Review: Panasonic FZ-150 Camera
By Branko Miletic
Pansonic’s FZ-150 camera is a marvel with fast autofocus, crystal-clear LCD screen, full manual control and a truckload of filters, as well as a dedicated 3D photo mode.
And did I mention the 24x optical zoom, pop-up flash, Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 4.5-108mm f/2.8-5.2 zoom lens, 12.1 megapixels and external microphone? No? How about the 1080p HD video? Or the 400 or so shots you can get out of 1 fully charged battery? Or how about the 70Mb of internal storage?
The list goes on but so do the FZ-150’s attributes. If you are getting the impression that I like this camera, you are onto something—comparing it to the Nikon P500 for example, which is one of my other favourite cameras, the FZ-150, is faster, lighter and cheaper.
Panasonic has made a camera that will appeal to the prosumer, weekend snapper and beginner – basically about 70 percent of the market.
In terms of pictures, the camera produces some stunning shots. Regardless of light conditions, angle or whether it was shooting a still, motion shot, or a series of landscapes, it came up trumps. Even in pitch darkness, the in-built flash worked a treat, which was both a surprise and a relief.
Even though the menu was a bit longwinded and it took a while to go through all the menu options, once that task was complete, it was obvious the FZ-150 was one camera that seems to relish adverse shooting conditions. To be honest, the screen menu was not that bad but it could have been more logical in its set up.
On the ‘I-am-really-not-too-impressed’ front, the FZ-150 comes with two microphones; an internal one and a stereo one, but I need to say that the sound the movies get is not much better than any other camera. Add to that the plastic body, and I start having nightmares about toys. And at just under $800, it’s hardly a kid’s toy.
Too bad, as the FZ-150, with its long-range lens and easy-to-use menu is a real treat to use.
Pros: clear shots, fast action, great zoom lens
Cons:plastic body, ordinary mic and the price
4 Shacks Out Of 5
RRP
$799
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