Panasonic Lumix 10 MP Digital Camera
When digital cameras hit the scene in the 1990s, my dream rig was a fully functional SLR-style camera. I was so eager to realize the dream that I bought one of the first digital SLRs, the 5 megapixel Nikon D1x. The workhorse did a decent job of taking photos, but it had two fatal flaws: 1. It weighed a ton, so it wasn't easy to travel with, and 2. Dust easily invaded the camera and sensor when I changed lenses. As a result, photos required a lot of painstaking processing to remove unsightly blotches.
For years, I settled for using smaller, less powerful cameras on the road and getting as close as possible to my subjects to get good shots. This yielded okay results for my purposes, but I always felt constrained by limited artistic control and zooming ability. (The best pocketable camera I ever used, the Canon Powershot SD20 also appears on RuggedReviews.com.)
My frustration ended when I bought a Panasonic Lumix 10 MP Digital Camera (DMC-FZ28). Right out of the box, I could tell this fixed lens, SLR-style camera was going to be my constant trekking companion.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28's compact body sports a powerful 18x optical zoom Leica lens with a 35mm equivalent of 27 to 486 mm. Its 10 megapixel sensor quickly records photos that can be blown up to poster size with no loss of detail.
The range of controls on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 accomodates everyone from beginners to advanced photographers. Newbies will benefit from the Intelligent Auto Mode with autofocus that ensure even moving subjects come out sharp. There's also digital red eye correction, image stabilization (especially useful to prevent blurring when you're zooming in on a distant object), intelligent scene selector -- including settings for scenery, portrait, and night scene modes -- and face detection.
Experienced photographers will enjoy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28's full range of manual controls, which are typically found on advanced SLR cameras. The camera offers them control over settings such as aperture, shutter, exposure, light metering, ISO sensitivity -- graded in steps between 100 and 1,600 -- and white balance.
The list of features on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 is impossible to cover in this layperson's review. But the other features I use all the time are the standard optical viewfinder, 2.7 inch LCD display, self-timer, and movie mode -- that allows the videographer the rare privilege of zooming while shooting and yields great flicks for posting on the Web or viewing on a computer monitor or TV. Another huge plus is you can look through the optical viewfinder while you're filming. Too many flash video cameras only have LCD displays that are hard to see in bright sunshine.
I could rave all day about this camera and its long battery life -- I've shot hundreds of photos without a recharge -- its quick shooting, its... But a photo is worth a thousand words. I shot the unedited photos below on a holiday tour of Mexico's wonderous Yucatan Peninsula. I traveled on Mexico's superb bus system from old Cancun across the Peninsula to Campeche with stops at Mayan ruins Telum, Chichen Itza, and Uxmal. I am not a pro photographer. These photos were taken with minor tweaks to automatic settings.
The only problem I've had with this camera is none. It's so good I rarely have to edit photos to improve their appearance.
The Lumix's extra-wide angle lens captures Mayan ruins emerging from the jungle at Uxmal.
This wide shot of a ceremonial edifice at Chichen Itza comes to life when the detail of the sculpture to the far left at the top of the steps is revealed below by the Lumix's zoom lens. Image stabilization ensured the image was sharp.
Portraits and close-ups come out crystal clear with automatic settings or manual controls. This photo of a Mayan mosaic mask was shot through a glass museum case. Stunning!
Complicated lighting on historic Campeche's winding streets was no problem for the Lumix. The basilica and belltower loom over a solid wall of colorful row houses.
Subtle details and color emerge in this early evening photo of a Campeche row house. The palm shadows look as vibrant as the real thing.
This photo of the sun setting into the Bay of Campeche as seen through holiday decorations illustrates the Lumix's ability to capture fleeting moments.
Catedral de Campeche stands majestically over Campeche's city square at night.
Chichen Itza's light show eerily recalls the Mayan settlement's illustrious history. The serpent illuminated on the left of the pyramid would be lit by the sun on upon the arrival of the Spring Equinox. I don't have the steadiest hand. Without a tripod, the Lumix image stabilizer made this nightime photo possible.
NOTE: In addition to the Lumix's many charms, the Yucatan Peninsula outside of the popular coastal resorts is one of the world's least appreciated gems. You can aim a camera in any direction and capture natural and man-made beauty. The locals are kind and helpful even to "baby-Spanish" speakers, the bus transportation system is topnotch, and the food, oh man, is it delicious. All that, and it's a short hop from the states. I'll be going back for years to come!
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 looks like a digital SLR, but it isn't. The fixed, wide angle Leica lens with 18x optical zoom gives the camera plenty of power, flexibility and portability without the hassle of detachable lenses.
The Lumix DMC-FZ28 flash pops up at the touch of a button.
Controls are simple and easy to find. The Lumix DMC-FZ28 isn't pocketable by any means, but it is light and portable compared to a digital SLR.
On-off, zoom, shutter button, and a thumbwheel, featuring commonly used scene modes -- Intelligent Automatic, portrait, micro, landscape, sport, night, movie and several manual settings -- appear on top of the camera.
Take photos by looking through the Lumix DMC-FZ28 optical viewfinder or using the big 2.7 inch high-resolution LCD screen. The optical viewfinder can be adjusted to accomodate your sight.
Menu buttons on the back are easy to find. Q-Menu provides quick access to frequently used functions. You also get quick access to the self-timer, exposure and flash controls.
Welcome to the
Yucatan Peninsula!
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Copyright 2009 Larry Richardson
Reviewed by Larry Richardson
October 2009
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