A wave of superzooms is still strong and more camera manufacturers are cashing on this. But this has worked well for consumers as many superzoom camera models have entered the market at affordable prices. Apart from the price factor, it is the improvement of this line of cameras that has changed the way people viewed point and shoot cameras. The superzooms produced these days are state of the art machines which offer almost everything a DSLR offers, but a detachable lens. Panasonic has joined the fray with a line of superzooms and their latest is Lumix DMC-FZ150. Here is a quick look at this camera.

Overview

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 has all the ingredients of a superzoom with a few additions you will now find in other models in its line. To start with, the camera features a wide-angle 24x zoom lens and a 12.1 megapixel high-speed MOS image sensor. It also has a 3-inch, 460K-pixel rotating LCD screen which make images or movie preview a pleasant experience. The camera can also record full HD 1080p movie in AVCHD format at 25/30fps. Lumix DMC-FZ150 features Leica, a Germany made lens with a mind boggling focal range25-600mm. The lens is Nano coated on the surface to prevent lens flare. The camera also features an accessory shoe for an external flash and a port for an optional stereo microphone. Among other specifications to watch for is the ability to support RAW format and 3D still capturing option.

The Build

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 is built to give those who want to experience a professional feel, a chance to do so. It boasts a ‘masculine’ look and though it looks heavy, it can be described as a light camera with a weight less than 500 grams. The front face of the camera is majorly occupied by its big lens and the curvy grip for users’ comfort. You will also find a few buttons near the lens that are used to toggle between manual and auto mode of the lens. The back side is occupied by the 3 inch swivel LCD screen, the viewfinder and a number of buttons for menus and other regular controls. The top houses the dial button with various modes and the Power button. It also has a separate record button, a burst mode button and the shutter button, along with the zoom rocker all at the top of the camera.

Performance and ease of use

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 is regarded as a good performer that is easy to use as well. The menus are easy to understand and represented by large icons to enhance comprehension. And since it comes with an effective Power O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilization, unwanted shakes during shoots are minimized though this does not mean one can shoot hand held in low light situations especially. The camera has maximum apertures of F/2.8 at 25mm and F/5.2 at 600mm which are quite impressive for a camera of its class.

The camera is equipped with a 12.1 megapixel MOS sensor which ensures good quality pictures in general. It has the usual modes that come with other cameras like red eye reduction, face recognition etc. but it also has Motion Deblur mode which is basically a combination of Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Exposure. The two ensures that images are sharp enough even when the subject is in motion and the light is low.

In terms of image quality, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 in general produces great images especially at ISO up to 400. There is evidence of noise from ISO 800 and that become quite visible from ISO 1600 and becomes more at ISO 3200 though for small prints, the images can still be used at that ISO setting. The inbuilt flash is powerful enough to produce well lit images indoor, though an addition flash may be needed when shooting in the night outdoors. The camera is also capable of taking good photos with the maximum shutter speed of 60 at night and with the anti-shake option, unnecessary blurriness is reduced.  The lithium battery it uses can take slightly above 400 snaps in a single charge, again, a very impressive feat for such camera.

Final word

Though Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 is definitely not a superzoom with the longest lens and the most megapixels like many of its peers, it is still a camera that can garner impressive stars. The camera is available in India in leading camera shops and from online stores at around Rs. 24,500.