Product Description

The Panasonic DMC-FX12K features Mega O.I.S. Optical Image Stabilization, which automatically detects and compensates for handshake. See text and small thumbnail images on the 2.5" diagonal LCD monitor with 115K pixels to increase the brightness level from the CCD to see even in low lighting. You get clear, beautiful shots even when shooting macro close-ups or taking self-portraits. White Balance - Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / White Set Shutter Speed - 8 - 1/2,000 second Built-in Flash Mode - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction and Forced On/Off Power Supply - Lithium-ion Battery Pack (3.7V, 1150 mAh), up to 350 pictures Dimensions - Height 3.70'' x Width 2.02'' x Depth 0.95'' Weight - 0.28 pounds

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25299 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: DMC-FX12-S
• Released on: 2007-03-01
• Dimensions: 2.02" h x .95" w x 3.70" l, .28 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 7.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
• 3x image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
• Intelligent ISO Control (I.I.C.) reduces image blur from subject movement and low light
• Records full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) at 30 frames per second
• Stores images on SD/SDHC/MMC memory cards; 27MB internal memory

Manufacturer Description
The Panasonic DMC-FX12 Lumix digital camera features a superb optical 3x zoom (35-105mm, on a 35mm film camera equivalent) Leica DC lens with f/2.8 brightness, a 7.2-megapixel CCD and a large, 2.5-inch LCD. all within a compact, stylish profile.

An Intelligent Image Stabilization system comprises two features, Mega O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO Control, that together make it easy to capture beautiful photos every time you shoot. Now recognized as a must-have feature for digital cameras, Mega O.I.S. compensates for the effects of hand-shake, making it possible to capture clear, crisp photos indoors, at night, or when taking macro close-ups -- those situations in which hand-shake is most likely to be a problem. Even Mega O.I.S., however, cannot suppress the motion blur caused by a subject moving as the photo is being snapped. That's where Intelligent ISO Control comes in. In this system, the camera's Venus Engine III image-processing engine detects whether the subject is moving and, as necessary, raises the ISO setting and shutter speed according to how fast the subject is moving and the light conditions. This happens automatically, so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. Lumix and its powerful Intelligent Image Stabilization system do all the work automatically. You enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.

In addition, the FX12 offers a range of features that enhance usability and add convenience. The new Quick Setting function lets you quickly and easily access and set the functions used most often. With the new Date Stamp function, you can simply stamp the date on photos or you can take advantage of two original Lumix features. When travelling, you can stamp the day of the trip on the photos you take. Or, if you have a baby, you can stamp his or her age in months on your photos. The stamped information appears on photos that you print yourself at home or have printed at a photo shop.

It also boasts an internal 27MB memory (approximate) and accepts large-capacity SDHC memory cards, giving users more flexibility in shooting and recording. The menu and its graphical user interface have also been redesigned, with the colors brightened for easier viewability.

DMC-FX12 Highlights

Bright f/2.8 Leica DC lens in a compact body The 7.2-megapixel DMC-FX12 packages a bright f/2.8 Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens with 3x optical zoom into a stylish, compact body. Comprising seven elements in six groups, including three lenses with three aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit passes Leica's stringent standards and delivers an exceptional optical performance. Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power from 3x to 4.1x by using the center part of the CCD.

Intelligent Image Stabilization: Mega O.I.S. for hand-shake plus Intelligent ISO Control for motion blur Panasonic drew on its cutting-edge lens technology to invent Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), an optical image stabilization system that prevents blurring from shaky hands -- the leading cause of blurry images. With Mega O.I.S., it is easier than ever to capture clear, sharp, beautiful images when shooting indoor portraits, illuminated night scenes or even the scenery you see from a train window.

While hand-shake is the single biggest cause of blurry images, it is not the only one. Another problem is the motion blur that can occur when a subject moves as the shot is being snapped. Incorporating Panasonic's Intelligent ISO Control, Lumix cameras are the first in the world to fight motion blur by themselves. This system detects whether or not the subject is moving. If it is, the system automatically raises the ISO setting accordingly, allowing the camera to shoot at a higher shutter speed. If the subject is not moving, the camera shoots at a low ISO setting and captures beautiful, natural-looking images. Intelligent ISO Control is included as one of the corrections in certain scene modes used to shoot subjects that are often moving, such as Sports, Baby and the newly added Pet mode. Simply select the mode that best suits the subject, and Intelligent ISO Control provides the optimal corrections, making it easy to capture crisp, clear photos.

With Intelligent Image Stabilization -- Mega O.I.S. to compensate for hand-shake plus Intelligent ISO Control to prevent motion blur -- Panasonic has taken image stabilization a leap forward and equipped the new Lumix DMC-FX12 with the industry's most advanced countermeasures against blurring.

High-quality, high-performance image-processing LSI: The Venus Engine III The DMC-FX12 features Panasonic's Venus Engine III, an advanced image processing engine which in the past was offered only in the upper-level Lumix models. It can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1250 with full resolution. With its multi-task image-processing capability, the Venus Engine III also boasts outstanding response time. Shutter release time lag is as short as 0.005 second. This fast response makes it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment shots. It also allows unlimited consecutive shooting -- you can continue snapping shots until the SDHC/SD memory card is full.

Bright LCD for easier shooting and more enjoyable playback The FX12 has a large, 2.5-inch LCD for comfortable viewing both while monitoring shots and while playing back the results. The pixel-mixed readout method used by the CCD automatically increases the brightness of the live image on the LCD, making it much easier to shoot in low lighting. Thanks to the Power LCD function, which boosts the LCD backlighting by 40 percent, even shooting outdoors in bright sunshine is no longer a problem. The High Angle mode, which can be accessed quickly and easily via a dedicated button, makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as to shoot over a crowd.

Record clear, bright, wide-aspect VGA motion images -- ideal for widescreen viewing In addition to recording standard VGA (640 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second, the DMC-FX12 can record stunning wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second. These 16:9 motion pictures look extremely impressive on a wide-screen TV. The pixel-mixed readout method used by the CCD enhances image brightness, so the pictures you see are clear, bright and beautiful.

Other advanced features The compact and stylish FX12 features 27 MB (approximate) of built-in memory, which can save the day should you happen to fill up or forget to take along a memory card. The functions and settings used most often, such as white balance adjustment, ISO level, image size, image quality (compression format), and consecutive shooting are quickly and easily accessed via the Quick Setting function. There's no need to open menus to adjust them. The FX12 also accommodates large-capacity SDHC memory cards. A wide variety of scene modes, including the new Pet and Sunset modes, make it easy to get beautiful photos in a range of photographic situations. Above them, Sports, Baby and the Pet mode take advantage of the Intelligent ISO Control as previously described, to let you get great results even if the subjects have unexpected motion. When used with the optional marine case housing, Underwater mode allows underwater shooting with optimal automatic settings that capture subjects and the surrounding water in beautifully natural colors.

The fun continues even when the shooting is done With the DMC-FX12, the enjoyment of photography doesn't end when you're done shooting for the day. One additional function that broadens the fun of photography is direct print mode. To select it, simply turn the mode dial on the camera top. Then use a USB cable to connect the camera to a Pictbridge-compatible printer, and you're ready to print beautiful photos. Print all the images you shot or only your favorites, and make one copy or multiple copies as you wish. When you turn the mode dial, the mode selected is indicated on the LCD. This lets you change the mode to recording, playback or direct printing without taking your eyes off the subject.

Also interesting is the new Date Stamp function. In addition to showing the date a photo was taken, the FX12 can show on which day of the trip a photo was taken. It can also stamp your baby's age in months on a photo, after you've taken the shots. These dates, which can be helpful when making a photo album, can be stamped on photos whether you print them yourself at home or have a photo shop do them.

And with the optional Panasonic DMW-SDP1 HDTV Photo Player, it's easy to have a slide show of Lumix images in 1080i high-definition quality. By simply connecting the SDP1, via a component cable, to a high-definition TV such as a Panasonic Viera, and inserting the SDHC/SD memory card into its slot, users can view their photos on a large display together with family or friends. Like Lumix cameras, the DMW-SDP1 incorporates the Venus Engine III imaging engine. This provides extremely quick advancing from one slide to the next. It also allows playback of wide-aspect VGA (848x 480) motion images that fit an HDTV’s 16:9 screen.

Customer Reviews

Great lens, image quality all in a compact sized camera
I've always been a fan of Panasonic's Optical Image Stabilizers on their Lumix line of cameras. The DMC-FX12 was quite the steal at under $200. Very compact camera without sacrificing image quality (at least not too much). There have been testimonies stating that the images produced from the DMC-FX12 are soft, but you can fix that by changing the color mode to "vivid" and presto, sharper images. The only gripe I have with this compact performer is that anything from ISO 800 and higher provides very noisy images. Most of the low light shots I've taken (minus the flash with color mode set to 'natural') were acceptable, but quite noisy. This camera has a quality Leica lens which helps contribute to some crisp images. Other than that, the flash is decent and under normal lighting conditions, you get some pretty darn good images (the image stabilizer makes a huge difference). This is a point-and-shoot camera and people tend to expect SLR quality images from a point-and-shoot camera. I have yet to come across a p&s shooter that comes anywhere close to SLR quality. As for the DMC-FX12, it's compact, great for point-and-shoot casual shooting, and worth every penny. I was in debate of whether to get this shooter or the DMC-FX30 but I wasn't about to shell out another extra $100 for a difference of 7mm of focal length between the 2 shooters. I chose the DMC-FX12 due to price and the image quality.

Excellent pocket camera (Review updated 7/29/07)
Light carry weight and small size were near the top of my "must have" features for a new camera; I wanted something that I would grab every day, put in a pocket, and not worry about. I have a digital SLR but carrying around every day is a bit much.

After looking at Canon and Nikon pocket cameras I decided on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX12. (I did on-line research, then went to my local camera store where I've been buying gear for 30 years. Their recommendations are generally spot-on. BTW - I paid a few bucks more at the camera store; buying on Amazon would have been less expensive. But since I spent some time in the store with the clerk, I felt it not right to use his expertise and then purchase elsewhere).

The FX12 is quite small - easily fits in a dress shirt pocket or front slacks pocket. (Jean pockets maybe not so much, they tend to be tighter and might damage the camera). The camera is also quite light, although perhaps a bit heavier than it looks.

The Leica lens was a major selling point for me. Leica glass reputation is second-to-none. However, the focal length could be just a tad longer for my taste. This camera is great for wide angle shots (group photos, etc.) but grabbing a telephoto shot means going to electronically enhanced zoom and, even with a Leica lens, that has inherit limitations.
Close up shots (such as flowers) come out very nicely indeed, even for such a photographer as myself.

Construction of the camera seems...delicate. Flimsy is too strong a term, but "delicate" seems to fit. Of course the controls are small by design, which is great, but the battery/card cover isn't all that substantial. However the camera seems to ride happily in whichever pocket I have dropped it into, and the construction is not such that would make one concerned that the machine will be crunched in the carrying. Perhaps because it is so small...it just seems delicate to me.

The battery, as far as I can determine (someone PLEASE tell me if I got this wrong!) can't be charged in the camera. Battery life seems good - I've not run it down yet. However I would rarely, if ever, use the camera extensively at one go. If I know I'm going out for a shoot I'd take a DSLR. So you might look to others for recommendations on battery life. More important to me is how long the battery will keep a charge while the camera is in my pocket. I don't want to pull out the camera to find it's gone dead sitting. After being toted around for a week, taking the odd (in every sense of the word ) photo, playing with the lens and camera settings, the battery was still showing a complete charge.

I can't comment on the software that came with the camera, as I use Photoshop Elements. However I've used card readers in XP and Vista computers without a problem in retrieving images.

I've not noticed that the images are particulary soft, but it may be a result of the images I've taken. More experience may tell a different tale.

Quality-wise I've had no issues with the images. Composition errors are not the fault of the camera ;-)

The image stabilazition does seem to have a positive influence on low light shots. The flash is, as one would expect from a small pocket camera, limited in range.

There is no viewing port on the FX12, just the viewing glass on the back of the camera. After spending a lifetime of looking through ports (both rangefinder and SLR) I'm having some difficulty in holding the camera to get my shot - I think one loses something in support when one has to hold the camera away from one's body when shooting. It appears that many manufacturers are taking this design road. On the bright side it does cut down on the profile size of the machine.

I can't comment on the noise factor at higher ASA values; I've not had cause to make those types of shots yet. The bottom line is, of course, always the image and I've been quite satisfied with the quality of the images I've made with this machine. However, I've not made any 8x10 (or larger) prints yet, and there may be hidden faults that will appear only on larger prints.

Since I truly drop this thing daily into my shirt or pants pocket I had some concerns about scratching the viewing glass. I found a Delkin "eFilm" shade which adds nearly no weight to the camera (it does add about 1/4 of an inch to the depth of the camera)and protects the viewing glass and also gives protection from direct sunlight when used outdoors. It's removable, but I've found it doesn't interfere with keeping the camera "pocketable".

Other than a bit more lens reach the only other thing on my "WIBCI" list (Wouldn't It Be Cool If) would be manual settings. However it's a point and shoot with autmatic controls (although there are a number of scenes from which to choose!) so one can't gripe about lack of manual controls.

Start up time is quite fast for this type of camera - much faster than my Kodak 443. Shutter lag isn't bad (although taking action shots at football games might be a bit dicey. Try golf ). Delay between shots is noticeable, but I have a slow Kodak card in the bay and a faster card might improve write speed.

For a $200 camera it's quite acceptable, and it allows me to make pictures where other cameras don't - because you can't make a photo with a camera you don't have in hand; this FX12 has become a fixture with me.

ADDENDUM 7/29/07

Battery life while carrying has proven not to be a problem - after a couple of weeks in my pocket, taking an occasional shot the battery still has plenty of power.

However - I did try a few shots of a fast moving subject and found that the shutter lag does have a significant impact. Not as bad as my old Kodak 443, but it does require a considerable amount of anticipation on pulling the trigger to get the shot. Also, on some portrait shots, @ 10 feet in subdued light the photos came out underexposed (the camera was set on "portrait" in modes). I was able to correct the issue in PhotoShop, but there was considerable noise. I believe the flash was at the absolute limit at 10 feet.

Overall, after a few more weeks with the system, I still like the camera very much - even though some shots have given me trouble. The only reason I had trouble was because I had the camera with me . I'm slipping the camera into my pocket on a daily basis - but need more time to get used to the limitations of a point 'n shoot.

A great little camera
This a nifty little camera. I already have a 35mm SLR, but wanted a compact digital camera that I would be more inclined to carry and use and without the worries of film. I do carry and use this camera much more that I would with a larger film camera, so for that it is great. However, I find myself missing some of the features that I'm used to, especially manual settings and manual focus. I wish that it would focus and cycle through shots much quicker. Also, the lens is tiny, but as the whole camera is tiny, that is the nature of the product. I find this camera fairly easy to use. I was able to starting taking picture right out of the box and before looking at the manual. However, some of the menus and controls are somewhat anti-intuitive. The basic use is straight forward, but trial and error or reading the manual is needed to take full advantage of all this camera offers. The manual included reads like a manual; it is so choked full of warning and disclaimers that finding the useful information is tedious. Also included is a disk of photo software, for both Microsoft and Mac OS. However, I use Linux, so this is utterly useless to me. No mention is ever made to other OS besides those two. Despite this, I've had no problems connecting the camera to my computer with the supplied USB cable; It mounts like a FAT16 flashdrive, and I assume it could be used as one too. This camera is loaded with a number of settings and features; this somewhat make-up for the lack of control offered by other cameras. One foolish feature is when the camera is on, the lens extends itself from the body and is uncovered and exposed, and it stays this way even if the camera is in a mode that does not use the lens such as while connecting to a computer or playback. I bought this camera with traveling in mind, so hope it will be durable and it seem like it will be, but I can't yet truly comment on that. Overall, I really enjoy this little camera, and its size allows me to keep it handy. As a point-and-shoot camera, it is great. For a wider range of photography, reading the manual and learning about all the features is necessary.