Panasonic's latest megazoom goes wider
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.
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. 
