Infrared Panasonic DMC-FZ70 – My Favorite Super Zoom Everyday Carry
As someone with over 25 years of experience in infrared photography, I’ve experimented with countless cameras, each bringing its own set of strengths and quirks to the table. When it comes to an everyday super zoom camera that combines versatility, size, and affordability, the Panasonic FZ70 holds a special place in my gear lineup. Despite having a smaller sensor, the FZ70's incredible lens range (20-1200mm equivalent) makes it the camera I find myself reaching for when I can only bring one.
The FZ70 is a bridge camera with a fixed lens, which makes it perfect for photographers who want serious zoom capabilities without the hassle of multiple lenses. The 20-1200mm focal range covers nearly every scenario you could think of—landscapes, wildlife, distant subjects, and even macro shots. For infrared photography, having such a broad focal range means I can experiment with framing and composition in a way that’s not possible with many other cameras in this category.
One of the reasons I love using this camera is its versatility. Even though its sensor might be on the smaller side (1/2.3"), the images it produces, especially in infrared, are stunning. The lens’s sharpness at varying focal lengths ensures that even distant subjects in infrared come out crisp, with the otherworldly detail that infrared captures so well.
Converting the Panasonic FZ70 for infrared photography opened up a new world of possibilities. The camera handles infrared wavelengths beautifully, allowing me to capture surreal landscapes where foliage appears bright white and skies take on dark, dramatic tones. The wide-angle capability (20mm equivalent) is fantastic for infrared landscapes, where you want to take in as much of the surreal scene as possible, while the 1200mm zoom ensures that even the smallest details far off in the distance aren’t missed.
That said, no camera is perfect, and the one downside to this amazing zoom lens is that it can be a bit soft at the edges, particularly at extreme focal lengths. This isn't a deal-breaker, as the center sharpness and overall performance are still impressive, but it’s something to keep in mind, especially if you’re looking to print large images or need every part of your frame to be razor-sharp. For most everyday uses, though, this is a minor trade-off for the extraordinary versatility and range the lens provides.
The Panasonic FZ70’s lens range makes it incredibly adaptable, and this is why it has become my favorite super zoom for everyday carry. If I could only bring one camera, this would be it. Its combination of portability, focal length versatility, and solid infrared performance make it unbeatable for someone like me who enjoys photographing a wide range of subjects without being weighed down by a large kit.
While there are more powerful cameras out there with larger sensors, I’ve found that the FZ70 punches above its weight when it comes to versatility, especially in infrared photography. It's truly the ideal companion for those spontaneous shooting opportunities where you need to cover a broad range of focal lengths without sacrificing quality.
In short, the Panasonic FZ70 is more than just a super zoom; it’s an essential part of my infrared photography kit and a camera I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone looking for an all-in-one solution—just be mindful of that softness at the edges.