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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 Review
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Review Summary
Reader Score: 8.35 (out of 10)
Panasonic is a company that started a little slow in the digital camera market, but have really come on strong in the last year or two. The five megapixel Panasonic FZ5 is largely based on the three megapixel FZ3 model we reviewed in 2004, which at the time was one of the best deals on the market for a camera with anti-shake technology in the long-zoom category. Relative to the FZ3, the Panasonic FZ5 increases image resolution, swaps in a larger, higher resolution LCD display, adds a new orientation sensor, and slightly refines the body design. Like its predecessor, the Panasonic Lumix FZ5 offers a 12x Leica zoom lens, incorporating Panasonic's own "Mega OIS" Optical Image Stabilization technology. As I've said about other cameras offering image stabilization, it's hard to overstate the benefit of this technology on long-zoom digicams: It makes an incredible difference in the usability of long telephoto focal lengths, and the Panasonic FZ5's 12x lens with Mega OIS is no exception. The long-zoom category is becoming increasingly crowded, but the Panasonic FZ5 has the features and image quality to compete strongly there. Read on for all the details, but if you're in the market for a relatively affordable long-zoom digicam with optical image stabilization, the Panasonic Lumix FZ5 could be the camera for you.
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Other Reviews For This Model
| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Megapixel |
8.48 |
04-03-05 |
Read Full Review
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| The Panasonic DMC-FZ5 is a mid-range camera that has been the source of much interest since it was announced, as it is one of the few cameras that have an image stabilized 12X zoom, and a 5 megapixel resolution. Engineered from the DMC-FZ3, the DMC-FZ5 retains the same general appearance as the FZ3, but has some minor modifications to some of the the external controls. As with the FZ3, the DMC-FZ5 has a tough plastic body, and is available in either a black or a silver finish, but the grip of the FZ5 has a more generous rubber-covered area than its predecessor. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| DCResource |
8.44 |
02-08-05 |
Read Full Review
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| The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 is a very good ultra zoom camera, just like its predecessor. Some of the changes were welcome: a higher resolution CCD, larger LCD, and much faster focusing. Some things got a bit worse: the lens is now slower. And some things didn't change: composing photos in low light is frustrating. But if you don't want to carry around the monster that is the DMC-FZ20, this is a great choice. The FZ3 takes very sharp (maybe too much so) 5 Megapixel photos with nice color and no purple fringing. The lens on this camera, while not as nice as the one on the FZ20, is still way better than average: F2.8-3.3, 12X zoom. Did I mention the great image stabilizer feature? |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| CNET Reviews |
8.33 |
08-01-05 |
Read Full Review
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| We like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ4, but this 1-megapixel upgrade is even better. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 has the same optically stabilized 12X Leica Vario-Elmarit zoom lens (the different focal-length range is the result of pairing it with a different sensor), it has similar performance and image quality and, unlike its cheaper sibling, includes a microphone and speaker for audio annotation or video film clips with sound.
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| DPReview |
7.57 |
04-08-05 |
Read Full Review
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| Announced just before PMA in February 2005, the DMC-FZ5 is one of two direct sucessors to the popular (and dpreview Highly Recommended) DMC-FZ3. Like its predecessor the FZ5 sports a Leica-branded DC Vario-Elmarit zoom with a whopping 12x optical range (35-420mm equiv), though the larger sensor has resulted in a slightly slower F2.8-F3.3 aperture range. It also boasts the same newly-improved optical image stabilization system and the Venus II engine, which, according to Panasonic's documentation, is now equivalent to shooting at 3 or 4 shutter speed steps faster - (the figure for the FZ20 was quoted as 2 or 3 shutter speed steps). |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Digital Camera Info |
7.26 |
03-24-05 |
Read Full Review
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| Making its debut at the 2005 Photo Marketing Association trade show in Orlando, the Panasonic FZ5 joined an expanding list of SLR-shaped digital cameras with long zoom lenses. The FZ5 distinguishes itself with one of the strongest fixed zooms out there: a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 12x optical zoom lens with a popular image stabilization system, originally introduced on the earlier FZ3. With 5 megapixels on a 1/2.5-inch CCD, the FZ5 greatly improves on its 3-megapixel predecessor in terms of image quality and flexibility, though it takes only a baby step forward in visibility and LCD screen size, moderately expanding the tiny 1.5 inch screen to 1.8 inches. Designed slightly larger then the typical point-and-shoot camera, though significantly more condensed then most SLR-shaped models, the compact FZ5 will be available in April, retailing for $499.99 (USD). |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| PC Magazine |
5.33 |
04-14-05 |
Read Full Review
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| Although this latest addition to Panasonic's line of superzoom cameras didn't test as well as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20, our Editors' Choice in this category, the 5-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 shares a few features with its slightly higher-end sibling. Image quality, however, is just average, and the camera has a few quirks. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Photoxels |
4.00 |
09-28-05 |
Read Full Review
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| While the new Panasonic FZ30 is currently generating the most excitement among enthusiasts, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 remains the ultra zoom digital camera with the best bang for the money. It has pretty much everything a beginner to serious amateur photographer could wish for: very good image quality, superb 12x optical zoom with an effective optical image stabilization, fexible exposure control, and very fast operations. |
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