ProductCritic: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20K Reviews

Digital Camera Magazine (100)

The DMC-FZ20 succeeds in making a reasonably priced, super-zoom camera feel like something special. The magnificent optical system, coupled with its sheer ease of use, will win it plenty of fans, despite drawbacks with auto-focus, the electronic viewfinder and noise at high ISO settings. A great little camera.

Imaging Resource (92)

Bottom line, the DMC-FZ20 is a very capable camera that conveys a distinct sense of pro quality in a high-end consumer digicam, with an excellent 12x zoom lens, and optical image stabilization to boot. Recommended, and yet another Dave’s Pick (as one of the best digital cameras on the market) for Panasonic in the long-zoom category.

Digital Photography Review (90)

However, given the high resolution, sharp results produced, the excellent overall performance, lack of optical problems in 99.9% of shooting situations and keen pricing, it’s impossible not to recommend the FZ20 – take a look at the samples gallery and decide for yourself if the level of noise is acceptable; we certainly think it’s a small price to pay for such an impressive camera.

Steve's Digicams (83)

Bottom line – the Lumix DMC-FZ20 is a great addition to the Panasonic family. With its great image quality, speedy performance, and reasonable price tag of $599, its sure to make a great gift idea for your holiday gift list. If this is out of your price range and you’d still like to have a similar camera, check out our review of the 3-megapixel DMC-FZ3, which includes many of the features found on this camera, but can be had for about $399.

Megapixel.net (82)

Positives: Excellent image quality, Effective stabilizer, Long telephoto lens, No distortion, Effective pop-up flash and standard hotshoe for use with an external flash, Lens adapter and hood included, Uncompressed image format. Negatives: Card compartment could have been separate, Supplied 16MB card too small, A slight amount of noise at 80 and 100 ISO.

PC Mag (80)

Larger than most superzooms, Panasonic’s top-of-the-line Lumix DMC-FZ20 is similar in size and look to a digital SLR. It combines very good image quality with top-notch specs and features. It isn’t perfect, but if we could take only one camera with us on vacation, it would be high on our list. With its impressive zoom lens and other capabilities, there are few scenes this camera couldn’t handle with aplomb.

Good Gear Guide (80)

The Panasonic FZ20 has been accurately described as “SLR-like”. It’s an advanced point-and-shoot model that offers many of the features of an SLR, without actually utilising that technology.

PC World (77)

The DMC-FZ20 earned high marks for exposure quality in our lab tests, but it fared less well in resolution-dependent tests like those for sharpness and distortion; this was mainly because it was up against several models with 7-megapixel or higher resolution, and the DMC-FZ20 has only 5 megapixels’ worth. However, the zoom takes a toll in battery life: In our tests, the DMC-FZ20 lasted long enough to take only 308 shots, which put it near the bottom of our current batch of cameras.

Digital Camera Resource Page (73)

While not perfect, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 is one of, if not the best, ultra zoom cameras on the market. It takes very good, though slightly noisy photos, with accurate colors and exposure. My last issue isn’t really a complaint since it doesn’t bother me personally, but I’ll mention it anyway: the FZ20 is a big, bulky camera.

CNET (69)

If you love supertelephoto photography, this Panasonic looks like the camera to beat.