Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX8

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The FX8 rides on the success of its predecessor by retaining most of its features and introducing more user-friendly controls. This 5-megapixel camera has a 3x optical zoom and a large 2.5-inch LCD monitor for viewing pictures. Its small and compact size does not compromise on its host of features. In terms of image quality, the FX8 delivers colorful and detailed images for a point-and-shoot camera. Overall, this unit is targeted at consumers who want a hassle-free experience and to shoot with style.

Design
The large 2.5-inch LCD monitor reduces the need to squint during the playback of images. Its resolution remains similar to the FX7 and magnified images appear to be grainy. Though the display takes up more than 3/4 of the space available on the back of the camera, its controls are designed for one-hand operation. It would also probably be wise to invest in a screen protector for obvious reasons.

The large LCD monitor in contrast with the much smaller dials.

Improvements to the design of FX8 also include a manual lock for the battery and memory card compartment as compared with the slide-off design on the FX7. This prevents any mishaps of opening the compartment accidentally.

Without an optical viewfinder, we found it slightly more difficult to frame pictures under low-light conditions. There is no alternative for those who wish to turn off the LCD monitor during times when the battery runs low. This leaves one with the choice of guessing where your subjects are or risking a flat battery halfway through the shot with the LCD display on.

Manual lock for the battery and memory card compartment.

The grip on the front of the camera body could also have been improved to increase stability when taking pictures. In terms of design, the FX8 presents the user with a sleek metallic feel, often compromised by the abundance of fingerprints left behind on the camera body after use.

Features
The help explanations that come with the installed scene modes serve their primary purpose. Offering a total of 12 scene modes, an additional three from the FX7, these are sufficient in most situations. Extra personalization is also available in the "Baby" scene mode where the age of the baby can be displayed with the pictures if the birth date is set.

The built-in speaker allows the user to play back video with audio, a feature not available in the FX7. It is puzzling why Panasonic left out such an important function in the earlier model, which was thankfully corrected in the current FX8.

Included in the retail package is a 16MB SD card allowing a grand total of five pictures to be taken at maximum resolution. A higher-capacity memory card would definitely be more desirable.

Performance
The camera was brought out over a few days to be tested in real-life situations. We alternated between shots taken in the day and night with flash on and off; recorded videos; and did the usual playback to see how the shots turn out. The battery lasted approximately 200 images with slightly less than half the maximum battery capacity remaining. It was also a relief to find that the battery did not discharge itself when not in use, therefore reducing the number of recharge cycles and maximizing its lifespan. In comparison with the FX7, the battery life is remarkably improved, allowing more shots with one full charge.

The pictures demonstrated slight ghost-like trails at higher ISO levels even with the optical image stabilizer turned on. However, this problem was easily corrected with the use of a tripod.

Particularly impressive was the camera's startup. It took its first shot 2 seconds after it was turned on. Not as satisfying, though, was its considerably slower shutdown even though the FX8 was still slightly faster than the FX7.

Image quality
The images taken by the camera were generally vivid and colorful under normal daylight and outdoor conditions. The white balance showed correctly for most of the shots taken indoors. Slight tweaking with the controls could easily correct images that went off white, so that didn't cause too much of a problem.

With the optical image stabilizer turned on, pictures taken in the night were noticeably of a better quality, though not without noise. The best shots were taken with a tripod and timer to minimize any movement to the camera. Although the FX8 exhibited more noise at higher ISO levels, this appeared to be common especially for the compact point-and-shoot range of cameras.

Given the large LCD screen, certain trade-offs were definitely to be expected. The images displayed on the LCD were crisp, but it was also clear to the naked eye that it appeared pixelized.

Findings
The FX8 out-performed its predecessor in more ways than one. For a start, Panasonic addressed the problems in the FX7 by improving the battery life of the latter and added a built-in speaker enabling audiovisual playback of movies on the camera. On top of that, several other features including a manual lock for the battery and memory card compartment, extra scene modes with help menus made the camera more user-friendly. This sub-S$750 (US$534.61) camera is competitively priced and with its optical image stabilization capabilities, places it above other cameras in its category.