Panasonic LUMIX DMC FZ47 Review | 108 Data compared

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 is an exceptional 24x ultrazoom camera that stands out primarily for its historic, category-defining color accuracy. In testing, its color reproduction surpassed not only competing fixed-lens models but also top-tier DSLRs like the Canon EOS 60D. Beyond color performance, the camera provides strong image sharpness across its focal lengths, effective distortion correction via software, a highly responsive 3.74 fps burst mode, and comprehensive manual exposure controls via a dedicated mode dial. Video capabilities are also robust, offering 1080p video capture at 30 fps in AVCHD/MPEG4 formats with full optical zoom range and quick autofocus during recording. Its physical design features excellent button tactility, an easy-to-use quick menu, an accurate electronic viewfinder, and a solid battery life rated for 400 shots. Despite its strengths, the camera has notable limitations in performance and physical design. A primary drawback is its aggressive noise reduction algorithm; while it stabilizes noise at higher ISOs, it degrades image quality at lowest ISOs and creates distracting, unattractive noise in low-light environments, making it a poor low-light performer. Furthermore, testing revealed that its lens-based...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 (known as the FZ48 in Europe) is a super-zoom camera featuring a 12.1 Megapixel CCD sensor, a versatile 24x stabilized lens (25-600mm equivalent range), and an upgraded fixed 3-inch screen with a sharper 460k-pixel resolution. A major highlight of this model is its upgraded video capabilities, jumping from 720p to Full HD 1080i recording with effective Power O.I.S. stabilization, quiet optical zooming, and reliable continuous autofocusing that excels even when tracking moving subjects. Additionally, it introduces fun Creative Control modes—including a popular Miniature tilt-shift video effect—and a 3D image capture scene preset. However, the camera comes with notable downsides, most significantly the controversial "downgrade" of its sensor resolution from 14 to 12 Megapixels and the complete removal of the enthusiast-friendly RAW shooting mode. In real-world performance tests, its full-resolution continuous burst mode fell disappointingly short of its quoted 3.75fps specification, tracking closer to the older model's 2.3fps and lagging far behind CMOS-equipped rivals. Furthermore, because it retains a CCD sensor, videos shot in very bright conditions are prone to vertical pink line artifacts when capturing harsh...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 is a megazoom camera that offers excellent design, versatile features, and solid overall shooting performance for its price point. It is equipped with a high-quality lens and delivers fairly quick operational performance, producing nice photo quality up to ISO 800. The review highlights that if consumers can find this camera at a discounted price—such as around $250—it serves as a solid, budget-friendly choice that is easy to recommend for everyday photography. However, the review emphasizes that the FZ47 acts as a strong argument for spending $100 more on its premium counterpart, the Lumix DMC-FZ150. To achieve its lower price point, the FZ47 cuts several critical features: it lacks a rotating LCD, a hot shoe for external flashes, an external microphone input, and RAW image capture. Furthermore, compared to the FZ150, the FZ47 suffers from less-impressive burst shooting speeds and noticeably inferior low-light photo quality, making it less suitable for users who want advanced control over their final results.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 is a feature-rich, prosumer ultra-zoom digital camera styled like a miniature SLR, boasting an exceptionally versatile 24X optical zoom lens (25-600mm equivalent) and full manual controls. Its greatest strengths lie in its incredible focal range that seamlessly covers everything from wide-angle architecture to super-telephoto wildlife photography, alongside a robust 1cm macro focus capability. On the performance front, the camera offers full 1080p HD video capture with effective continuous tracking autofocus, quick shutter lag under a quarter of a second, and highly creative shooting features like a flexible "Panorama Assist" mode that permits individual shots to be retaken. However, the camera suffers from significant image quality limitations due to its tiny 1/2.3" CCD sensor. Even at its base ISO 100, noticeable noise-reduction softness damages fine details, and this smearing increases dramatically at higher ISO settings, making the camera unrealistic for realistic color production or low-light, handheld shooting. Additionally, its hardware design features a low-resolution 200K-pixel EVF that makes confirming manual focus difficult, a battery life of 400 shots that falls well below the average for large ultra-zooms,...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 is highlighted in this review as an exceptional 24x superzoom bridge camera that provides outstanding image quality, particularly due to its world-class color accuracy. It features a mini-DSLR design with a comfortable rubber hand grip and a highly responsive control layout, including a dedicated quick menu button that lets users easily navigate common settings without looking away from the electronic viewfinder (EVF). Photographers will appreciate its robust manual modes, quiet 24x zoom motor, and capable 1080/30p high-definition video capture. Performance tests revealed sharp center-frame resolution, making it a very reliable tool for beginners looking for great photos with minimal fuss. However, the camera has notable limitations that may deter advanced shooters, most significantly the complete lack of RAW image capture support. Low-light and high-ISO performance are also weak spots; an aggressive internal noise reduction algorithm muddy fine details, while baseline noise is noticeably high even at ISO 100. Furthermore, its full-resolution continuous shooting is quite slow, managing a pedestrian 3.74 frames per second with a restrictive buffer limit of just seven consecutive shots. On the physical...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47, as featured in the DPReview samples gallery, is a budget-friendly 12.1-megapixel bridge camera centered around a versatile 24x Leica zoom lens (25-600mm) with effective Power O.I.S. stabilization. Key strengths include snappy autofocus, full manual controls, 1080i60 HD video, and accurate color in daylight, with additional creative filter options. However, the camera's small CCD sensor results in poor low-light performance, with significant noise and loss of detail above ISO 400. Other limitations include the lack of RAW shooting, a fixed LCD screen, and the absence of a hot shoe for external flash. YouTube ·