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Cameras

The Panasonic Lumix FZ47: Was 12 Megapixels Enough?

Alberto Lima
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Last updated on 11/24/2025
11/25/2025
6 Mins read
A close-up of a black Lumix FZ47 camera with a large lens and a red logo in the corner.
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When it was first announced in 2011, the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47 was considered a “fun” bridge camera that sacrificed some of the features that made its sibling, the FZ150, a premium bridge camera. Among the features sacrificed on the altar of better affordability were the lack of RAW image capture, a now nearly abandoned video standard (AVCHD), and one of its biggest flaws in 2011 – the use of a CCD sensor over the more popular CMOS sensors. Nearly 15 years later, do these flaws still hinder this camera, or should it be on the watchlist of every digital camera enthusiast today?

How Does the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47 Stack Up to Today’s Technology?

View of apartment buildings and trees at dusk with cloudy sky in an urban neighborhood.A metal weather vane with direction markers stands against a cloudy gray sky.
Sample images showing of the LUMIX FZ47’s optical zoom range: the image on the left is an image taken at 25mm equivalent. The image on the right is taken at 600mm equivalent from the same spot and of the same subject.

While there are clear limitations in comparing a camera released 15 years prior, the LUMIX FZ47 sounds like a very capable camera, even by today’s standards. For starters, if you’re looking for a camera that can do it all, the FZ47’s 25mm to 600mm full-frame equivalent zoom range is absolutely bonkers. At the wide end, you’re treated with a fast f2.8 maximum aperture, which goes down to a respectable f5.2 at 600mm. The camera also has a native ISO range of ISO 100-ISO 1600; there are options to push that further to a maximum of ISO 6400, but things begin to look muddy beyond ISO 800.

A black Lumix digital camera with a 24x zoom lens mounted on a tripod.
The LUMIX FZ47 features a 24x optical zoom, which gives you a 25mm to 600mm lens in 35 mm equivalent.

In terms of shooting options, the Panasonic FZ47 has everything you could expect from most modern cameras – a proper PASM dial, a dedicated Movie mode, a custom mode, a “manual” Scene mode, and your traditional point-and-shoot scene modes, which include Portrait, Low-Light, Sports, Landscape, etc. That’s right, dear reader, while this camera doesn’t allow you to capture RAW files, you do get to manually dial in your exposure settings. Given that we’re limited to JPEGs, I’m pleased to report that the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47 features multiple color profiles that effectively utilize the CCD sensor it comes with. For the most part, I prefer using either the Natural or Monochrome profile, the latter of which is a great workaround in low-light conditions.

A close-up of a Lumix digital camera with a CH-77 microphone attached, resting on a tripod.
Although marketed towards casual shooters, the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47 features full manual controls, a comfortable grip, and even an EVF.

If there are two things I hate about this camera, they are the crappy rear LCD monitor and the nigh-useless EVF. While on paper, the addition of an EVF to this camera is not only in line with what we think of a bridge camera, in practice, its tiny size and sluggish refresh rate will keep you using the rear LCD as the primary way to frame, focus, and review. The screen itself is tiny by today’s standards, and it definitely struggles when out in bright, sunny conditions. Here is another potential area where it is evident that some liberties were taken with components as a cost-cutting measure, and it will pale in comparison to anything produced in the last five years.

The LUMIX FZ 47 Experience

Make no mistake, this was a camera aimed at the casual shooter, and, as noted above, its feature set reflects that. But just because it’s not a “pro” camera doesn’t mean it isn’t a ton of fun. I bought the LUMIX FZ47 as a gift for my wife back in 2012. It was still relatively new, and she was looking for a camera that was easy to use and throw into her carry-on bag when she traveled for work (she did a lot of traveling in those days, and photography was a way we’d reconnect when she’d return), the FZ47 met and exceeded much of what she was looking for in a camera then and continues to do so now. It’s a camera that she adores for the images that she’s able to get.

A digital camera on a tripod displays a nature photo on its screen.
While the LCD and tiny EVF may be nothing to write home about these days, it’s easily overlooked when you realize this is a camera that’s nearly old enough to drive.

From an ergonomics perspective, the camera is extremely lightweight and easy to handle. Panasonic has built a sturdy grip into the camera, making it easy and comfortable to hold and operate, even for extended periods of time. While I love my Sony T200 and its compact design, one of the biggest issues I’ve had with it is how uncomfortable it can be to use the camera for extended periods. You’ll never have this issue with the Panasonic FZ47.

Image Quality – These are a Vibe

Black and white photo of a tree-lined sidewalk with benches, cars, and a red circular logo in the corner.
An edited sample image taken with the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.

As I’ve already mentioned, shooting with the LUMIX FZ47 is a delight – even for those all-day marathon shoots – but the images this camera can shoot are a VIBE. One of the reasons digicams have gained such popularity among photographers is the quality of the images they produce, and that retro-digital look is evident in the images produced by the FZ47. If you can embrace the limitations of cameras of this era, specifically their low-light performance, you can produce some beautiful images. In 2011, the camera’s CCD sensor was considered a shortcoming; in 2025, I’m considering buying two more in case this one ever conks out.

Here are some images straight out of the camera:

A small house with ornate white wrought-iron balconies between taller brick buildings, cars parked in front.
Unedited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
A skeleton with reindeer antlers sits on steps decorated with pumpkins and Halloween props.
Unedited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
Two SanDisk 128GB SD cards on top of an orange and silver LaCie external hard drive.
Unedited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
Close-up of two SanDisk 128GB SD cards on a silver LaCie hard drive with an orange bumper.
Unedited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
A sandwich with lettuce and meat, served with thick potato chips on a plate.
Unedited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
A tall tree with yellowing leaves stands between houses on a sunny street corner.
Unedited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
A green mailbox and stop sign at a sunny urban street intersection with houses and a tree in the background.
Unedited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
A white Honda SUV parked in front of a garage with graffiti on its door, surrounded by trees and buildings.
Unedited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
Tall, fluffy grass grows in front of a light blue house with a window and staircase railing visible.
Sample image taken with the LUMIX FZ47 straight out of camera.
Tall evergreen tree beside a brick building under a clear blue sky.
An unedited sample image taken with the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47

These images have been edited:

Cluster of vibrant pink chrysanthemum flowers in bloom against a blurred light background.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
Skeleton with a headband of horns sits on steps beside pumpkins and a basket, decorated for Halloween.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
A white SUV parked in front of a building with ornate white iron balconies and a small tree by the stairs.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
Three small orange pumpkins with brown stems on a weathered wooden surface.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
Three small orange pumpkins with brown stems on a rustic wooden surface.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
Cluster of vibrant pink flowers blooming beside a walkway, with dense green foliage.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
A ground covered with dry, colorful autumn leaves in shades of yellow, brown, and orange.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
View of apartment buildings and trees at dusk with cloudy sky in an urban neighborhood.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
A brick building with a cupola and weather vane against a cloudy sky, with tree branches in front.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
Cupola with a weather vane on a building roof against a cloudy sky, with tree branches in the foreground.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
A weather vane on top of an old building’s dome roof against a cloudy sky.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
A metal weather vane on top of a pointed roof against a cloudy sky.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
A metal weather vane with direction markers stands against a cloudy gray sky.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
A weather vane with a heart-shaped arrow on top of a pointed roof against a cloudy sky.
An edited sample image from the Panasonic LUMIX FZ47.
Black-and-white photo of a brick building entrance with a sign reading SCORE Spaces, 247 Franklin Ave.
Black and white photo of a tree-lined sidewalk with benches, cars, and a red circular logo in the corner.
Exterior of a building with fire escapes and colorful graffiti covering the walls at street level.

Becoming a 4K Photographer

Tall, fluffy grass grows in front of a light blue house with a window and staircase railing visible.
Sample image taken with the LUMIX FZ47 straight out of camera.

Recently, I came across a rather silly discourse on Threads – people were searching for “4k Photographers.” Today’s silly social media speak harkens to the ignorance of the megapixel wars – a time when megapixels were the measure of what made a “good” camera. The Panasonic LUMIX FZ47’s 1/ 2.33-inch sensor is capable of producing 4000×3000 images, well above the 3840×2160 resolution that makes up the 4K UHD standard. I began reviewing this camera with a simple question: “Was 12 megapixels enough?” If you’re interested in printing your images, the FZ47 can easily print 36×24-inch wall art (like the image that hangs over my couch). I’d say 12 megapixels is enough.

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