Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 Digital Camera Review

by Patrick Singleton
Published on October 21, 2005

Navigation
Intro	Testing / Performance
Physical Tour	Components
Design / Layout	Modes
Control Options	Image Parameters
Connectivity / Extras	Overall Impressions
Conclusion	Specs / Ratings

Connectivity
Software (6.0)
The Panasonic DMC-FZ30 comes with PHOTOfunSTUDIO, a Windows-compatible image viewer, and PhotoBase2.5 and PhotoImpression 5 for Macintosh. The programs allow browsing and sorting, printing, resizing for email, and limited editing. PhotoImpression builds albums, slide shows, and web pages as well. The programs have simple, clear interfaces, but as editors, they are vastly inferior to Adobe Photoshop. The FZ30 is not really an entry level camera, and is meant to appeal to photographers who want to improve their work. The software is not powerful enough to support that kind of development.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs (7.0)
The Panasonic DMC-FZ30 offers full-speed USB 2.0 for file transfers and printing, analog video out, and mono audio out. It also has jacks for a 3-volt external power supply and an electronic remote control. It has a hot shoe for an external flash.

Direct Print Options (6.0)
The Panasonic DMC-FZ30 is DPOF and PictBridge compatible, which means that the user can select images to print and make specifications about the print order for either PictBridge compatible desktop printers, or DPOF compatible labs. The user can choose to imprint the date on the images, set the paper size, the number of prints to make, and the layout of the print on the page. This is a full-featured implementation of DPOF/PictBridge printing.

Battery (7.0)
The Panasonic DMC-FZ30 uses a custom lithium-ion battery pack which supplies 7.2 volts with a 730 mAh capacity. We find that lithium-ion powered cameras typically last longer between charges than nickel metal hydride-powered cameras. The tradeoff is that NiMH cameras can usually take AA cells, which are cheap and widely available. We still prefer the technology that Panasonic chose for the FZ30. 

Memory (3.0)
The FZ30 does not have built-in memory, but according to the specs it ships with a 32MB SD card. We received a 16MB card with our sample. Both 16 and 32 MB are pathetically small for an 8 megapixel camera. The typical user needs at least a 256MB card.  

Other Features (9.0)
Flipbook mode - The FZ30 is equipped to make stop-motion animations. Turn on this mode, shoot a series of images, and they'll be saved as a 320 x 240-resolution animation.

Self-Timer - The FZ30's self-timer can be set to 2 or 10 seconds, via the left button on the four-way controller.

Auto Bracket - The FZ30 can take three images, one at the metered exposure and one above and below the reading. The bracket can be up to a full stop above or below, and can be set in 1/3-stop increments.

Live Histogram – This is one particular advantage of the FZ30 unmatched by DSLRs.  Because of the FZ30’s ability to provide a live preview, a live histogram can be incorporated into the interface, offering exposure information in real time. 

Extended Zoom – With the expansive zoom range of the FZ30’s lens and its high resolution images, Panasonic has provided users with another means of control.  Users in need of some extended telephoto (beyond the camera’s provided 420mm) can drop the resolution down and get a boost to their zoom.  The smaller the recorded images, the more zoom users will have to work with.