The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 Digital Camera is a bridge-style point-and-shoot digital camera that features a 16.1 megapixel High Sensitivity BSI MOS sensor and Venus Engine image processor to produce high resolution still imagery and full HD 1080i/p video with notable low-light quality. The combination of the processor and sensor enable a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-3200, which can be further expanded to ISO 6400. The processor also affords a wealth of speed to the camera, including the ability to record up to 9 fps in a 3-shot burst, 5 fps with one-shot AF, or 2 fps with continuous AF.
The built-in Lumix DC Vario 60x optical zoom lens provides a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 20-1200mm, covering wide-angle to telephoto perspectives for working in almost any shooting situation. Benefitting this extensive zoom range is POWER O.I.S., which works to minimize the appearance of camera shake when working with greater zoom magnifications and under low-light conditions. This image stabilization system also features an Active Mode that is well-suited to creating steady HD movies by countering the appearance of camera shake in a variety of directions.
Full HD 1080i video at 60 fps is supported in the high quality AVCHD codec and greatly benefits from the inclusion of a Windshield Zoom Microphone and Dolby Digital audio quality. The built-in stereo microphone works to significantly reduce wind noise in order to provide clearer overall audio quality. Its zoom design is also well-paired to the zoom lens to help achieve natural sounding recordings.
For image monitoring and playback, both a 3.0" 460k-dot LCD monitor and a 0.20" 202k-dot electronic viewfinder are available as bright, clear means for viewing. Also extending the functionality of the FZ70 is a hot shoe to facilitate the use of an external flash and an HDMI port for linking the camera to an HDTV for vivid image playback. A host of creative effects are available too, for enhancing the aesthetic appearance of both still images and movies in-camera.
The lens construction integrates six aspherical elements, with nine aspherical surfaces, and three extra-low dispersion elements to minimize chromatic aberrations throughout the zoom range while also contributing to overall image sharpness and clarity.
Also contributing to effective movies is the use of Dolby Digital Stereo Creator and the inclusion of a Windshield Zoom Microphone, which is able to substantially reduce the amount of wind in audio recordings to realize notably clear sound with videos. The sealed structure of the microphone works to prevent wind from reaching the microphone directly and the draft structure suppresses the retention of air internally in order to realize unaffected sound quality. Additionally, the microphone has audio zoom capabilities to match the lens' zoom in order to provide a realistic sound quality when recording videos.
Additionally, a hot shoe is incorporated into the body to support the use of an optional external flash for greater illumination and flash control beyond that of the built-in pop-up flash.