We test the FZ30 for image noise in both daytime and nighttime tests.
The FZ30 is a very handy camera with its nice feel in the hand and a good range of focal lengths in one, handy package.
The following tests were made tripod mounted and with no image processing applied. The RAW files are available for those who wish to examine the images themselves.
Daytime noise tests
80ISO
100ISO
200ISO
400ISO
You can see the unprocessed images are quite soft. Noise is quite well controlled through to 200ISO but is noticable at 400ISO.
Nighttime noise tests (8 seconds exposure)
80ISO
100ISO
200ISO
400ISO
As you can see, noise builds up quickly in these longer exposures and even the 80ISO image has more noise than one would want at such an ISO setting.
My conclusion is that the FZ30 is not a particularly low noise camera. However, it is very useable and certainly takes wonderful shots. Just it is probably not the best camera to work with at high ISO and long exposures.