Reviewing Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX12
Digital Camera Lumix Panasonic ReviewLooking for a nice camera to give it a gift this Christmas season you might want to consider the 7.2-Megapixel Panasonic DMC-FX12 or its little brother the 6.0-Megapixel DMC-FX10. Due to some internal tricks it’s able to fit an optical three times zoom (equals 35-105mm on a 35mm film camera) in a compact frame measuring approximately 94.1 x 51.4 x 24.2 mm ( 3.70 x 2.02 x 0.95 inch). Like many newer Lumix cameras these feature Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), an optical image stabilisation system that reduces blurring by compensating for any movement or shaking in the hands which is the leading cause of blurry images. The Panasonic DMC-FX12 also features Panasonic’s Intelligent ISO Control to help compensate for movement in the subject itself. With so many features there are some things the camera had to do without, one of which was an optical viewfinder. You’ll have to look at the LCD and in those cases where you’re not able to look at it directly there is a High Angle mode which brightens the LCD screen making it more easily viewable from an angle as in overhead shots.
As for the speed its shutter lag has been reduced to a nice 0.005 seconds and you can take a photo from start to finish in around 1.5 seconds. Continues the shooting mode operates at 1.5 frames per second.
Basically the FX12, for the price, comes with some great features that will help you take better photos. The camera itself is stylish, pocket-friendly, and feels well-built despite being plastic. It retails for $199 plus some Internet sites are selling it for as low as $169 right now. It’s a good camera at that price.
Add comment November 19th, 2007
‘The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 continues to be a best value for money and one of my very favourite. In a compact, light and solidly built body, it includes all the features desirable in a digital camera and throws in a couple that are hard to find in many other digital cameras: an effective image stabilization (the real type) and an accurate High Speed AF. All of this wrapped in an interface that is intuitive to use. If you are in the market for an ultra zoom, you definitely owe it to yourself to try the Panasonic FZ18 before finalizing your decision. It is an impressive digital camera and easily the ultra zoom that sets the standard for the others to follow.’
“Finally we come to image quality, and here I’m afraid there is some bad news. Given all the fantastic features and performance, why on Earth has Panasonic chosen to cripple the FZ18 with a 1/2.5-in sensor, the size more commonly found in cheap 3x zoom compacts? The pity is that the lens is far and away the best that I’ve seen on a super-zoom camera, producing razor-sharp corner-to-corner detail and a total absence of distortion even at the 28mm end. It’s the first wide-angle compact lens I’ve seen that produces perfectly straight parallels in my test shots. The Venus Engine III is a big improvement over earlier versions, producing fantastic colour and tone, but it is labouring against the odds ..
“I really liked the the super compact and lightweight FZ8. This snappy little digicam provides an SLR-like level of photographic control and creative flexibility, but without the bulky bag of lenses that would be needed to cover the same (36mm – 432mm) focal length range with a dSLR. … Some potential purchasers may be put off by the FZ8’s slightly above average noise levels and Panasonic’s failure to include a hot shoe. Image noise, blotching/smearing, and purple fringing are (to a lesser or greater degree) present in all digital images and serious outdoor shooters rarely use flash for anything more than fill lighting. Overall, I believe the FZ8 may be the best choice (at this point in time) for those looking to move up to a megazoom digicam.”
Our main gripe is battery life. It will take some 250 shots without OIS turned on, but you must use it judiciously as, on heavy usage days, the small battery frequently ran out well shy of this figure. But these are foibles you can live with. It takes great pictures, and while it’s bulkier than an IXUS 65 the superior lens, magnification and image stabiliser make it a great alternative.” 
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