Product Description

The Lumix DMC-FX37 digital camera features a 25mm ultra wide-angle Leica DC lens, enabling you to capture almost double the viewing space at the same shooting distance as compared to 35mm cameras. The 10.1-megapixel FX37, capable of High Definition video recording, also includes a powerful 5x optical zoom while maintaining a sleek, ultra-compact body and expands Intelligent Auto Mode (iA), Panasonics system of intuitive technologies that help you capture better photos.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9985 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Blue
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: DMC-FX37 Blue
• Dimensions: 3.72" h x .88" w x 2.03" l, .35 pounds
• Memory: 50MB
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 10-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
• 5x wide-angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized zoom lens
• Intelligent Auto Modes include new side portrait and AF tracking
• High Definition video mode
• 50 MB built-in memory; capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Amazon.com

Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX37 digital camera features a 25mm ultra wide-angle Leica DC lens, enabling users to capture almost double the viewing space at the same shooting distance as compared to 35mm cameras. The 10.1-megapixel FX37, capable of High Definition video recording, also includes a powerful 5x optical zoom while maintaining a sleek, ultra-compact body and expands Intelligent Auto Mode (iA), Panasonic’s system of intuitive technologies that help you capture better photos.

The FX37 comes with several of Panasonic’s proprietary features, including the new AF (auto focus) Tracking function, which expands the iA system. AF Tracking automatically tracks the subject in the frame by locking it into focus, making it easier to capture sharp, well-focused photos. With AF Tracking, the FX37 continually monitors the light source and automatically activates the backlight compensation function if it detects that the light source is behind the subject. AF Tracking also increases Face Detection accuracy, allowing for crisp, sharp-focused shots even if the subject’s face moves -- or turns to a profile.

When the FX37 is set to iA mode, the following technologies engage automatically; no settings need to be made:

• Intelligent Exposure -- Helps prevents photos from being under- or over-exposed by instantly analyzing the framed image and adjusting the brightness in areas that are too dark because of dim lighting, backlighting or the use of the flash. The camera will automatically adjust the brightness accordingly.
• Digital Red-eye Correction-- This feature helps to eliminate the red-eye problem that sometimes results when taking flash shots at night. Incorporated into the camera, the built-in flash emits a small preliminary flash before the main flash, detects red-eye and will digitally correct it.
• MEGA O.I.S. -- Gyrosensors detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts to compensate, helping to prevent hand-shake from creating a blurry image.
• Intelligent ISO -- Determines if the photo subject is moving and changes the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly, thus giving a blur-free photo.
• Intelligent Scene Selector -- Senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will automatically select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode. This intuitive technology helps the consumer use the most common scene modes that are built into the camera, but often go unused, without making any manual adjustments.
• Face Detection -- Detects faces in the frame (up to 15 faces), even if they are moving, and selects optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear.
• Quick AF (Auto Focus) -- Starts focus on the subject by just pointing the camera at the subject, thus minimizing the AF time.

The Lumix FX37, which includes 50 MB of internal memory, also features High Definition (HD) video recording capabilities, shooting with a resolution of 1280 x 720p at 30fps. Still photos can also be shot in a 16:9 aspect ratio for optimal viewing on an HDTV. Panasonic VIERA Plasma and LCD HDTVs also feature an integrated SD Memory Card slot, allowing users to easily view photos by simply inserting the SD Memory Card into the convenient SD Card slot built into the TV. Consumers can also enjoy watching videos in HD quality and view still images by connecting the DMC-FX37 via an optional Panasonic component cable (DMW-HDC2).

The new Venus Engine IV supports a faster response time, allowing the Lumix FX37 to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and six shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode. The shutter release time lag is as short as 0.005 second, making it easier to capture spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. The high-performance engine enables the camera to shoot up to 310 photos on a single battery charge.

Additional features of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37 include:

• Image Leveling -- When a captured image "leans" to the right or left because the camera was held at a slight angle when the photo was taken, the Image Leveling function rotates the image to straighten it and crops the unnecessary edges. No computer needed!
• Scene Modes -- The DMC-FX37 offers 25 scene modes to address the unique needs of a variety of shooting situations. The new Pin Hole and Film Grain modes add unique, film camera-like effects and ambiences. Additionally, the Transform mode trims and stretches the image to virtually transform the subject to appear slimmer or stretched wider.

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Customer Reviews

Quality camera, responsive, great 25-125mm f/2.8-5.9 lens
The exemplary build quality gives this camera a luxury feel. The camera is dense, feels hefty for its size when picked up, unlike many similar cameras that feel like a piece of plastic. This is a fine example of Japanese craftsmanship. It is fast and very responsive in operation. The lens is fantastic, 25mm (effective) wide angle is rare among such cameras, significantly wider angle than the 28mm of the FX33. In wide angle lenses every mm counts. Thankfully, the max aperture is back to f/2.8 - the FX35 maxed at f/3.3. The lens is sharp edge to edge with very little, if any, in the way of distortion and chromatic aberration. Certainly, the lens is better than the sensor. The wide aperture (f/2.8) at the wide angle is great for low light [The lenses on the FX35, TZ3, TZ4 and TZ5 are not as fast].

The flash is weak [manufacturers under-power the flash in order to gain on the "shots per battery charge" scale.].

Hints: In low light, including indoor shots with flash, use the wide angle (zoom out) to make use of the f/2.8 aperture, and you'll get less dark underexposed pictures. Stick with ISO 100 and 200. Keep ISO 400 for emergencies, but never go beyond 400. In auto-ISO mode, you can limit the max ISO. You probably read a lot about image noise. Yes, it is there, but you will not see it in 4x6 or 8x10 prints. You won't see it on a typical 20" monitor (12"x16") when viewing the whole image on the screen. You will see it if you view part of the image 1:1, which amounts to close up inspection of a 57"x38" print (assuming the monitor is running at 1024x768). Those wanting 57"x38" prints will be using a medium-format digital back, not this camera anyway. Reduce the resolution to 3 or 5 mp and you'll see less noise (per pixel), and save hard disk space!

I recommend an extra battery and a 4 GB memory card (minimum).

Optical image stabilization is very effective indeed. Video (1280x720x30) is very good.

I took out one star for: 1) Lack of full manual controls, 2) sensor noise.
This camera needs a larger sensor.

The more expensive TZ3, TZ4 and TZ5 lack the f/2.8 aperture (they max at f/3.3).

If you like the size and build-quality of the FX37, but want a better picture-taking machine, look at the LX3. It has a larger sensor, manual controls, RAW, and an excellent 24-60mm (equiv) f/2-2.8 lens. The LX3 is destined to be a big hit.

First Impressions very positive
When Panasonic announced their new cameras, I was interested in this model for its size, lens and image size. They have ceased the race for megapixel king and I was hoping image quality and not megapixels would become important.

Camera is 10MP, and has a 5x wide angle zoom. Plenty of MP for most uses and users.

The 5X zoom, while not the smoothest when zooming, the range is really appreciated. From a wide to a nice short tele! Very useful. On of my favorite things to do on vacation is to make "two-fers" self portraits of my wife and I. Not easy to do with most point and shoots, not wide enough to capture people and ambiance. This one fits the bill nicely!

First impressions: Camera is smaller than I had expected. This is a plus. It is the same size dimensionally as the Sony Cybershot T-5 it replaces.Also a plus. It is lighter than the Sony, and does not have that "solid" feeling. I consider this a neutral or slight minus.

Fast on the Draw, acceptable shutter lag from this class of camera (I use a D2X as well). Facial recognition focus seems to work too.

One of the most easy to navigate and use menus I have come across. It is distilled to a bare minimum.

Wish it captured RAW data.

I had been concerned, and started to have buyers remorse before I received the camera when I read some reviews of the predecessor about noise in poorly illuminated settings. This does not seem to be a problem. My abbreviated testing in low light has very acceptable results. (Your mileage may vary of course.)

For the price, this seems to be quite a nice camera for a carry everywhere camera.

Great Sharp Small
I'm a professional photographer with 25 yrs experience. Came down to the FX 37.. Canon sd 990 or the
Sony dswc T-77.
Sent the Canon right back. Clever design, too bulky, and guaranteed to slip through your fingers.
Sony, nice and slim, but too many menus, plus the touch screen is awkward and will drive you insane.
The FX 37 is very small, very fast, push buttons, and a 25mm wide-angle lens. Plus it extends to a nice telephoto...125mm. All you will ever need and POCKETABLE. Have the camera with you. Never miss the shot.
Beautiful construction. Feels solid. Very easy to shoot. Focus tracking. Leica lens. HD video. Excellent prints.
It's a no brainer.