Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver)

by Panasonic

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B003960ESA
• Item model number: DMC-FH20S
• Batteries: 1 Lithium ion batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,001 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 14, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

This Stylish Compact Does It All from Wide-angle to Zooming

28mm Wide-angle Lens
The 28mm wide-angle lens* lets you easily capture large groups of people indoors or expansive architectural structures and scenes with dynamic width and rich perspective, even from short distances.
* Converted to standard 35mm camera equivalent, at the maximum wide position.

Powerful 8x Optical Zoom
The DMC-FH20 sports a powerful 8x optical zoom lens (35mm camera equivalent: 28-224mm). This gives you highly natural expressions from people and animals that you can't get close to. And its slim, compact, pocket-sized body can easily go wherever you do for both everyday snapshots and traveling.

iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode

When you don't know which mode will give you the best shooting results, or when a sudden photo opportunity pops up and you don't have time to make any settings, simply choose iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode by simply pressing the dedicated button and let the camera do it all for you. You just choose iA Mode, aim at your subject, and shoot. 4 detection and correction functions are simultaneously activated to optimize the settings, so you get stunning photos every time.

HD Movie Recording (1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG Format)

The DMC-FH20) can record motion images in high-definition (1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format). The pixel mixed readout method enables bright motion-image recording even in low-light settings. The DMC-FH20 can also record full-size motion images in WVGA (848 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) or standard motion images in VGA (640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) and QVGA (320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps).

Extended Battery Life

The energy-saving Venus Engine IV image-processing engine and the efficient, rechargeable lithium-ion battery which has been slimmed down to fit into thinner camera bodies work together to extend the shooting time of the DMC-FH20. This lets users take approx. 300 shots on a single battery charge*.
* Based on the CIPA standard.

Product Description

Panasonic DMC-FH20K Digital Camera Features28mm Wide-angle Lens The 28mm wide-angle lens lets you easily capture large groups of people indoors or expansive architectural structures and scenes with dynamic width and rich perspective, even from short distances. Converted to standard 35mm camera equivalent, at the maximum wide position. Powerful 8x Optical Zoom The DMC-FH20 sports a powerful 8x optical zoom lens (35mm camera equivalent: 28-224mm). This gives you highly natural expressions from people and animals that you can't get close to. And its slim, compact, pocket-sized body can easily go wherever you do for both everyday snapshots and traveling.iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode. When you don't know which mode will give you the best shooting results, or when a sudden photo opportunity pops up and you don't have time to make any settings, simply choose iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode by simply pressing the dedicated button and let the camera do it all for you.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Camera, few pitfalls to watch out for., October 25, 2010

By 

Erik Zimmerman (MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver) (Electronics)

I've had this camera for about two weeks now and so far its been great to use.

The 8x zoom is great, I used to have a sony p10 that I upgraded from that was only 3x, this makes a huge difference getting those "up close and personal" shots from a distance.

The image quality is...incredible. I'll admit I've not used anything over an 8MP camera but I can't imagine other 14MP camera's could be much better. The level of detail in the pictures is incredible.

That being said other reviews have taken issue with the low light capability and I have to agree with them....sorta. The iA (intelligent auto) feature doesn't seem to do a great job on its own in low lighting conditions. However if you select one of the scene modes and use a tripod, I've found the camera comes out with an acceptable quality even in low light.

Building on that, the iA feature fo the camera does an excellent job most of the time picking out the best settings (fstop/iso/shutter speed), its worlds better then anything in the point and shoot category that I've used before. The only spot where I've had to tell it what scene setting to use (in daylight anyway) is the sports mode. It's fast enough to capture my ceiling fan blades with little blur , excellent for a point and shoot.

The SDXC slot future proofs the camera and the speed of the cards allows for decent burst mode shooting capability. The battery seems to hold a decent charge and the lcd is huge so you can easily see what your shooting.

Some people have dinged the camera since it doesn't have a viewfinder but seeing as how there are no real manual controls on this camera (other then iso/exposure) I don't see too many serious professionals who need a viewfinder buying this camera as anything other then a small easy to carry point and shoot.

Several years ago I would have laughed if you would have said that you could get an 8x zoom, 14MP, huge LCD at this price point and build quality....I'm not laughing any more.

All in all, excellent camera and certainly recommended (low light being the kinda sorta exception). 4 stars.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this camera, March 5, 2011

By 

T. Walters - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver) (Electronics)

I received this camera last week, and I'm very happy with it. I previously used a very simple Kodak EasyShare, but wanted something that would give me more zoom, and would allow me to take better close up photos.

I was a little concerned about purchasing a camera that had on-screen modes (that little Kodak wheel is so easy to use) but this has proved to be no problem at all. The on-screen modes are easy to read and understand(the icons are adjustable to be either be large or small).

I love having the entire user manual as part of the software - it was easy to read through the manual and get a good overview of the camera, and then be able to learn the more detailed features at leisure.

I have mostly used the Intelligent Auto mode and the macro setting and the zoom as well. I took a number of pictures of our 3-month old grandchild (okay, full disclosure, I took 74 pictures of our grandchild the first time I used the camera)in a variety of light. The pictures are just stunning. Clear, detailed, every eyelash shows up.

I purchased an 8GB class 6 card with the camera which I think gives me a fast save, and I can take picture after picture so quickly (the time the picture displays after it is taken can be adjusted on the camera from no time to 2 seconds) so I was able to catch lots of smiles. The camera is heavier than I expected (a good thing for stability for me) since so much of it is metal. I love the battery and usb port compartments because they are sturdy yet easy to open and close. I have posted some pics online, and they are beautiful on the screen. I had a number of them printed as well, and they look just as great. I'm amazed at the clarity of the photos taken with the zoom.

In some reviews, reviewers have complained about not having a viewfinder and having trouble seeing the screen in sunlight. According to the manual, there is a setting for the screen that makes it easier to see in bright sunlight. If it ever gets sunny here, I will try that out. So far battery time is good, so I will wait to see if I need a backup battery or not. I'm looking forward to using additional modes and learning more about the camera.

It is just plain fun for me to use, and I'm very glad to have this camera. I hope this review is helpful to others - I read many, many reviews before I purchased the camera, and I appreciated everyone who took the time to write one.

One other thing, Amazon suggested a Case Logic camera case to purchase with the camera, and I did buy it. It's a nice little case and the camera just fits, but since I will want to keep the charger and possibly the usb cord with me, I will continue to use my larger case. I'm going to keep my cordless laptop mouse in the small case instead.

Update April 3, 2011: It's been a month since I purchased my camera and the more I use it the more I love it. Although I use the IA a lot, I'm getting more familiar with the modes for certain photo situations, and now it's almost effortless to change modes, adjust settings, etc. I took some close up photos of flowers today (indoors), and they are by far the clearest, most detailed closeup photos I've ever taken. So far because of weather-related issues, I have taken only one or two outdoor photos, so I'm getting really excited about taking the camera outdoors soon.

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Backup Camera, May 27, 2010

By 

Peter Quinlan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver) (Electronics)

I bought this camera to backup my Lumix DMC FZ28. To use in situations where I don't want to
carry the larger camera and for my wife to use. The FH20 is easy to use (settings, functions,
descriptions very similar to the FZ28. So the learning curve is simple). The stabilization in
this camera is terrific. The lens is sharp and the Intellegent Exposure mode is excellent in all the situations I have tested so far! Bottom line is that the DMC-FH20 is everything I
wanted for a backup. Great camera, Great buy!