In the past 6 years, I have owned 3 or 4 digital cameras. One or two years ago, I bought a Sony DHC-H5, primarily for its 12X zoom, which was a stunning improvement over the 10X I previously owned. I was one click away from buying the Sony DHC-H50 when I started reading rave reviews about the Panasonic Lumix FZ28. A bit of research convinced me to buy it from Amazon. In less than 24 hours, I returned it. (I admit I should have given it more time, but my basic disappointment would not have changed.)
If you have not yet owned an ultrazoom (10X or higher), you will probably like the FZ28. It’s a nice camera, smaller and lighter than my Sony, but loaded with features and options.
There is a gotcha in comparing zooms. A 12X is not necessarily 20% better than a 10X. The X factor is based on the unzoomed wide angle lens. The FZ28 has a much wider lens than the H5. On the plus side, the FZ28 will capture more of the scene before you because of that wide lens. However, that wide angle lens means 18X isn’t as much of a zoom as one might think.
To truly compare lenses, you must look at the 35mm equivalents for each lens. The 18X FZ28 zoom maxes to 486mm; the 15X H50 is 465mm. Both should reach farther than the 12X H5 at 432mm. But in careful testing, taking pictures from the same spot with the FZ28 and the H5, the zoom shots were virtually identical. (Actually, the H5’s auto mode captured a brighter image than the FZ28, but the zooms were undistinguishable.) Because of the vagaries of the X factor, I didn’t expect a huge improvement, but I still expected to be wowed and I was not. And by not being wowed, I was disappointed, even though this zoom will wow anyone who hasn’t used another long zoom.
I considered hanging on to the FZ28. It has many newer features lacking on my older H5, such as face detection and smile detection. Unfortunately, the LCD is smaller and less sharp than the H5.
The tipping point was a rather minor feature, ironically. Most cameras record JPEGs, which is fine for most uses. A lot of high-end cameras shoot RAW format, which stores much more information than a JPEG. That info can be very useful in a powerful photo editor. Frankly, I crop and make minor tweaks that work fine in JPEG format. But, the fact that the FZ28 offers RAW + JPEG (one shot, two pix) tipped me towards the FZ28. And back again.
You cannot shoot RAW if you use the fully automatic mode (Intelligent Assist). I can’t understand why that is so, but it is true. So, if you want RAW, you forego auto and vice versa. Crazy. Unacceptable to me, as minor as my interest in RAW is.
I’m not trying to steer anyone away from the FZ28 except for someone like me who is trying to pick between it and another camera and is swayed by the 18X zoom and RAW format. Make sure you have other reasons for buying the FZ28.
I’m giving the Sony H50 another look, with its remote control and infrared shooting.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=panasonic_dmcfz28%2Csonydsch50&show=all
peace,
mjh
