Panasonic DMC-FZ28K Black Digital Camera
The Panasonic DMC-FZ28K Black Digital Camera is a 10.7 mega pixels resolution camera with 18x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom, focal length f=4.8 to 86.4 mm (35mm equivalent of 27 to 486 mm) and aperture range of wide f/2.8 to f/8.0 and tele f/4.4 to f/8.0. The camera utilizes the 1/2.33-inch CCD, primary color filter image sensor and uses the Leica DC Vario-Elmarit type of lens.
Lens construction is divided into 11 elements in 8 groups with 3 asperhical lenses, 4 aspherical surfaces and 2 ED lenses. The exposure compensation is 1/3 EV step, +/-2 EV with auto bracketing (AE): +/- 1/3 EV to 1 EV step for 3 frames. Recording format used is with still image that uses the JPEG design rule for camera file system, based on Exif 2.21 standard, RAW, DPOF corresponding image with audio plus QuickTime; as well as the motion picture QuickTime Motion JPEG. The Lumix DMC-FZ28 also is equipped with a 2.7-inch, high resolution LCD with 230,000 pixels, and an electric viewfinder equivalent to 201,600 pixels. It has HD video capture with a resolution of 1280 x 720p at 30fps. Still photos can also be shot in a 16:9 aspect ratio for full-screen viewing on a HDTV. Panasonic VIERA Plasma or LCD HDTV’s feature an integrated SD Memory Card slot, allowing users to view photos by inserting the SD Memory Card into the SD Card slot built into the TV. Consumer can enjoy watching videos in HD quality and view still images by connecting the DMC-FXZ28 via an optional Panasonic component cable (DMW-HDC2). Product dimensions are measured at 4.63 inches x 2.96 inches x 3.5 inches and the item weighs 0.82 pounds.
Quick AF auto focus will start focus on the subject by just pointing the camera at the subject, thus minimizing the AF time.
The Venus Engine IV supports a faster response time, allowing the camera to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and 13 shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode. In High Sensitivity mode, the FZ28 can shoot up to ISO 6400 in low-lit situations.
Additional features of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 include image leveling. When a captured image “leans” to the right or left because the camera was held at a slight angle when the photo was taken, the Image Leveling function rotates the image to straighten it and crops the unnecessary edges.
As for scene modes, the DMC-FZ28 offers a total of 37 scene modes to respond to any shooting situation. The new Pin Hole and Film Grain modes add film camera-like effects and ambiences to images. Additionally, the actual effects of the scene mode can be viewed on the LCD before taking the shot. Flash on the other hand is able to reach a distance of 8.5 meters at the wide setting and 5.4 meters at the telephoto setting and is certified ISO AUTO.
SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0 SE is the type of software application that comes with the DMC-FZ28 for editing and developing images in the RAW file format.
The AF Tracking function allows users to lock focus on a moving subject. The camera then tracks the subject as it moves, keeping it in focus without the need to hold the shutter halfway down. AF Tracking allows moving subjects and action shots capture. The AF Tracking technology also improves Face Detection up to 15 faces by providing adjustment of the focus and exposure, even if the face is turned away from the camera.
In addition to the AF Tracking functionality, Panasonic’s other iA technologies includes the Intelligent Exposure. This feature helps prevents photos from being under- or over-exposed by analyzing the framed image and adjusting the brightness in areas that are too dark because of dim lighting, backlighting or the use of the flash. The camera will adjust the brightness accordingly.
Digital Red-eye Correction is another special feature that helps to eliminate the red-eye problem that sometimes results when taking flash shots at night. Incorporated into the camera, the built-in flash emits a small preliminary flash before the main flash, detects red-eye and will digitally correct it.
A MEGA Optical Image Stabilization criterion enables the gyro sensors to detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts to compensate, helping to prevent hand-shake from creating a blurry image. Intelligent ISO on the other hand determines if the photo subject is moving and changes the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly for a blur-free photo.
Intelligent Scene Selector senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode. This technology helps the consumer use the most common scene modes that are built into the camera.
