Product 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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31930 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: DMC-FX100K
• Released on: 2007-08-15
• Dimensions: .96" h x 2.13" w x 3.80" l, .33 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• The 3.6x optical zoom ratio can be extended up to 7x in 3-megapixel resolution mode with minimal deterioration thanks to the Extra Optical Zoom. The FX100 has an Easy Zoom feature that, at the touch of a button, shifts the lens instantly to full 3.6x zoom power. A second touch of the button activates the Extra Optical Zoom function and extends zoom all the way to 7x
• 16 - 9 wide high-definition motion images (1280x720 pixels at 15 fps) - We recommend purchasing a 4GB SD Memory Card for video usage
• Enhanced High-Sensitivity mode up to ISO 6400 with flash from up to 16m away
• Category Playback sorts images into categories such as portraits, landscapes, nightscapes and events
• Quick settings without taking your eyes off the subject

Manufacturer Description
Manufacturer Description The compact Lumix DMC-FX100 is the world’s first camera to feature 12.2-megapixel resolution with a 28mm wide-angle lens. In addition, the DMC-FX100 delivers 3.6x optical zoom, f/2.8 brightness, a 1/1.72-inch CCD and Intelligent Image Stabilization with Mega O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO Control. It's equipped with a 2.5-inch LCD screen, and a slim, lightweight design makes it extremely portable and stylish.

Furthering Panasonic’s commitment to "Living in High Definition," the DMC-FX100 can also record 1920 x 1080 high-definition still pictures and 1280 x 720 at 15 frames per second motion pictures, both perfect for viewing on 16:9 plasma HDTVs.

Lumix FX100K Highlights

Bright f2.8, 28mm wide-angle Leica lens and 12.2-megapixel CCD An advanced 28mm wide-angle, 3.6x optical zoom Leica DC lens system featuring four aspherical lenses (including an EA lens) with five aspherical surfaces. A large 1/1.72-inch CCD with an effective 12.2 megapixels -- the highest resolution in its class. These features add up to make the FX100 a superior camera with extraordinary expressive power. The FX100 also features an Extended Optical Zoom, which extends zooming to as high as 7x. And zooming is super easy: just press the Easy Zoom button and the FX100 jumps instantly from 1x to 3.6x to 7.0x.

Intelligent ISO Control in action

Intelligent ISO Control prevents motion blur Intelligent ISO Control makes it easier to take clear, crisp shots even if your subject moves. Offered in the FX100, this innovative feature detects any movement and automatically raises both the ISO setting and the shutter speed accordingly, preventing motion blur. If the subject is still, the camera shoots at a low ISO setting and you get beautiful, natural-looking images.

Prevent hand-shake blur with Mega O.I.S. Hand-shake is a problem with most small cameras, but not with the FX100. Mega Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) automatically compensates for hand-shake. You get clear, beautiful shots even when shooting in dim lighting, shooting macro close-ups, or taking self-portraits.

Consecutive shooting at 8 frames per second Mega Burst shooting lets you take consecutive shots at a swift two shots per second. The new Hi-Speed Burst Mode goes a step further, letting you snap off consecutive shots at a lightening-fast eight shots per second. This makes it easier to catch the perfect action shot of a fast-moving subject.

Capture up to 8 frames per second

Additional Features

• 20 scene modes including the enhanced High-Sensitivity mode up to ISO 6400 with flash from up to 16m away
• 16:9 wide high-definition motion images (1280 x 720 pixels at 15 f.p.s.)
• Category Playback sorts images into categories such as portraits, landscapes, nightscapes and events
• Quick settings without taking your eyes off the subject
• Up to 320 shots on a single battery charge

Customer Reviews

Great Point and Shoot -- with caveat...
This is a terrific little point and shoot (and I do mean little) for those who want big bright photos and a camera that produces good shots out of the box.

Note that this is NOT a camera for people who want some control over their photos - there is no shutter, aperture, or manual settings modes available on this camera. The scene modes create barely recognizable differences in shots.

What the camera does is produce great shots when things are well lit, or using the flash. What the camera doesn't do is take good shots in higher ISO ranges -- The scene modes work well, but you see noticable noise even at 400 ISO in darker shots. This is not unique to this camera, but all Panasonic lumix cameras in general.

The lens is supurb - the shots clear, sharp, and color saturated. Leica rules.

I have found myself liking this camera more and more each day - but it is not a camera for someone who wants a dSLR substitute nor a bridge type camera. While I wouldn't hesitate to carry a point and shoot like the Canon G7 or the Nikon P5000 on a vacation, for example, I would be weary of carrying only this camera -- it is designed more for day to day shots than for things like travel photography.

On the other hand, if you are someone like myself who likes to take a great quality camera along to places like amusement parks, picnics, parties, out with family or the kids or friends, and want something small to throw into your pocket or purse, this camera creates wonderful photos with one simple snap of the shutter.

I recommend the camera - but only for those who want an easy point-and-shoot in the complete definition of that category -- turn it on, point it at your target, and snap away.

Get a big memory card!! A 2 GB card will net you 380 photos. Also, get an extra battery, because you won't get to that 380 before the battery dies (about 300).

Like other lumix cameras, you have the choice of different movie size settings depending on your needs.

I like. But I use either my G7 for travel, or my dSLR for serious photography. Still, in the past week, this camera has gone with me everywhere and I ma happy with the snapshots I am getting!

Finally -- this camera just looks and feels great! It is more "masculine" looking than the last few lumix cameras, with squared-off features. The Black looks great (I prefer black bodies) but it also comes in silver.
I have actually had people stop me and ask me what kind of camera I am using.

the good, the bad, and the ugly
There are compromises to be made when choosing an ultra compact camera. Based on the reviews I read here and on dpreview.com it was clear no camera was perfect. Some had too much noise, some had washed out highlights, all had some problems.

So after a lot of reading, I went with this camera because it seemed to be the best compromise. Is it? That's for you to decide and depends on your needs.

The good: the camera is very light weight and is very easy to use. I bought this to replace a dying CanonS40 - my other camera being a Canon Digital Rebel. I wanted a camera that was smaller and lighter that I could take places where I wouldn't want to have to drag around the DSLR = or the S40.

It wasn't necessary to read the manual before being able to take pictures, and I find the controls easier to figure out/use than on the Canons. You won't be able to get everything you can from the camera without reading the manual, but it's amazing how intuitive it was. Can't wait to try out the fireworks setting.

Some people complain about the lack of manual controls, but since I never bother with them on the S40, it wasn't an issue for me me.

Some of the shots I took were dead-on in terms of color and exposure and sharpness. The ones that weren't, I blame on myself for not learning to use the camera correctly yet since it's capable of being very very good. The macro mode is easy to switch to and may be the one I use the most.

As a light weight point and shoot - with a wide angle lens - the camera satisfies, but is a bit on the expensive side. I am seeing some problems, that if I thought about/and or knew about would have stopped me from buying this camera.

The bad: a minor complaint, but it is very annoying that you have to manually latch the battery/sd card cover. This was actually harder for me to figure out than getting photos. Also, it's easy to put the battery in wrong. It's not justme - it happens enough that they had to write about it in the manual (which I needed for the battery - not for taking pictures)

The ugly: it is very slow. The LCD blacks out when the picture is being taken and it seems to take a long time for the shutter to actually click after you press the button. What this means is that if there is any movement, what you were aiming at is not necessarily in the same position as it was when you *thought* you were taking the picture or even in the shot.

The other problem was mine for reading these reviews and believing them. I was also interested in the Panasonic that has 12x opitcal zoom, but I read here that with 12 megapixels, it's as good as having a bigger zoom. Since this camera weighs a lot less than the other one, I went with it.

Not true! Yes, you can crop the image down, and get incredibly close to parts of your image, but those parts are not as sharp as they would be with a more powerful optical zoom. Using unsharp mask in Photoshop helps, but because of the initial quality, artifacts appear too quickly.

Part of this may be due to the fact that there is no uncompressed format for the images. I don't think the jpeg algorithm they use is sharp enough for me. I won't buy another camera that doesn't have an uncompressed format - tiff, raw, whatever. What good are 12 megapixels, when the camera has already tossed out information? Now you may never need to get that level of detail for a shot, and you may not spend half your life in Photosop - if you don't, you'll be a lot happier with this camera than I am.

what a relief
I've got to say, very nice! I was a little worried, switching from Canon (sd900) a very great camera with a few ommisions like image stabalizer. The venus III engine is great on this Panasonic. I didn't think it would live up to the Digic III and isaps in Canons, but it does or at least very close. The real great thing about this camera is the lens, it's amazing and the wide angle is fantastic. I can't think of any real criticisms right now, I've only got a few hundred photos so far though. I also love the 12 megapixels and the extra optical zoom on this camera. When you get such a small camera with limited zoom it's really fantastic to have the really high megapixels, either for cropping later or actually being able to use the digital zoom without just ending up with a jumbled mess. It doesn't quit have the fantastic feel like the canon but it seems really high end none the less, also the black matt finish is really nice and the camera feels really good in your hand. Actually one minor complaint is that I wish the lcd display was a little higher res. Over all I'm very, very happy with this camera and am glad to have given Panasonic a shot after using Canon almost exclusively for the past 10 years. I look forward to getting more time on this little guy and if anything changes I'll be sure to update this review.