Panasonic DMC-FZ30

The following images were taken with the Panasonic DMC-FZ30. The recording mode was set to 8M Fine mode, thereby using the full eight-megapixel resolution and the least-compressed JPEG setting; unless otherwise stated, the pictures were taken in Program mode with the default settings. The individual file sizes, shutter speeds, aperture, ISO and lens focal length are listed for each image.

The crops are taken from the original files, reproduced at 100 per cent and saved in Adobe Photoshop CS2 as JPEGs with the default Very High quality preset, while the resized images were made in Photoshop CS2 and saved with the default High quality preset. The three crops are typically taken from far left, central and far right portions of each image.

Macro: 3.93MB, Program, 1/320, f5.6, ISO 80, 7.4-88.8mm at 13mm (equivalent to 61mm)

This close-up shot of a leaf demonstrates the FZ30's Macro facilities. It may not focus as close as Fujifilm's S9500, but in practice can still deliver very good results. The crops show a high level of detail and low noise as you'd expect at 80 ISO.

City: 3.45MB, Program, 1/200, f8, ISO 80, 7.4-88.8mm at 74mm (equivalent to 350mm)

This shot of the City of London was taken from the opposite side of the River Thames using the FZ30 zoomed-into an equivalent of 350mm. With a maximum equivalent of 420mm at its disposal, it's possible to zoom-in even further.

Once again the image stabilisation ensured camera shake at this high magnification wasn't an issue. As shown here, the stabilisation is one of the most impressive aspects of the FZ30, and is preferred to the high ISO solution provided by Fujifilm.

For many more sample images, visit Camera Labs here.