Panasonic Lumix DMC FX100: Review

Posted to Digital Cameras 2009-05-13

Panasonic Lumix FX100 Review:

The Panasonic Lumix FX100 offers a high-resolution, distortion free image using a 28mm wide-angle Leica DC lens. The information captured by that lens is sent to the 1/1.72" 12.2. megapixel CCD. Each image is captured with sharp and vivid detail. The 12.2 megapixel resolution has never before been offered in a compact camera and makes this camera versatile and a great addition to your camera collection.

This compact Lumix camera has a 3.6x optical zoom and a 4x digital zoom. The LCD screen is 2.5 inches. It has a minimum aperture of f/5.6 and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. The minimum focal length is 6mm and the maximum shutter speed is 1/2000 second. The focus is automatic and the image format is JPEG. This camera has a self-timer with a delay of 10 seconds or 2 seconds. It also has a frame movie mode. It also has an integrated flash, an SDHC memory card, a multimedia card, and a secure digital card. Weighing 5.2 ounces, this camera comes with a strap and a battery case.

Rating:

4.6 out of 5

Quality

Panasonic's Lumix FX-100 is a powerful camera in a small, easy to carry and easy to use package. The 12.2 megapixel resolution creates crisp, appropriately exposed pictures each and every time. The image stabilization offered is solid, and the wide-angle lens adds versatility to this solid camera. The image quality is solid, as well as the color quality. The flash quality is also very good.

Features

Many features are offered on this camera and this makes it comparable to many other compact digital cameras in this price range. It should be noted that this camera does not offer any manual controls. For serious photographers, this could be an issue. It should also be noted that the automatic mode on this camera gets it right almost all the time so there seems to be little reason to second guess the settings chosen by the camera. 5

Ergonomics

The camera's controls and menus are very well designed and thought. Everything you want or need seems to be only one or two clicks away from where you are. The body of the camera feels solid in your hand. The battery life on this camera is middle of the road, but the compact battery charger is a plus for photographers who will be taking this camera with them on the road or on vacations.

Summary

The Panasonic Lumix FX100 is a solid camera with many features. The 12.2 megapixel sensor creates excellent images again and again. This compact camera is a great addition to your camera collection and one you should consider taking on every vacation to capture a variety of images. The wide-angle lens enables it to capture landscapes beautifully, and it also performs well on portraits and action shots. It's a versatile camera and a strong contender.

Pros

12.2 megapixel sensor
Easy to use interface
Excellent image detail
28mm Wide angle lens

Cons

No manual controls