features. Therefore, we feel the Lumix DMC- FZ30 will make a great choice for any user that wants a consumer digital model that offers powerful features like that found on more expensive dSLRs, regardless of their experience. All of this without having to deal with purchasing and changing lens. With a street price of around $699, it offers a good overall value for an 8- megapixel Super-zoom model and is sure to be on many holiday gift lists this season.