Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 Review

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20
4.4 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.4 out of 5

From 1 rating and 7 reviews

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tedzebear's Review of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20

10th May 2005

Overall Rating

3.5 stars
  • Value for money
    2.5 stars
  • Image Quality
    4.5 stars
  • Features
    3.5 stars
  • Time Digital Camera Owned
    1 - 6 Months
  • Battery Life
    3 stars
  • Ease of Use
    2 stars
Good Points

Zoom lense, stabilization, images, fast writes to memory.


Bad Points

Looks, cluttered - low pixel viewfinder, unusable viewfinder in low light, doesnt like external flash, controls too fiddly by latest standards.


General Comments

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 is a mixed bag. The lens is amazing along with image stabilization. It's fast to respond and images are beautiful. But the controls are too fiddly. The evf and screen will not brighten in low light - so forget taking pictures in the dark with an external flash! And you can't be sure if an external flash will fire as the settings have to be precise. Evf is low pixel and can become too cluttered with overlaid info. It's frustrating to own a camera with such potential that's let down by important features. It's old hat now and needs a makeover to keep up.

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Members' Comments ontedzebear's Review

  • rarinrob Rank: 2nd Lieutenant on 18th Aug 2005

    Perhaps you should have read the manual before using it. Yes, it is complicated, but that's only because it offers so many manual options for the user. Once you've experimented with it you soon get to know what's what. A slightly unfair review for what is a very good - and well-priced - camera.

  • tedzebear Rank: Lance Corporal on 27th Aug 2005

    Sorry rarinrob I still hold my opinion. I have used complicated cameras for 40 years and always read the manual. However I was making a comparison with other complicated cameras who's manufacturers make them easier to use that Panasonic. Look at Kodak or Konica just to see how they use jog wheels and buttons that fall readily to hand and you can feel. Some of us have work hardened hands that just can't feel those silly little buttons. Its called ergonomics. Also these companies realise that the inventive user will want to use their cameras in less that ideal lighting conditions. So they have gain on the EVF so you can see the subject through the viewfinder in low light. Yes this camera is a beauty.. But It has flaws that take its overall value down. If panasonic would only listen and make just a few changes the FZ20 would be hard to beat. As it is, its a compromise.
    I rest my case

  • PhotoBoffin on 23rd Feb 2006

    I disagree...It is incredible value, pure quality, a joy to use and a reliable quality photogaphic tool.

  • Biffo1262 Rank: 2nd Lieutenant on 14th Aug 2007

    The comment about the quality of the EVF is a very fair one. You only have to look at the now obsolete Minolta Z series to see what is possible with a viewfinder - it was streets ahead of the FZ20. Yes it is a quality camera and I have owned one for two years but I don't let that blind me to the facts. The viewfinder is only one issue; the poor performance of the CCD in low light conditions and the max. ASA 400 rating leaves me VERY frustrated indeed. If Panasonic have improved the CCD noise issue and the poor performance of the EVF then later models will be worth considering. As it stands - if you favour using the viewfinder over the LCD perhaps you should look elsewhere or later models than the FZ20. If you want superb lens quality, the EVF isn't important and you don't want to shoot above 100ASA (200ASA is a tad noisy as well) then go for it as the build quality ,handling and picture quality at 100ASA are superb.