Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 Pro Reviews

The Panasonic Lumix FZ47 packages a terrific zoom lens with a sensor of sufficient resolution in a compact dSLR design that puts all the controls that matter right at your finger tips. It's a pleasure to use, a delight to explore and about as much fun as you can have with a camera of any type. My most serious quibble is the odd exposure under cloudy conditions. If you see blown highlights under those conditions, the workaround is obvious: knock down the EV. So it isn't a fatal problem. My only other quibble is with the default noise reduction at high ISO. That's more the rule than the exception these days, unfortunately, but at least it's adjustable on the FZ47. The fast autofocus at long focal lengths is a real blessing, on the other hand, that you'll enjoy at sporting events or birding. And the Full HD video options are uncommonly sophisticated for a digicam. Its print quality didn't quite rise to the level of the Panasonic FZ150, but if you can get it for around $300, it's a pretty good deal.

The Panasonic LUMIX FZ47 is the little brother of the top-of-the-line FZ150, and it sacrifices a range of features like the FZ150’s Live MOS sensor and accessory hot-shoe to cut the price slightly. It’s still too expensive -- although street prices are much lower -- and the screen and viewfinder aren’t great, but it has a great lens with excellent zoom range and generally decent image quality.

The FZ48 has its positives: we’re fond of the fast autofocus system that, at the wide-angle settings at least, will see off much of the competition. But it’s not all rosy: the 24x optical zoom, while more than sufficient for most users, doesn’t have the sort of reach that the Fuji HS20 or Canon SX30 IS can provide. Add to this that the FZ48’s latest 12.1MP sensor can’t step up image quality to a class-leading position - plus the Raw mode’s been culled, something available in the previous model - and it’s very much down to the fast autofocus and decent movie mode to deliver the sell. Good though the FZ48 is, and worthy of a solid score for being a decent all-rounder, it can’t help but look a tiny bit tired in a highly competitive superzoom market.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 is a very good megazoom camera at its MSRP, and an excellent one if you can find it for significantly less than $399. I say this only because its linemate, the DMC-FZ150, with its extra features, better shooting performance, and overall photo and video quality, makes the FZ47 a tougher sell. But if none of that stuff matters to you, then definitely consider the FZ47 a top choice.

The Lumix FZ48's fast autofocus is its premier feature, capable of attaining focus in little time. Other features are equally impressive - the LCD screen looks great in playback and has a wide angle of view, plus the movie mode allows for a good level of recording control. However the lack of Raw shooting does axe one of the top features from the previous FZ45 model, and the FZ48's final image quality, although well exposed and supported by an excellent image stabilisation system, isn't quite able to quite match up to the finer detail from the likes of the Fuji HS20. For images used at less than full size this will go largely unnoticed in most instances. For a compact superzoom with a long-reaching zoom the FZ48 has plenty on offer and is competitively prices. It's easy to use whatever your level, has an effective layout and an autofocus system that puts the majority of the competition to shame.

At first glance the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ48 looks like a carbon copy of last year's FZ45 model, but underneath the hood there are some significant changes, most notably full 1080p movies, much faster burst shooting, higher-resolution screen and even snappier auto-focusing. The even more expensive FZ100 model still looks the better option, with its 11fps burst mode and free-angle screen, but the FZ48 has certainly narrowed the gap. The capable FZ45 camera is a hard act to follow, but the FZ48 raises the bar principally by de-creasing the megapixel count in the interests of speeding up the operation, incorporating full HD movies, and thankfully increasing the resolution of the 3 inch LCD screen. Despite the more sensible megapixel count, though, the FZ48 still suffers from poor image quality at higher ISO speeds. Noise is apparent at ISO 400 but becomes much more obvious at ISO 800 along with smearing of fine details, with the fastest speed of ISO 1600 being something of a last resort.

Builds on the excellent FZ45 with 1080p videos, faster performance and a more modest sensor resolution – this is the ultra-zoom camera to buy

Although priced competitively at around £320 and sporting some excellent features, the Panasonic DMC-FZ48 falls short of many of its peers in one important area. For a camera with a long telephoto zoom such as this, performance at high ISO sensitivities is important, as a lens with an angle of view still requires higher shutter speeds to achieve sharp images - even with image stabilisation.

This camera will appeal to anyone looking for an all-rounder, though if a huge zoom isn't required a smaller pocket camera might be better

With the flexibility of a 24x optical zoom, solid Hi-Def movie recording abilities and a good range of shooting modes and easy-to-use digital filters, the FZ48 looks to have plenty going for it. Image quality is a little disappointing though, as is the removal of Raw recording. Overall, while the FZ48 is certainly competent, it’s not a camera that really excites us. If you’re intent on a superzoom and have a £300 budget then then it’s certainly worth a look. If, however, image quality is more important than maximum telephoto reach, then there are better cameras out there at this price point.

The Panasonic Lumix FZ48 is an extremely competent all round camera providing a wealth of useful features and large optical zoom with an emphasis on image quality, thanks to the 12 megapixel sensor. This means the FZ48 gives better image quality than it's predecessor the FZ45 and it also improves video recording by giving Full HD quality. The camera is priced competitively and it would make an excellent choice for beginners and advanced photographers. Battery life is good and the camera responds quickly with snappy focusing and shutter response.

Panasonic's Lumix FZ47 / FZ48 represents a small upgrade over its predecessor: the all-important lens range remains the same, as does the body, so the only major changes are a higher resolution screen, a boost in video resolution from 720p to 1080i, support for 3D image capture, a selection of special effects filters, an increase in continuous shooting speed and a small drop in sensor resolution. Of these, the more detailed screen, higher resolution video and special effects are the highlights. The 460k screen allowed me to more easily frame precision compositions than its predecessor, the video genuinely captured greater detail, and the live effects were great fun, especially the Miniature mode when applied to video.