I have never figured out how Panasonic & Leica got such a small 2.8-35-432 lens in the FZ20. All the stand alone lenses any where close to that strength are huge. Could it be marketed as a stand alone lens for DSLR's, and if it could, why don't they?

Don

d-sr wrote: They didn't.

The actual focal range of the lens is 6mm to 72mm.

Look at the front of the lens and you'll see the actual focal length. Because the sensor is so small, you can use a much shorter actual focal length lens to get the same angle of view you'd get using a much longer focal length lens on a 35mm camera. They market the "35mm equivalent" focal length. ;-)

No. Even if someone needed a lens with a focal length running from 6mm to 72mm and Panasonic redesigned the lens to mount on a DSLR, the image circle would be too small. It's designed for a sensor about the size of your fingernail. ;-)

There are always tradeoffs, and to get the huge zoom range range you find in a compact Digital Camera, the sensors need to be much smaller compared to 35mm film, so they can use a much shorter actual focal length lens, with an image circle that's smaller, too.

Thanks JimC.

Like I said, I could never figure that out. I'm not very good at stuff like that and it just never made since to me. Your explanation cleared up the muddy waters where my brain is supposed to be,well alittle anyway.

Don