Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30

Type	Bridge digital camera
Sensor	CCD
Maximum resolution	3,264 × 2,448 (8.32 million)
Lens type	Fixed
Shutter speed range	60 - 1/2,000 sec.
Exposure Metering	1/3 EV step, -2 - +2 EV
Exposure Modes	Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual, Program Shift (P mode)
Metering modes	Intelligent Multiple / Center Weighted / Spot
Focus areas	1 point / 3 points / 9 points / Spot
Focus modes	Auto Focus System, Normal / Macro (Switch), Continuous AF On / Off, Manual Focus (Ring), One-Shot AF
Continuous Shooting	3 fps or 2 fps. 9 images @ standard OR 5 images @ fine OR unlimited @ 2fps
Viewfinder	0.44" Electronic viewfinder (235 K Pixels)
ASA/ISO range	Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400
Rear LCD monitor	2.0" (235 K Pixels) Field of View : approx. 100%
Storage	Secure Digital
Weight	674 g. (1.49 lb) (Body), 740 g (1.63 lb) (with Battery and SD Memory Card)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 is a bridge digital camera by Panasonic. It is the successor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20. The highest-resolution pictures it records is 8 megapixels.

The camera is known for its impressive 12x optical zoom Leica lens and OIS (optical image stabilization). The FZ30 has a reputation for taking noisy pictures, especially at higher ISO settings and indoors and when compared to digital cameras and dSLRs of comparable price. It uses proprietary Lithium-Ion batteries and MMC/SD card storage. High-speed SD cards up to 2GB are supported. There is no storage built into the camera; a memory card is required for all use.

The manual zoom ring allows a smooth progression from 35-420 mm equivalent and silent zooms when recording movies. The camera also includes an "extended optical zoom" system providing greater optical zoom ability when shooting at lower resolutions, giving up to 19.3x optical zoom at 3MP. Apertures from f2.8 to f11 are supported, though the larger apertures are not available at high zoom levels (f3.7 at full zoom). Shutter speeds range from 60 secs to 1/2000 sec. Auto-focus and a "Macro" autofocus modes are available, or a fluid-damped focus ring can be used. The AF-macro setting can be selected for all camera modes. Macro capability is not outstanding (5cm minimum focal range at 1x zoom).

Wide angle and telephoto lens adapters are available from Panasonic.[1] The wide angle converter shoots at 0.7x magnification (24.5 mm) with F2.8 brightness, while the telephoto adapter provides 1.7x magnification (714 mm) with f3.7 aperture. Maximum optical zoom available when taking photos at 3MP is thus 32.47x (1137.5 mm). It is also possible to achieve greater limits of wide angle/macro and zoom capability with third-party lens converters, which can be attached to the standard 55 mm filter thread.

The FZ30 can also record in TIFF format, and in a RAW format which is supported by Adobe Camera Raw and many other third-party programs. RAW files are recorded in around three seconds with fast SD cards, which is one of the best results among non-DSLR cameras.

Aside from the ability to capture images in RAW format, the FZ30 improves upon its predecessor - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 - by adding a screw mount to accept 55mm lens filters, and contains a fully internal zoom and focus mechanism, meaning the lens does not physically extend or retract outside of the camera housing. This non-extending lens offers the added feature of a reduced startup time: 1 second as opposed to 3-5 for the FZ20. The FZ30 also boasts an improved control layout, with revisions made based on feedback by users of the FZ20. However, the fixed lens added greatly to the size of the camera.

This model has been replaced by the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50.

Panasonic received the DIWA Platinum Award for the Lumix DMC-FZ30 on February 14, 2006.[2]