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Panasonic Lumix® DMC-FZ30 Digital Camera
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Brand: Panasonic
Model: Lumix® DMC-FZ30
Manufacturer Part: DMC-FZ30S
Camera Type: Standard Point and Shoot
Resolution: 8.32 Megapixel
Optical Zoom: 12x
Product ID: EPID56014053
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Top Reviews
Panasonic FZ30
) 
34 of 35 people found this review helpful.
I bought this camera after seeing some excellent wildlife shots on the Wild about Britain web site taken with this model
The 12x zoom lens gets really close to the subject and the camera has built in anti-shake so you can take photos at much lower shutter speeds than you would expect.
I have found the camera to be all and more than I expected of it and it is very easy to use without constant reference to the Manual - something that can't be said of all Digital Cameras!
If you are looking for a good reliable Digital camera but don't want the extra weight and complication of an SLR then i think this one is a good bet.
The camera has now been superceeded by the FZ50.
The 12x zoom lens gets really close to the subject and the camera has built in anti-shake so you can take photos at much lower shutter speeds than you would expect.
I have found the camera to be all and more than I expected of it and it is very easy to use without constant reference to the Manual - something that can't be said of all Digital Cameras!
If you are looking for a good reliable Digital camera but don't want the extra weight and complication of an SLR then i think this one is a good bet.
The camera has now been superceeded by the FZ50.
Review ID: 10000000002791102
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PANASONIC LUMIX FZ30Review created: 13/04/07
by:
) 31 of 31 people found this review helpful.
I HAVE HAD MY FZ30 FOR APPROX 2 YEARS NOW & HAVE NO INTENTION OF CHANGING IT FOR THE FZ50 OR A DIGITAL SLR, I AM A KEEN PHOTOGRAPHER BUT HAVE NEVER HAD THE PATIENCE TO CHANGE SETTINGS & I LOVE THE FACT THAT I CAN GET TOP QUALITY PICTURES BY JUST LEAVING IT ON AUTO & USING THE OLD POINT & SHOOT METHOD, IN MY OPINION THE REAL ADVANTAGE THIS FIXED LENS CAMERA HAS OVER ANY SLR IS THE FACT I CAN GO FROM REALLY CLOSE MACRO SHOTS (approx 2in from the subject ideal for flowers, insects, ebay listings etc) TO GETTING SOME REALLY NICE PHOTOS OF THE MOON (tripod really needed for these) & WILDLIFE SHOTS ALL ON THE SAME LENS & ALL VERY GOOD QUALITY PHOTOS, TO SUM UP I HAVE TAKEN MY BEST EVER PICTURES WITH THIS CAMERA & I HAVE BEEN INTO PHOTOGRAPHY FOR OVER 30 YEARS & CAN THOUROUGHLY RECOMEND IT TO ANYONE FROM BEGINER TO KEEN SNAPPER.
Review ID: 10000000003405343
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Reviews
Panasonic Lumix® DMC-FZ30 Digital Camera
) 16 of 17 people found this review helpful.
The FZ30 has to be one of the best all round cameras I have ever used the quality leica lens has 12x zoom and you can also zoom in movie mode some don't IE Fuji S7000. So easy to use in auto mode any one can take a good photo with it from young or old as the Mega optical image stabilisation ensures that shaky hands don't ruin the picture. If your more adventurous then it's all here two thumb and finger rollers one for aperture and one for shutter speed, there's also macro mode auto/manual focus ae lock and twin rotary rings around the lens housing for zoom and manual focus. On the down side it's not the smallest of camera's and it's ISO only goes to 400.
The FZ30 teases you into experimenting with it's manual controls all because it's easier to use them with out having to dive into various levels of the menu, it looks for all the world like a DSLR and people are quite surprised when you tell them it's a compact.
One last thing you can access more than 12X optical zoom by trading off mega pixels IE you can have almost 16X optical zoom when set to 5 mega pixel This is a fantastic option which will still deliver a decent 7x5 photo and a passable 10x8 an invaluable option if you are in to wild life 19x optical zoom is also available but anything bigger than a 6x4 photo is pushing it.
I think the FZ30 is worthy of every award it's won if you love your photography then this has to be one of the camera's on your list.
The FZ30 teases you into experimenting with it's manual controls all because it's easier to use them with out having to dive into various levels of the menu, it looks for all the world like a DSLR and people are quite surprised when you tell them it's a compact.
One last thing you can access more than 12X optical zoom by trading off mega pixels IE you can have almost 16X optical zoom when set to 5 mega pixel This is a fantastic option which will still deliver a decent 7x5 photo and a passable 10x8 an invaluable option if you are in to wild life 19x optical zoom is also available but anything bigger than a 6x4 photo is pushing it.
I think the FZ30 is worthy of every award it's won if you love your photography then this has to be one of the camera's on your list.
Review ID: 10000000004586679
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Super Zoom!Review created: 02/04/08
by:
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Although a little heavier & bulkier than many comparable cameras on the market, it is the massive lens that makes this minor inconvenience well worth putting up with.
A magnificent 12x optical zoom coupled with an 8.1 megapixel sensor, working with a truly excellent optical stabilisation system, produces superb photographs straight from the box. Even at full zoom, images are crisp without the blurriness caused by hand-shake.
The manual zoom ring is a true revelation, effortlessly enabling full control by the user without delays usually caused by motor-driven zoom lenses. A useful side-effect is battery longevity as no power is required to move the lens.
Most amateur photographers would probably prefer to keep on the Full Auto setting, trusting the camera to make the adjustments necessary for top-quality results. However, for the more advanced user, a full range of manual options are available to help produce more individual images.
Atypical of cameras in this range, the 30fps video option can be used with the zoom lens, producing high-quality video that looks good full-screen.
I am very impressed with this camera, and am glad that I was lucky enough to win one at auction at a very reasonable price.
I thoroughly recommend this camera to users of any level, although professionals probably already use SLR or dSLR cameras. The FZ30 is the closest I have seen to a full-scale dSLR, but without the hefty price tag.
All in all, I would happily rate this camera at 9.5 out of 10 across the board.
A magnificent 12x optical zoom coupled with an 8.1 megapixel sensor, working with a truly excellent optical stabilisation system, produces superb photographs straight from the box. Even at full zoom, images are crisp without the blurriness caused by hand-shake.
The manual zoom ring is a true revelation, effortlessly enabling full control by the user without delays usually caused by motor-driven zoom lenses. A useful side-effect is battery longevity as no power is required to move the lens.
Most amateur photographers would probably prefer to keep on the Full Auto setting, trusting the camera to make the adjustments necessary for top-quality results. However, for the more advanced user, a full range of manual options are available to help produce more individual images.
Atypical of cameras in this range, the 30fps video option can be used with the zoom lens, producing high-quality video that looks good full-screen.
I am very impressed with this camera, and am glad that I was lucky enough to win one at auction at a very reasonable price.
I thoroughly recommend this camera to users of any level, although professionals probably already use SLR or dSLR cameras. The FZ30 is the closest I have seen to a full-scale dSLR, but without the hefty price tag.
All in all, I would happily rate this camera at 9.5 out of 10 across the board.
Review ID: 10000000006441210
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The FZ30 - a super tool!Review created: 07/05/08(updated 28/11/08)
by:
) 8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
I am a photographer and part of my "armourey" had been a Panasonic FZ20. Because of its magnificent 12x Leica Zoom lens, I used this for a number of years to take those very informal "snap-shots" of guests in the chapel at weddings and whilst mingling about outside the church...including those glorious moments when they dash out and frantically suck like mad on a cigarette!
My old friend the FZ20 had seen better days and so after careful consideration plumped for the FZ30 as her replacement. Yes, I could have bought something "more professional" at double or treble the price; ... but why?
Quality is superb, the 12x zoom is still simply breathtaking and the refinements over the FZ20 well founded. Truly a great camera, especially the Leica lens.
Downside? Nothing really. My only gripe would be the lack of a TTL facilty and limitations thereof, if you chose to use an external flash.
My old friend the FZ20 had seen better days and so after careful consideration plumped for the FZ30 as her replacement. Yes, I could have bought something "more professional" at double or treble the price; ... but why?
Quality is superb, the 12x zoom is still simply breathtaking and the refinements over the FZ20 well founded. Truly a great camera, especially the Leica lens.
Downside? Nothing really. My only gripe would be the lack of a TTL facilty and limitations thereof, if you chose to use an external flash.
Review ID: 10000000007036592
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Great super-zoom camera for the priceReview created: 05/06/08
by:
) 6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
This camera cost over £500 new 3 years ago, but now you can pick up a mint example on ebay for £150 - At this price you cannot go wrong. This is probably the best super-zoom outside of the SLR market, and if you don't need it for low light conditions you would struggle to tell the difference.
Review ID: 10000000007436143
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Panasonic Lumix Digital CameraReview created: 04/06/08
by:
church_youth ( 1 )
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.
My daughter is doing art anfd photography for her exams. She is relly good at both. She needed a decent camara. After speaking to some one they suggested for me to buy this one or one like it. She dosn't have to carry loads of different lenses for it, she can take pictures from a long distance and they will appear to have been taken really close.
Review ID: 10000000007409923
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Great digital camera5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
This camera is a great compromise between the point and shoot pocket camera and the expensive DSLRs. The zoom on the lens is the equivalent of 35mm to 420mm (which you would not get with a DSLR without swapping lenses in and out).
Many facilities, and a real Leica lens - the best lens available.
Very happy with this.
Many facilities, and a real Leica lens - the best lens available.
Very happy with this.
Review ID: 10000000010081207
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Between a compact & a SLR5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Upgraded to this model from a Kodak Easyshare DX6490. Wanted a bit more choice to experiment with making manual settings (aperture, shutter priority etc) but also still have the auto point and shoot ability. This model is a recommended camera by some mags. & easy to see why. Not quite a digital SLR, but only one step down from one & even looks like one!
Review ID: 10000000005352601
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Panasonic Lumix® DMC-FZ30 Digital CameraReview created: 01/02/08
by:
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
i bought this camera cause of the picture quality and cause of the superb quality and it is a superb camera
Review ID: 10000000005317398
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Excellent CameraReview created: 29/04/09
by:
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
This is a fantastic camera. I have had it for about 2 years and cannot fault any aspect it.
Things I like most about it are:
- The colour images it takes. Just so much better than other cameras I have used. Just lovely accurate and rich in colour. Especially good at accurate face photos. An area that so many cameras get wrong.
- The flexibility of the zoom, gets you so much closer to the subject matter.
- Build quality. I have had more expensive cameras in the past and this camera matches up to them easily.
- Lens quality. This has been said many times before about this camera. Its such an easy mistake to buy the wrong camera based on features or size etc. The big mistake is to get excited about the number of pixels. At the end of the day the most important thing about choosing a camera is the quality and size of the lens. Bigger lens lets in more light which improves the image quality.
Things I don't like about this camera:
- struggle to think of any. Perhaps annoying is the way the manufacturers superceed the models all the time. Not really a problem with the camera itself. The only issue with the camera is the overall size. This of course is why the lens is so good and the zoom so large.
Things I like most about it are:
- The colour images it takes. Just so much better than other cameras I have used. Just lovely accurate and rich in colour. Especially good at accurate face photos. An area that so many cameras get wrong.
- The flexibility of the zoom, gets you so much closer to the subject matter.
- Build quality. I have had more expensive cameras in the past and this camera matches up to them easily.
- Lens quality. This has been said many times before about this camera. Its such an easy mistake to buy the wrong camera based on features or size etc. The big mistake is to get excited about the number of pixels. At the end of the day the most important thing about choosing a camera is the quality and size of the lens. Bigger lens lets in more light which improves the image quality.
Things I don't like about this camera:
- struggle to think of any. Perhaps annoying is the way the manufacturers superceed the models all the time. Not really a problem with the camera itself. The only issue with the camera is the overall size. This of course is why the lens is so good and the zoom so large.
Review ID: 10000000011768141
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Excellent sellerReview created: 03/04/08
by:
alvinkurien ( 9 )
3 of 7 people found this review helpful.
quick response and nice dealing.worth doing bussiness.Thanks**************
Review ID: 10000000006465032
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Panasonic Lumix® DMC-FZ30 Digital CameraReview created: 05/07/09
by:
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Very happy with it especially for the money £130 inc postage. Takes brilliant photo's in normal light in low light gets a bit trickier, am at the meoment trying to get a flash to go with it.
Review ID: 10000000012634459
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Panasonic Lumix® DMC-FZ30 Digital Camera1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Bought this because I wanted a digi-cam that'd do video and zoom during filming. Very few do, and this has a manual zoom (and manual focus option)and so you can zoom during filming. The lens is excellent, controls where you expect them and it has some very useful aspects, like a duplicated ring, front and rear, for controlling aperture and shutter speed. You can turn Auto-focus off, have an "assist" (magnified are in centre) or stick it on "auto". Exposure modes are useful, with "most used" scene modes available right there on the mode dial. Really useful was the lens hood that reversed and clipped over the lens snugly out-of-the-way for storage.
Not so useful was the use of Quicktime format for the videos. This is high quality, but Windows Movie Maker won't accept it for editing, and all my attempts at conversion (even with paid-for software) have been a waste of time and money. So your YouTube clips have to be uploaded raw and straight from camera - OK once you know and can take care but restricts the length of film (because WMM compresses your film as well).
However, it is a brilliant camera and I shall keep it for a long time, I think.
Not so useful was the use of Quicktime format for the videos. This is high quality, but Windows Movie Maker won't accept it for editing, and all my attempts at conversion (even with paid-for software) have been a waste of time and money. So your YouTube clips have to be uploaded raw and straight from camera - OK once you know and can take care but restricts the length of film (because WMM compresses your film as well).
However, it is a brilliant camera and I shall keep it for a long time, I think.
Review ID: 10000000012505026
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A DSLR without having to carry spare lensesReview created: 09/10/09
by:
I was using a Kodak P850 which I enjoyed but it had limitations on performance.
The Lumix is a superb camera with top end features, one could say a DSLR with a fixed lens and as it is a 12 times zoom who needs other lenses.
I got it at a fair price and it arrived by courier I was usingit within half an hour of it arriving. Disappointed no neck strap, so had to buy one and I also bought a Polarising filter and remote control off EBay. All accessories can be used on this camera unlike some non SLR models,so I can use my own flashgun.
Not too heavy and with no motorised lens it's switched on it a fraction of a second ready for use. It came with a case which was good and yet another thingit has rull manual controls too, including focus. With manual zoom control and super sharp Leica lens plus anti shake mechanism which Panasonic invented for this model, a great camera.,
The Lumix is a superb camera with top end features, one could say a DSLR with a fixed lens and as it is a 12 times zoom who needs other lenses.
I got it at a fair price and it arrived by courier I was usingit within half an hour of it arriving. Disappointed no neck strap, so had to buy one and I also bought a Polarising filter and remote control off EBay. All accessories can be used on this camera unlike some non SLR models,so I can use my own flashgun.
Not too heavy and with no motorised lens it's switched on it a fraction of a second ready for use. It came with a case which was good and yet another thingit has rull manual controls too, including focus. With manual zoom control and super sharp Leica lens plus anti shake mechanism which Panasonic invented for this model, a great camera.,
Review ID: 10000000013822716
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PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-FZ30Review created: 08/08/09
by:
The first thing you notice is a quality feel when you handle this camera. Secondly the camera offers so many functions available to you that you would expect to find only on more expensive SLR's, which together with the fantastic 12X optical magnification Leica lens gives you wide angle to amazing telephoto all in one lens, without the need to mess around changing lenses! This range can be further extended by additional "screw on to front of lens" supplementary wide angle and telephoto lense at very reasonable prices from a range of suppliers on e-bay (mine are still on order and I can't wait to try them!)
Picture quality is great with the 12X optical magnification but when you get up to the maximum optical/digital magnification of 75X using the digitl zoom, etc. you do get some interesting impressionistic artistic effects-still worth while 'though.
You really need to explore the user manual several times in detail to get to know all the functions properly, although there is always the "Auto" and the "pre-set modes SC1 and SC2" for more rapid point and shoot usage.I am still in this process and finding out more every time i look at it.
This is a perfect intermediate camera for the enthusiastic amateur (that's me)
and probably would suit a semi professional as a outdoor camera-fully loaded without needing to haul a load of additional gear around.
Value for money , about £130 second hand top condition on e-bay at present, it is incredible when I think what sort of low grade digital camera I was paying £250 a few years ago.
This FZ30 has truly re-awakened my interest in photography and given me the confidence to attempt more ambitious projects at minimal cost.
If you are thinking of buying one -do it! - you won't be disappointed.
Alan Kelly
Picture quality is great with the 12X optical magnification but when you get up to the maximum optical/digital magnification of 75X using the digitl zoom, etc. you do get some interesting impressionistic artistic effects-still worth while 'though.
You really need to explore the user manual several times in detail to get to know all the functions properly, although there is always the "Auto" and the "pre-set modes SC1 and SC2" for more rapid point and shoot usage.I am still in this process and finding out more every time i look at it.
This is a perfect intermediate camera for the enthusiastic amateur (that's me)
and probably would suit a semi professional as a outdoor camera-fully loaded without needing to haul a load of additional gear around.
Value for money , about £130 second hand top condition on e-bay at present, it is incredible when I think what sort of low grade digital camera I was paying £250 a few years ago.
This FZ30 has truly re-awakened my interest in photography and given me the confidence to attempt more ambitious projects at minimal cost.
If you are thinking of buying one -do it! - you won't be disappointed.
Alan Kelly
Review ID: 10000000013045164
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