The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 is an excellent camera for wildlife photographers. This camera offers good image quality and an amazing 60x optical zoom. The fixed lens has a maximum aperture of F2.8-5.9. It is definitely the best point and shoot under 500 for someone who loves a zoom lens. If you’re looking for even more great cameras, check out this best digital camera list.
Why We Like It – Panasonic Lumix FZ70
The Lumix FZ70 has a compact design and features a powerful zoom lens that offers a total optical zoom range of 60x. It also features a focal length between 20mm to 1200mm, which allows for ultra wide close up photography as well. The camera also comes with a Zoom microphone with Dolby Digital audio quality. You may also want to check out our review on how Sonys new WX5 TX9 digital cameras shoot in 3D.
- 60x Optical zoom with image stabilization
- Full HD video recording with shielded mic
- Zoom focused Dolby sound recording
- No focus ring
Performance
The Lumix DMC-FZ70 features a 16.1-megapixel 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor and an F2.8-5.9 zoom lens that enables 20mm ultra wide angle to 60x optical zoom. With Intelligent Resolution technology, the soom can be digitally extended up to 120x. The camera offers a continuous shooting mode with up to 5fps AF or 2fps continuous AF tracking. You can also shoot full resolution 1080p videos in AVCHD and MP4 format. The Nikon Coolpix B700 is another good camera with 60x optical zoom.
Related: See our latest Olympus Stylus Tough TG 6 review
Design
This camera looks like a DSLR camera, but without the interchangeable lens system. You get a fixed lens on the Lumix FZ70 and an electronic viewfinder. It features manual and auto controls with several shooting modes, and a mode dial for easy switching. Panasonic has included optical image stabilization to remove blur when using the long zoom feature. There’s also a wind shielded microphone at the top that records clear audio with Dolby Digital quality. Don’t like the design? Perhaps you’ll prefer the Nikon P7700 then.
Value
The Panasonic Lumix FZ70 is worth every penny you pay for it. It gets a really good optical zoom lens with 60x zoom range, a powerful image sensor that delivers good results, and a high quality microphone when recording video. Panasonic has also included a Creative Control mode that offers 15 filters. The camera features an LCD screen at the back and a memory card slot that supports most storage cards. If you don’t need the 60x optical zoom, then maybe try the Canon Powershot G16.
Related: Find out more with the Panasonic Lumix LX15 review
Panasonic Lumix FZ70 Wrap Up
The Lumix FZ70 is a great bridge camera for a wildlife photographer or someone who is getting into zoom photography. The 60x optical zoom works great and will surely impress you with its quality. The full HD recording will come in handy, especially with the zoom mic that offers Dolby Digital audio quality. A focus ring would’ve made this camera perfect, but it’s still a great deal even without it.
