Product Description

The Panasonic DMC-FX33K Lumix 8.1 Megapixel Digital Camera comes equipped with advanced Mega O.I.S. Optical Image Stabilization that detects even the tiniest camera movement so it can automatically adjust the lens to compensate. Get clear pictures every time without any loss of image detail or clarity with Mega O.I.S. This camera will not only help eliminate blurring from hand-shake or subject movement, but it will also automatically detect up to 15 faces to select the focus, exposure and scene modes for the best results. Intelligent ISO lets Panasonic Lumix digital cameras capture crisp, clear images while your subject is moving. Intelligent Scene Selector will sense the ambient conditions and automatically select Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode accordingly to get beautiful results every time you shoot. Face Detection for Blur-Free Portraits Backlight Compensation at Intelligent Auto mode Burst Shooting Mode - Full-Resolution Image, 3 frames/sec Max. 7 images (Standard Mode), Max 4 images (Fine Mode) High-speed Burst Mode - approx. 7 frames/sec Built-in Flash Mode - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction and Forced Off Shutter Speed - 8 - 1/2,000 seconds Power Supply - Lithium-ion Battery Pack (3.6V, 1000 mAh) for up to 280 pictures Dimensions - Height 2.04'' x Width 3.74'' x Depth 0.87'' Weight - 0.29 pounds

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24443 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Black
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: DMC-FX33P-K
• Released on: 2007-10-01
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Memory: 27MB
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 8.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
• 3.6x wide-angle image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
• Intelligent Auto Mode with Face Detection and Intelligent Scene Selector
• High-Sensitivity mode shoots at an ISO equivalent of 6400; Continuous Autofocus minimizes autofocus time
• Stores images on SD memory cards (includes 27MB of internal memory; powered by lithium-ion battery (battery and charger included)

From the Manufacturer
Like the entire 2007 Lumix line, the Lumix DMC-FX33 incorporates Panasonic's revolutionary Intelligent Image Stabilization technologies, and is among the first Panasonic cameras to offer Intelligent Auto Mode, a system which combines Mega Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S) and Intelligent ISO Control with three new features: Face Detection System, Intelligent Scene Selector, and Continuous Autofocus. The camera combines 8.1-megapixel resolution with a 28mm wide-angle Leica DC lens that features 3.6x optical zoom.

The new Intelligent Auto Mode available on the DMC-FX33 includes:

• Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects the appropriate scene mode from the most frequently-used modes such as Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Scenery, and Night Portrait;
• the Face Detection System, which helps the camera to focus, set autoexposure, and detects up to 15 human faces, capturing them clearly and brightly; and
• Continuous Autofocus, which allows the camera to maintain focus on the subject without having to press the shutter button halfway, minimizing autofocus time.

Intelligent Image Stabilization, a feature across the entire 2007 Lumix digital camera line, comprises two features: MEGA O.I.S. which helps compensate for the effects of hand-shake, and and Intelligent ISO Control, which takes into account the photo subject is moving and adjusts the ISO setting. Combining these two anti-blur features helps the DMC-FX33 to photograph clear, crisp images.

In addition, the DMC-FX55 and DMC-FX33 features the Venus Engine III, which supports a new High Sensitivity mode that allows images to be shot at a setting of up to ISO 6400. This is sensitive enough to capture subjects in low-light conditions without the need for a flash. Also, the high-speed Burst Shooting mode enables up to seven shots to be taken per second.

Other advanced features include:

• The DMC-FX55 has a 3-inch LCD screen and the DMC-FX33 comes with a 2.5-inch LCD screen.
• 27MB of built-in memory, perfect for backing up SDHC/SD memory card recording.
• The new Title Edit function allows the inputting of text to provide additional context to images. Additional functions for adding information to photos include the Text Stamp function and the Travel Date function.
• Category Playback sorts images into categories such as portraits, events, baby, etc., to allow for easy playback and creation of slideshows.
• Clipboard function allows the user to hold and retrieve certain images that may be useful on a trip, such as a photo of a map or train schedule.
• The DMC-FX33 is compatible with a marine case for underwater shooting.
• The DMC-FX33 is available in in silver, black, blue, and brown.

What's in the Box
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX33 digital camera, software (Lumix Simple Viewer, PhotofunStudio viewer, ArcSoft Media Impression, ArcSoft Panorama Maker), USB driver, battery charger, battery pack, battery carrying case, AV cable, USB connection cable, AC cable, strap, CD-ROM

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Customer Reviews

Great point-and-shoot, slim
This camera just feels good. This particular (black) body is rubberized (but all-metal underneath the rubber coat), something not apparent in the pictures or description. It's a small camera, smaller than the Canon SD870, but not as small as the Canon SD1000. Slim and pocketable, easily.

I was trying to decide between these three cameras, and I got the Lumix because of it's optical image stabilization (SD1000 does not have this) and because it felt better in my hands than the SD870.

This camera has a wide-angle lens (28mm equivalent), which REALLY makes a difference when you're taking a group picture in a small room or trying to fit a cathedral into a shot when you're standing in front of it.

Optical image stabilization will help remove your hand jitter in low-light situations. Possibly the best new, real feature to hit digital cameras since 7 megapixel resolution.

The other major feature on this camera is the new "Intelligent Auto" mode which works great, but it basically detects between 4 different scenes, not every single scene mode as I was led to believe. Face detection really does work, but I don't think it's any better than any other autofocus system.

Image quality is average, whatever that means. For a point and shoot though, nobody should be expecting SLR-quality shots on such a tiny camera, tiny lens, and tiny CCD sensor. I think it's ridiculous how anyone expects SLR quality at all. Physics people! So for it's size, the pictures come out great, and I am not disappointed.

Video quality is great - it supports a really high 848x480 (widescreen) resolution, higher than most (if not all) other compacts out there right now. The audio quality does suck. To me, it sounds like it's underwater compared to my old Sony or Nikon digital compacts. However, it's good enough, and if you want better, get a real camcorder. Caveat - the "Video" mode is on the opposite side of the mode dial from "Picture" mode. Somebody missed the usability memo.

Screen is sharp and is covered by glass, not plastic. This means greater scratch resistence, but since the glass protrudes a little from the body of the camera itself, it might also attract more scratches, too.

The only major downside to this camera is that from power-on until picture-taken, it's about 3-4 seconds. This is bad for when you just have to get that once-in-a-lifetime shot. However, if that moment only lasted 3 seconds, I don't think anyone could have gotten a good picture of it.

Look to this camera as a real alternative to the insanely popular Canon digital elph line. Hands down, Lumix cameras look cooler and have all the important features Canon has. I agonized between Canon and Panasonic, but I have no regrets with my choice. Do it!

Why the Panasonic DMC-FX33 is best in class
If you're looking for a no-fuss, yet high performance compact digital camera in the $250-300 price range, this is the one. For starters, my number one feature requirement was an equivalent-28mm wide-angle lens. After many years living with 28mm as virtually standard in the pre-digital age, having to put up with a 35mm minimum (without paying a fortune) was starting to get really unacceptable. Being able to work with 28mm again, this time on a compact digital, is a real delight.
Even at the $300 level, I only really found this Panasonic and a Canon Powershot offering this feature. So choosing was easy - I just had a choice between two items. I chose the Panasonic because it has a Leica lens (power of the brand) and because it has a super high sensitivity rating of 6400 ISO which, in practice provides real advantages. I have been amazed by the photo quality when forcing off the flash in lower light conditions--to the extent that the non-flash photo of a same scene (e.g. in a normally lighted room) is often far more pleasing to the eye than the flash version.
Finally, the combination of electronic stabilization and Intelligent ISO (very effective in 95% of cases) means that the fully automatic setting does a fantastic job in just about every case of general photography.

Obviously there are a whole host of features that make the item very desirable, and most are present on both cameras. If both items had been absolutely equal, I still would have taken the Panasonic, because it just so happens that the brand takes up more of my mind-share than Canon (which means "photocopiers" to me).
I recommend this superb Panasonic item whole-heartedly and would encourage you to supplement it with a high-quality high-speed SD card such as the SanDisk 2GB Extreme III SD Secure Digital Card SDSDX32048901 / SDSDX3-2048-901. Don't make the mistake of going budget shopping for SD cards!

(insert cliché about big things in little packages)
After long and arduous research, I finally decided to buy this Panasonic FX33K. Usually having invested so much time into researching and comparing products, I come down to a select few products, picking one, and end up somewhat regretting not picking another one. This has not been the case with the FX33K.

I am a very particular person when it comes to buying anything. My requirements for buying a digital camera were that it has to has to be black, it needs to have the best anti-shake available (as I have very shaky hands), it needs to be reasonably priced (at most around $200) and it needs to take high-quality pictures. That being said, after thorough comparison, I am assured I have found what I've been looking. If you're looking for an ultra compact camera that has great anti-shake, a bright screen (which you can adjust to make it multiple times brighter) looks chic and takes great pictures (look at the pictures in the "customer images" section), look no further. I bought this camera on Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday) and so it met my criteria for price. Panasonic makes some compact cameras that fit similar criteria for a lower price, but don't look as fashionable as the FX33K or have the intelligent auto-adjust ability, which allows the camera to automatically adjust to the environmental settings, and tries to figure out what sort of picture you're trying to take and adjust itself accordingly.

I've never bought anything from Panasonic just because of their brand name before, but because of this camera, I'm considering going to them for many more of my electronic needs.