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Panasonic DMC-FX01 6MP Compact Digital Camera with 3.6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) by Panasonic
Digital product summary informationManufacturer: Panasonic Model: DMC-FX01 Color: Black Product features: - Features a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens with a combined zoom power of 14.4x -- 3.6x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom
- Mega Optical Image Stabilization features "anti-blur" to keep photos clear and blur-free
- Mega Burst feature takes up to 8 consecutive shots
- 2.5-inch diagonal polycrystalline TFT LCD; playback mode offers 25- or 9-thumbnail displays
- Included lithium-ion battery pack provides up to 320 shots between charges
Accessories:
Digital camera reviews of Panasonic DMC-FX01 6MP Compact Digital Camera with 3.6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)Digital camera Review: A camera worth leaving Canon for! Summary: 5 Stars
I've been and remain a loyal Canon customer. Over the last five years I've probably had 8 Canon digital cameras. Today I own the Canon 30D, Canon Powershot Pro 1, and until recently, the Powershot SD550. Recently I lost my SD550 and had to decide whether to buy a new one, wait for the SD700, or go with the Lumix FX-01. At the end of the day, I couldn't be happier with the FX-01. The compact digital cameras all have a lot in common, so I'll list some of the features I like about the FX-01 that are more unique.
- First, my favorite feature on this camera is the 28mm wide angle lens. You'll be amazed at how much more you can get into a picture without having to back up or get people to cram closer together as you do on a standard 35mm lens. If you like to take pictures of yourself, not only does this camera have a special mode for that, but it also allows you to put much more of yourself in the picture from an arms length away. I'd imagine it would be hard for me to go back to a 35mm starting point on a lens now having been spoiled at 28mm. It is not a minor difference, it is a major advantage.
- I really like some of the scene modes included on this camera. There is a baby mode which allows you to set the birthdate of up to two kids (or pets), and the camera automatically notes how old they were when you took the picture (either on the file info only or on the image itself using the included software). I like to take pictures of my food when I travel, and the food mode works very well to adjust lightning for natural images. The night modes all work as advertised.
- The image stabilizer is truly a great feature. The camera has a built in demo that lets you see the stabilizer in action for yourself. Seeing as Canon's cheapest and only stabilizer camera (SD 700) is much more expensive, this is a great value. There are two different stabilizer modes.
- The multi-image features work great! I particular like the high speed feature which allows me to take 3 images per second. When taking people pictures, I often take 3-4 images in a row because inevitably someone will blink or sneer or smile funny. This way, one of the images turns out, the others get deleted, and the people never know that I took multiple shots.
- There is also a great auto-exposure bracket feature which allows you to take 3 simultaneous shots, at the target exposure, and over and under in pre-set increments. I often use this feature on scenics and landscapes, then later on my computer I choose the best image. Memory is cheap, and this way my likelyhood of getting an image I'm happy with increases greatly.
- There is a feature that allows you to reduce the file size of an image directly in the camera! Have you ever filled up a memory card on a trip, and wanted to clear some space? I always shoot at the highest megapixel count, figuring I can reduce the image later. Now, I can do it right in the camera and either overwrite the original image (freeing up space), or creating an additional image file that is smaller. There is also a similar feature for cropping images directly in the camera!
-There is a 'favorites' button that allows you to easily tag images that you like best. Later, you can sort by favorites, or do a slideshow showing only favorites, or delete all images except favorites, etc.
Other great features: The camera looks great, it gets a lot of comments! It is small enough to put in your front jeans pocket or a shirt pocket. The battery life seems good enough for a full day of people pictures. There is a high-angle mode that changes the field of view on the viewfinder when holding the camera high over your head (for crowd shots, etc).
Some features I don't like as much: The battery door is flimsy (the rest of the camera seems to have a solid build quality). The display screen juts out from the camera, so you need to be very careful about not scratching it (i.e., even resting it on a table could scratch it), or put a screen protector on it. You cannot delete an image immediately after taking it, like you can on the Canon cameras. You need to review it, then press a button or two to complete the delete. It is sometimes easy to hit the multi-exposure button instead of the delete button.
The camera has a ton of features on it that are very unique. If you're the type who would read the manual and get into the extra features, you'll love how innovative this camera is. If you just want to point and shoot, there is a 'simple mode' that allows that also. I've been happy overall with the quality of my images. My number of perfect prints was higher out of the box with the Canon, but after learning how to use this camera better, my 'good shot' ratio has shot up tremendously. Now I feel like I'd be giving up a lot to go back to a Canon SD camera right now, most notably I'd be missing the wide angle lens and the multi-image features. I won't be missing the few extra hundred dollars I'd have to spend on the Canon SD 700 either.
This camera turns heads, takes great shots, is small, and has many unique features. I'll stick with Canon for my pro-sumer and digital SLRs, but I'm giving the Lumix FX-01 the nod for my everyday point and shoot.
Summary of Panasonic DMC-FX01 6MP Compact Digital Camera with 3.6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens on the DMC-FX01 employs an extra high refractive index aspherical lens that makes it possible to incorporate a wide 28mm zoom into its compact body. Spanning all the way from 28mm to 102mm (35mm equivalent), this lens lets you capture everything from sweeping landscapes to shots with deep rows of skyscrapers. Compared with conventional 35mm lens, the DMC-FX01's wide 28mm zoom lens makes it easier to capture an indoor group photo or architectures and sceneries with dynamic width and rich perspective. With its 2.5 inch diagonal size and 207,000 pixels, the high-resolution LCD monitor makes it easy to see text and small thumbnail images. The pixel mixed readout method performed by the CCD increases the brightness level of the live image on the LCD, which greatly facilitates shooting in low lighting. The world's first developed High Angle shooting function also provides easier viewing when you're holding the camera high to shoot over the heads of people in front of you. Thanks to the energy-saving Venus Engine Plus and a long-lasting battery, the slim DMC-FX01 lets you take shot after shot without running out of power. It takes up to 320 shots on a single battery charge. The DMC-FX01 starts up in just 1.6 seconds, has a release time lag as low as 0.005 seconds and can fire off up to 8 consecutive shots at 3 frames per second in Standard mode. It also has Unlimited Consecutive Shooting, so you can keep shooting until the SD Memory Card is full. Furthermore, the 1-point high-speed AF achieves outstanding focusing with speed and precision. Self Timer - 10 seconds, 2 seconds Image Sensor - 1/2.5 inch CCD Scene Mode - Portrait, Sports, Food, Scenery, Night Scenery, Night Portrait, Baby, Soft Skin, Fireworks, Party, Snow, Self-portrait Shutter Speed - 8 - 1/2,000 seconds Power Supply - Lithium-ion Battery Pack (3.7V, 1150 mAh) Battery Life - Up to 320 pictures (CIPA Standard) The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01K 6MP Compact Digital Camera with 3.6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom features a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens that deliver outstanding, crisp six megapixel images. With a combined zoom power of 14.4x -- 3.6x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom -- and a burst shooting mode that allows you to take up to 8 images at 2 frames per second, the Lumix DMC-FX01K offers professional quality features and performance. An auto-focus system, built-in flash mode and automatic red-eye reduction takes the guess-work out of your photography. Shutter speeds range from 1/2000 per second to 8 seconds, with a special "starry sky mode" that allows you to keep the shutter open in increments of 15 seconds up to 60 seconds. A 2.5-inch diagonal polycrystalline TFT LCD makes viewing your shots easy in all lighting conditions, and the camera offers 25- or 9-thumbnail display playback mode. A slot is included for secure digital (SD) cards. The camera runs on an included lithium-ion battery pack, which provides up to 320 shots between charges. What's in the Box DMC-FX01K digital camera, battery charger, battery pack, battery carrying case, SD memory card (16 MB), AV cable, USB cable, and strap.
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