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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1


First Look Posted 2/09/2003
Full review posted 3/20/2003

Introduction & Physical Views


Click to take a QuickTime VR tour of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1
Click on the Lumix FZ1 to take a QuickTime VR tour


Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ1 features a high quality Leica DC-VARIO ELMARIT 12x optical zoom lens, the most powerful zoom lens on any digital still camera. This all-glass aspherical lens is equivalent to a 35-420mm zoom lens on a 35mm film camera and maintains its F2.8 brightness throughout the entire zoom range. To help reduce the possibility of camera shake when shooting distant and fast-moving subjects the lens is equipped with Mega Optical Image Stabilization. Panasonic includes a special lens hood that diminishes flare and ghosting when photographing extremely bright outdoor scenes.

The Lumix DMC-FZ1 incorporates several new features including a newly developed digital signal processor that increases its processing speed and allows sequential shots to be taken quicker. Using this robust processor and its buffer memory, the camera captures up to 4 frames in high speed burst mode. This makes it an ideal camera for outdoor and sports enthusiasts thanks to its quick response and minimal "shot to shot" delay.

Power is supplied by a proprietary lithium rechargeable battery pack that is charged outside of the camera. The charger also serves as an AC power adapter and allows you to charge one battery while using another. Images and movies are stored on removable Secure Digital (SD) memory cards which are available in capacities up to 512MB. The data is easily transferred from the camera to the host PC via its built in USB port. Pictures and movies can also be replayed on a television set with the audio-visual cable.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1

The DMC-FZ1 is also available in a silver colored body



DMC-FZ1 Features at a Glance:

  • 2-megapixel effective CCD for images up to 1600 x 1200 pixels
  • Leica DC-VARIO ELMARIT 12x zoom lens, equivalent to a 35-420mm zoom on a 35mm camera
  • Optical image stabilization system to prevent camera shake and blurring
  • Macro focus with autofocus down to 1.9 inches
  • 1.5-inch TFT color monitor with 114,000 pixels
  • Eye level color electronic viewfinder with dioptric adjustment
  • Single frame, High Speed and Low Speed Continuous, AE Bracketing, Timelapse and QuickTime Movie modes
  • Automatic shutter speeds from 1/2000 to 8 seconds
  • Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow synchro and red-eye reduction modes
  • Intelligent Multiple and Spot exposure metering
  • TTL Auto White Balance, 4 presets and custom set
  • Secure Digital/MMC memory card slot, 8MB SD card included
  • Plug-n-Play USB connectivity with PC/Windows
  • USB Direct-Print compatible
  • Lithium rechargeable battery, charger and AC power supply included






Physical Views

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1



Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1

The Lumix DMC-FZ1 compared to a standard CD disc.




Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1

The Lumix DMC-FZ1 compared to the compact Sony DSC-P72.




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Features & Controls Page









Lumix DMC-FZ1 Specifications

Image sensor1/3.2 inch CCD, 2.1 megapixels gross
2.0 megapixels effective
Still imageJPEG (Exif Ver 2.2)
1600 x 1200
1280 × 960
640 x 480
(Fine or Standard quality)
Digital video capture320 x 240 @ 10 frames per second with audio
Clip length is limited only by available memory (approx. 10MB/minute)
Digital video formatMotion JPEG, QuickTime MOV format
Audio captureAttach up to 10-sec audio notes to still images
LensLeica DC Vario-Elmarit 12x aspherical
f=4.6-55.2mm (35-420mm 35mm equivalent)
Constant F2.8 aperture
with Mega Optical Image Stabilization
Digital zoom3x
FocusingTTL Auto
Normal focus range11.8 in (W) / 3.94 ft (T) to infinity
30 cm (W) / 120 cm (T) to infinity
Macro focus minimum1.97 in (W) / 3.94 ft (T)
5 cm (W) / 120 cm (T)
ISO sensitivityAuto / 50 / 100 / 200 / 400
White balanceTTL Auto/Daylight/Cloudy/Halogen/Custom Set
Exposure modesSimple, Record, Macro, Portrait, Sports, Panning, Night Portrait
Burst modeHigh Speed: 4fps up to 4 frames Fine or 7 frames Standard
Low Speed: 2fps up to 4 frames Fine or 7 frames Standard
Shutter speedAutomatic: 8 to 1/2000 seconds
MeteringIntelligent Multiple / Spot (Spot Mode)
Self-timerYes, 2 or 10 seconds
LCD screen1.5-inch color low temperature polysilicon TFT (114,000 pixels)
Viewfinder typeElectronic with diopter adjustment
FlashManual popup with modes for: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Slow-sync, Fill, Forced Off
Flash Range
(at ISO 100)		11.8 in - 6.89 ft (W) / 3.94 - 6.89 ft (T)
30 cm - 2.1 m (W) / 120 cm - 2.1 m (T)
Tripod mountYes
Data I/O connectionUSB 1.1
Video outNTSC or PAL
Audio outMonoraul
Battery typeRechargeable 7.2v 680mAh Li-ion battery pack
Battery chargerAC Adapter/Charger (Input: 100 - 240V AC)
Charging time90 minutes maximum
Battery life100 minutes using color LCD monitor (approx. 200 pictures)
120 minutes using electronic viewfinder (approx. 240 pictures)
Storage type(s)Secure Digital (SD), 8MB supplied / MultiMediaCard (MMC)
CablesUSB and A-V cables
SoftwarePC/Windows: SD Viewer 2.0 for DSC, Acrobat Reader, ArcSoft Suite (PhotoImpression, Panorama Maker, PhotoBase), QuickTime 5.0, USB driver

Macintosh: ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft Panorama Maker, ArcSoft PhotoBase, QuickTime 5.0

Operating temperature0°C - 40° C
Humidity10% - 80%
Dimensions4.49 x 2.77 x 3.28 inches
114 x 70.3 x 83.3 mm
Weight11.3 oz / 350 g (including battery and SD card)

(Specifications as represented by the manufacturer)


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