The joystick that was so popular in previous FZ Series models gives the DMC-FZ28 its precise, full manual operation. You can easily operate it with your thumb while holding the camera to prevent any interruption to your shooting rhythm. Simply move the joystick vertically or horizontally to adjust the exposure in Aperture-priority Mode, Shutter-priority Mode, or Manual Exposure Mode, and to adjust the focus during Manual focus. This gives you much more flexible operation than buttons or levers.

You can use Program Shift in Program AE Mode to keep the exposure fixed while changing the combination of shutter speed and aperture. This function lets you choose the exposure setting yourself to capture exactly the image you want.

In Program AE, Aperture-priority, and Shutter-priority Modes, you can retrieve the exposure compensation value and manually adjust it directly with the joystick.

When you choose the Manual Exposure Mode, this function shows how much your setting differs from the setting the camera considers optimal. This serves as a convenient guide for anyone using the Manual Exposure Mode.

In Manual Exposure Mode, you can either select ISO Auto or make settings from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. With ISO Auto, once you set the aperture and shutter speed, the camera automatically judges the ISO sensitivity and maintains the appropriate exposure. For example, you have to use a fast shutter speed to capture moving subjects, while closing down the aperture enough to extend the depth of field for focusing ease. With this kind of shot, you can set the shutter speed and aperture manually, and then leave the exposure up to ISO Auto.

Select manual focus with the AF/MF button on the top of the camera, and use the joystick for super-smooth focusing. When you focus in the Manual Focus Mode, not only the focus distance but also the DOF (depth of field) according to the zoom range and aperture is displayed.

The Focus button is designed to be easily pressed while holding the camera in shooting stance. During AF operation, it serves to activate the Selectable AF Area, and during MF operation, it changes to a handy One-touch Focus to provide initial focusing. During playback, this convenient and important function gives you one-touch Zoom Playback of subjects in focus, and during both shooting and playback, it helps to achieve finer focusing.

The DMC-FZ28 lets you get as close as 1 cm to your subject. Simply press the AF Macro button to switch to Macro Mode. When the iA Mode is selected, Macro Mode is activated automatically. Ideal for taking dynamic, intricate close-ups of flowers and insects, this feature is also great for rendering artwork and handicrafts in spectacular detail and rich expression.

When either 1-area AF, 1-area High-speed AF, or Spot AF in AF mode, you can use the joystick to move the AF frame to any location you want by pressing the Focus button to activate. Along with the conventional half-pressing of the shutter button and manual focusing, this function adds to the available selections. This is extremely convenient for applying the AF at a specific point in the frame when the angle of view is fixed, for example, when using a tripod.

When you select Multi-Point AF, you can choose and set the AF area from among 6 groups. This mode also prevents the system from mistakenly focusing on the area between two subjects in a vertical or horizontal composition. It is convenient, as well, for shooting with a tripod.

The DMC-FZ28 can be preset to either Continuous AF or Quick AF.
Continuous AF automatically and continuously focuses on your subject, providing a clear, sharp focus even for moving subjects.
Quick AF starts operating as soon as the camera is pointed toward a subject, in comparison with the ordinary AF function, which is activated when the shutter button is pressed half-way.
Both Continuous AF and Quick AF dramatically reduce the shutter delay time and let you take pictures quickly. They are ideal for taking photos of children and pets, sports action, and animals in nature. And they make sure that spur-of-the-moment shots aren't out of focus or blurry, and minimize the time lag for shooting.

The AF/AE lock button lets you frame your shot freely while keeping the focus locked, or maintains the same exposure setting regardless of the subject color when taking multiple shots.

Manual functions are the key to taking highly controlled and distinctive photos. Aperture-priority Mode lets you open the aperture up wide for stunning portraits with softly focused backgrounds. Shutter-Priority Mode makes it possible to express the dynamic power of a flowing stream by slowing down the shutter speed. And Manual Exposure Mode gives you total control of special shots, allowing you to achieve a higher level of photographic beauty.

Mode detail about A/S/M Mode

The DMC-FZ28's 2-axis adjustment feature gives you a finer white balance adjustment for Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, or Halogen conditions. It can also be used when adjusting the Color Temperature Setting or White Set function. You can adjust with a reference to the horizontal axis for amber to blue and the vertical axis for green to magenta.*
The Color Temperature Setting provides more flexible, more precise adjustment than conventional white balance settings, with compensation from 2,500 K to 10,000 K in 100 K steps.

*White balance adjustment is not possible in some modes.

Select the flash synchronization you want from 1st Curtain Sync. or 2nd Curtain Sync. This is effective for capturing nightscapes with a natural flow of light.

You can get original image data, recording the image directly from the CCD without any image processing. The new SILKYPIX^® Developer Studio 3.0 SE software utility lets you develop RAW data files. For example, you can develop RAW data to create an image with the effect you were trying to capture when you took the shot. You get high-level basic image processing abilities that give you control over such things as unnatural edges from saturated color borders, false colors in structures with intricate detail, and chromatic noise in photos taken at high sensitivity settings. This utility provides a unique combination of high resolution and extraordinary color separation performance.

You can allocate frequently used functions to the Function button. Functions that normally have to be selected from a menu or switched can be assigned to this button for faster, easier operation.

A Custom Mode 2 setting has been added to the DMC-FZ28. Custom Mode 1 lets you instantly retrieve a pattern of frequently used settings. And Custom Mode 2 lets you register patterns for up to three more settings. Together, they store four sets of frequently used settings in memory, for instant recall with the mode dial.