Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150
A new launched superzoom camera
Another Panasonic digital camera that was launched 3 days ago is the super-zoom Lumix DMC-FZ150 one. The device is similar to the FZ48 model in terms of LCD screen, sensor, electronic viewfinder, lens and so on. The Japanese company’s products are always powerful competition to others manufactured by other brands, so we expect great things from this new one. In order to see if all the commercials tell the truth, we’ve performed a test with this gadget. Read on to find out what we have to say about it in this review.
24x Leica DC Vario-Elmarit
When we took the latest Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 out of its box we liked what we saw: the device has plenty of good-looks with its black, sleek and elegant body which measures 4.9” x 3.7” x 3.2” and weighs 498g. it wasn’t as light as other cameras we tested in the past, but it was nonetheless comfortable to hold and felt pretty solid; dropping it to the ground didn’t produce significant damage.
Moving on to specifications, the gadget boasts, as almost all Panasonic digital cameras, 24x Optical Zoom along with 25mm ultra wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens. The former could, during our tests, improve its power by extending to 32x; how: with the help of something called Intelligent Zoom. The latter of the two main specs managed to snap 196% wider angle of view in comparison to standard 35mm cameras; this meant that the Lumix FZ150 worked even when we had to take photos both indoors and outdoors: image quality was great.
Intelligent Resolution technology
The team at Panasonic preinstalled their new super-zoom with an Intelligent Resolution technology that further improved the quality of our photos whenever we used a digital zoom.
On the back of the product sits a 3” 460K dot resolution LCD screen. We had no problem when we looked at it in direct sunlight.
The Panasonic DMC-FZ150 is one of the most responsive cameras out there, thanks to its shot-to-shot time of 0.65 seconds; in raw mode we registered 0.9 seconds. When in continuous mode, the gadget offered 12fps for 12 frames; it even managed to shoot at 5.5fps while it updated autofocus between shots. The standard Light Speed AF was 0.1 seconds and helped us snap even the fastest moving bug or athlete.
12.1-megapixel MOS sensor
In terms of engine and sensor, the device features Venus Engine and 12.1-megapixel MOS sensor. These two gave good general performance, because they were able to snap pictures and shoot videos in higher speed and ISO. What we liked the most about the Lumix FZ150 was its hand-shake correction system; this feature offered the possibility to record stable videos while walking. As in the case of the Lumix FX90, the model we’re reviewing today boasts a 3D Photo option. It also comes with Intelligent Handheld Nightshot Mode, Motion Deblur Mode and PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.5 BD Edition Software (for photos which are located inside the camera and stored on a computer).
AVCHD and MPEG4 file formats
The product gives its users the possibility to shoot content in AVCHD and MPEG4 formats. Results were good and we heard no background noise (including no wind noise). Photos, on the other hand, displayed noise. Fortunately, we noticed beautiful colors and great sharpness and automatic exposure.
In comparison to other Panasonic cameras, this one includes optional external flash, optional stereo mic and is compatible with optional remote shutter.
Test and review conclusions
The review conclusion is that the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 is, therefore, a nice idea if you want a fast gadget with great controls and good overall performance.
Technical specifications and features
| Sensor | • 1/2.3″ Type MOS |
| • 12.8 million pixels total | |
| • 12.1 million effective pixels | |
| Image sizes | |
| • 4:3 Aspect Ratio: | 640 x 480 |
| 4000 x 3000 | |
| 3264 x 2448 | |
| 2560 x 1920 | |
| 2048 x 1536 | |
| 1600 x 1200 | |
| • 3:2 Aspect Ratio: | 640 x 424 |
| 2048 x 1360 | |
| 2560 x 1712 | |
| 3264 x 2176 | |
| 4000 x 2672 | |
| • 16:9 Aspect Ratio: | 640 x 360 |
| 4000 x 2248 | |
| 3264 x 1840 | |
| 2560 x 1440 | |
| 1920 x 1080 | |
| • 1:1 Aspect Ratio: | 480 x 480 |
| 2992 x 2992 | |
| 2448 x 2448 | |
| 1920 x 1920 | |
| 1536 x 1536 | |
| Movie clips | AVCHD |
| • 1280 x 720 pixels, 60p (SH: 13Mbps / AVCHD) (Sensor output is 60p) | |
| • 1920 x 1080 pixels, 60p (PSH: 28Mbps / AVCHD) (Sensor output is 60p) | |
| • 1920 x 1080 pixels, 60i (FSH: 17Mbps / AVCHD) (Sensor output is 60p) | |
| • QVGA: 320 x 240 pixels, 220 fps (Motion JPEG) | |
| • VGA: 640 x 480 pixels, 30 fps (4Mbps / MP4) | |
| MP4 | |
| • 1280 x 720 pixels, 30 fps (HD: 10Mbps / MP4) (Sensor output is 30p) | |
| • 1920 x 1080 pixels, 30 fps (FHD: 20Mbps / MP4) (Sensor output is 30p) | |
| Lens | • LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT |
| • 14 elements in 10 groups | |
| • 24x optical zoom | |
| • 25 – 600mm (35mm equiv.) | |
| • f=4.5-108mm | |
| • F2.8 – 5.2 | |
| Image stabilization | Power O.I.S lens-shift stabilization |
| Digital zoom | Yes, up to 4x |
| Focus | • Normal |
| • Quick AF On/Off (On in Intelligent Auto) | |
| • Manual Focus (Jog dial and cursor key button) | |
| • Macro | |
| • Continuous AF On/Off | |
| • One Shot AF | |
| • AF Area Select | |
| • AF Tracking | |
| File formats | |
| • Motion picture: AVCHD, MP4 , Quick Time Motion JPEG (on High Speed Video | |
| • 3D Image: MPO | |
| ISO sensitivity | • Auto |
| • Intelligent ISO | • 100 |
| • 200 | |
| • 400 | |
| • 800 | |
| • 1600 | |
| • 3200 | |
| • High Sensitivity Mode : Auto (1600 – 6400) | |
| Exposure compensation | ± 3 EV, 1/3EV steps |
| Exposure bracketing | ± 1/3 EV ~ 1EV step, 3 frames |
| Shutter speed | • 15-1/2000 sec |
| Power | • Li-ion battery |
| • Charger included | |
| • AC adaptor (optional) | |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0″ Free Angle TFT LCD Display |
| • 460K dots | |
| • AUTO Power LCD mode, Power LCD mode | |
| • Field of View : approx. 100% | |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 High speed |
| • Mini HDMI | |
| • AV Output (NTSC/PAL) | |
| • DC Input | |
| Storage | • SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card |
| • 70MB internal memory | |
| Battery life (approx.) | 410 pictures (CIPA Standard) |
| Weight (no batt) | 484 g |
| Weight (with batt) | 528 g |
| Dimensions | 124 x 82 x 95 mm |
| (4.89 x 3.20 x 3.74 in) | |
How about doing the your performance testing of the camera *before* playing with “dropping it to the ground” next time. eh ?!? … *~<|:-0
can you please send me a photo of the camera. what kind of surface did it fall on? cement, carpet, wood? what height did it fall from?
The camera was dropped on the carpet. The test was performed before this shock but the results remained unchanged.
Did you manage to find out how long the battery lasted?
Hello Bob, The battery life lasted about 360 pictures in our test.
Hi can anyone tell me when this camera will be available – it wasn’t 26 Sep as promised and Amazon now say 2 months….??
How would you rate it with the Sony SX40 ? Slight edge up for FZ150 ?
Hello Pranny,
We will be back with a test with the Sony SX40 very soon.
Do you really mean Sony SX40 (Camcorder, kind of a strange comparison) or the new Canon SX40 bridge camera?