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Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Hands-On Review

We test the new Panasonic Lumix FZ72 and have posted our impressions, as well as sample photos and video on Safari.

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Hands-On Review: Panasonic Lumix FZ70 FZ72 (4)



The Panasonic Lumix FZ72 (aka FZ70) packs the world's longest zoom on a bridge camera, which at 60x offers an equivalent range of 20-1200mm. The camera features a 16 megapixel sensor, full HD video, and a new wind shielded stereo microphone.

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Hands-On Review: Panasonic Lumix FZ70 FZ72 With Teleconvertor (1)

The zoom can also be extended to a 120x equivalent whilst maintaining picture quality thanks to Intelligent Resolution Technology / Digital zoom. A 1.7x tele conversion lens (DMW-LT55) will also be available seperately to boost the optical zoom to 102x as shown above.

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Features

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Hands-On Review: Panasonic Lumix FZ70 FZ72 (5)

The camera features a 16.1 megapixel MOS sensor, light speed AF and Power OIS, as well as HD video recording, full manual control and a flash hot-shoe. It is capable of shooting 9fps at full resolution, and 5fps with continous AF.
Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Hands-On Review: Panasonic Lumix FZ70 FZ72 (6)

Key Features

  • 16.1 megapixel MOS sensor
  • 60x optical zoom lens, 20-1200mm equivalent
  • POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) with Active Mode
  • 3 inch screen, 460k dots
  • Electronic viewfinder, 202k dots
  • Full HD video with stereo sound, Wind Shield Zoom Microphone
  • 9fps continuous shooting, 5fps with continuous AF
  • Flash hot-shoe
  • ISO100 - ISO3200
  • 1cm Macro focus
  • HDR, Panoramic, RAW shooting, Manual controls

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Handling

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Hands-On Review: Panasonic Lumix FZ70 FZ72 (7)

Handling - The plastic bodied camera has a large hand grip with a rubber grip around the front, as well as a decent sized thumb grip on the back, although the back grip is just textured plastic rather than rubber. The styling of the camera gives it the look of a Digital SLR, with a number of external buttons and controls, giving quick access to settings including dedicated continuous shooting, focus, video, AF/Macro/MF, AE Lock buttons, with the last button doubling as a customisable Function / Fn button. A second Fn button can be found on the 4-way controller. To switch between the rear screen and the electronic viewfinder you simply use the LVF button.


Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Hands-On Review: Panasonic Lumix FZ70 FZ72 (8)

Menus – The Panasonic menus are clearly laid out with clear descriptions of settings and options. The Q.Menu brings up an overlay of options so you can quickly change settings without having to drop into the menus.

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Hands-On Review: Panasonic Lumix FZ70 FZ72 (1)

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 400 shots according to Panasonic / CIPA test results, which is quite good. The camera was quick to switch on and focus seemed to perform well, although we will need to get the camera in to ours studio before conducting our usual speed test.
Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Hands-On Review: Panasonic Lumix FZ70 FZ72 With Teleconvertor (2)

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Performance

Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 (FZ70) Outdoor images

Wide | 1/60 sec | f/2.8 | 3.6 mm | ISO 250
Wide | 1/60 sec | f/2.8 | 3.6 mm | ISO 250 | high res
Full Optical Zoom | 1/125 sec | f/5.9 | 215.0 mm | ISO 160
Full Optical Zoom | 1/125 sec | f/5.9 | 215.0 mm | ISO 160 | high res
Rhino | 1/100 sec | f/5.5 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100
Rhino | 1/100 sec | f/5.5 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100 | high res
Heron | 1/80 sec | f/5.6 | 57.2 mm | ISO 100
Heron | 1/80 sec | f/5.6 | 57.2 mm | ISO 100 | high res
Vultures | 1/80 sec | f/5.6 | 108.4 mm | ISO 200
Vultures | 1/80 sec | f/5.6 | 108.4 mm | ISO 200 | high res
Tiger | 1/80 sec | f/5.6 | 74.4 mm | ISO 250
Tiger | 1/80 sec | f/5.6 | 74.4 mm | ISO 250 | high res
Lion | 1/125 sec | f/5.6 | 81.7 mm | ISO 100
Lion | 1/125 sec | f/5.6 | 81.7 mm | ISO 100 | high res
Cheetah | 1/200 sec | f/5.6 | 154.9 mm | ISO 400
Cheetah | 1/200 sec | f/5.6 | 154.9 mm | ISO 400 | high res
Cheetah | 1/200 sec | f/5.6 | 140.8 mm | ISO 200
Cheetah | 1/200 sec | f/5.6 | 140.8 mm | ISO 200 | high res
Wolf | 1/100 sec | f/5.6 | 84.3 mm | ISO 100
Wolf | 1/100 sec | f/5.6 | 84.3 mm | ISO 100 | high res
Wide | 1/800 sec | f/2.8 | 3.6 mm | ISO 100
Wide | 1/800 sec | f/2.8 | 3.6 mm | ISO 100 | high res
Macro (Wide) | 1/13 sec | f/2.8 | 3.6 mm | ISO 400
Macro (Wide) | 1/13 sec | f/2.8 | 3.6 mm | ISO 400 | high res
Wide | 1/60 sec | f/2.8 | 3.6 mm | ISO 250
Full Optical Zoom | 1/125 sec | f/5.9 | 215.0 mm | ISO 160
Rhino | 1/100 sec | f/5.5 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100
Heron | 1/80 sec | f/5.6 | 57.2 mm | ISO 100
Vultures | 1/80 sec | f/5.6 | 108.4 mm | ISO 200
Tiger | 1/80 sec | f/5.6 | 74.4 mm | ISO 250
Lion | 1/125 sec | f/5.6 | 81.7 mm | ISO 100
Cheetah | 1/200 sec | f/5.6 | 154.9 mm | ISO 400
Cheetah | 1/200 sec | f/5.6 | 140.8 mm | ISO 200
Wolf | 1/100 sec | f/5.6 | 84.3 mm | ISO 100
Wide | 1/800 sec | f/2.8 | 3.6 mm | ISO 100
Macro (Wide) | 1/13 sec | f/2.8 | 3.6 mm | ISO 400

The camera has performed well on Safari at Longleat, where the weather was not ideal, with mostly grey cloud. Despite this the camera has produced a number of sharp results, even when using the full 60x optical zoom lens, which is the equivalent of 1200mm in 35mm terms.

The 60x optical zoom lens gives a much wider view than the majority of other ultra zoom bridge cameras, starting at 20mm, and will zoom to 1200mm equivalent, which is what a number of other 50x zoom cameras are capable of. However it's when used in combination with the optional 1.7x tele conversion lens that you can see the huge appeal of the camera. Although it's quite likely that to get the best results from this combination a tripod and good weather will be required.

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Hands-On Review: Panasonic Lumix FZ72 60x Zoom Example 102x Zoom Example

We've shown an example above, resized, as we were using the camera handheld, to show the difference between 60x optical zoom, and then with the 1.7x tele conversion lens attached.

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 (FZ70) ISO test images

1/8 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 100
1/8 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 100 | high res
1/15 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 200
1/15 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 200 | high res
1/30 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 400
1/30 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 400 | high res
1/60 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 800
1/60 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 800 | high res
1/125 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 1600
1/125 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 1600 | high res
1/250 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 3200
1/250 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 3200 | high res
1/8 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 100
1/15 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 200
1/30 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 400
1/60 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 800
1/125 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 1600
1/250 sec | f/4.7 | 16.0 mm | ISO 3200

ISO Noise Performance - The ISO range available goes from ISO100 to ISO3200, with higher ISO sttings available in High Sensitivity mode. Once we have the camera in our office for testing, we will be able to post our usual ISO test images.

Video - Video can be recorded as AVCHD / 50i or MP4 / 25p at full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080. The lens has additional reach in video recording mode, equivalent to 22 - 1320mm in 35mm terms. Video is stabilised using the camera's active mode optical image stabilisation and appears to work well. Additional videos can be found on the ePHOTOzine YouTube channel.

Value For Money

The Panasonic Lumix FZ72 is available for around £365 which makes it a little more expensive than the competition, but not by much, and is up against the following ultra-zoom cameras, although it is one of very few with an ultra wide-angle lens, however the Kodak PIXPRO AZ521 has slightly more telephoto reach:

Kodak PIXPRO AZ521 - 52x, 24-1248mm equivalent, no EVF, £249
Fujifilm FinePix SL1000 - 50x, 24-1200mm equivalent, £257
Sony Cyber-shot HX300 - 50x, 24-1200mm equivalent, £325
Canon Powershot SX50HS - 50x, 24-1200mm equivalent, £349

You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 Verdict

The Panasonic Lumix FZ72 boasts an impressive 60x optical zoom lens, however, as the lens starts at the ultra wide-angle equivalent of 20mm, the telephoto reach is the same as other 50x optical zoom lens cameras, with 1200mm equivalent at the telephoto end. If you want an ultra wide-angle lens, then this is one of the widest available, and with a high speed sensor, fast continuous shooting, quick focus, full HD video, optical image stabilisation, flash hot-shoe, full manual controls and raw shooting, the Panasonic Lumix FZ72 should be more camera than you could possibly wish for! If on the other hand you want more, then the Panasonic Lumix FZ72 can reach even further with the optional 1.7x tele conversion lens, giving you a whopping 102x optical zoom! 

Once we have the camera in our office for review, we will update this review with our full test results, as well as additional sample photos.

View Full Product Details

Panasonic Lumix FZ72 (FZ70) Specifications

Manufacturer
Panasonic
Lens
Max Aperture
f/2.8 - f/5.9
35mm equivalent
20mm - 1200mm
Optical Zoom
60x
Image Sensor
Pixels
16.1Mp (Megapixels)
Pixels (W)
4608
Pixels (H)
3456
Sensor Type
Live MOS Sensor
Sensor Size
1/2.3 inch
Sensor Size (width)
No Data
Sensor Size (height)
No Data
Aspect Ratio
4:3
16:9
3:2
1:1
LCD Monitor
LCD Monitor
3in
Screen resolution
460k dots
Touch Screen
No
Focusing
Min Focus
1cm
Focusing modes
Autofocus
Spot
Face Detection
AF Tracking
Multi
Centre
Exposure Control
Shutter speeds shortest
1/2000sec
Shutter speeds longest
60sec
Bulb mode
No
Exp modes
Program
Aperture-Priority
Shutter-Priority
Manual
Scene modes
Program Variable
Metering
Centre-weighted - Average
Multi Pattern
Centre Spot
ISO sensitivity
100 - 6400
White balance
Auto
Manual
Outdoors/Daylight
Cloudy
Incandescent
Shade
Flash
Exposure Comp
+/-3
Shooting Options
Continuous shooting
9fps
Video
Movie mode
Yes
Video Resolution
1920x1080 FullHD
1280x720 HD 720p
Video FPS
50i, 25p
Stereo Sound
Yes
Optical Zoom with Video
Yes
Other Features
Image Stabilisation
Yes
Interface
HDMI
Yes
USB
USB 2
Wi-Fi
No
Storage
Card Type
SD
SDHC
SDXC
File Type
JPG
Power Source
Battery Type
Li-ion Battery Pack
Battery Life (CIPA rating)
400shots
Box Contents
Box Contents
Battery Pack, Battery Charger, USB Cable, Shoulder Strap, CD-ROM, Lens Cap, Lens Cap String
Dimensions
Weight
562g
Width
130.2mm
Height
97mm
Depth
118.2mm

Comments

pranayverma
pranayverma
10
Dec 22, 2013 6:00pm
The images are good. The video is very sensitive at 60X zoom. In case of moving subject (train) the auto focus takes time. In any case, 60X shooting is better with a tripod and a timer.
robinson47
robinson47
11
Nov 1, 2015 6:02am
first class camera and a very very 60 x zoom