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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28K 10MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) | 
| Brand: Panasonic
Category: Photography
List Price: $399.95
Buy New: $292.90
You Save: $107.05 (27%)
New (38)
Rating:  58 reviews
Sales Rank: 18
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
System Memory: 50
Monitor Size: 270
Includes Software: Yes
Optical Zoom: 18
Digital Zoom: 4
Connectivity: AV
Display Size: 2.7
Maximum Resolution: 10.1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 3 x 3.5 x 4.6
nv:Sensor: 10.1 Megapixel
Size: 1/2.33" CCD Sensor
Image Resolution: 3648 x 2736
Movie Resolution: 640 x 480
Memory Included: 50MB Internal
Storage Media: SD/SDHC Memory Card
Compressed Format: RAW
Compressed Format: RAW + JPEG
Compressed Format: JPEG (Fine)
Movie File Format: HD
Optical Zoom: 18x
Digital Zoom: 4X
Focal Length: f = 4.8 - 86.4mm
Focus Mode: Manual
Focus Mode: One-shot AF
Focus Mode: Continuous AF
Focus Mode: Normal AF
Focus Mode: Macro AF
LCD Monitor: 2.7 inches
MPN: DMC-FZ28 Black
Model: DMC-FZ28 Black
UPC: 037988988105
EAN: 0037988988105
ASIN: B001CCLBSU
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| | 10-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints | | | 18x wide-angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized zoom lens | | | 2.7-inch high-resolution LCD screen; HD video capture | | | Full SLR-like manual operations including aperture, shutter, program and full manual modes with Advanced Scene modes | | | Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Panasonic's new DMC-FZ28 boasts a premium 27mm wide-angle LEICA lens with an 18x optical zoom, ideal for tight indoor shots and long-distance action photos. The 10.1 megapixel digital camera also features an enhanced Intelligent Auto Mode (iA), with the new AF (auto focus) Tracking function, making it easier for photographers at any level to shoot sharp, well-focused photos, even when the subject is moving -- making it ideal for action shots.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 53 more reviews...
Fantastic camera! Incredible photos! September 6, 2008
Zhi Chang (NC,USA)
83 out of 84 found this review helpful
I have been using a Panasonic TZ1 for a little over two years. That's a nice 10x zoom pocket camera. But its ISO is a bit low. The shutter lag also cannot keep up with my growing two-year-old twins. They are too fast for the camera to chase.
My main use for the new camera is to record my kids life. From time to time, I extend my artistic interest to scenes, buildings, animals, insects, flowers...
I've had this camera for a week and took over 1000 photos. It's simply fantastic.
Things I like:
1. The shutter response is much much better than my old camera. In most cases, it will focus quickly and accurately. I use iA mode occasionally. Most time, I set it at program mode with Fn(Function)button programmed to select different focus mode. Contrary to one of the reviewers, I feel it's very responsive. And Face Recognition really works on this Camera.
2. The lens is great. You can capture incredible photos far and near.
3. Wonderful IQ! I constantly mess around with different shooting modes and do comparison shot. I have to say that the iA(intelligent auto) mode in many cases is doing a better job in focusing, exposure, white balance, etc than I do(Hard to admit a machine is smart than I am. :-D). I'm still trying and learning. But I feel eventually I might give up and let the iA totally controls me.
4. The menu system is well-written. I'm only half-way through the manual(Probably I'll never finish the other half). But there's not a function I hesitate to use or feel frustrated when maneuvering through the menu system.
5. The lay-out of the buttons is well thought-out. I especially like the dedicated record/playback button. Why no one else thought about it. So convenient! Love it.
6. LCD. This is perhaps the brightest LCD I ever had. Everything is nicely detailed.
Things I think the next gen Panasonic FZ should improve:
1. ISO. I have very usable photos which are shot at ISO 400. But there are several times I hope the ISO will be even higher for low-light conditions.
2. Ghost-band(Purple/blue vertical lines) on LCD in strong direct light condition. This happens to many digital camera system. But I feel it shows a bit more on this camera.
I frequent dpreview. A few people there(Plenty never set their fingers on the camera) complain about the small EVF of this camera. I primarily use LCD for taking pictures. So I don't really care about EVF. But to be fair and objective, I tried EVF with about 100 photos. It's clear, bright and nice.
Conclusion: It's a fantastic super-zoom camera which can take incredible photos. A nice step-up from simple P&S. What are you waiting for? (Panasonic didn't pay me to say the last line)
Update 09/30/2008: I've been using this camera for about one month. Literally thousands photos taken. Again and again I'm impressed by this camera. This is truly a versatile camera. It takes excellent photos under a broad range conditions. It's hard to go wrong with this camera.
An Excellent buy! September 6, 2008
SkyLight (Chicago, IL USA)
69 out of 70 found this review helpful
Let me state for the record that I am a Canon lover and I bought this camera just because I was looking for a high zoom camera and Canon just refuses to go higher! Sorry Canon, I still love you, but now I love my FZ28 better!
Here are my (more than) 2 cents:
Pros:
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>> 27 mm Wide angle - No more asking people to squeeze in so they can all fit in the frame! I have a Canon S5 IS too and I took shots of the same place with both cameras and the difference was striking! FZ28 wins hands down!
>> 18x Zoom - Yes its only 486mm, not that much of a difference as compared to S5 IS's 432mm, but if I choose the 3MP mode instead of 10MP mode, I get 32.1x zoom, i.e. 866 mm. That's just awesome. Yes, some of you will freak at "only 3MP resolution", but hey, my first camera was a Canon A80 at 4MP and I have awesome 8x10 prints from that camera, so for sizes like 4x6, a 3MP resolution is sufficient unless you want to crop the image.
>> HD movie recording with zoom - Note that the resolution is 720p and not 1080p. (FYI, I recorded a 4min 36 sec video today and it came to 735 MB. So its a memory hog, but with that resolution, you can't complain)
>> Light weight - Yes its bulky, but at least its light
>> The iA mode worked wonderfully! I took several low lighting shots without the flash and the results were amongst the best I have seen. Admittedly there was some noise (there always is at high ISO), but it was very bearable given the low lighting.
>> Face recognition
>> Orientation Sensor - I don't know why dpreview.com says 'no' for this. The camera DOES have an orientation sensor.
>> Minimum shutter of 60 sec - I can now take some night scenes at low ISO = low noise!
>> RAW mode
>> Smooth opening covers for all the ports. On the S5 IS, I had to pry them open.
Cons:
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>> No external flash - Not really a con for me because I don't use an external flash, but I know that many of you do, hence this comment.
>> No 2 second self timer in iA (auto) mode. The 2 second timer is available for other modes.
>> No flip out and twist LCD (Argh! I really like this feature on the Canon models)
>> Custom battery. I much prefer using standard AA batteries that I can buy easily and cheaply in case of a battery emergency
>> I took away 0.5 points for construction because I felt that the camera's exterior looked cheap when compared with that of the S5 IS. The buttons are very plastic looking and the shooting mode dial also doesn't look as sophisticated as that of the S5 IS although it functions just as well.
>> I also took away 0.5 points for ease of use because I felt the menus were more cumbersome to use than Canon menus. Of course, this is a matter of personal preference but I feel Canon has done better in this regard by simple things such as putting some commonly used features as buttons, for instance, the ISO selection button.
>> 2 GB limit on video recording - Argh! I still need to buy a camcorder!
>> MOV format for movies - Again, personal preference. I personally prefer avi.
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That's all folks. I will update this review if I find more things worth sharing.
Bottom Line:
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An EXCELLENT purchase!
a great DSLR-like camera September 8, 2008
vic (nj)
36 out of 36 found this review helpful
I bought a Panasonic fz18 last year and finally returned it and waited its upgrade.
I bought fz28 from Amazon a week ago. I must say Panasonic fz28 is a great upgrade.
1 I can change the zoom when using video function, fz18 cannot. I suggest turn off the continuous AF function if you want to have a clear HD video (fz18 doesn't have HD mode).
2 Set ISO Mix to 800, I got beautiful pictures with acceptable noise (better than fz18).
3 The battery life is superb. I shot 380 pictures and 40+ seconds video, the battery indicator didn't turn to red yet (better than fz18).
4 iA function is more intelligent than fz18, I hardly miss the scene that I want to shoot.
5 LCD is larger and clearer than fz18.
Finally I have to emphasize the lens again. Leica lens with 18x optical zoom, equals 27mm-486mm (10 mp), and 27m-866mm (3mp). WOW. You can shoot anything far away from you and get nice pictures (better to use tripod 12x and up).
This fz28 suits all my leisure travel or family event needs. It's little bit bulky but very light, better than carrying small P&S+ bulky DSLR + heavy camcorder bundle.
I recommend fz28 to everyone.
Another Lumix winner with minor issues September 20, 2008
AJ CA (USA)
23 out of 23 found this review helpful
Instead of reiterating the positives from other reviews, I'll focus on perceived negatives to help potential buyers.
1) The manual focus button on the top right of the camera is very close to the power button. If you have large fingertips you may turn MF on accidentally and fail to notice unless you study the screen a lot.
2) The record/playback switch is now on the upper part of the rear grip, which makes it prone to being accidentally moved by your thumb. But it is a convenient location. The "component out" jack nearby is also prone to having its cover flipped open, which could snap off if you don't notice.
3) My first Lumix was the bulky but well designed FZ20. It came with a hood with which you could completely shroud the lens using a UV filter to keep out dirt (I try to avoid hassling with lens caps). The FZ28 comes with only a petal hood. Apparently it's tricky to engineer a full hood that doesn't vignette at the new 27mm super wide angle.
4) The EVF is smaller and chintzier than the one on my FZ20. The view has curved edges, apparently because you see it at high magnification. I think they did this to keep the camera small but I use the EVF all the time outdoors. It's usable but the resolution is mediocre. Despite some claims, I've seen no LCD backs you can really use in direct sunlight. You can't gauge exposure or frame accurately if you're squinting at a bleached image. Also, holding a camera with arms extended adds unsteadiness, which can be critical as you approach 18X. Panasonic's OIS does work well at 18X with a good hold braced against the eye.
5) The dull, compressed sound in HD videos doesn't match the stellar image quality. You can finally zoom (slowly) while recording but autofocus may lag. If there's some way to synch-record with an external microphone it would be ideal. It's fairly amazing to see 1280x720 video come from a camera that does so many other things. HD video playback (QuickTime) sometimes has breakup during panning but that could be a computer issue (fast dual-core, though). I've been using a Patriot class 6 SD card.
Other comments: I find less high-ISO noise vs. my FZ20, even with the sensor's 36MP/cm pixel density. As with many digicams there is some muddiness to broad color swaths like far away leaves, but you have the option of RAW shooting or turning NR down. Chromatic aberration seems well controlled at max zoom, possibly assisted by a UV filter.
Don't hesitate to buy this camera if you can live with the above. It is compact, light and fast on the draw.
A Camera For All Seasons September 10, 2008
William R. Finnell (Klamath Falls, OR USA)
27 out of 28 found this review helpful
I suppose it's best to be very objective when reviewing any camera, but it's really hard when it comes to the Panasonic DMC-FZ28. Getting into the technical aspects is best left to the experts. For people like me, the fun factor is more important, and this camera is FUN! To find a camera that does so much so very well is rare, but this one does - in spades. Features that set this baby apart from others are many and varied, from the incredible optical zoom ratios that can be attained, to the incredibly easy auto features. There are so many things that are right about this camera, that finding foibles or flaws is a real chore. I gave up looking for faults long ago. The camera also comes with some really useful software, such as PhotoFun Studio and Silkypix Developer Studio, for processing RAW shots.
The camera is new, and professional reviews are scarce right now, but when they do come, I'm sure this camera will come out very well indeed. This is a camera for people who want it all in a fairly small, one-piece package. Panasonic has scored a home run with this one.
In conclusion, this kind of review might not be as specific as some would like. But getting into the specifics of this camera would take a whole lot of words. Suffice it to say that if you buy this camera, you will never be sorry you did. It is that good!
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