Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ3By: Dave Etchells(none) <<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 3:DesignReview First Posted: 11/03/2004 |
Design
With
the confident looks of a traditional 35mm SLR, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ3 offers
both style and substance, with an impressive Leica 12x optical zoom lens that
lends a professional air. Measuring 4.3 x 2.7 x 3.3 inches (108 x 68 x 85 millimeters),
the DMC-FZ3 weighs approximately 11.4 ounces (323 grams) with the battery and
storage card installed. The DMC-FZ3's all-plastic, matte-black body helps keep
the camera's weight down, somewhat compensating for the heft of the rather large
lens. While it definitely won't fit into your shirt pocket, an accompanying
neck strap makes it easy to tote, but I'd also recommend picking up at least
a small camera bag to protect that Leica lens.
The front of the camera includes a telescoping 12x Leica zoom lens, optical viewfinder window, and a bright light emitter that serves double duty as the autofocus assist and the self-timer countdown indicator. There are also two small holes next to the light emitter that serve as a grille for the built-in microphone. The built-in, pop-up flash is just above the large lens, and is released by a button on the rear panel. A modest-sized handgrip on the right side is covered by a rubbery, textured wrap that clings to fingers.
The right side of the camera (as viewed from the back) features only an eyelet for one end of the neck strap.
The opposite side of the camera features the other neck strap eyelet, as well as the diopter adjustment dial on the side of the optical viewfinder. Also on this side of the camera, beneath a hinged, plastic door, is the connector compartment, which houses the Video/Digital Out and DC In connector terminals. The compartment door opens from the rear panel, and features a pressure hinge that snaps it securely in place when closed.
The DMC-FZ3's top panel features a Mode dial on the right, along with the Shutter button, Zoom lever, and Burst Mode button. While the FZ15's Shutter button was just a little too far back on the panel in my opinion, the FZ3's smaller grip make it less of a reach for your index finger. Also on the top panel is the pop-up flash (released by a button on the rear panel).
The majority of the exposure controls are located on the camera's rear panel, along with the electronic optical viewfinder (EVF) and LCD monitor. Lining the top of the panel are the EVF / LCD, Display, Exposure, and Power controls, with the Flash Open button just above them. The Menu and Focus/Delete buttons line up with the top and bottom right corners of the LCD monitor respectively, with a Four-Way Multicontroller at center. True to its name, the Multicontroller accesses a variety of camera settings and features four arrows for navigating through camera menus and reviewing images. A small speaker rests in the lower right corner of the rear panel, and a textured thumb grip reinforces the modest handgrip on the camera's right side.
The DMC-FZ3's bottom panel is reasonably flat, with a sliding door to access the combined SD/MMC and battery compartment, and a threaded metal tripod mount on its right. The metal tripod mount is positioned off-center from the lens, and is too close to the compartment for quick battery and memory card changes (something I'm probably more sensitive to than most users, given the amount of on-tripod shooting I do).
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