Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38 Features

Panasonic DMC FZ38 The Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38 is a 12 megapixel digital camera with an 18x optical zoom lens. Extra zoom becomes available if you lower the resolution.

A maximum 35.2x zoom becomes available when shooting at 3 megapixels. 4x digital zoom is available too. The lens has wide angle capabilities and has a focal length equivalent to 27 - 486mm in 35mm format.

To further increase the capabilities of the lens it is compatible with conversion lenses.

Basics

Image stabilisation
Self timer 2 or 10 seconds. Plus 3 shot mode
Sensor size: 1/2.33 inches
Digital Red Eye Correction
Special resolution for widescreen television playback
Special resolution for 6 x 4 inch prints
Face Detection focusing
Colour Effect Mode: Natural, Vivid, Black & White, Sepia, Cool, Warm
RAW format
Conversion lens compatibility
Picture Adjustment: Contrast , Sharpness, Saturation, Noise Reduction

Focusing

Among the focusing options are a manual focusing, controlled with a joystick on the back of the Lumix DMC FZ38 and AF tracking. There is also a macro mode for close up shots that can focus from 1cm away from the subject. You also have access to zoom in, in macro mode. There is a setting for face detection too.

LCD and Viewfinder

The LCD monitor is 2.7 inches in size. The screen is made up of around 230,000 dots. There is also an electronic viewfinder for composing photos.

Flash

The flash modes are: Built-in-Flash Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Flash Synchro; 1st, 2nd.

The maximum flash range is 8.5m. This falls to 5.4m when the zoom lens is fully extended.

Scene Modes

There are a number of preset scene modes. These are: Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Flash Burst, Panning, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach,, Snow, Aerial Photo, Pinhole, Film Grain, High Dynamic (Standard, Art, B&W), Photo Frame, Panorama Assist .

In addition to these you have access to Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Macro.

Movies

You will struggle to find a more advanced movie mode. The Lumix DMC FZ38 is able to shoot High Definition movies with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. Zoom can be used while recording is in progress and sound can be recorded in stereo. On top of this you can set the aperture size and shutter speed. Image stabilisation is available too.

You can also opt to select a scene mode appropriate to the movie you are recording. The modes available are Portrait, Scenery, Low Light, Flower, Soft Skin, Food, Objects, Party, Candle Light, Sunset, High Sensitivity,, Panning, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo, Pinhole, High Dynamic(Standard, Art, B&W), Film and Grain.

Advanced Features

Among the more advanced features are:

Aperture Size: F2.8 - 8 (Wide) - F4.4 - 8 (Tele)
Shutter Speed 60 seconds to 1/2000 seconds
Exposure Compensation: 1/3 EV step, +/-2 EV
ISO Sensitivity Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
High Sensitivity: ISO 1600 - 6400
Auto Bracketing: +/- 1/3 EV ~1EV step, 3 frames
Light Metering: Intelligent Multiple, Center Weighted, Spot
White Balance Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, Halogen, Color Temperature, White Set 1, White Set 2, (Selectable at Portrait, Soft Skin, Sports, Baby, Pet, High Sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Pinhole, Panorama Assist mode) White Balance Adjustment (2-axis adjustable, ±9steps each, Blue/Amber and Magenta/Green bias)
Continuous Shooting Mode Full-Resolution Image, 2.3 frames/sec Max. 5 images (Standard mode), Max 3 images (Fine Mode), High-speed Burst Mode: approx. 10 frames/sec (recorded in 3M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9)(Speed Priority) approx. 6 frames/sec (recorded in 3M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9)(Image Priority) Flash Burst Continuous Shooting Mode Max. 5 images (Standard mode)
Manual Exposure
Aperture Priority
Shutter Priority