• Design and build
• Good features
• Very good image quality

Photo: Panasonic

The Lumix DMC-FZ45 is one of the more recent superzoom cameras coming from Panasonic, sporting a 14-megapixel camera sensor and a 24x optical zoom lens. The Panasonic bridge camera is perfectly made with the more adventurous user in mind and it takes over from the popular FZ38.

Design and build

When it comes to the superzoom camera’s design and build, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45 looks almost identical to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100. This means that the FZ45 looks like a mini-DSLR camera, but the camera’s styling and design is mostly dominated by the large extendable camera lens. In terms of comfort, the Panasonic FZ45 comes with a rather large handgrip which makes the digital camera easy to handle when shooting and isn’t that heavy making it perfect for longer shoots. Overall, the Panasonic bridge camera almost perfectly emulates how a DSLR camera is suppose to look and work turning the FZ45 into a well built and styled and camera which is more than capable.

The controls though looking slightly complicated at times are well placed and contribute to the camera’s ease of use. In framing images an electronic viewfinder is provided, while a 3-inch LCD screen is also provided to review images.

Good features

In terms of features, the Panasonic Lumix camera comes with a 14-megapixel CCD camera sensor and a 24x optical zoom lens with a focal range of 25mm to 600mm. In making sure that the superzoom camera delivers only the best quality images, the Panasonic bridge camera also comes with the Venus HD II image processing engine and Intelligent Resolution technology. Making the camera more accessible and easy to use it’s been fitted with iA (Intelligent Auto), but manual shooting modes have also been included for more experienced photographers. Weighing at only 500g, the FZ45 comes with integrated image stabilisation and in looking to take even better images features and maximum ISO of 1600. HD video recording at 720p at 30fps also features on the camera in addition to RAW support.

Very good image quality

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45 takes images of pleasing quality which come out with good natural colour. Noise is handled with ease and images only start showing slight strain at ISO 400 with visible noise at ISO 800. Shooting indoors is bliss and the pop-up flash makes sure that images feature on red-eye effect and are well exposed. With a maximum shutter speed of 60 seconds, night photography is an absolute please and the superzoom camera is capable of taking some good images at night. The Intelligent Resolution technology does wonders in keeping images sharper and clear and the anti-shake feature also contributes to the Panasonic bridge camera churning out the good quality images which is does. The Macro mode performance is also superb allowing users to focus from as close as 1cm away.

Overall, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45 is a very good camera with a powerful lens, turning the world into any photographer’s creative oyster. It’s also well built and sturdy, comes with some good features and produces very good images. Going for just under £271 , some may say that the superzoom camera provides some good value for money, but in the superzoom digital camera market the FZ45 just might not be enough when compared to the Fujifilm HS10 and its predecessor the FZ1000, which came with a few more features.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45 Price

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45

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Video Review

Description: Primer contacto con Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45. www.digital-factory.es Características principales: - Potentísimo super-zoom no intercambiable 24x equivalente a un 25-600mm. - 14 megapíxeles de resolución - Grabación vídeo HD en 720pp La Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45 ha tenido el primer contacto en Contacto DF pasando con muy buena nota.

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