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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100 (silver)

Manufacturer: Panasonic Part number: DMC-FX100S

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$200.96 - $386.99 at 5 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
3.5 stars Very good
Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 4 reviews

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Product series; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: If you absolutely must have a 12-megapixel compact camera, the DMC-FX100 isn't a bad choice, but you can find better performing cameras with lower pixel counts for the same money.
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CNET editors' review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100 (silver)

price range: $200.96 - $386.99

Reviewed by: Philip Ryan
Reviewed on: 07/12/2007

The good: Wide-angle 3.6x optical zoom lens; Intelligent ISO mode; optical image stabilization.

The bad: Noisy images above ISO 400; sluggish shot-to-shot and startup-to-first-shot times.

The bottom line: If you absolutely must have a 12-megapixel compact camera, the DMC-FX100 isn't a bad choice, but you can find better performing cameras with lower pixel counts for the same money.

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Superslim cameras, such as Casio's Exilim EX-Z75 or Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T20 get a lot of attention on morning TV shows and in slick print magazines, but some people find their ultracompact bodies difficult to use. For those people, a camera with a bit more to hold on to makes more sense. Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX100 is a perfect example. It also happens to be their entry into this year's 12-megapixel compact camera derby, joining the likes of Sony's Cyber-shot DMC-W200 and Casio's Exilim EX-Z1200. This Panasonic distinguishes itself from those other two by including a zoom lens with a wider wide-angle setting--28mm (equivalent) instead of 36mm or 37mm. While it doesn't look as impressive as a larger telephoto zoom number, it'll be more useful when you're out shooting with your back to the wall.

Panasonic follows the if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it logic by keeping the body design essentially the same as that of their other FX-series cameras. The 3.6x optical, 28mm-to-100mm (equivalent), f/2.8-to-f/5.6 zoom lens extends from the front of the body when you turn the camera on and the zoom control takes the form of a ring around the shutter button with a nub on front that you can operate with your forefinger. The mode dial is built into the upper-right corner of the camera back, putting it out of the way but still convenient to use. Five small buttons, located to the right of the 2.5-inch, 207,000-pixel LCD on the camera back, double as menu controls and quick controls for functions including exposure compensation (plus or minus 2EV in one-third-stop steps), self-timer, flash, and review (in case you don't want to switch to full-on playback mode on the mode dial). Below these buttons are two small, round buttons for display controls and function/trash. The only other hard controls are the on/off slider and E.Zoom button, both on the camera top. This last one brings you to the far end of the optical zoom with the first press, adds digital zoom to bring you to a 7x zoom on the second press, and back to the widest angle on the third press. Of course, if you start at the far end of the zoom, then the first press will bring you to the 7x (with digital) zoom, and so on. Be careful though, since this button will cycle through the digital zoom even if you have it turned off in the menus.

Like a lot of compact cameras, the FX100 doesn't have manual exposure controls, though it does include 20 preset scene modes to help you deal with tough--or just plain unusual--shooting conditions. A pair of features helps you deal with blur. Panasonic's Mega OIS lens-shift stabilization helps combat hand shake, while Intelligent ISO control--a separate shooting mode available on the mode dial--analyzes motion in your subject and automatically raises the ISO to a limit you select in the menu to help prevent blur caused by a fast-moving subject. This can come in handy if you don't want to manually set ISO to boost your shutter speed; the camera will keep the ISO as low as possible if your subject is still, thereby minimizing noise in your images when the lighting is suboptimal. Like past FX models, you can also choose from 4:3, 3:2, or 16:9 aspect ratios in case you prefer to view your images on a TV or a digital photo frame instead of making prints. You can also select 4:3 or 16:9 ratios when capturing movies, though you're limited to 15 frames per second if you opt for 1,280x720-pixel video.

The DMC-FX100 showed good shutter lag times but was otherwise no more than average in our lab-based performance tests. The camera took a slightly sluggish 2.4 seconds to start up and capture its first JPG image. Subsequent JPGs took 2.3 seconds between shots with the flash turned off, slowing a bit further to 2.9 seconds with the flash on. Shutter lag measured 0.6 second in our high-contrast test and 1.1 seconds under low-contrast conditions, which mimic bright and dim shooting conditions, respectfully. At 12 megapixels, the burst mode clocked an average of 1.3 frames per second, but rose to 4.4fps when we lowered the pixel resolution to VGA.

Image quality is generally good, with sharp images, accurate-looking colors, a healthy amount of shadow detail, and consistently accurate white balance and exposures. However, noise remains one of Panasonic's weakest points. Even at the camera's lowest sensitivity setting of ISO 80, I saw noise in our test images. The noise is minimized in prints but is readily noticeable when viewing images at full size on computer monitors. The noise is less obvious on subjects with texture, such as the plush ape in our test scene, but creates a mottled look on dark-colored smooth surfaces, such as the navy-blue toy car in the same scene. Panasonic's noise-reduction algorithms manage to keep noise under control through ISO 200 with only very slight falloffs in sharpness and shadow detail. At ISO 400, noise bumps up, colors start to wash out, and shadow detail begins to decline, but images are definitely still usable. At ISO 800, conditions worsen as both sharpness and shadow detail deteriorate, though you'll likely still be able to get pleasing 4x6-inch prints. At both ISO 1,250 and ISO 1,600, noise becomes very heavy and sharpness and shadow detail take a nose dive. I suggest staying below ISO 800 whenever possible and below ISO 1,250 altogether. That said, Panasonic is doing a much better job at combating noise than it did even a couple of years ago. Given that this is a 12-megapixel compact camera, I was surprised at the results it produced.

Considering the usefulness of the 28mm wide-angle lens, the convenience of the Intelligent ISO mode, and the FX100's impressive white balance and metering, this camera is a good choice if you feel you absolutely must have a 12-megapixel compact camera. However, you probably don't need so many pixels. If you don't plan on cropping heavily or making extremely large prints, you'd be better served going for a camera with a lower megapixel count and better noise results, such as the Canon PowerShot SD850 IS or if you don't mind ultracompacts, Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T100, both of which cost around the same price as this Panasonic.

Shooting speed (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)

Typical shot-to-shot time

Time to first shot

Shutter lag (typical)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100

1.4

1.1

0.4

Canon PowerShot SD850 IS

1.7

1.2

0.5

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W200

2.2

1.6

0.5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100

2.3

2.4

0.6

Typical continuous-shooting speed (in frames per second)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100

2.3

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W200

Canon PowerShot SD850 IS

1.4

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100

1.3

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 4 reviews
My rating: 0 stars

Showing opinion 1 to 4 out of 4

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9 stars

Great pictures

by Landcruisers on August 18, 2007

Pros: great pics, very clear LCD monitor, Easy for everybody to use, full zoom in one button press, Intelligent ISO sensitivity mode, well built, and many more

Cons: still did not find any yet.

Summary: Nice camera and would suggest it to any body who want an easy to use and carry camera with 12.2MP which the highest in its catagory.
I am very
...

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Summary: Nice camera and would suggest it to any body who want an easy to use and carry camera with 12.2MP which the highest in its catagory.
I am very glad that I bought this camera.

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2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 stars

perfect for size and class

by grazvi on April 3, 2008

Pros: gorgeous pictures on nihgt scenary...

Cons: a bit slow operaiting..but it is not DLR...

Summary: realy great pictures..in samo review you can read that on hi iso a lot of distortions..but you can set the noise reduction higher..on other cameras it is ...

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Summary: realy great pictures..in samo review you can read that on hi iso a lot of distortions..but you can set the noise reduction higher..on other cameras it is made automaticali...but thenen the pictures a not so scharp(only if your looking a very careful)
And the night scenary to make pictures inside for examples at partys or so.. its makes sach a nice and true colors.. but you my need a mini tripod..because then it makes at lowest ISO - sau the exposure is offten long... it is a good choice!!!!
i have it for a halg year.. It's good!

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1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 stars

Great images at lower ISO

by rowdycheese on July 13, 2007

Pros: 28 mm wide angle; High burst speed at 2 MP

Cons: Noise (especially above ISO 400)

Summary: Generally, I agree with the CNET review and, having just bought my camera a week ago, I don't have much to add. However, I would like to point out ...

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Summary: Generally, I agree with the CNET review and, having just bought my camera a week ago, I don't have much to add. However, I would like to point out that the FX100 is capable of MUCH higher burst speeds than the review acknowledges.

For example, at 2-megapixel resolution (1600x1200) in "Hi-Speed Burst" mode, I consistently obtained a rate of 8-9 fps. At full 12-megapixel resolution (4000x3000) in fine mode, I obtained a rate of no less than 2 fps.

I achieved these numbers with a 60X 2GB SD card made by PQI (brisk but far from top of the line). If Mr. Ryan has time to reply, it'd be interesting to know how CNET obtained its numbers.

Suggestions for those who are experiencing sub-optimal burst speeds:
1. Make sure your SD card is fast enough (Panasonic recommends speeds of at least 10 MB/s)
2. Format your SD card
3. Make sure the ambient lighting is bright enough for sufficiently quick exposures
4. Make sure your camera is in high-speed burst mode (for 8 fps)

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the FX100. The 28 mm wide angle can be convenient for architecture and indoor shots as well as quick self-portraits while on vacation. Battery life has been excellent. However, if you don't need a wide angle lens or high burst speed, other cameras with less noise or higher optical zoom might better suit your needs.

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1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 stars

One of the Best P&S cams available

by james-norman on August 30, 2008

Pros: Easily pocketable, large sensor, 28-105mm equiv, 848x480 (16:9) video at 30fps. Under daylight conditions, FX100 images are comparable to my Nikon D200. Makes perfectly sharp prints at 13x19". I have even done commercial work with this camera.

Cons: HD video (720p) at only 15fps (though the newer FX150 ups this to 24fps). no RAW capability, no real manual controls.

Summary: Having such a wonderfully compact camera that i can slip into my pocket, yet still be able to take commercial quality image files, has been a very liberating experience for ...

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Summary: Having such a wonderfully compact camera that i can slip into my pocket, yet still be able to take commercial quality image files, has been a very liberating experience for me. I spent my career shooting a 4x5 for the Library of Congress, and I have very high standards. This is a great camera and a great purchase.

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Showing opinion 1 to 4 out of 4

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Part number: DMC-FX100S
Description: The DMC-FX100 ushers in a new world of photographic quality by capturing high-resolution, distortion-free images with the new 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC lens, and sending that rich picture information to the large, 1/1.72" 12.2-megapixel CCD. This new camera renders every image - from the natural scenery and delicate flower petals you encounter while traveling, to the glistening eyes and lustrous hair of your loved ones - in glamorous, exquisite detail. The rich gradation of 12.2-megapixel resolution has become possible for the first time in a compact model to further expand the enjoyment of shooting photos.

General
Product Type Digital camera - Compact
Color Silver
Weight 5.2 oz
Width 3.8 in
Depth 1 in
Height 2.1 in
Main Features
Resolution 12 megapixels
Image stabilizer feature Optical stabilization helps prevent blurry pictures, especially for handheld cameras at slow shutter speeds or when using high optical zoom.
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels
Optical Sensor Type CCD
Effective Sensor Resolution 12,190,000 pixels
Total Pixels 12,400,000 pixels
Optical Sensor Size 1/1.72 in
Light Sensitivity ISO 6400, ISO 200, ISO 800, ISO auto, ISO 400, ISO 80, ISO 1250, ISO 1600, ISO 100
Digital Zoom 4 x
Shooting Modes Frame movie mode
Shooting Programs Baby2, Candle, Starry sky, Night portrait, Self-portrait, Aerial photo, Sports mode, Snow, Soft skin, Pet, Fireworks, High sensitivity, Party/indoor, Sunset, Food, Beach, Portrait mode, Baby1, Scenery, Night scene
Special effects Warm, Black & White, Sepia, Cool
Max Shutter Speed 1/2000 sec
Min Shutter Speed 60 sec
Exposure Metering Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure Modes Automatic, Program
Exposure Compensation ?2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
Auto Exposure Bracketing 3 steps in 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps
White Balance Custom, Automatic, Presets
White Balance Presets Shade, Halogen, Cloudy, Daylight
Digital video format QuickTime
Still Image Format JPEG
Continuous Shooting Speed 2 frames per second
Color support Color
Image Stabilizer Optical
TV Tuner None
Video Capture QuickTime - 1280 x 720, QuickTime - 640 x 480, QuickTime - 320 x 240, QuickTime - 848 x 480
Memory / Storage
Flash Memory 27 MB Flash - Integrated (soldered memory - 27 MB )
Image Storage JPEG 2560 x 1440, JPEG 640 x 480, JPEG 4000 x 2672, JPEG 1920 x 1080, JPEG 2048 x 1360, JPEG 2560 x 1712, JPEG 3264 x 2448, JPEG 4000 x 2248, JPEG 3264 x 1840, JPEG 3264 x 2176, Fine, JPEG 2560 x 1920, Standard JPEG 4000 x 3000, JPEG 2048 x 1536, JPEG 1600 x 1200
Flash memory 27 MB - Integrated
Memory soldered size 27 MB
Supported Flash Memory MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card
Lens System
Type Zoom lens - 6 mm - 21.4 mm - F/2.8-5.6
Focal Length 6 mm - 21.4 mm
Lens Construction 6 group(s) / 7 element(s)
Lens Manufacturer Leica
Additional Features
Self Timer Yes
Self Timer Delay 10 sec, 2 sec
Additional Features Cropping an image, Display brightness control, DPOF support, Audio recording, PictBridge support, 16:9 widescreen mode, RGB primary color filter, Digital noise reduction, Built-in speaker, Resizing an image, Direct print, Saturation control, Contrast control, Sharpness control, Digital image rotation, Backlight compensation, Camera orientation detection, Auto power save, Date/time stamp, Histogram display
Camera Flash
Effective Flash Range 1 ft - 16.4 ft
Type Built-in flash
Flash Modes Flash OFF mode, Fill-in mode, Slow synchro, Auto mode, Red-eye reduction
Red Eye Reduction Yes
Effective flash range 1 ft - 16.4 ft
Features AF illuminator
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type None
Display
Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.5 in - Color
Mounting Built-in
Resolution 207,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
Type None

Microphone
Type Microphone - Built-in
Connections
Connector Type 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x USB, 1 x DC power input
Expansion Slot(s) 1 x SD Memory Card
Lens Systems
Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
Type Zoom lens
Focal length 6 mm - 21.4 mm
Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 28 - 100 mm
Focus adjustment Automatic
Auto Focus Points (Zones) 9
Min Focus Range 19.7 in
Macro Focus Range 5cm
Lens Aperture F/2.8-5.6
Optical Zoom 3.6 x
Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
Lens construction 6 : 7
Features Aspherical lens, Built-in lens shield
Miscellaneous
Cables Included 1, 1 x USB cable, 1 x A/V cable
Included Accessories Battery case, Strap
Power
Power Device Battery charger - External

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100 (silver)

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Specifications

General

Main Features

Memory / Storage

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Additional Features

Camera Flash

Viewfinder

Display

Digital Player (Recorder)

Microphone

Connections

Lens Systems

Miscellaneous

Power