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July 21, 2008 7:00 AM PDT

Panasonic's latest megazoom goes wider

by Lori Grunin
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

(Credit: Panasonic)

It's not only compact cameras that are embracing the wide-angle views this fall; even the megazooms are getting in the game. Panasonic's replacement for its Lumix DMC-FZ18, the FZ28, maintains its 18x zoom range, but backs off on the telephoto to provide a slightly wider 27mm entry focal length compared with 28mm previously.

In many ways, the specs of the FZ28 bear a striking resemblance to the Nikon CoolPix P80's:

  Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 Nikon Coolpix P80
Resolution 8 megapixels 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Sensor size 1/2.5-inch 1/2.33-inch 1/2.33-inch
Lens f2.8-4.2 28-504mm f2.8-4.4 27-486mm f2.8-4.5 27-486mm
LCD 207,000 pixels, 2.5 inches (4:3) 230,000 dots, 2.7 inches (4:3) 230,000 dots, 2.7 inches (4:3)
Raw format supported Yes Yes No
Max ISO sensitivity at full resolution ISO 1,600 ISO 1,600 ISO 1,600
Movie capture 848x480 30fps 1,280x720 30fps VGA 30fps
Pricing and availability $349.95; now $399.95; late August $399.95; now

Like the rest of Panasonic's fall models, the FZ28 incorporates Venus Engine IV, the latest version of the company's image-processing algorithms. These include tweaks to the company's family of Intelligent Auto technologies. Burst performance increases to 2.5fps, and Panasonic adds a new high-speed burst mode, which it claims delivers 13fps, albeit at a reduced resolution.

Like the FZ18, the FZ28 will come in black and silver when it ships in late August.

The following products mentioned are available.

On Sale Now: $420.00
View the latest prices for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 (black)

On Sale Now: $585.95
View the latest prices for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 (silver)

Senior Editor Lori Grunin has been covering digital imaging for two decades, but her memory's kind of sketchy on the details. You can hear about it every week on Indecent Exposure, the podcast she co-hosts with Matt Fitzgerald.
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by Harlan879 July 21, 2008 10:56 AM PDT
Still no successor to the 3-year-old FZ50, which is like the FZ18 but with an external flash mount and a few other differences!
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