Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ3 Review

(Note: All screens and menus can be displayed on either the EVF or LCD.)

Program AE mode screen. Flash is set to Auto, ISO is set to 80, image size is 2016x1532, Fine quality, battery has 2/3 of a charge remaining, the OIS (image stabilizer) is enabled in Mode 1, there's 309 pictures remaining. The time and date is displayed for a few seconds when you first turn the camera on or change modes.

When the shutter is half-pressed and the autofocus is achieved, the AF target brackets in the center turn green (red if AF fails) and a focus confirmation "green dot" is displayed. On the bottom is the metering mode, aperture and shutter speed.

Shown above is the orange glow of the AF beam. If you're shooting in low ambient lighting, the focus-assist beam will fire to help the camera achieve autofocus.

One of the advanced exposure modes is Shutter-speed priority which allows you to select the desired shutter speed and the camera matches the proper aperture. Fast shutter speeds allow you to "freeze" rapid moving subjects or "blur" them with a slower shutter speed.

The Aperture priority mode is similar, it allows you to select a specific aperture value to control depth of field (range of focus). A small aperture number gives you a shallower depth of field to put the background out of focus.

In Manual exposure mode you select both the shutter speed and aperture - you must also select the right combination to get the proper exposure level. When you half-press the shutter release, an on-screen meter will display the exposure value.

The screen when using Simple record mode (Heart on the mode dial.) This mode is designed for the beginner with fully automatic operation.

Menu options in Simple mode are minimal.

Pict. Mode - Choose finished image size (Enlarge, 4x6, or E-Mail)

Auto Review - Auto review after capture (off, 1s, 3s, Zoom)

Beep - Camera beep sounds, On or Off

Clock Set - Set the time and date

Press the 4-way controller "Up" to enable AE Bracketing and set the EV step value or to apply Exposure Compensation or Flash Exposure Compensation.

Record Menu options:

White Balance - Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Incandescent, Flash or Manual set
Sensitivity - Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400
Pict. Size - 2016x1512, 1920x1080 (HDTV 16:9 format), 1600x1200, 1280x960, 640x480
Quality - TIFF uncompressed or JPEG Fine or Standard
Audio Rec. - Record 5 sec audio note with still image, On or Off
Metering Mode - Multiple, Center-weighted or Spot
AF Mode - Select the desired AF-area sensor combination desired
Continuous AF - Continuous auto focus, On or Off
AF Trigger - Choose the Focus or Shutter Release for pre-focus
AF Assist Lamp - On or Off
D. Zoom - Digital zoom option, On or Off
Color Effect - Off, Cool, Warm, B/W, Sepia
Picture Adjust - Natural, Standard, Vivid
Stabilizer - Image stabilizer; Off, Mode1, Mode2
Flip Animation - Create small in-camera animations

Press the 4-way controller "Down" to enable the Quick Review function to view or delete the last image taken.

Macro (close up) focus mode lets you get closer than 2 inches (wide angle) to your subject.

Movie mode captures motion JPEG at 320 x 240 pixels at 30 or 10 frames per second with audio. The length of capture is limited only by the amount of available memory.

Movie mode recording options:

White Balance - Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Incandescent, Flash or Manual set
Motion Rate - 30fps or 10fps
Metering Mode - Multiple, Center-weighted or Spot
AF Mode - Select the desired AF-area sensor combination desired
Continuous AF - Continuous auto focus, On or Off
AF Trigger - Choose the Focus or Shutter Release for pre-focus
AF Assist Lamp - On or Off
Digital Zoom - Digital zoom option, On or Off
Stabilizer - Image stabilizer; Off, Mode1